Chow's Country Buffet — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I actually took time to read the reviews on here after I had dinner to understand why the reviews were not up to the experience I had here. I noticed alot of people compared Chow's to Golden Corral and Sakura. There is absolutely no comparison because the food here is so much better. The place is clean. The employees are happy and inviting and try to make your stay as comfortable as possible. They make their food here different then Golden Corral in a very great way. It is not massed produced and the food has good flavor. If a person is used to the way another establish cooks their food then they set their expectations to that taste. Golden Corral was dirty, the food was raw alot of the time, and the employees were miserable. I think some people have come here to Chows as loyal customers and missing their old establishment and you can tell by the type of food they mention in their reviews. The Fried chicken is so much better then Golden Corral. Do you like KFC original recipe? That is what it is like but even better I think. It was tender juicy and very flavorful throughout. They must soak it like KFC does in milk. The pork chops have to be marinated over night because it had flavor throughout the chop and then they chargrill it perfect on top of that! They have Prawns, not shrimp but prawns as big as my hand salt and pepper style. The BBQ ribs were not broiled but you can tell they marinate too before grilling which makes them so much more tender. They also have these lemon pepper baked chicken thighs that is so very good. I am a person that loves crab Rangoon. I seek it out at different establishments. Their Rangoon is really good! I also love that the ice cream is NOT a dirty machine but individual sealed cups of ice cream and a good brand and size. I know that must cost the restaurant alot more to have it that way, but it shows they care more for the customer. I can go on and on, but please check out all the pictures I took to prove what I am saying. I saw reviews about saying this place was dirty and with a picture. They must have taken a picture right after children left or something, but the floors were very clean, and the buffet area was very clean. Unlike other establishments. I highly suggest to come give Chow's Country Buffet a try and suggest some of the items I mentioned too. I didn't get to try the soup or the beautiful looking salad bar because I was so full on 1 plate. Definitely worth the dinner menu price of $16.99, I believe Golden Corral would charge around $24 for dinner. Why I never went there, the food was not worth the price. And I must say that I noticed the owner reads their reviews here and I believe he listens to the feedback because I didn't see anything like some people wrote about so I'm sure they changed some things to accommodate. I suggest to come and have another experience here to those people that didn't enjoy before. I came on Monday night at 5:45pm. I will definitely be...

if you're seeking a culinary journey that seamlessly blends the best of Chinese and American flavors, paired with exceptional service, Chow Buffet is a must-visit. Don't let the Google reviews fool you – this gem of a restaurant has undoubtedly earned its spot in the ranks of dining establishments that leave a lasting impression. AND IT'S SO AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $11.50 per meal for lunch. What a STEAL!

Chow Buffet, a delightful fusion of Chinese and American, left an indelible mark on my taste buds during a recent visit. From the moment I stepped in, the inviting aroma of freshly prepared dishes set the stage for what turned out to be an exceptional dining experience.

The standout feature of Chow Buffet was undeniably the quality of its offerings. The food, served piping hot and exceptionally fresh, surpassed the standard set by other buffets in the area. Each dish was a testament to the chef's skill, combining authentic flavors from both culinary traditions seamlessly. Whether it was the savory delights of Chinese choices or the comforting familiarity of American classics, every bite was a gastronomic delight.

What truly elevated the experience, however, was the impeccable service provided by our waitress, Joanna. Her exemplary professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout our meal. Not only did she navigate the bustling atmosphere with grace, but her warm smile added a personal touch that enhanced our overall enjoyment. Joanna's dedication to ensuring our satisfaction was commendable, and it truly felt like we were being attended to with the care reserved for a five-star establishment.

The orange chicken was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Meat-filled egg rolls did not disappoint my taste buds and indeed left me reaching for more after the first. The only drawback to this scrumptious selection of savories was the fact that I over-stuffed my stomach, because I couldn't choose between all the delightful delectables; I had no choice but to try it all.

It comes as a surprise that Chow Buffet only boasts a 3.9-star rating on Google. In my opinion, the caliber of service, combined with the outstanding quality of the cuisine, warrants a much higher accolade. Perhaps there are untold stories behind those ratings, but based on my firsthand experience, Chow Buffet deserves a place among the top-rated dining establishments...

This is a place to eat food made by people who hate you while you dine with people who hate themselves.

I didn’t want to leave this review because I didn’t want to create proof that we actually went here for dinner on a Saturday night but we did. The regret was swift and punishing. We arrived at 5:30, left at 6:30, and by 6:50, we were running for the bathroom. The only highlight was our server who was very sweet and attentive to our drinks. Even my Chinese buffet addict husband said it was the worst one he’s ever visited and he has the palate of a golden retriever.

The place has the ambiance of a school cafeteria and even though it was busy it was weirdly quiet. No laughing or lively conversation. No one was having fun. Just a lot of people very intensely eating unseasoned food and watching for the shrimp to get refilled. The place is not clean. It looks like it used to be clean and maintained but all that work is actively being run into the ground. You can see the grime building in the corners and up high and on the glass. Anything that would take an ounce of effort to reach is being ignored. You have to get a plate for yourself by bending and reaching into a bin so you get a plate covered in human dander. Everyone’s hands go into the utensils, too.

I can’t remember everything we tried but a few bland but not totally inedible things were: Green beans, Mac & cheese. Absolute low points: The watery sweet potatoes that tasted like a Disney boat ride and the “baked lemon chicken” that tasted like low tide and metal. It was also somehow grotesquely fishy, I had to spit it out. I suspect they don’t wash the pans and someone piled chicken in a fish tray. Nothing else had any discernible flavor and the meats had random gristle and rubbery bits inside which made every bite a game of roulette.

Then the desserts: The fruit was hard and unripe, the Jello managed to have no flavor but also be weirdly firm, and the cakes all looked like someone took a normal cake and ran it under the sink. The cream puffs had the texture and taste of pitas filled with whipped margarine. The only good thing was a delicate layer cake with fruit glaze on top which very clearly they did not make.

They have a huge place in a good location but they are doing the absolute least with it. It’s a shame. Even a small amount of effort and professionalism would make a huge...