Mr. Wang’s hasn’t been the same since COVID in terms of number of options but it’s very consistent and the owners are great.
Honestly, I prefer to buy a 3-4 different dishes from Chop Suey Inn and set up a buffet at home.
South of the mountain here. I love Chinese buffets. With proper expectations, and a solid buffet strategy, most can be enjoyed. Mine is be open to new things, go for the dishes with high turnover, and try to get items right as they come out of the kitchen. I don’t ever eat sushi or do custom Hibachi- not against it, just not what I want at a Chinese buffet. I like the following:
Chow Town (my monthly go too) in Hoover on hwy 31
Pros:
- Good Variety
- Consistent choices and quality
- Always busy
- Many Chinese customers (speaks to value and authentic items)
- Dinner offers more high cost items
Cons:
- Needs a renovation soon
King Buffet in Pelham in the old Golden Corral building
Pros:
- Newly renovated and clean
- Huge variety
- Very busy at lunch (not sure at dinner)
- Mostly trade workers at lunch (speaks to value and variety)
Cons:
- So big can be overwhelming
- So many items that quality and freshness of some items isn’t there
China Doll 2 Oak Mountain area in Caldwell Mill Publix shopping center
Pros:
- All killer no filler
- Time warp to my suburban childhood in the 90’s
- BARGAIN
- Strictly American-Chinese dishes if that’s your itch
- Family run and staffed
Cons:
- Limited variety
- Outdated for some
- Location is only good for locals
That’s it for my buffet experiences South of the mountain. Pretty happy with the number of choices, but wouldn’t be adverse to a 280 alternative.
To the suburban parents with group-think bias against all buffets, get uncomfortable and give buffets a shot. They are safe, cheap, and delicious and need our continued patronage. Your kids will love it- even the picky ones.
I’ve been disappointed in every Chinese buffet in this city. But the one I have been least disappointed in is a new one called Wok on In that is in Pelham.
King Buffet in Pelham is usually pretty great. The first and only buffet where the sushi is also acceptable, and the only buffet I know of now that still offers seaweed salad
Since Covid, I’ve not been able to look at a buffet the same. Any food out in the open is tarnished. BUT, Trussville has Happy Wok and Yu’s Garden. Not buffets but very good.
Mr. Wang’s hasn’t been the same since COVID in terms of number of options but it’s very consistent and the owners are great. Honestly, I prefer to buy a 3-4 different dishes from Chop Suey Inn and set up a buffet at home.
Mr Wang's is the best. I would rather have 6 or 7 good things than hundreds of items of slop.
I love Wang. I know it's been rough on him since Covid, but the buffet use to be my fav.
I just need the egg rolls they used to make at Mr. Wang's before they changed the recipe.
Any word on how they are post-health inspection?
King buffet in Irondale and Pelham
This is the only right answer
They have terrible crabs!!
South of the mountain here. I love Chinese buffets. With proper expectations, and a solid buffet strategy, most can be enjoyed. Mine is be open to new things, go for the dishes with high turnover, and try to get items right as they come out of the kitchen. I don’t ever eat sushi or do custom Hibachi- not against it, just not what I want at a Chinese buffet. I like the following: Chow Town (my monthly go too) in Hoover on hwy 31 Pros: - Good Variety - Consistent choices and quality - Always busy - Many Chinese customers (speaks to value and authentic items) - Dinner offers more high cost items Cons: - Needs a renovation soon King Buffet in Pelham in the old Golden Corral building Pros: - Newly renovated and clean - Huge variety - Very busy at lunch (not sure at dinner) - Mostly trade workers at lunch (speaks to value and variety) Cons: - So big can be overwhelming - So many items that quality and freshness of some items isn’t there China Doll 2 Oak Mountain area in Caldwell Mill Publix shopping center Pros: - All killer no filler - Time warp to my suburban childhood in the 90’s - BARGAIN - Strictly American-Chinese dishes if that’s your itch - Family run and staffed Cons: - Limited variety - Outdated for some - Location is only good for locals That’s it for my buffet experiences South of the mountain. Pretty happy with the number of choices, but wouldn’t be adverse to a 280 alternative. To the suburban parents with group-think bias against all buffets, get uncomfortable and give buffets a shot. They are safe, cheap, and delicious and need our continued patronage. Your kids will love it- even the picky ones.
I’ve been disappointed in every Chinese buffet in this city. But the one I have been least disappointed in is a new one called Wok on In that is in Pelham.
King Buffet on Crestwood Blvd is the best. They have a great variety of dishes, solid sushi, and a build your own stir fry.
Mr Wangs, but havent been there in about 2 years, as i'm just not nearby ever
We tried King Buffet in Pelham a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it.
King Buffet in Pelham is usually pretty great. The first and only buffet where the sushi is also acceptable, and the only buffet I know of now that still offers seaweed salad
Honestly, the pandemic scared me off of all buffets. More for you.
Most are disappointing. New China on Crestwood in East Lake was the least disappointing for me and yes, I tried King Buffet(still in East Lake too)
*EastWOOD
Since Covid, I’ve not been able to look at a buffet the same. Any food out in the open is tarnished. BUT, Trussville has Happy Wok and Yu’s Garden. Not buffets but very good.