Sakura Buffet — Restaurant in Lancaster

Idk if it's because I live in Vegas and we specialize in buffets out here, or because I came in when it wasn't busy, so the turnover wasn't great... But the food was mediocre at best. The decor needs updating and the place needs a little TLC. The kimchi tasted off (which I don't know how you can even make kimchi taste that off, but it wasn't right), the desserts we're stale (which having a restaurant background, I understand that it might be due to the manufacturer; Some of their foods are obviously not made in house to save time). A lot of their foods are similar to what you would find in an average inexpensive Chinese buffet. Nothing unique or special about the food itself, nothing truly authentic. Just diffferent enough to satisfy what the average American population believes is Asian cuisine. Another thing I noticed was that the salmon was bland (very likely thawed in running water for too long and it took away a lot of flavor. It was also over cooked), the layout seemed without much thought, and with most open buffets, the sushi was questionable. Above that, and I don't want to point fingers, but this was the only place where we I didn't eat what my fiance and stepson ate for that day and the 3 days before that. They exhibited symptoms of food poisoning a few hours after eating there, although as people should know, symptoms can take up to a week to show, so who knows, really? The only reason this wasn't rated lower than a 2 star was due to the friendliness and hospitality of the staff. They were kind, patient, and helpful. On top of that, the drink selection, as well as ice cream selection was pretty neat.

P.S. for everyone writing about how you have to pay before you eat, that's how it is every buffet out here in Vegas, even for the ones you pay +$40 per head... Or really any buffet I've been to. Only one you don't pay for in advanced for unlimited food is an an All You Can Eat Sushi place that makes the...

Update: went there 2-4-25 food was semi warm, chicken dishes seemed stale and dried out. The quality was not that great, way overpriced. We have not gone here since the Co-Vid pandemic. Now it is way overpriced. To get a decent senior discount you have to be 95 years old. We will not come back. Even if the prices were low like before Co-Vid I would not feel there is any value, because the quality is not the same. (OLD Review) OK here's the deal. Go on a Tuesday night, "it's seniors night" so they are constantly adding hot food (other nights the food will be warm (still descent) But it is hot on Tuesdays, I am not a senior but it is worth waiting while a slow senior dishes up their food. Also they have a dish called "coconut shrimp" I have also seen this called "walnut shrimp" it is delicious. I judge a buffet by how tender their chicken is...Sakura's is nice and tender with "no gristle", other buffet's in A.V. seem to have 2nd class chicken. Yes there is exposed wire in the front ceiling...big deal it's a buffet...go pay $20 plate or more in Vegas for scrap food (pure trash) IMHO. The Spicy chicken is good (dig for the meaty chunks, not the shredded looking stuff, Orange chicken is good (Panda's is a little better) Beef and Broccoli..."where's the beef". I don't have a problem pillaging the small amount of beef out, and leaving nothing but broccoli, fried rice good, noodles good, spring rolls good, Just stay the hell out of my way while you are dishing up...unless you are old....seniors get a pass LMAO. Again on Tuesday it is 5 stars any other day 3-4 stars and no coconut shrimp. Appx...

Buffet so, variety of foods. Sushi is good, the grill has reopened and now the chef can prepare from the plate you prep raw. Several chicken options (spicy, sweet, orange, fried) Drinks are good but not great ... But, this is just me being picky. I think they would benefit greatly from one of those freestyle flavor dispensers. Nonetheless, if soft drinks aren't your thing, they have the Olé machine with horchata, orange drink, piña colada, jamaica (hibiscus), etc and the Icee machine (blue and red - even though it says lemonade but didn't see yellow... Just double red). And finally, desserts. Ice cream machine is good (vanilla, chocolate and swirl) and they have puddings, jello, fruit, almond cookies, and little pastries. They are now offering a banana pudding but the cookies are not vanilla wafers but rather the almond cookies. It was definitely interesting not bad but interesting. Anyway, price is great for lunch... Comes out to about $15.50 per adult for lunch unless you are a senior (senior discounts vary but improve the older you are) or military/ veteran (I believe these were a flat 10%). Regardless, with price crunches on everything nowadays, give yourself a treat and try this out. They do have fish/ shrimp items as well so give it a chance. Try out the food, definitely worth the price of admission if you find food you enjoy! (They offer takeout by the pound in case you'd rather not sit with all of us 😂 or don't have the...