China Buffet — Restaurant in North Port

EDITED FOR RESTAURANT RESPONSE

Appreciate the fast response and in direct response to your efforts to claiming no foul smells or any signs of what I mentioned, I regret to remind you that this restaurant under this ownership has been closed down twice already by the health department, and there have been reviews and photos of the signs on the doors due to being shut down which is already a big red flag. I will say, you have taken actions to re open and tried to rectify any previous issues which I commend you for. As far as the smell goes, there has been two incidents. One with the soup smelling completely foul, which was brought up and discussed amongst other customers while we were eating there a few months ago. The other was just recently after my review where I stated the smell of urine or moldy stale water. Like I said, I have been a patron of here for years, but there is undoubtably a decline in the staffing and in the quality of the food. As far as pricing goes, I see no reason whatsoever as to why your prices should increase the way they are being your selection of food has not changed since you’ve been open in all the years my friends, family and I have been visiting here. To be completely honest, pricing is the last of the issues that I would say is cause for concern for not visiting again and I would not mind the increased pricing if there were new additions such as hibachi or newer style foods but that hasn’t changed at all. Please don’t consider this an attack on your restaurant, but more like an eye-opener to what you can do to change the issues such as the complaints from customers like myself and others who have experienced this steady decline.

It saddens me to have to leave a review as bad as this for this restaurant. I have given this place time after time and chance after chance. This place used to be my all-time favorite place to go. The price point was really good especially if you come for lunch but they have significantly raised their prices for no reason whatsoever while the food has significantly declined in both taste and quality. Lunch alone now is $14 while dinner is $18. There is no difference in the food that you can tell other than the addition of yesterday’s pepper steak (not kidding). The waitresses are very unfriendly and almost refuse To refill your drink or act as if you You aren't paying almost $4 for it in the first place. They make it seem like you’re bugging them to do their job. The food was ice cold and I have a strange Feeling that if you go for lunch, you are eating yesterday’s food (again not kidding). Usually, I am very understanding of restaurants and the quality of service and food, but I cannot stay silent anymore. As I was getting the egg drop soup, there is a small stench of urine. I’m not too sure where it’s coming from. Maybe in the walls or the ceiling. This has progressed overtime and is something I have noticed on my last and final visit. I noticed they had a sign a few months back from the health department, which closed them down. I wonder if it had something to do with that maybe they have rodents that are not being taken care of? I have not seen any with my own eyes, but if you do visit this place, there is a pillar with what looks to be teeth marks from rats gnawing away at the wood pillar between the buffet bar. I noticed the decline in this restaurant gradually overtime and like I said again, this is my very last time visiting. As somebody who has patroned here for years, it is sad to see, but I think it’s worth leaving a review to possibly either help them in the future or warn others of how bad the service and how bad the food quality has...

I don’t even wanna to give this place one star but it’s the only way to leave a review. We went there today for lunch and what a mistake that was the food was terrible no flavor warm if that or it was so dried out he couldn’t even bite into it. When the waitress asked me how was the food and I told her it was terrible and she proceeded to explain to me that everybody likes it and I’m not everybody and a man comes here every day and sits in the corner and eats who cares and she says well what do you want for $11 I don’t care if it was $50 . Then she proceeds to tell me nobody complains well somebody has to do it and she was just trying to convince me that I was wrong big mistake. Went up to pay and his kid working behind the register and he said how is everything and I proceeded to say it was terrible and he said no one else complains and I said you have got to be kidding me at this point I am so boiled over I don’t even care ,and the dumplings had raw meat in them. I hope I don’t get sick from that or from any of the rest of the food. I would stay away from this place it’s disgusting and also they put sushi out and there is no cooling table underneath of it . I wasn’t looking for a free meal I was looking for a decent meal. I get it that they’re short staffed but that is no excuse for poor quality food. My husband even said that the wasabi wasn’t even hot and the waitress said well I don’t eat that stuff. She probably doesn’t eat anything there. I should’ve known better before we sat down to go look and see the quality of the food and the choices before I made a decision to sit down. Stay away...

UPDATE! We went to China Buffet at 4411 Aidan Ln, North Port and we were once gain delighted that we did. The whole place looks as if it is updated on the inside. They got rid of all the carpeting ann now it is a much cleaner and brighter buffet! The food as always, is excellent and the staff are so very friendly and helpful. We are going to go here more often because we enjoy it so much! If you have not gone there or have gone in the past, you should check out their new digs. I am certain you will be as happy as we are to see their changes for the best!

Thursday for lunch my Son and Daughter-in-law and my wife and I went to China Buffet at 4411 Aidan Ln, North Port. It is one of my favorites in the area. It is easy to get to and the place is always kept clean and fresh. And I noticed that the inside has all been re-done and looks totally different than it did a few years ago in an older picture I had. The food is excellent and it is a good value when eating out. I spent less for our party of four than my wife and I alone paid at another venue. The staff is always friendly and they promptly take away your used dishes when you are finished. The parking is plentiful and it is easy...