The Journey
| Address: | 4325 Lien Rd, Madison, WI 53704, USA |
| Phone: | +1 608-663-6686 |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Jessica Reible
Mothers day and I decided to go by myself (my mothers day present to go shopping all day by myself). I thought it would be quick being a buffet, but it was very busy due to Mothers Day & waited 10 min. for 1 person. The food was good, as always. The customer service is lacking greatly. They are just not kind. No smiles ever, in fact, I watched my waitress clean up a booth after a rude customer with a toddler made a really horrible mess all over the floor & left $2 as a tip with 3 people. Even though the customer was rude, the waitress didnt leave a good impression by acting really mad, shaking her head when she counted the tip and angrily swept up the mess while people around watched. Everyone knew she was disturbed over it. I think anyone else would have been irritated as well. However, wouldnt it have been awesome to see her shrug it off and figure shed make up the tip somewhere else during the night? At any rate, I felt bad for her. I was just by myself and she brought my water and picked up 2 plates by the time I was done...however, I figured Id make up for that rude customer who allowed her kid to go crazy and get food everywhere. I tipped her 35% (youre welcome rude woman) and hoped it made her smile :)
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Fezzy Wigg
Great buffet and in my personal opinion, the best Asian / American in Madison. I am not sure, but I think it has the largest buffet items. There is also a teriyaki grill at the back. In the front you will find an extended "sushi and sushi-mi" bar. While the flavors are good, some of the deep fried selections that should be served warm are cold and soggy. The cold selections are good, but defiantly NOT comparable to Red Sushi on the square or Takami. It is a buffet after all. However, it is all made fresh in front of you. Something you dont see at other buffets in Madison. (That I am aware of.) The rest of the fare is just that. Your typical Asian / American fare. Tasty and typical. However, you cant go wrong with stopping for lunch or supper. Each entree Ive had over the many times I have been there have been consistent. Always a good thing when you return to a place of good eats. In conclusion, I recommend them for a quick bite at lunch. You can make it in 40 minutes if you inhale your plate fast enough. But like all buffets, please eat what you take. I say this as a person and NOT as someone affiliated with Journey. Its just sad to see people throw out great food cause they are pigs. And you know who you are....
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Noone Cares
as a non sushi eater, but seafood and oriental food lover, this place quite frankly.. SUCKED. what food was out was either bland and tasteless or dried out and resembled jerky, when i ate lunch there on a Monday. Even the service was odd, i felt rushed, as they kept taking my plate every time i paused.. and when i was away getting a plate of food decided to remove even my drink. environment was ok.. i mean people were chatting away around me, and it was easy enough to be seated, no waiting in line... but i can get better oriental foods from the local greasy takeout joints. at least then they TASTE like theyve been seasoned. Honestly when the best thing on the menu was the premade and warmed up sesame black bean paste stuffed rolls.. theres a problem in the kitchen... Totally not worth my 10 bucks.
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Alexander Kaminski
This is a place that everyone should have on their bucket list! Imagine Chinese food meets Japanese food meets American food. The Journey is just that, a journey! When you walk in, you are greeted by row after row of so many different kinds of food, its insane! Sushi, sashimi, nigiri, hibachi, noodles, rice, soups, salads, meats, drinks, pot stickers, egg rolls, crab ragoon, and so much more!! Im the type of person that likes to try and get one of everything, but it is not humanly possible to do so here! You would think that with all this food that the quality would be lacking.. nope, its delicious! The staff are friendly and always clear your plate before you return. Highly recommend if you are in the Madison area!
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Peter Berg
Staff is on point, they clear dishes fast. Most of the food is good, however, I like cold sushi to be COLD! The rolls are pretty small(except the Alaskan). Some of them look like theyve sat too long. I went when it was busy hoping to have fresh sushi. Most of it was but only the bottom surface of the rolls were cold. And an empty platter of California rolls all night. The crab range on was really weird. Thats supposed to be a savory app, but the filling tasted like it was made with cream cheese frosting and a pinch of crab. I found myself going back for the American-made Asian dishes which kind of disappointed me.
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Daniel Childers
Most Americans have learned to be very wary of sushi unless it comes from an environment that is particularly professional (even high-class). This is a buffet that specializes in sushi and other unusual seafood. The atmosphere is middle-of-the road. But many people will feel uncomfortable eating sushi prepared by a chef thats not wearing a uniform and doesnt seem particularly professional. Because of typical American snobbery about sushi I was afraid it would make me sick. In fairness - it did not. I had baby octopus, squid, giant shrimp, and sushi. All of it was properly prepared. It tasted good and was safe.
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Anna Schultz
I had the nicest waitor the last time I went. He saw that I was by myself and on my phone. The friend who was suppose to meet me there got sick and I just decided to go by myself. I had a girl waitor, but this waitor came up to me and started talking to me then gave me these cute origomi (however its spelled) Donald duck and Mickey mouse. Really made my day. He was very young with medium length black hair that went to about his eyebrows. Give this man a raise and tip him well! Other than that the food is fabulous. :)
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brinda cunnigan
Plenty of room for seating but I only counted 4 items I was able to eat that had no dairy eggs or meat in them, Im a vegan an yep only 4 items I was truly able to eat kinda a bomber but I still love been a vegan so if your are a vegan and looking for a cheat day dont expect much you pretty much will do better finding things at home or just ordering your favorite dish from the Chinese restaurant. But I did get full and was satisfied but wouldnt be my first choice next time
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Alan Burggren
Amazing seafood selection. Has plenty of great non-seafood as well (pork on a stick, bbq pork, chicken assortmemt, salad bar). Probably the best selection of any Chinese Buffet Ive been to. Everything tastes great. On the bussers is a fantastic origami maker. My dad had some ribs and me some crab so he made us little oragamis of the two as well as a rabbit, a duck, and a traditional swan. Very nice touch!
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Minah Lee
I love this place. Japanese, Chinese and American foods. There are many delicious selections of sushi, rice, mash potatoes, mac & cheese, lo mein noodles and more. The sushi itself was so outstanding, one plate isnt enough. Customer service was like any other chinese buffet (by that i mean friendly & get their job done). I do recommend this place and definitely will be back very soon.
