Top's China Buffet — Restaurant in Fort Pierce

I'm not sure what to make of the menu board entry that says "Enter as Guests - Leave as Friends" as I rarely saw our server at Top's China Buffet in Fort Pierce. As for the gentleman acting as a cashier, he played on his smartphone most of the time.

Out of school on a "half-day" my kids wanted lunch and they wanted it now. Quick, easy and inexpensive, I decided to try out Top's China Buffet as it was just that - quick, easy and inexpensive. The kid's buffet lunch (3-8 years old) was $3.99, while the adult meal was $7.79.

Tucked into a declining shopping center that once hosted a Winn-Dixie and K-Mart, Top's China Buffet can be found in the northwest corner. Parking wasn't an issue and there were a number of cars directly in front of the buffet. A good sign, I thought.

Two "kids" and my 13 year-old daughter - who counted as an adult - along with myself, we were quickly shown to a table. Tables were close together and seating was very cramped. The restaurant had a "smell" of cooked pork or other foods. We chose water as our beverage.

Quickly making our way to the buffet line, my kids and I tried the spare ribs, spare rib tips, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, egg rolls and crab rangoon. All I can say is overcooked as to each of these items. Trying the sweet and sour soup, I found the flavor to be very fishy and unlike the same soup I have tried at other Chinese restaurants.

We went back and forth to the buffet line several times in search of food items seemly appetizing to the eyes. We didn't find much.

For desert, my kids and I tried the vanilla pudding, jello, and Chinese donuts. Vanilla pudding came from a can and the jello tasted oddly like soap. The Chinese donuts were okay.

We won't be returning to Top's China Buffet any time soon.

William E. Lewis Jr. Vero...

Poor people that have had a terrible experience...what did you expect from this place?!? PeeKing? A Hibachi? This is a medium sized Chinese buffet, tucked next to a countless number of closed down shopping centers as well as a failed K-Mart. The only other option is the Hungry Howie's next to it. This is one of the few places in Fort Pierce with an ever active trash tornado, you'll know what I'm talking about if you visit.

So as I said, what do you expect? You aren't getting a fresh salad. Everything is definitely going to be loaded with MSG. If you eat to your hearts content, you will feel sick. But there is nothing like loading up on lo mein, fried rice, teriyaki chicken on a stick, and the spicy chicken. Don't get me started on the never ending always hot spring rolls and egg rolls. And the staff, don't listen to these liars that were looking for more than they were willing to pay! The staff is down to earth and just happy that people are still walking in. Because, people are always walking into this place. There has never been a moment when I have made the sacrifice to enter and gorge myself in the wonderful delicacies of endless Chinese that I have not seen a great many individual in this place.

If you are brave, yes I did say brave. It'll take some courage and the willingness to make jokes about Chinese food while you are eating it...but if you are up for the challenge, visit Top's. Now that you have a good understanding of what to expect, I anticipate you will enjoy...

The customer service sucks when we walked in the host was sitting eating and told us to just find a seat then our waitress was on her phone the whole time we where here asked for fresh fish I was told he'd drop the fish that was already out back into the grease because it was only two tables occupied in the restaurant and asked me do I understand no I don't if I'm paying my money I expect hot food this place is getting worst and worst each time we come CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS AND IT WAS DIRTY IN...