East Buffet

(Note: I write Facebook reviews for residents of Turner's Crossing, a new development in Buda, as we all learn about good places to dine in Austin.)------------- The biggest thing East Buffet has going for it is that it's very convenient. It's off I-35, in a strip of shops at the northwest corner of the highway frontage road and William Cannon Drive. My wife and I made a return visit to this spacious, clean, well-run Chinese buffet, and it didn't take long for me to remember why it had been nearly a year since we first tried it. My first plate of assorted food quickly reminded me why this was not on my list of favorites. Unexceptional is an apt description. The food is just OK, and if that's all you want in a restaurant, then this place might be fine for you.The lobby had a goodly number of people waiting to be seated, but the efficient staff had us at a nice table within 10 minutes. Booths are also available. It is rare that I have seen a place run so smoothly.I saw a family of five get up from a table near us, then I watched an employee immediately clean it and get it ready for the next diners, and a host seat a family of five, all within about 60 seconds. That speedy, choreographed turnover was as entertaining as some floor shows I have seen at other establishments. I was also in awe of the dexterity and balance by people walking back to their seats with plates piled so high with crawfish and crab legs that they could barely see over them. East Buffet did a great job of constantly refilling the steam tables with those popular items.I never made it over there, so I can't comment on the quality, but it all looked delicious and seemed to keep one employee busy just going back and forth from the kitchen with more. At least no fights broke out over those precious items, which happens at some buffets. On second thought, that might've added to the entertainment. As far as Chinese buffets go, this place is larger than most with a considerable number of dishes well presented and organized. The appetizers, soups, American entrees, Chinese main dishes, sushi selections, salads, desserts, etc. were all clearly marked with easy access to everything, even with a full dining room. Hot foods were hot; cold foods were properly chilled. There was even a section of raw foods with directions for choosing and arranging under a sign labeled Mongolian. You pick the ingredients, then pass them to a cook for stir-frying. Basically, this is the place to go if you like institutional food. It is also the place to go if you like stuffing your face and making sure you get your money's worth.I have recently avoided most buffets because I am on a new diet and am at a temporary plateau. I did not go crazy and overeat today. I sprained my elbow while patting myself on the back over my restraint.Still, it was impossible to resist the usual Chinese dessert, jello and fruit bar, and the lychee fruit was a nice treat. A little soft ice cream put the finishing touch on my meal.When I pay to eat at a buffet and am not on a diet, I usually take it as a challenge. Does anyone else do that too? The food at the East Buffet, pretty much without exception, was as ordinary as you could find anywhere. Not that it is bad, because it is not. It is just not especially good. More like mediocre. However, it does rise above what you get the most buffets, which is not exactly a high bar.Of course, there were a couple of exceptions that might be considered a full step above ordinary. The soups were very good. My wife especially liked the egg drop soup, while I found the hot sour soup as tasty as what I've had at proper, full-service Chinese eateries. I must point out here that my wife disagrees with my lackluster description of the food and would not be at all reluctant to go back . She feels strongly that I am too harsh in my assessment and insists that everything she had was quite good. I know she especially enjoyed the crab Rangoon. We were there late on a busy Sunday afternoon, which probably had a lot to do with the food being replenished often and not drying out under the heat lamps. It all looked appetizing, and we didn't hesitate to help ourselves to some of our favorite dishes.Several shrimp dishes were, well, very good, because you really have to be a screw-up to make shrimp unappetizing. The cold seafood on the salad section of the buffet was good, and I especially like the imitation crab and cold mussels, but none of it rose to the level of very good.We are still trying to find an exceptional Chinese restaurant that doesn't require us to go downtown. However, sometimes you just gotta make the extra effort if you want something special. The cost of the East Buffet is a plus. We get a senior discount (over 60, but I won't say how much over), and the bill was only about $15 plus tax for each of us. That's pretty impressive when you consider you can easily pay that much grabbing some fast food at a drive-through.

The staff is great, the food was decent. I mean, it's a buffet so you get a buffet experience. My husband and children loved the grilling station. I'm scared to eat raw fish on a buffet lol; but my daughter enjoyed the cooked rolls. Fried rice was surprisingly trash. Stay away from the frozen crawfish they put carrots in the egg drop soup which..ugh! But they have some amazing wings and damn near chicken every kind of way lol my baby really loved the orange chicken, I loved the general tso. We spent about $100 for 5 people and everyone got full and not sick so it's a win!!

Pretty average Asian buffet. Lunch is $13. Per person weekdays, more at night and on weekends.One unique feature us a bat with a variety if raw vegetables and meats. You collect up what you wNt on a plate and then give it to thy chef who stir fries it all together for you on a huge Hibachi grill. Otherwise there are several buffets featuring different classes of foids, salad, and desserts.The desserts were traditional Asian, plus a soft serve machine that had both chocolate and vanilla frozen milky product. Mote like an ice milk than ice cream. The quality was OK buy nothing or remember or to return for. The sauces had the generic label taste that generally doesn't appeal to anyone. Of course a buffet is all self service, but a waitress removed dirty dishes from the table and kept our water glasses filled throughout the meal. The ambiance was that of a strip mall place that was probably a cut above once upon a time. It would have been more appealing had there not been boxes of supplies stacked against the wall in the entrance. It is clearly showing its age, but it was clean.

I enjoy the hot food at East Buffet. I've gone to other buffets and when I return to my table, the food at those other places gets cold very quickly. I also feel that everyone is very friendly. I highly recommend East Buffet.

There is a pretty good selection of foods, the buffet is clean and mostly full. I reckon my beef is with the quality; too much fried or genuinely cheap stuff. The bussers are usually pretty cognizant and keep the table clear and the floor swept. In a pinch, you'll leave full. Fox on the TV is another reason not to stay too long.

Most of the food was south of mediocre and there were not that many dishes, really. Midway through, I found a dead fly stuck to the top of a piece of nigiri. I tried to get a waiter to take it, but the waitstaff avoided me like the plague. I finally brought it to the bussing station to give it to an employee, but by then I was pretty turned off my food. There was no manager present, but my waiter did offer me food to go. I declined.

The cost is rather expensive considering my less-than-stellar experience there.The cashier pointed to where to sit, with no other choice given.No greeting was given by the waitress.The food bar looked like it was not cleaned up nor filled up from the lunchtime buffet.There was no cook for the Mongolian BBQ.The food and the service were mediocre at best.What ambiance?!This place needs to be inspected by the Health Department!!!

Easy Buffet was pretty decent. The food seemed to be fresh and the service was good. We had a little bit of everything and the Mongolian grill. I would say it's pretty run of the mill for a buffet in the states. Nothing crazy. The desserts are pretty bland. Lots of fresh fruits for dessert also.

Awful! I went here for Christmas Day and will not be back. The smell throughout the place was gross, the food was bland and poor quality with some mystery meat. Do not recommend.

Ambiance is what you'd expect, Service is pretty swift and friendly, I never had to wait for a refill. Soup was good, noodles and rice was okay, I enjoyed the sushi- not a lot of variety but what they had was good. I ordered Mongolian where they make it in front of you and that came out fresh.