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Reviews

LH
Lewis H.

07/13/2015

Provided by YP.com

What happened to this place? I don't understand it. I took my kids TODAY (7/13/15) We can't afford to eat out often but we were in town for doctor's appointments all day and were hungry for the taste we hadn't had in 3 years. I should have known something was amiss when we pulled up to neglected landscape and paint peeling off the building; looking like it’s in disrepair. But I wanted Empire Buffet. The best buffet in Johnson City since Super China Chef on State of Franklin went out of business. What did I get? Heartbreak, disappointment, no crowds at lunch time! Under cooked and cold food at NOON! The stir-fry bok choy had a layer of grease on it! What’s with ALL the sushi with cream cheese on it? 1 nori roll on the buffet of an un-busy restaurant? My daughter's sweet and sour chicken: cold and greasy. My hot wings: bland and tasteless; what hot? The stir fried green beans and mushroom chicken were ehh...bland at best and my dumplings were like rubber. But my son did say that the pudding tasted good. And by the way. What was in the metal container that the hand dipped ice cream scooper was sitting in; that would be a cold day before I scooped anything with it including my cats litter boxes? I'm not going to discuss the bathroom; suffice to say that apparently some customers have some problem with Muslims as evidenced on the men's room stall wall. Unapologetic management offered NO resolution. WE WILL NOT BE COMING BACK, EVER! A sad day for a once GREAT buffet.

12/20/2011

best place in jc

Empire chinese buffet is actually the best chinese buffet in jc. Its usually good but there have been times I went when some of the food was less than satisfactory. But not that often and plus what do u expect its a buffet and I love the people who work there:)

10/03/2011

management and staff unhelpful

The food has always been nice. Went there yesterday to eat after church. I was wearing a necklace given to me by my husband after making it through cancer treatments. It is silver and green leaf inlaid. I was wearing it when I got there but I lost it somewhere around one of the buffets. Its not a small necklace and easy to see. I ask several staff members for help and they just looked at me and said sorry! It would not have taken that much time for them to help me look but not one would help look just once.I left my name and number and I called them to check if anyone turned it in and they hung up quickly after saying no we don't have it. I didn't ask them to stop their work but just a little common concern would have been nice!

07/15/2011

Was great a few years ago, but now not so much

I have been eating there since it opened. The first year or so it was the best Chinese Buffet in town. Now the prices are higher and the main dishes on the weekend, like Crab Legs, they rarely refill. When they do bring any out, they bring enough for maybe 3 people with a line of 6 people waiting. Also the crab leg sizes now are much smaller. They use the crab leg like a "loss leader" or something. You come to eat them, but you eventually tire of waiting and eat something else. The last thing you want to do is arrive at maybe 7pm or so. Then you can expect to get 1/4 less dishes because they will not refill them at all. People standing around waiting on food is ridiculous. We are going back to the Chinese Buffet over by the University at Kroger. The buffet is not a big, but I don't feel like I got robbed when I leave.

07/11/2011

Empire Chinese reasturant

I dont know what some people are talking about, my family and i ordered happy family,general tso chicken& seafood delight. It was wonderful.fresh, great tasting and alot of it. we live in johnson city tn. so i do know if the food is differant some place else. but i know its good here.

04/17/2011

Visiting Memphian

Visited here after several friends suggested it. Truth is, I'll never suggest this place to anyone. It's easier to list my likes than dislikes and they go like this: Egg Drop soup was tasty without additional seasoning. The cheesecake was surprisingly good. Other than that the place was a disaster. The carpet was sticky, the service was shoddy, the staff struggled to keep fresh food on the bar, and the price was $13.81 for one dinner buffet and a soda. I'll NEVER BE BACK.

J
jayp101

03/16/2011

Provided by YPmobile
Great place

I must say that they have the beat food in this area. The prices are very reasonable, with the exception of Sundays. I truly recommend this place to everyone. With the wide verity of their food selection you can't go wrong.

R
rbhle123

03/05/2011

Provided by YPmobile
Beware!!! Bad food

I recently got food poisoning from them... I would never eat there again.

10/11/2010

Good but could be a bit cheaper

My fiancee and I went to this establishment for a date. It was only $22 by the time we left; that included drinks and the buffet. It was great, but for two people, I think it should only be around $16 to $18 or so because there were something things that just were not refilled at all! Other than that, it was absolutely wonderful.

09/18/2010

nasty

There is no lower rating than disappointed, so I guess I have to choose it. Ate here a couple weeks ago in the evening. Waitress was terrible. Couldn't get drink order in a timely manner and then two of the soft drinks had no syrup in them. when we asked for new drinks, it took forever for her to bring them to us. the food was not very pleasant to look at and its quality was sub par. we started to leave, but thought we try to see if it was edible. cost us $35.00 or so for 2 adults and 2 kids (5 and less years of age). I then spent the next morning puking my guts out....twice. What a nasty place. My family will NOT be back to this business...even if they get good wait staff and clean their buffet up.

03/02/2010

Super Good Food and prices

My Family and I have eaten here several times. The food is fresh, cooked perfect, and the prices reasonable. I use a 4 wheel electric handicapped scooter and this restaurant is the only one of any kind that I've been able to maneuver around the buffet serving tables without obstruction or tightness of space. The servers are clean, polite, and don't rush the patrons.

J
jefmic23

12/30/2009

Provided by YP.com
very good place to eat.also ha...

very good place to eat.also has a wide variety of food.and last but not least the price is also reasonable.

05/02/2009

Fantastic food at very reasonable prices !

My wife and myself have throughly enjoyed the dinner buffet two times recently. We found the restaurant to be very clean, with good lighting and spacious seating arrangments and floor space.Both times we were thrilled at the vast assortment of Asian foods, along with a wonderful sushi bar. My wife particularly enjoys the Japanese grill offerings. All of the food was fresh, well prepared and plentiful. With the huge assortment of foods offered, we enjoyed sampling several different items both times we were there. Having eaten Asian foods in cities from the east coast to the west, we personally consider the Empire Chinese Buffet, the BEST in the tricites area . If you have not tried this wonderful restaurant, and you like asian foods. You are in for a very special treat when you do visit.

More Business Info

Hours
Regular Hours
Mon - Sun:
Extra Phones

Phone: 423-232-0888

Fax: 423-232-0888

Payment method
discover, mastercard, all major credit cards, amex, visa
Price Range
$$
AKA

Empire Chinese Buffet

Categories
Buffet Restaurants, Family Style Restaurants, Restaurants
Other Information

Parking: Lot, Free

Wi-Fi: No

Attire: Casual

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Cuisines: Buffets, Family Style

Alcohol: No

Takes Reservations: No

Outdoor Seating: No

Price Range : Average

Bike Parking: No

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