Bright Moon Buffet — Restaurant in Kettering

Lets start with the positives. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The buffet options were fairly standard for this type of restaurant and most offerings were just okay, but there were a few items on the buffet that I did enjoy (mostly the more Americanized foods like grilled steak tips and mac and cheese, ironically). This concludes the positives.

The biggest issue I had by far was the smell. As soon as you walk in the door, it hits you. It was a humid, mildewy and fishy smell that I thought I'd get more used to the longer I was there. I did not. If you've ever smelled a stagnant pond in the summer or been to a pet store in the aquarium section, it was very similar to that - also mixed with the smells of buffet food. I don't know if something is wrong with their HVAC or what, but it was very off putting. I normally enjoy sushi but I was afraid to try any due to the overwhelming smell of room temperature fish permeating the restaurant.

The other issue I had was the cost. I went on a Saturday, so I expected the buffet to be more expensive than weekday lunch prices but Including a drink, tax, and modest tip, I was charged $24.03. There are several other buffets in the Dayton area that cost substantially less and offer a wider variety and better quality of foods to choose from. Even if there were no other issues with this place, the cost alone would prevent me from returning.

I do hope that the owners can work on these issues to improve, as the staff were genuinely nice and seemed to be working hard. It made me want to enjoy the place more and I kind of felt bad for them that I didn't. Judging by other reviews though, it seems that these problems aren't being addressed properly. Several replies seem to blame the smell on new equipment and paint from renovations, which it obviously isn't. They blame the high prices on the rising food costs, and that is a valid reason to a point. When similar buffets in the same area charge less and give you more however, that's where I fail to believe it's entirely the fault of rising...

The food was really good I made a couple of plates ate them all left no waist a Group of friends of mine , they went out to smoke a cigarette and the wanted more food, I even told them the whole bill will be taken care of by me. I stayed inside trying to still enjoy my dinner I was asked several of times if I was done, The service their feels like they didn’t want me to get anymore food and I felt like I was rushed out. After I was kept being bugged to pay the bill wich I told them I will take care of the bill after I was done eating then again the waitress walked up to me in the middle of me eating my food and asked me if I can pay the bill right now. the vibe after that seemed off to me, I feel like it’s the military your rushed to eat. Also I wasn’t asked if I needed anything else to drink or anything I felt like I had to walk on eggshells their, So my friends and I wasn’t done eating but still laid the bill anyways with out finishing our drinks or food or anything, I didn’t think after you make one plate they expect you to leave, it’s a shame the food was really good but the service was so horrible, I felt like if I would of asked for another drink it would of been a problem. Then I paid my 60$ bill and left a 8$ tip wich I don’t even think they deserved that much. And I could hear the waitress in the back room taking about it. The service was so horrible if you come here be prepared to only eat one plate if you make more you will be watched like a hawk and you will be rushed out. Anyways I took care of my bill and still had to go to a restaurant down the road because we wasn’t even full, we wasn’t even their 30 minutes, They need to make some changes to the front of the house it’s a shame because it’s really good food, that’s why they got a 2 the service would of got a negative 5. Worse service I’m ever...

Our visit to Bright Moon Buffet was fraught with issues from the start. My girlfriend encountered cleanliness problems immediately, with her first plate and a bowl for sauce both having leftover food on them. While trying to overlook these issues, a distinct fishy/sitting water odor made it difficult for her to enjoy her meal. To make matters worse, water started dripping from the AC register directly onto her plate, which completely ruined her appetite. She ended up eating just a crab Rangoon.

The selection at the buffet was limited, and although our son found something he liked, my girlfriend and I couldn't really enjoy our meals. When we went to pay, explaining that my girlfriend had barely eaten, we faced a language barrier. The staff didn’t understand and simply split the bill, charging us for three full buffets.

At the front desk, they insisted that since she had a crab Rangoon, she should pay for the entire buffet. We felt this was unfair, given the series of unpleasant experiences we had. We paid but left feeling disappointed and unheard. The combination of uncleanliness, unpleasant odors, and poor customer service has dissuaded us from returning.

I don't believe I've ever given a low rating, this will be my first, the second first for me today was sitting in a restaurant discussing where we would go to eat when we left. The Pepsi was good so that's...