East Wind Buffet — Restaurant in Owatonna

We've been coming to East Wind Buffet since it first opened—before we even had our daughter. Now she’s 16, and this place has become part of our family’s story. One of the staff members even held her when she was a baby, and to this day, they still remember her and ask how my wife and daughter are when I come in alone. That kind of memory and genuine care is rare, and it speaks volumes about the people who run this place.

East Wind isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a family-run business that takes pride in both their food and their service. You can tell they enjoy what they do, and that energy makes the experience even better. I love seeing the same familiar, smiling faces every time I walk in. Through the years—even through COVID—they’ve adapted, survived, and stayed just as welcoming.

The food? Always delicious. My only wish is that they’d serve the vegetable chow mein more often throughout the day, but even that small gripe doesn’t take away from how much I enjoy eating here. The buffet is well-maintained, the variety is solid, and everything is fresh.

While they no longer top off drink refills, you can still grab your own, which doesn’t bother me one bit. Coupons are still available in the store and in the shopper, and I take full advantage whenever I can—never a bad deal here.

I also make a point to come on holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving—not just because the food’s great, but because I want to support a local business that’s given us so many good memories. East Wind Buffet has become a tradition in our lives, and it still hits the spot every...

After not being here in a couple years I was excited to go back, because the food was and still is pretty good. While the food was still good, all of the dishes and cups are styrofoam, plastic silverware, no longer do they provide beverage service, the cashier doesn’t even greet you or read out the total or say thank you…it was super awkward and disappointing. I immediately didn’t want to eat there right after paying the cashier and seeing all the styrofoam. Meanwhile other restaurants are paying extra to try and provide recyclable to go containers, this place is full on styrofoam mode even on dine in…that’s ridiculous. Drastic covid measures are over,...

Typical American version of Chinese Buffet. Not much to choose from and overall not that great. * Update* visited again on 11-28-21. It has become less desirable, I will not return, granted I am only one person so it will not make any difference to the restaurant. But come on, still using the cheapest thinnest plastic flatware known to mankind and flimsy small Styrofoam plates yet?? Still costs $45 for 3 people and still only offer 3 small stations of choices plus a salad/ dessert section. Yes I am well aware of the problems of service industry being able to keep/ get employees but.. wow. No, sorry, I will drive 50 mins away for better options if I'm...