Global Buffet — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

Global Buffet seems like a place suited for both dates and family meals, as I saw a variety of both groups attending. The establishment itself looks nice, and they keep things clean despite how incredibly busy it was!

The staff here are focused on keeping up with the customers, so their demeanor was relaxed and calm; very focused, but not intentionally rude, like I've seen other reviews state. (No one asked for a tip either, so I believe they've accumulated respectful staff since those reviews were posted.) They're polite and kind, sweeping the tables often enough to ensure you're not sitting among piles of plates during your meal without rushing you. Be patient with them, please. They intend absolutely no disrespect.

The bathrooms seem to have a problem with water management, I must acknowledge that. Not that there's a leak, but it seems many customers are in a rush to leave, and will let water drip onto the floor between the sink and hand-dryers. The staff seem to be working on this problem, and they've provided a mat for people in the meantime between cleaning it up. I imagine the staff have their work cut out for them in this location, with the mountains of plates and people in rotation, but they're doing remarkably despite the circumstances. It may put off some, but I found it very easy to disregard. After working in the service industry myself, I can tell they're balancing both the massive numbers of customers and the establishment, and they're doing an admirable job despite the workload.

As for the food itself, you'll have to find the right dishes to eat, but they're definitely there. Some of it was stunning, and I quickly went back for seconds after my rounds. I imagine showing up for a lunch is the best idea for freshness, with a great price for your plates too! A lot of it is very delicious, even for my own very picky palate and preferences.

I went along the tables and sampled as much as I could, and you should find at least something you'd like! I managed to put away nearly 5 plates by the time I had tapped out, and I definitely did my best to get my money's worth and then some. Sample a bit first, see if you like it, it's the best approach for AYCE buffets.

However, it's unclear exactly what the pricing was for the drinks, or the dinner in general, as it was handled in two parts. You first pay entry upfront per person, which I believe is the standard for buffets, but there's no regular drink menu at the tables, and the alcohol placard doesn't list prices either. Unless you really want a cocktail (which, they do have a delicious selection on,) I'd recommend sticking with water for buffet eating in general. Clarity would have encouraged me to try a Mudslide for sure. (I don't see those on the menu often!)

All in all, as an experience? It was worth it, and it was fun! Expect to pay a bit, but if you come hungry and passionate about food? You should be able to find many diamonds among the dishes, and leave happy and satiated. I'd give it a try for yourself, see if it suits your tastes, as it's hard to find a local decent, genuine buffet nowadays (in my humble opinion). I can tell there is care and dedication in this place. Only time will tell, but I'm rooting for them to grow and prosper! There is amazing potential here, and I hope to be blown away the next...

Great variety of delicious food at a very reasonable price compared to other buffets in the area, but be VERY wary if you do not plan on providing gratuity in addition to your bill. I was treated in an incredibly toxic and entitled manner after dining here Saturday night. Once my boyfriend and I started on our dessert the waitress brought my check over, rang my card through and returned my card along with the receipt for us to sign. No issue thus far, pretty standard buffet protocol.

The problem began when about two minutes after bringing back said receipt for my authorization signature, not one, not two, but THREE different waitresses all crowded around the nearest empty table, glaring at us as we finished our dessert, making us feel rushed, pressured, and incredibly uncomfortable. Upon signing the check and getting up to leave, one of them instantly rushed us, sneering at the fact that I did not write in a tip and practically yelling "That's IT!?!?" in disgust for all the other patrons to hear. I said "Yes, thank you" and made motion to leave at which point she quite literally began to chase me towards the door, shouting "You're SUPPOSED TO LEAVE TIP! You eat SO MUCH!" as I walked out the door, making a huge scene in front of everyone in the restaurant, humiliating me, my boyfriend, and herself in the process.

Now, if you look up tipping etiquette on Google, the answer as to whether or not it's expected at self-service all you can eat buffets is a nearly universal resounding NO. The general rule of thumb is that if the service is truly exceptional and you feel it is deserved then tipping a few dollars is certainly justified, but nowhere near to the caliber of more traditional restaurants. Why should I feel pressured into providing the same level of gratuity at a self-service location where all the waitress does is bring a couple cups of water and clear a few plates as I would at a formal, sit-down eatery where I'm being actually, well, waited on? Let alone receive the rude and invasive public humiliation ritual I was treated to when I didn't. Also, how much you eat at an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET has absolutely NOTHING to do with how much of a tip you should leave if any, that comment in and of itself was extremely unnecessary and purposefully intended to make me feel guilty. Besides (not that I need to justify myself), we only had two plates of hot food and one dessert plate each. Absolutely appalling behavior.

Worst part is this isn't the first time I've received this sort of treatment, back in the summer I ate at Global by myself for weeknight dinner (came to $20), tipped $5 which was 25% OF MY BILL and STILL received a dirty look and snarky comment from my waitress. Vowed not to tip again the next time I dined here and this was the result. Your waitstaff has some incredibly standoffish, toxic and entitled business ethics. Teach them to do better or we will not be giving you our business again. Inflation effects everyone, a $50 dinner out is a big splurge for some people and we should NEVER be pressured, belittled, humiliated, and bullied like this for not tipping at a SELF-SERVICE restaurant....

Came here this afternoon after the Levittown Fair. Had a party of 5 adults 5 kids. We arrived at separate times. When walking in I told the hostess the party of 10 she said sorry we can’t seat you til the rest of your party arrives. Well apparently 5 out of the 10 already were seated at a table. So once that was settled we get our drinks, food is okay not great. A lot of trays were empty or cold ( food meant to be hot). Someone from my party decided to go to the bar to order 2 drinks. The bartenders, who were sitting eating, denied his service by telling him “sorry I’m on a break “. Ummm what? So when my waitress comes back and I tell her this she hands me a drink menu and I order 2 shots of crown royal listed in the whiskey section for $6 each. After coming back and asking me twice if that’s what I wanted she finally returned saying they didn’t have it anymore. Whatever brushed it off. I was waiting in line for my Hibachi when my son felt sick and said he wanted to leave. He’s 4. So I was like okay let me pay and pack up we’ll go. Before I even got back to the table my waitress already dropped the check for the party even though we were all on our second round (some kids had ice cream out) so idk if that means we’re done. But I come back with two hot Hibachi plates making sure my son doesn’t puke. So after I drop my card and paid for over 100 meal tipped 20 percent just basically because I’ve been a waitress before not based on service provided what so ever, I ask for 2 boxes for the two hibachi plates and this waitress pick up the bill, acknowledges her tip and not me while I’m speaking asking for a box so after I repeat myself again she says OH it’s and extra $5 for each box !!! I can stand the charge if I was getting a box to make a full round through the buffet again but I literally had one plate this was my second and you wanna charge me $5 more dollars to bring it home ?? And when asking the Manager (wearing a lavender shirt) if they serve crab his response was NO we can’t afford crabs. WORD OF ADVICE ! Get a staff who cares, stock your bar so you have the items listed, and maybe just maybe you’ll be able to afford Some crab legs. All in all it was just an annoying and disappointing experience especially for a party of 10 that spent almost 300 between both tables not...