V Star — Restaurant in Houston

Got a wild hair for crawfish while in the area, called to confirm they're serving crawfish, they were. Upon arrival the crawfish bin was empty with 2 people in line. 20 minutes later a new tray came out, I got up and waited my turn as person #3. By the time it was my turn the crawfish bin was already empty. They have a sign saying cook time for crawfish is 30 minutes, apparently they only serve 2 people crawfish every 30 minutes. I waited for the next round and it happened again, this time with 3 people in front of me.

I was there for just over 30 minutes and was nearing the end of my lunch break, I had one small plate of food and started a second but was not interested in any of it because all I wanted was crawfish. I politely asked the waitress if I could get a cut off the price and just be on my way because I only wanted crawfish and haven't been able to get any and I have to get back to work, and that I've only had 1.5 plates. She politely said sure and said brb, another lady came and the discussion repeated, she politely said that will be no problem and she'll be right back with an updated check. 5 minutes later an asian man with tattoos on his arms came up, I recognize him as the guy I spoke to on the phone because I go there fairly often and know his voice. I had the same conversation a 3rd time with himi and made sure to tell him I was the person on the phone asking about crawfish, then he proceeded to explain how a buffet works to me "you can eat as much as you want and it's the same price that's how buffet works." To his credit he was polite throughout the discussion. After some back and forth I got tired of it because it was clear he was going to stand his ground and refuse to adjust the price regardless of me not eating or getting the thing I preemptively verified was available directly from his mouth via phonecall.

This was my go-to place for chinese buffet and crawfish any time I'm on that side of town for over 3 years. I've never had a bad experience with the food and the staff has always been polite, granted I've never had to really interact with them beyond the minimum standard of paying the bill and getting refills.

It wasn't about the money, when I left I paid and left a tip as I always do. It's a shame they do not value their customers experience or have a willingness to work with the occasional issue to ensure a good customer experience. I was only asking for a half price discount since I hardly touched any of their food, I hope the $9 they saved this day was worth a bad review and the loss of all the revenue I would have generated for years to come as a repeat customer.

1 star because customer experience is the most important thing for any business.

Update 5/8/2021 They replied to this review and it shows exactly what my issue was. I never said I overpaid, I asked for a bit of leniency because I preemptively called to ask if a specific thing was available, was told yes but couldn't get any. They did not address anything I commented about and only focused on "you came in you pay full price." Disappointed, but not shocked.

As a fellow business owner I am always willing to work with the occasional issue because ensuring a good experience ensures future repeat business. This is far more valuable than getting the few dollars I would have lost in that particular transaction at the cost of all future business from that individual.

I'm not sure if it's a language barrier or if they're really that out of touch with their customers or what, but it really feels like they don't care about their customers, only their...

Terrible. No one has people person skills. I personally saw the outspoken Asian Male Manager throw a Shrimp back in on the Shrimp after it sat on the bar since my first trip to food bar. Right in front of me. i asked him why sucha terrible mistake. Be started yelling at me and down grading me in front of customer in whole place, Then loudly tried to say we cursed him which is not true but the customers knew this. We are avid Good character Church Going Family. son is a Senior Chief of 25 years and more to go. From Dickinson Texas. Dickinson School District. Has been on 26 deployments now in war times all over the globe for the US Navy. He also won Medals for The #1 West Coast Sailor.

the #1 Sailor of the year with medals and a Tomcat Aircraft with his name on it. and He won Senior Sailor of the Year in 2011 out of the Whole US Navy. a Hero. and i just asked why the shrimp that had been out so long on counter was placed back. and why his Waitress was Standing in our section staring at me. i have Non Melanoma Skin Cancer and where the biopsies and worse areas on my face look bad right now i understand. But Gods healing me everyday. it was not good to be demoraliezed inside a restaurant screamed at. 3 times total. and Disgraced. i told the Manger that my spouse and I review and he said he didnt care. We thought about leaving bit had already ate 1small plate each for salad before the Dhrimp fiasco. i lnew it was so very very expensive but my hisband wanted to treat me nice after so much chemo. Thanks V Star manager and Hostess at front. Waitress with no care but to stare. it was horrific event. The food was good. Salad, but lost my appetite. my husband had worked 14 hours and was very hungry. He said nothing to the Manager as he knows we use our minds and words. Yes.I am a Senior Citizen. No we never received a water or tea refill. The cashier did apologize. He seems to snap quite often. But putting left out food that a customer may have dropped 15 minutes before isnot healthy. and i promise, He actslike he guards the crabs. Ever few minutes he completely blocks it by moving 3 or 4 crabs around on top of the Huge pile . Abd we especially noticed this as Larger Folks were heading to the crabs. Zoom there he went till they got by. also a Friend of the Manger came on soon before we left. Time had passed as my husband was eating. A beautifil woman. immediately when she asked hpw he wass doing he replied loudly again ,See those people over there pointing. They are trouble . So as i close, My with Heart of Love from God and a Promise, every...

If there's a 0 star i would have given them 0 stars. First of all, for all the disabled should not consider going to this place as they refuse service to me and my service dog. I was refused service for being disabled. Demanding me to wait and prove my disability as the owner did not know the law for service dogs and needed to Call texas disability. after I've waited 20 minutes for the OWNER to talk to Texas disabilit. I was fed up of waiting and just walked in to eat with my dog outside to get food the MANAGER/OWNER walked over to me handing me the phone asking me to talk to texas disability to prove my disability and my dog. I refused as I'm not the one who is not aware of my disability nor my laws. As I'm not the one refusing service... which was nonsense. This is something an owner should already be educated about as he owns the business. The owner started getting mad as he couldn't find any reason to refuse and get the disability on the phone to get a proper answer as he was not aware of the laws for the disabled. I was clearly refused service at this place and never have I heard an apologies from the owner let alone was gving attitude and being extremely rude trying to fight with me telling me I'm impatient while I've already waited almost 40minites by this time. The only reason why I was waiting was because the owner did not know the laws for the disabled. I strongly do not recommend this place as you can clearly see from the restroom status its not sanitary nor are there service any good. I will be reporting this incident as this was totally illegal for the owner to have done. Refusing service to the disabled for...