Empire Buffet — Restaurant in Marietta

ROACHES and DISRESPECT I was here with my new family, when we found a headless roach in a glass of water. The staff immediately acted confused like she pretended to not understand - then she has the AUDACITY to retrieve the small child that was there, and he instantly started saying "chocolate" and they took it and just brought new silverware... Then I approached the woman at the counter- she got the little boy and made him say "chocolate" as well...

So they're using the little boy as a sort of scapegoat for when they have roach complaints, like a shield. Absolutely PATHETIC. Like I'm not supposed to be mad just because they push the little boy into the problem? Keep the kid out of it. Disgusting, that upset me more than the roach.

The woman at the counter offered a 10% discount for ONE meal. I told her this was unacceptable, she shrugged her shoulders. I told her I was going to file a report and she literally smiled and laughed.

I was going to leave without paying, but the family was afraid of getting in trouble. When my mother in law approached the woman, she pointed at me and said she doesn't trust me!

Excuse me!? I've been a customer here for many years, since I was 9-10, and I'm now 30. I've never complained, even when things weren't great. I've always tipped well and even paid for to-go boxes. This was my favorite place to go with my mom before she died 10 years ago... But no, I'm not coming back.

I thought people complaining about roaches and rude staff were being racist.... Nah. My bad. You're absolutely right.

Why am I so angry? Well, I used to love this place... This is where I met my husband, where my mom and I always went before she died, this was the BEST reward/treat when I was a child... But now, with how I was treated, I can't really go back again. I've been a customer since they opened, about 20 years ago or so. But you want to say you don't trust me, call me a liar, shrug your shoulders and laugh at me... And worst of all, use your child as a shield- no. This whole ordeal left me so disgusted (the reaction more than the roach) and embarrassed. They have enough people come in on a regular basis, surely they can afford to get rid of the roaches.

I've filed a complaint with the...

I am basing this review on two parts.

1st: My Empire Buffet experiences 2nd: My superior experiences at a nearby Buffet.

Empire Buffet,

My experiences with them have always varied but with a Buffet that's to be expected but my very last one in particular will have be never going back. First was the service. The waitress did not remove plates quickly so they piled up at the edge of our table and when you needed a refill you would've thought you were committing a crime by asking. The price for the limited selection was also unacceptable but what set in stone while I'll never return there was the cockroach that nonchalantly whipped across our table while we were in the middle of eating. As far as I'm concerned the health department needs to do a full review of the place.

There is a new Buffet in Parkersburg located in the old Golden Corral building called "Kings Buffet and Grill" . We gave them a try and were thoroughly impressed with everything. Bigger selection with many more American choices, Hibachi bar, Sushi Bar, Extremely friendly and attentive employees and its all only $14.99 for dinner and $13.99 for seniors. If hot tea is your drink of choice there is no charge for that just like water. It is well worth the drive. We have been back several times and unless we have a very bad experience we'll continue going there.

Hope this review will offer some insight on...

So I left my original review of the restaurant below, I was a fan, a big fan, we've been here several times. Anyways recently (a few months ago) I've seen pictures from Facebook friends (people I know in real life) having bugs show up in their food. I've worked restaurant, I know that more than likely that broccoli that had a small bug was pre-packaged pre-washed ready to cook. So we went to Empire yesterday by request of the kids, and we had an open mind. Things were as usual, the prices had increased (but that's across the board, no complaints about that) food was decent, no bugs.... we were nearly finished and a booth over we saw a cockroach crawling up the wall. We did not point this out to workers, but wanting to raise alarm for the rest of our fairly large group, but we will not be back. They have let that place go. Do not recommend anymore. 😔 blurry picture of roach will be posted. I took it from a table over.

"The food and service are consistently good. Occasionally in off times the food can get a little stale (dry) or not be refilled, but that's the nature of small town buffet. Overall it's the place I recommend for Chinese...