Grand Buffet — Restaurant in Ramsey

Edit: I'm editing my review as the owner insists on embarrassing herself and her business by her lack of information. Please take the time to read the Americans with Disabilities Act section on service animals published by the Justice Department before replying. All the actions you describe in your reply are illegal and show how you discriminated against me for having a disability. First, my service animal was wearing a red service dog vest, maybe you didn't stop to notice it as you ignored us from the moment we entered this establishment. But, in any case, a service animal is not legally required to wear a vest. When someone tells you they have a service dog, you are only allowed to ask 2 questions: 1) is this a service dog? 2) What functions does the dog perform?. Second, as my original comment said, there are many disabilities that are not shown externally. I don't like to disclose mine especially in front of people, but I have epilepsy. My dog greatly assists me in my everyday life. It is not up to you to decide or "judge" what is a real disability or what is not, please leave that to a doctor. I shouldn't have to prove my disability to you, asking me to do that is illegal. Your job as a restaurant owner is to be informed about these regulations. Again take the time to read the Americans with Disabilities Act section on service animals published by the Justice Department, it will be good for your business. My family and I entered this Chinese buffet. We were third in line waiting to be seated when the hostess yelled "no dogs allowed". My dog had a service dog vest on so I decided to approach her to explain this to her. As I was walking to her, she yelled again "no dogs allowed" I then told her "it's not a pet, it's a service animal", she asked to see a certificate. I told her "legally you are not allowed to ask for a certificate as there is no "official" identification for a service animal", anyway, I was with my family and I didn't want them to have to leave the place so I pulled out my phone to show her the training documents I have, then she said "I need a hard copy". Then she ignored me and proceeded to seat everybody else in line except for my family and I. When she came back, I told her that it is illegal to deny access to a disabled person with a service animal and she and the manager, who was there at that point, said that they don't allow dogs because they don't want to have issues with the health department. They seem to think that having a service dog in this establishment is unsanitary. I felt discriminated for needing a service animal to assist me in my everyday life. The workers in this establishment looked down on me and my family. Many times people mistakenly believe service dogs are only for the blind when in reality there are a lot of disabilities service dogs are trained to assist on, such as epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, autism and multiple sclerosis to name a few. It's under federal law that a service animal be granted near-unrestricted access to places where the general public attends. I recommend this establishment reading the Americans with Disabilities Act section on service animals published since 2010 by the Justice Department before getting in big trouble. My family and I ended up going to the Chili's across the street were they welcomed my service dog, they let us choose a table suitable for us, and the food and...

I've been to this establishment twice. Once was pre-pandemic (I gave 5 stars but didn't write anything), and again once post-pandemic (actually, a week prior to this review). The 5 stars remain. I plan on coming back repeatedly, as long as there are no more pandemics.

Everyone that works here is so polite that when I leave, I feel like I want to be a better person (I would like to believe I'm already a better person, but they make me feel like I want to be even better than that!). The food is exactly as expected. I'll give details, but I want to give this next section for people like me that have never been there before (or went once, pre-pandemic, then again post-pandemic and didn't remember the setup):

You walk in, turn left, stand in front of the strangely raised counter. If you read this review, you need to understand: This is a busy place! People in and out constantly. I just stood there patiently, while people were paying to leave (understandable, they need to clear those tables after all), and eventually, was led to a booth.

Here's my advice: Get to the booth, and wait for someone to show up and ask you what drink(s) you'd like. When they leave, ATTACK THE FOOD. Seriously, when the server leaves, go wander into the buffet area, grab a plate, and wander.

It's an all you can eat buffet, and the food is obviously going to vary, but I'll tell you about what I got on my last visit:

Pork potstickers (aka dumplings). Because potstickers rule. Vegetarian egg roll: I love egg rolls, but it was veg or chicken. Boneless spare ribs: This one is on me, because I didn't realize they had: Bone-in spare ribs: Maybe next time I'll go backwards! Definitely snagged a couple of these though. Hibachi steak: So good. Mushrooms: I love hanging out with a fungi.

I don't know if crab rangoon is or will ever be an option with this restaurant. Believe me when I say, if I ever find out it is, and if I find out what day/ time it is, you'll be able to set a clock by when I show up. There were none the times I visited, but there are still things like cheese wontons as well.

One minor thing is that before I was finished with my drink, I was asked if I wanted another. I figured if I said yes, then I'd have time to finish my drink and get the next one. Be aware of this: If you are asked if you want another drink, either say no, or say yes while you are holding the drink you're not finished with yet. This doesn't even count as a .5 star reduction to me, next time I'll know better (I was only 3/4 done with my drink).

After my first pass, I went back for dessert. Not a bad selection at all! I've seen tiramisu, chocolate cake, pudding, all kinds of fruit, profiteroles, and omg the coconut macaroons (guilty confession, I couldn't eat all 4 of the macaroons I grabbed, I wrapped 3 in a napkin and took them home). I believe they have soft serve ice cream but I'm too timid to ask.

Anyway, the servers here are embarrasingly polite, unlike most of the other customers you'll find there, so please be polite to them and I know you'll enjoy the food, viewed through an 'all you can eat' lens.

I'll be visiting them time...

Strongly recommend.

Myself, wife, son and when my parents are here, have gone here for mostly Sat lunch buffet twice a month for six years now. We missed Grand Buffet Ramsey much when it closed for renovation and then pandemic. Our reasons for its fondness are:

Reasonable price. They have now increased it to 12.99 per person. However, we hope it will not go higher in foreseeable future. Some other places have jacked up prices significantly deeming it "recover pandemic losses". Common people are very price sensitive and do find other options. Those "clever" owners are not so clever as they actually loose customers bringing down their total revenue.

Food quality and selection are very good. Service can vary but usually it is fairly nice. Specially good experiences after COVID opening.

Quality of ice cream cone is particularly excellent. Do miss though the very tasty coffee cake in desert, which they always had before COVID closure. Please bring it back.

Cook at the grill has always been rude and unless you tip him, he will act out. After ensuring that he is tipped, he became pliable but one thing that he does not do is follow your request for "well-done". I always asked him but he never complied (even after tip), which is extremely annoying and frustrating. Meat remains raw. Why does he do that! I have stopped going to grill. To owner, please have a conversation with him (definitely some personality issue, which you must address).

Lady (manager or owner) and the young man are both nice and professional. I liked that she once asked me to put on my mask. She takes precautions seriously, which shows her dedication to safety and business.

Its Sat and we are going there in a few hours :) but unfortunately we’ll have to avoid grill...