Lu Buffet & Grill — Restaurant in Gaithersburg

Came here 9 days after opening. First, while they do have a good variety of food, most of it is seafood. Besides the staples of an Asian buffet (fried rice, beef and broccoli, lo mein, pizza, French fries, etc), the food is usually some kind of seafood (fish, shrimp, crab, oyster, etc). Surprisingly, they have snow crab legs. For someone who prefers chicken and beef to seafood, this is not the buffet for me. However, the quality of the seafood seems to vary, with some pieces verging on spoiled. The sushi offerings are pretty good for a buffet. They also have hibachi, Korean bbq, and two types of pho.

The chocolate fountain is pretty good for a buffet, drying to a smooth and consistent solid. They have a good variety of ice creams: strawberry cheesecake, mint chocolate chip, moose tracks (with fudge and peanut butter), cookies and cream, graham central station, butter pecan, superman, chocolate, vanilla, cotton candy, and raspberry sorbet. For people who like jello, note that the jello here has peach in it.

The way the seating spaces are arranged is interesting. When you enter, there are two seating rooms on the right (one big divided in two and one small), one on the left, and one in the back behind the pho and hibachi. All of the rooms except for the small one on the right have good ventilation and air conditioning. That one room is very hot, probably a combination of bad ventilation and being stuck between the kitchen and the fountain drink and ice machines.

The bathrooms are a bit wet but otherwise fine. Interestingly, the flush handle in the women's bathroom is on the right. Usually it's on the left. I'm told the handle is on the left in the men's bathroom.

Lastly, they have this fountain in the corner by the exit that honestly seems out of place. I think they're going to work more on it later, but now it's just a fountain with dirty water and a strong chlorine scent.

Overall, it's a bit better than the average Asian buffet but I wish they had more...

This shopping plaza used to house the Old Country Buffet which I had thoroughly enjoyed going to. That long since closed and I was excited when coming back to town Lu Buffet became part of the plaza. The only smile received was from the cashier. Nobody smiled. The whole staff on the floor were rushing. I was asked by one server what soda did I want before I was seated. Was there tea? I don't know. I was caught off by the quick question, and lack of smile. I replied Sprite and proceeded to the buffet. Back at the table, the Sprite wasn't served. About 15 minutes, I asked again. It took about 5 minutes to receive it. When the server brought it, it was hurriedly placed on my table with no smile. At the buffet, the meats at the carving station look like they had been sitting under the lamps for awhile, they were in large chunks, and there was nobody there to carve and serve. Two of the three stations at the back of the buffet, the Pho and the other station next to the Sushi, had an attendant at each. But nobody was there for them to serve, they were idle, and once again, no smiles. I think one of them could have been at the carving station? All of the food I chose tasted delicious, but the presentations at the buffet didn't look appealing. Much of the food looked to be highly oiled, sauced, fried, or buttered. Recommendations: Please smile and be excited to serve your customers. If you're understaffed, try to fix that to make the work manageable and pleasant for your staff. Pay attention to the presentation of the food at the buffet. When offering a beverage, state the choices, "What would you like? Tea, coffee, soda?" These can all contribute to creating a desire for people to want to come back for more. I didn't have that feeling when I finished my...

One of the greatest buffet experiences in the area can be found at Lu Buffet & Grill, located at 218 N Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD. The eating area greets you as soon as you enter and is spotless, roomy, and exquisitely kept, with a cozy and welcoming ambiance. The team makes sure that visitors are comfortable and well-cared for during their stay by being amiable, considerate, and always willing to help. With a vast array of foods to suit every palate, the cuisine selection is excellent. Everything is made with a focus on flavor and freshness, from expertly grilled meats and a variety of hot meals with Asian influences to fresh seafood like shrimp, crab legs, and sushi. The dessert area, which offers cakes, fruits, and ice creams that are the ideal way to cap off a substantial dinner, is just as lovely as the salad bar. The consistency and quality of the food at Lu Buffet & Grill is one of its best qualities. In contrast to many buffets, the food is constantly restocked, guaranteeing that each dish is hot, tasty, and fresh. A great feature that provides a more intimate dining experience is the grill area, where you may have your cuisine prepared to order. You get a lot of options and delicious food at a very affordable price, making it a great value for the money. It's a terrific place for special occasions as well as informal dining, whether you're visiting with family, friends, or coworkers. All things considered, Lu Buffet & Grill provides the ideal balance of diversity, flavor, and friendliness. Strongly suggested for anyone in Gaithersburg seeking a fulfilling...