Mei Asian China Buffet

Reviews 4

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H Neil M

I feel some of the other reviewers are not evaluating this restaurant based on what it is: A value (budget) oriented, All-you-can-eat buffet, NOT a fine dining or menu-based table service restaurant. I saw no sign of a "mandatory service charge," that another reviewer complained of, but maybe they had a large party, which is when most restaurants impose a service charge. I am an Orlando-area native, and often visit Asian-style buffets in the area. Most are horrendous, with poor selections, poorer service, and disgusting quality, I usually frequent Ichiban Buffet & Crazy Buffet, as they both have excellent sushi options and hibachi (Mongolian) grills, and Crazy Buffet also has a wonderful custom pho (soup) bar.. This was my first visit to Mei Asian Buffet. I was very pleased with the $8.50 lunch price, as it was competitive with my other two favorites, and I noticed that unlike the other two, this place doesnt "bump up" its prices on Sundays, so that $8.50 price is good seven days a week. They also honor the lunch price until 4:30 pm, which is at least an hour later than most places. Sadly, they dont have a hibachi grill or a sushi bar (although there is a smallish selection of sushi available). What i did find that impressed me was a very high quality, and a nice selection of food. The was a smaller number of selections available than I find at Ichiban, BUT there was a WIDER variety. Many of the options at the other places are "variations on a theme," whereas here at Mei Asian, there was a broader spectrum of dishes. As a person who restricts his carb intake, I also noted that unlike many other buffets, not all of the meats in the dishes were "velveted" (dusted in cornstarch before cooking). Many buffets do this to extend the time that food can sit on a steam table without getting tough, but it tends to leave the meats tasting "mushy." I found the "peel & eat" boiled shrimp (prawns) to be particularly good, as they were very plump, and tender, but not mushy or mealy. Very often, one finds these to be tough and rubbery from over cooking, but these were obviously freshly boiled, and cold-shocked in ice, which makes them much easier to peel. The salad selection was adequate, and I was pleased to find kim chi, which should be ubiquitous in these establishments, but sadly, isnt. Theirs was quite crunchy, and I enjoyed it, although it wasnt as spicy as I would have liked. I found the dessert offerings adequate, although more fresh, and less canned fruit would be nice. The creme caramel (flan) was a nice surprise. I would suggest to the owners that they provide small, disposable portion cups for sauces, dips, etc, but that is a minor concern. As far as service is concerned, dirty plates were rather quickly picked up, and although our server needed to be asked to refill the beverages, she did so cheerfully and quickly, and as she visited the table often to check on us, we never had to wait for drinks. Overall, I found the experience quite enjoyable, affordable and satisfying. I am definitely adding this buffet to my list of regular haunts.

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Roeau Vetrano

Since we were tight on cash; my husband, his friend and I just wanted a reasonably priced buffet to fill our tummies before a very long day ahead of us. There was an odd smell when we entered and it didnt look very well maintained. When we got to our table, the surface was rather sticky. I ordered a tea and my husband ordered a soda. His soda was watered down and my tea was old. Okay, Ill let that slide because I dont find a lot of places that serve fresh tea. On to the food. Everything that all three of us plated was lukewarm and had a questionable flavor. The egg rolls/spring rolls must have been frozen for quite some time because their contents had no flavor except for the cabbage that tasted spoiled. Tried their general Tsos and sesame chicken which were swimming around in a unusual sauce. It seemed to be stringy. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt but not only was it cold but the chicken tasted odd. Ill say that I could get a pork dumpling and some lo mein down but that was about it. Not only have I been to China but I have friends in Guangzhou and Taiwan so these dishes shouldnt be as complicated as the ones I am familiar with. It shouldnt be too demanding for the customer to want "hot" and "fresh" when they are paying 8.50 for a meal. What we also thought was odd was once our friend started mentioning our problem with the food to the man at the front, he immediately started whispering lower prices. It seems as if this has happened before and, after leaving, whatever I could get down starting turning in my stomach. For the 21.85 my husband and I were charged for the 3-5 bites we could barely get down, we seriously regret stopping at this place and will make sure never to come back again.

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Mari Sievinen

Ive been going to this restaurant on-and-off now for for the last 9 or so years. Its never been the greatest place, but the lunch price was good and the food was pretty decent. About 2 weeks ago I took my parents there for lunch, like Ive done many times before. This visit however was be my last one to this restaurant. There were MANY things wrong. All food on the 2 hot lines of the buffet we cold. I mean actually cold, not even room temperature. I understand that some of the foods had been brought out a little earlier, but there is NO reason that anything on the hot line should be cold or room temperature. I cant help but think of all the foodborne illnesses that were festering on those lines. Another issue that we can across was the cleanliness as a whole. The floors were filthy and slippery. The table had visible food pieces left behind and was very sticky. The plates and bowls from the "clean" stack were also sticky and some had visible food pieces on them. At this point, Id say the County Health Inspector needs to shut this place down for the good of the many tourists that end up there for lunch or dinner. Its definitely not worth the money you pay, especially when the potential for food poisoning is the highest Ive ever seen at ANY restaurant Ive ever eaten at.

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Andy Rennie

Avoid at all cost!! Where to begin, I have travelled all over the world and experienced Chinese food ( apart from China lol)- this has to be, in all honesty, the worst place I have ever eaten!! I could have forgiven it slightly if it was a bargain buffet price, but it wasnt it is extremely expensive - I couldnt believe the bill considering I never ate anything. The cooked meat dishes looked alive! and the fresh foods looked dead! No exaggeration. I cant beleive this place has not been reported to a food standards agency or something, not sure how things work in the states, but in the UK that place would be shut down!! You literally would be better just walking in and paying them money and leaving cause you are not going to enjoy any food in that place! I swear the prawns and crabs were screaming just drown me, poor sebastian! And God only knows what was in the pooch chow mein! Lol. And the salmonella chicken station what an ordeal these poor things must have went through too look like they do in China buffet. Service also awful and the place just looks dirty. Really really the worst place I have ever eaten, this could be the place to rejuvenate the plague - or at least a food Bourne one!! GO ANYWHERE ELSE!!