Fusion Buffet — Restaurant in Live Oak

Picture it: I-10, 2025. Headed back to South Florida from Tallahassee. Tank half full, stomach half empty. I didn’t need gas, but I thought, “If I stop now, I won’t have to stop again.”

I saw a Zaxby’s sign. Safe. Predictable. A chicken finger I knew. But something in my soul said not today.

Then I saw it. A beacon through the storm, calling out directly to this weary traveler. “Fusion Buffet – Chinese and Country.”

Thunder cracked. Rain pelted the windshield. I slowed the truck. Was this destiny… or a mistake that would end in regret?

I pulled into the lot. The rain came harder as I walked toward the entrance like a detective about to crack one final case even though they weren't sure what they were getting into.

Inside, a friendly host asked, “Just one?” I nodded. There was no turning back.

First plate: Country. Mac & cheese, rice & gravy, fried okra, Salisbury steak. One bite in and I knew — this wasn’t just food, it was vindication. My gamble had paid off.

Second plate: Chinese. General Tso’s chicken, lo mein, mushrooms in soy sauce. The noodles were noodles. The mushrooms? Transcendent. For a moment, I considered packing a plate to go - but how to keep them from spoiling? I still had 5 hours to go, I didn't need that kind of stress.

Before I could commit, my Coke was refilled — despite my first glass still being half full. This was not service. This was prophecy.

Third plate: the unholy alliance — fried okra beside egg rolls, mac & cheese shoulder-to-shoulder with General Tso’s. It should not have worked, and yet it did.

I stopped there, though part of me knew the dessert bar was calling. I paid just a few bucks more than a Zaxby’s combo, but walked away with so much more.

As I pulled out, the rain eased. In the rearview, the sign grew smaller.

I whispered, “This isn’t goodbye, Fusion Buffet. Just...

They have plenty of choices but they do not keep up with the buffet. All of the soups were near at the bottom. You could scrape what was on the bottom. Our server was good UNTIL she dropped the check off.

They were clearly doing side work.

Thank-you for reaching PAST us eating take the hot sauce to refill it. Thanks again for reaching past us to put it back.

Yes, I STOPPED eating my food because the hot sauce bottle was WET from either water or what you wiped it down with AND it dripped onto my food I was eating.

While you kept doing your side work, walking up and down you just simply ignored your tables. I guess no refills SINCE the check was dropped off.

Oh and your Peach Cobbler looked like it had already been eaten & regurgitated back up. It did not taste like Peach Cobbler but maybe mashed up peach with something. Maybe that is why it looks like it was regurgitated.

10+ minutes then 15 and now 20 still no refill.

Wow she came, got plates and my husband still got no refill. He is at this point not saying anything.

He just stoe my drink, 30 minutes and he after she walked by for the umpteenth time, he FINALLY asked for a refill.

It is 5 minutes later and the server has STILL not brought his refill. Wow just wow.

So we are paying and the server NEVER brought him a refill.

So 1 star for the...

Honestly, who knew? Passing through here on I-10, got off to go to Popeyes, and was distracted by the Fusion Buffet - fusion being country and Chinese. Never fear, it’s not as weird as it sounds. Half the buffet is country, half of it is Chinese, with some sushi on the cold bar for good measure. I was able to enjoy meatloaf, fried chicken, Mac and cheese, and whatnot, while my wife ate typical Chinese fare. Quality was better than expected… not my favorite in the whole world, but by golly, pretty gosh darn good. Trays were restocked, and the place was quite busy… older folk, workers on lunch break, bikers, people who visibly love buffets… exactly the types of diners with distinguished palettes we like to see entering an eating establishment we don’t yet know. It was an older building but clean, and the wait staff was attentive… drinks were never empty and plates cleared off as we went. Hope to have an excuse to stop back sometime in the future. Adult buffet was 10.99 the day we stopped.

Do not be afraid of this oddly themed restaurant! If you’ve got time to dine-in at fast food, you should do...