Address: | 714 4th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112, USA |
Phone: | +1 641-236-8831 |
Rating: | 2.5 |
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A Private User
Where do I start? I have just gotten back from dining at this restaurant and I foresee some type of stomach ailment hitting me throughout the weekend. Typically one goes to a buffet and spends their first plate run trying to figure out what all to pile on while on their first pass, I spent this time trying to figure out what wouldnt make me ill or hadnt been sitting out for hours. I made my selection of steamed rice, sesame chicken, Mongolian beef, and an egg roll. My first bite of sesame chicken welcomed me with a taste of salt and possibly spoiled chicken. The mongolian beef smelled old so one bite was taken, and the rice... one thing you typically cannot mess up was dry and borderline burnt. I informed the front counter and they promptly prepared more sesame chicken. Instead of dumping the old stuff out they simply split the new and old up in the pan. I decided for 8 bucks I had better eat something and was not happy to find that the newly prepared chicken was just as bad as the first batch. I skipped everything else and filled up on soda. I was sure to press napkins on top of my food as to not see it dumped back in with the other food. I guess my first sign should have been the lack of customers, and the food looking old as can be. AVOID AT ALL COSTS, unless you enjoy playing Russian roulette with food poisoning!
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A Private User
Wow. Just "wow." Thats all I can say about this place. And its not a "good" wow, either. My cousin and I were in Grinnell on a Sunday, and China Sea was one of the only places that we saw that was open. The first impression upon coming in should have been warning enough that we needed to get the hell out instantly, but we were hungry, and first impressions are not everything in a restaurant. Or so we thought. We paid for the buffet, and went to get our food. $8 for this sad, sorry excuse for a buffet. The soup was literally congealing in its pan, nearly everything was either cold or lukewarm (at best), and the textures and flavors were just awful. We ended up leaving our food half-finished and proceeded to the nearest McDonalds for higher-quality food.
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A Private User
I recently heard a rumour that this fine establishment was closing its doors; I hope thats not true. China Sea is the zenith of Chinese buffets. On any given visit, there will be five average dishes, one or two that are not quite right, and at least one that is transcendently amazing. The peak of sweet, salty, sour, and savory. The best part is that its a different dish each time; China Sea definitely rewards the frequent patron. Sail on, China Sea, for if you are gone, you have not been forgotten.
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Travis Blubaugh
So heres the deal. We showed up having read the reviews and took a gander ar the buffet. Sure there are reasons to bicker but honestly, going into it knowing that it might be run of the mill was better than expecting it to be fantastic. Anyway, for where it is and what it is, it was not bad. Sure the place feels a bit sad (even the ceiling fans have that look too), but its not really bad. Give it a go.
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A Private User
Excellent take out. Hot and fresh. Excellent service. Ive never had the buffet, it never seems appetizing. But the take out is absolutely top notch. Same health code violations as every other eatery in the area. NON food contact surfaces were "out" everything else was "in" according to latest state report.
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A Private User
The food is no more than lukewarm and thats during the lunch rush. There is very little variation of foods, especially when theyre all cold. Oh did I mention I had food poisoning for two days after eating there. Definitely not worth the 8 dollars for a crappy buffet.
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A Private User
Well the water was really refreshing and it was kinda fun playing guess the mystery fried food. Beyond that, this place has to hold the record in Grinnell for most health code violations. So yeah its got that going for it. Dont waste your time or your money.
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Travis Mattingly
Ordered the buffet there was no one in the restraunt they uncovered all the food and it was cold and there was not very much of it didnt want to eat anything cause I was scared to get food poisoning avoid at all costs
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Alex Mitchell
Really a diamond in the rough. Good for stuffing yourself full of authentic Chinese cuisine. Not Americanized food; some people find that offputting.
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anthony cookson
Great buffet and menu items both eat there at least once a week
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Steve Worthington
Sad and awful. Food was beyond bland, and lukewarm at best.
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Rod Rosburg
Good lunch menu
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JACOB GOSSELINK
DONT EAT THERE.