Adam & Eats: Asian Buffet

This week we are heading to the far east, both gastronomically and geographically, to check out a place that comes highly recommended to me. Needless to say, I’ve got my doubts about eating at yet another buffet that serves “Asian” food. But at least their name is straightforward.

Located at the east end of Rogers Avenue, next to the Walmart supercenter, is the aptly named Asian Buffet. What you find upon entering the restaurant is about what you are used to with places like this. Red lacquered fiberglass made to look like ancient wood carvings, fake flowers, and just a touch of neon to give the place a little spunk. I didn’t see a painting of a panda, but there’s bound to be one in there.

The tables, chairs, and booths have seen better days, but they are comfy nonetheless. As far as service goes, I found that they are just attentive enough to make sure you are taken care of, but for the most part, they leave you to your own devices. Some people might feel that this could be construed as poor service, but I personally found that not being hassled every few minutes was a welcome surprise.

Let’s talk about the wide array of food that Asian Buffet offers, shall we? If we ignore the 170 items offered on the menu and just focus on the buffet, it will make our job infinitely easier. And realistically, who goes to an all-you-can-eat Asian place and orders off of the menu? If you wanted to order off of the menu, you’d be eating at a different Asian restaurant than this one.

But, as always, I digress.

Let’s start with the most traditional item on the buffet, the pig-in-a-blanket. While you might feel overwhelmed by the decadent buttery coating on the biscuit wrapper, don’t miss out on the undertones of sweet smokiness in the wienie on the inside. In all seriousness, they do have a handful of dishes that rock and are definitely worth making the trip.

One of the best things they offer has got to be the fried lobster. Imagine if you will a fried pastry with bits of minced lobster strewn throughout. It may not sound appetizing, but holy crap it’s delicious. And you can never go wrong with chicken-on-a-stick. Theirs is incredibly moist and flavorful. Both the sesame chicken, with its wonder crunchiness, and the peppered chicken, with its hint of sweetness, are winners in this taste contest.

Their beef and broccoli managed not to be too saucy while retaining all of the flavors you expect. A lot of the other dishes missed the mark for me, though. The General Tso’s chicken was way too mild. The egg foo young was a little on the bland side. The bacon wrapped crab, an expected winner, left much to be desired. Even the sweet and sour chicken was ho hum.

Now, all of that is totally excusable. Why, you ask?

Because the kitchen crew at Asian Buffet has created the most dangerously awesome thing ever.  They make bite size cream cheese wontons. And the worst part is that they are probably some of the most delicious in the area. Do the math, people.

Bite Size + Super Yummy + Deep Fried Cream Cheese = Moving Up A Pant Size

That said, if you love cream cheese wontons, and you haven’t checked out the Asian Buffet, do it. Now.

Until next week, Happy New Year to all and good eating to you and yours.

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