I don't trust this place anymore. Their togo prices are a ripoff. They tell you one thing and when you are about to pay, they tell you a higher price. The food isn't all that great either. They tend to mix the old food with the newly cooked food. The cream cheese wontons are ok. Workers have very poor english and most of the time they don't understand what you are saying. I was told that if I get something to go it will be X amount a pound. So when I go to pay, they tell me it was X amount PER ITEM. Are you serious!?!?!? Never again will I go to this piece of dump. I'd rather drive to Lancaster if I ever get cravings for Chinese buffet. Heck, I'd drive to the bay area! If I could give half a star, I would. That half a star would be for the cabbage and sesame mochi balls. read more

Tried this place out with family who visited from out of town, and I was ashamed of even taking them there. I wish we ordered pizza instead. It is a very small buffet with not much variety to be around $14 per head. The soup was watered down and everything lacked flavor and has most likely been sitting there for days. This buffet sadly just doesn't have the IT factor for me to want to go back. I gave it 2 stars for the cleanliness, crab legs, and ice cream. Hopefully they can make some improvements since it is the only buffet in town. read more

I like the food when i order out. Disappointed that the crab legs are only friday and Saturday. I like love crab legs. When i ordered they only had small egg rolls that i dont like so they gave me more chicken. The only reason i gave four and not five is because before closing the food is kinda old didnt like the look of it but thats just me. Eating the sesame chicken right now. Mmmmmm read more

New to town and is this is the best chinese food here I am shocked. I come from a bigger city and this is so so at best. If you come later in the day the so called "sushi" is dry and scary to say the least. The hot and sour soup tasted like dish water at best. Poor food if you ask me. read more

Our party of 12 was dubious as we drove to this restaurant...but were pleasantly surprised. Food very good. Space needs a thorough cleaning, though... read more

Went there to eat the place looked clean however the food was disappointing it was warm some was cold it tasted like it was recooked the meat and chicken was tough the plates were dirty the price was not worth the food. read more

This is my son's favorite restaurant! We loved it when it was in Bishop, and now visit the Ridgecrest location whenever we are in town. I love the made to order grill. read more

We came in based on other reviews and were very well pleased. We had a party of 10 and no one went away hungry. The staff was great and kept beverages filled and empty plates cleared away. All the food was fresh, hot and tasty. Salad bar, Mongolian Grill, Sushi, fresh Fruit and a great variety of Chinese fare. Also ice cream with nuts & sprinkles. They had a great warm apple "pie" that was good with vanilla ice cream. I can see us coming back for sure! read more

Food is barely average. I visited this place quite often until I had a rude encounter with a manager or owner. No idea who he was. With the food not being very good you would think he would want all the customers he could get read more

I went in at 11 to get it to go plate I was told that the food wasn't adding ready I had to sit and wait so I did but after watching a couple little kids and other grown-ups come up to the buffet and get plates of food and go sit down and eat I wondered why I couldn't get my food so I waited ten more minutes no one ever talk to me or said anything more to me so I just got up and left food looked okay and it look like a decent place but personally I will never try to eat there again I just moved to the city that's a bad first impression they gave me so I won't go back I still don't understand how they could sit a whole family down and let them get food but because I wanted to go play I have to wait for more food to come out I guess read more

There is a Buffett with all you can eat. The food was very fresh and delicious!! For the price and good food, we will be back when we are in town for business. read more

Just ate here... really good food. Like other reviews say- the coconut shrimp is SO good!! Definitely will be back

This is my default place to eat out. The food isn't gourmet cuisine but it is good. It is buffet food. They are very good a switching out old food. I generally don't eat dinner there as I don't think the extra expense is worth it. read more

I have been here three times so far. The food is great. I was impressed with it. I love the to go option on the buffet,which means virtually no wait to get your food. And you can get as little or as much of one thing or another and experiment with new tastes without getting a lot of something.There is a good variety to choose from. The staff is always nice with a smile and notice that I am a returning customer. The price is per pound and not a bad deal at all. It is hard to find good chinese food, but I have now. Only change I can ask for is ..more desserts.. read more

OK, five stars with a disclaimer. This is not fine dining, but, if you like quite good food at a very good price, this buffet is hard to beat. We were in for lunch on a weekday $12. I'm counting carbs, so I can't comment on the rice or noodles. But every protein, veg and salad was good to great. Really liked the stuff mushrooms. Only utter fail was the cream cheese wonton. Who's idea was that ? Partly my fault as I was not expecting it. Went back and looked at the sign, yup said "cream cheese wonton". Disgusting nonetheless. We will definitely go back the next time we're in Ridgecrest. read more

We love eating here especially Fri and Sat (dinner). Love the crab legs and shrimp. You can also make your own stir fry kinda thing which they cook as you request them. read more

My friend and I LOVE this place! The people are so friendly and the food is great! I can honestly say that I have never had a better Chinese buffet experience than when I go here. I think that their food is even better than many of the sit-down Chinese restaurants that I have been to. The spring rolls are my favorite :) read more

Bottom Line: STAY AWAY and go to the Golden Dragon (about five minutes away on Norma, just north of Drummond--it's the same price and the quality and place are like day and night compared to the China Lake Buffet----there's a good reason this place is always empty and the Golden Dragon is PACKED full of people, especially for their buffets). China Lake Buffet is EXTREMELY over-priced for what you get, dirty, and a health hazard. Food: Aside from my wife getting food poisoning from the fish and being sick as a dog for the rest of the day (a FIRST-time experience in our lives), it was average (although EXTREMELY over-priced). Cleanliness: DIRTY (EVERYTHING about the place is old and dirty). You will check your clothes after sitting in one of their booths. GROSS! Service: OK but again, compared to the Golden Dragon, like night and day (here they are very basic and very ordinary---the Golden Dragon 100% professional, beautiful, and immaculate). All in all, don't even CONSIDER going to this place (unless they cut their prices by 90%, but even then I'd hesitate). As of now, GROSSLY over-priced, dirty, and there's a SUPER place about five minutes away with what you're looking for . . . I guarantee you WON'T be disappointed at the Golden Dragon (we weren't and LOVED it!). read more

This is an all you can eat buffet restaurant. On Friday and Saturdays they offer a seafood assortment to the buffet including crap legs. There is no other place in Ridgecrest where you can get all you can eat crab legs at this price and the price is less than $12.00!! There is also shrimp, sushi, 3 kinds of soups, and an array of other Chinese goodies. These folks do a wonderful job and the service is quick! Highly recommended as one of the few decent restaurants in this desert town. read more

I actually thought it was really good for the area. I took away one star because they don't have that big of a selection. The food was fresh. Most Chinese buffets I go to serve meat that is dry. That wasn't the case here. It was pretty good! We will be coming back here for sure. read more

Actually not a bad Chinese buffet restaurant. The ribs are amazing, sushi is on par with the offerings at other Chinese buffets (not very good), and everything else is pretty tasty. Its not a bad option in a small town with not much around. Did I mention the people watching? Very entertaining. read more

Decent Chinese buffet. Service is kind of cold but very quick to get you refills. Plenty of food and empty trays are never an issue. A good lunch choice. read more

We travel between Carson City, NV, and San Diego frequently and ALWAYS make a point to have lunch at the China Lake Buffet! The food is GREAT, with wildly varying flavors and always properly done. The facility is very clean and the staff is courteous and friendly...what more can you want? Oh yes, the meals are a fantastic value! read more