China Buffet Alexandria

My history with this establishment is a masterclass in disappointment, a decade-spanning saga of…read moredishonesty that I feel compelled to share. It began years ago on a Mother's Day, a celebration with my entire family--my wife, our four kids, and my mother. While the rest of us ordered from the menu, my mother opted for the buffet. The meal itself was a preview of the incompetence to come: reheated food with that distinct microwave sogginess and a pervasive smell of harsh chemical cleaner that clung to the takeout containers we requested for leftovers. The most memorable moment was when my youngest, barely a year old, nibbled on one of my mother's buffet donuts, and the owner's son, about seven at the time, ran screaming toward the kitchen--a foreshadowing of the chaos this place inspires. The true spectacle arrived with the bill. Not only had they charged us for our menu items, but they had the audacity to charge all six of us, including the children, for the adult buffet. When questioned, the staff who had perfectly understood our complex order suddenly couldn't speak a word of English. We told them exactly what we thought of their scam by never returning. A decade later, my son, nostalgic for a childhood he's misremembered, begged to celebrate a chess victory there. Reluctantly, I agreed. While he was away from the table, the lady owner accosted me at the booth, demanding to know why we'd been absent for so long. I looked her dead in the eye and said, "It's prime supper time on a Friday night, and you have two customers. We told you we didn't like being ripped off; we told you with our feet." Now, with that son grown and moved out, I made the fatal mistake of giving them one final chance. Some things never change. The food was as mediocre as ever, but the audacity had been refined into an art form. I was billed for sixteen wontons and received a paltry four. When I called to rectify the mistake, the same delivery service they proudly advertise suddenly became unavailable. They can deliver your food, but they can never, ever deliver on their promises. A perfect record of failure spanning ten years is almost impressive. Save your money and your dignity; this is a place that sees customers not as guests, but as marks.

Was very impressed with take out order. And was very reasonably priced for the amount each of the…read moreorder provided.

Shrimp chow mein

Cheese wonton

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Always immaculate and beat as a pin.

Great Hunan Chinese Restaurant

4.1(56 reviews)

1.1 mi

I don't come here often but it's a special treat to myself. It's my get away from the kids and day…read moreto day life. The food is always great the staff are always amazing. The restaurant its self is spacious and tastefully decorated.

I suffering from celiac disease and therefore bought several items for pickup that were gluten…read morefriendly. Yes they were gluten friendly but they were just awful, and I ended up throwing most of my lunch in the trash. Just a note of caution for other celiac sufferers!

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Plum wine

China Panda Chinese Restaurent

4.1(12 reviews)

13.7 mi

Service was good. Very clean dining area. Meal was ready in a short time. Food was good and very…read morefilling. We will be coming back. Very busy with to go orders.

The food at this family owned restaurant is delicious! I've never had a bad meal here. And, the…read morefamily is so sweet! They've really become part of the community. I like ordering online (BeyondMenu) and picking it up about 20 minutes later.

Location & Menu

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Menu

China Buffet

3.4(9 reviews)

1.8 mi

The dessert selection at China Buffet in Alexandria, MN was honestly one of the best parts of the…read morewhole meal. My team tried a bunch of different things, and there was a solid mix to choose from everything from classic cookies and cake to ice cream and fruit. What stood out the most to me was the banana and chocolate shit. That was easily my favorite. The sweetness of the banana mixed with the rich chocolate just hit perfectly, and it was something I kept going back for. It wasn't too heavy either, which made it even better after a big meal. Overall, the desserts were fresh, flavorful, and a great way to finish everything off. Definitely a highlight of the buffet, especially if you've got a sweet tooth.

The interior of this place is definitely stuck in the early 2000s--very dated. As far as service…read moregoes, it's what you'd expect at a buffet. For food, the main options were a little limited, but the General Tso chicken and Lo Mein were delicious! Desserts weren't labeled, so you didn't really know what you were grabbing. Most desserts I tried were gross. Several were rock hard. Also kind of a bummer that there were no toppings for the soft serve ice cream.

China Buffet, Alexandria

Mains and some sides

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China Buffet, Alexandria

Four Seas Buffet

2.3(15 reviews)

22.8 mi

Went to the Four Seas buffet for lunch and were pleasantly surprised! Everything tasted delicious…read moreand was very fresh. We have been talking about it all day and will be back soon. Love that the soda was included.

The worst buffet we have ever been to. I never leave reviews but we were so disappointed I felt…read morelike it was necessary. We we're passing through after traveling all day as swung in. We typically like all Chinese buffets but this was awful. It's a very small buffet compared to most which is fine but the food was just nasty. The crab Rangoon was so undercooked it was soggy. The fried rice was yellow, not sure why. The meat tasted like it had set out for hours. They didn't even have a soft serve ice cream machine like most. They had small cups of pre packaged off brand ice cream. Two adults, a 3 year old and a 7 year old was $60. Fair price if the food was decent. If you have ever experienced decent Chinese I would not recommend this place. You will be disappointed.

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J & J Chinese Cafe

4.7(13 reviews)

38.3 mi

Huge portion sizes, food was made fresh and service was friendly and apologetic when it took a bit…read morelonger than expected. The pad Thai was disappointing and dry and not super authentic -- not recommended. But the chicken in the pad Thai was above average. We added some sauce at home and made it workable. The orange chicken was good and a hit with the kids. Lo mein was also a hit. Egg rolls were not our fave, too much roll/not enough filling. Cream cheese wontons were tasty.

New to the area so decided to stop in for dinner. Very quiet for a Saturday evening but the food…read morewas great. I enjoyed the quality of the beef and vegetables. Also big portions for the price. I was pleasantly surprised!

