Sakura Japanese Buffet — Restaurant in Sevierville

I've ate here with my family probably 20 times in several years. I've got sick here a few times, but man the food is going good down and was horrible coming up. Tonight however. We showed up with 8 people. There were 6 on one ticket and 2 on the next ticket. They sat us at a table with 8 chairs. We let the young man seating us know that the next 2 people were with us. The lady at the register said "no, they said there were 6 of them." Fine. There was an empty table for 2 right next to our table. There was 2 empty chairs at our table. So, what does that lady do? Makes the young man sit my son and Aunt on the other side of the restaurant. Now I understand the 15% gratuity for parties of 8. What they didn't know is that we are very generous tippers. I've tipped more than my meal costs multiple times. To see a business be so spiteful to separate a family that is paying 120$ to eat there, so spiteful that they would take up a whole other table when we have 2 empty seats at our table.. is disheartening. It wasn't the getting sick that every one talks about or the roaches.... it was the spiteful, hateful way we were treated today that will make us never step foot in this restaurant again. It's bad business. They not only tied up a table tonight when there were people waiting to be seated, but they lost all future business from our family and any one that we know and hopefully any one that reads this. So, please before you eat here, imagine going out to eat with your family (which you can't afford to do often any way) and than being separated as two different tables on the other side of the restaurant from each other. If I didn't have 5 hungry kids that were excited and we were a party of adults, we would've asked for a refund right there. The Chinese restaurant right across the street in the yellow building is worth every penny and I've never seen them treat a customer that way. Please do not support this greedy business that does not care...

We went on a Sunday night and paid $6.95 per person - don't expect gourmet Chinese but for the price it's pretty damn decent. Let's be real though. The place is run by Chinese people and they have Mexican cooks who serve pizza on the buffet. This is definitely not a Japanese restaurant. But again, for the price it's good.

We're just leaving and I tried to find a health inspection notice - given the amount of people that eat here I feel safe but if things change in 4 hours I'll be sure and post an update.

I had good chicken on a stick, dumplings, chicken wings, beef broccoli, crab casserole, and a bunch of other stuff that looked weird but tasted delicious. I recommend the hot pockets - they're breath taking. The dessert bar had ice cream and a bunch of pastries from a box but hey.... It's less than 7 bucks a person. There were a lot of fat people at the buffet (including me) so that's always a good sign. I took one star away for 1) temperature of the restaurant which was a little warm for a restaurant. 2) the ice cream scoop holder that didn't appear to be working properly and didn't look very sanitary. 3) for the Damn Chinese waitress who kept yelling stuff in Chinese and made me think she was talking to me - when I said, "do what?" and "arigato" she looked at me like I had three heads. 4) I looked everywhere and was slightly disappointed that they don't serve chickity China the Chinese chicken. Maybe the Mexican guy at the Mongolian station will make it if you ask but I think it should be standard on the buffet and you shouldn't have to ask for it. I was looking forward to a chickity China the Chinese chicken drumstick because everywhere I've had it it makes my brain keep ticking.

Did I mention that this place was inexpensive? Ya.. Dirt Cheap, and pretty good considering...

There are several things that aren't your typical, generic, Asian buffet offerings that made this much better than expected. They offer a huge variety of options from Chinese -American standards to Japanese sushi to a customizable hibachi/Mongolian grill. I love being able to sample sushi that I have never tasted before. They have a huge variety and I love that they are in little sample sizes so I don't waste it if I don't like it. They have sesame balls and custard buns right on the buffet which are some of my favorite Asian dishes. These are usually sold at additional cost elsewhere. Their rice is properly streamed, which was a happy surprise. Their pot stickers and eggrolls are really good and the dipping sauces are excellent! The fried rice wasn't greasy or heavy. Their dessert options are plentiful, including ice cream, but my taste buds did a little dance to see my favorite almond cookies on the dessert bar!! The fact that the dessert bar is stashed near the bathroom is unsettling but space is limited and I would prefer that to reducing the buffet options so..... The coconut shrimp is the BEST I have ever eaten. The beef and mushrooms is another "must try!" The food tasted fresh, there were many healthier choices if that is your thing and the service was really good. The price for lunch is outstanding!! We were there on vacation, sadly, or we would be frequent customers. My waistline is grateful we live 800 miles away. It checked all the boxes for what I was craving!! Lastly, at the register, they sell guava hard candy for $6 a bag!!! I was excited to buy a bag to bring home. They are a unique flavor and very yummy!! I highly recommend...