Generous portions

Singapore Rice Noodles

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Chicken Fried Rice - amazingly epic meal!! 10/10 will get again.

Dong Khanh

4.0(49 reviews)

61.0 mi

Get the pho! That soup will cure your soul. I seek out a pho spot every time I'm in St Cloud. I…read morecommute an hour for this soup, it's worth it.

This is absolutely one of my favorite bowls of Pho they don't give you a plate with basil and…read moresprouts. It's already added into the soup and it is absolutely delicious the combination.pho

High prices

Hot and sour soup

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Inside

China Panda

4.0(7 reviews)

73.4 mi

Delicious Chinese cuisine! Carryout is quick and plentiful. Inside seating is tastefully simple and…read moreclean. One of my favorite restaurants in our area!

Messed up 2/4 orders, said the wait would be 10 minutes ended up being 25-30, the honey chicken…read moretaste like it was rancid, or maybe cooked in old oil. other then that the rest of the food was good. (empress chicken, and sesame 7/10)

Hunan Spring Restaurant

3.3(25 reviews)

46.1 mi

My favorite restaurant ever! I never have any complaints. It's the most friendliest restaurant! I'm…read morepretty sure it's family owned because i see the same people every time i go in and i've been going for the past couple years. The atmosphere is amazing, everyone is comfortable it's a very family friendly restaurant, and don't even get me started on the food. I litteraly crave it. I go to sit down and sometimes i get to go box, and when you get the to go box it is a very decent amount for the price you pay you just have to know how to stack

We eat here often! Best when you can go early though. Service is friendly and a variety of foods…read more(salads, appetizers, main, and desserts). Usually too full to eat dessert. I really like their apple salad. Ambiance: large dining area...clean and well lit. No reason to not go back! :)

Pork Egg Roll

Pork Egg Foo Young

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Hot & Sour Soup

JJ Garden

4.3(45 reviews)

61.3 mi

We are regular take out people from here for over a year. We order at least once a week on Fridays…read moreand more when I am sick with a need for soup. I can't speak on the ambiance or table service, however they know us by name and always pay special attention to us every time we visit. If you want fresh American Chinese food this is the best I have had in a long time. I have lived in Seattle and NC. They do their stir frys perfectly for take out. The veggies are still crisp and the rice fluffy. I have tried most the non seafood stir frys and they are consistently well seasoned and cooked. When I ask for spicy, they give it to me. I usually do soups from here when I'm sick. I don't like my soups thickened so I do thin it out when I get home. The soups are full of all the right things and I really enjoy the hot and sour soup, egg drop soup, and panang curry. I usually have about 3 meals from a single large soup order. If you are looking for a very affordable lunch, they have specials! I can usually make two meals or of my dinner combo.

I've been here a few times now and have tried several items on the menu. I did not care for their…read morestyle of chicken chow mein - its very celery heavy. However, the Beef and broccoli, Chicken Lo Mein, and general's chicken are all very very good. The prices are very reasonable, especially if you get a lunch combo. I'll keep coming back. It's nearby, quick when you order, and pretty tasty!

Booths or tables

Singapore Chow Mei Fun

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Spacious, warmly lit dining room

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Emily F.

0

4

0

5 years ago

Amazing experience for the first time. Owner is amazing and helps out the team. Food was delicious. Had the beef lomein , general chicken, egg rolls, cream cheese puffs. Order my food online for a specific time and it was done on time. Highly recommend this place!!!! read more

Steven P.

38

3

0

8 years ago

Have to come when lunch starts and before dinner. That s when the food is the best. Great place. Better the. It was a few years back.

Han Y.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Very Clean Nice Seats Wide Variety of Food Kind Employees Nice Dessert bar Fair Price for what you get read more

Emily W.

0

3

0

10 years ago

Very Very delicious, will definitely come back here again!

China Buffet Alexandria - chinese - Updated September 2026

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The dessert selection at China Buffet in Alexandria, MN was honestly one of the best parts of the…read morewhole meal. My team tried a bunch of different things, and there was a solid mix to choose from everything from classic cookies and cake to ice cream and fruit. What stood out the most to me was the banana and chocolate shit. That was easily my favorite. The sweetness of the banana mixed with the rich chocolate just hit perfectly, and it was something I kept going back for. It wasn't too heavy either, which made it even better after a big meal. Overall, the desserts were fresh, flavorful, and a great way to finish everything off. Definitely a highlight of the buffet, especially if you've got a sweet tooth.

The interior of this place is definitely stuck in the early 2000s--very dated. As far as service…read moregoes, it's what you'd expect at a buffet. For food, the main options were a little limited, but the General Tso chicken and Lo Mein were delicious! Desserts weren't labeled, so you didn't really know what you were grabbing. Most desserts I tried were gross. Several were rock hard. Also kind of a bummer that there were no toppings for the soft serve ice cream.

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The food at this family owned restaurant is delicious! I've never had a bad meal here. And, the…read morefamily is so sweet! They've really become part of the community. I like ordering online (BeyondMenu) and picking it up about 20 minutes later.

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I hate giving poor reviews, but honestly the food was terrible. I ordered chicken egg foo yung, it…read morewas really bad, super oily, right at the line of being burned but tasting burnt. I ate one piece because I was super hungry, but three the rest away. The interior of the restaurant could use a deep cleaning as well. On the upside, the young man working at the counter was friendly and helpful.

The food is amazing!! Easily five stars, andd the customer service is just as good!! it's such a…read morewelcoming environment and by our third time there they had remembered our orders. I would totally Recommend!!!!

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The food rules at this joint! The beer is quite possibly the coldest in the Lakes Area. Plenty of…read moretv's makes this a great location to watch your game. Keep it local!

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