This place has good reviews and bad reviews and yet I took a chance. Is it the best ever? No. Is it the worst. Absolutely not. This family runs an all u can eat buffet which in this day and age is hard to find given how expensive food is. The options focus mainly on chicken with chicken chow mein being my favorite. There is orange chicken and sesame with both being just ok. They have one beef dish which was too salty. They had shrimp which were fresh and not overcooked. Salt and pepper pork chops which needed more seasoning. Pork fried rice was barely ok. Too dry and needed some sesame oil to bring it to life. Two soups hot and soup and egg drop corn soup. They offered salad components and for dessert fresh donuts, jello vanilla pudding. The owner cashier was very friendly as were the helpers behind the buffet keeping it well stocked. The place was NOT dirty as so many Claim in their reviews. If you want average Chinese food for a good price this is it. read more

Lims serves American-style Chinese food. It is best not to go there to eat on Tuesday. They are closed. Otherwise, it's a great place to eat. This review is based on Lim's performance on Thursday, March 20th, 2025 starting at 11:45. At that time, Lims is busy but there was no wait for seating. When we left at about 12: 45 periodically there was a wait but it was less than five minutes. Lunch was $13.63 including tax. Dinner is about $3.00 more. You have to look up to see what you are eating. The signs that tell you what is in the trays below are way at the top of the shelf racks. are on the shelf above the racks that hold the food. You really have to look up to see them. They offer many dishes, including pizza, French fries, buffalo chicken wings, and plantains. There is sushi and all the accompaniments. You can pair the fries with Cole Slaw, fried chicken, or fish. You are not limited to Asian food. They have two types of egg rolls. The smaller spring rolls and larger Egg Rolls. The later have a thicker crust. They are supposedly an American invention. The décor is lovely. You can tell from the pictures. There is a private room for large parties. Despite being nearly filled to capacity, it was quiet. When you get to the end of your meal there is cake and ice cream. They have cream puffs that look like cookies but are filled with a thick rich cream. Look on the top shelf where the other dessert items are. Unusual, but the combination is excellent. This is a lovely place to have lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is pleasant. The service is flawless. The food is delicious and it is quiet. read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - The sink area is also kept clean. - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I'll go out on a Lim here and say it's my new favorite. We went at 3pm on a Monday, so I expected lunch leftovers, empty pans, and mere remnants of food, if anything at all, but there was a full selection of hot and fresh Americanized Chinese food, including crab puffs and big fat egg rolls. Plus unexpected items like iceberg lettuce and ranch w/ hard boiled egg, vanilla pudding with sugar donuts, a sinus-clearing mustard, and (drum roll, or rather, egg roll please...) the best french fries in the world. Yes, you heard that right. A French fry is a fried potato but these French fries are like somebody fried a French fry. And then fried it again. It's like a Russian doll or Inception. It's like tempura. As in your heart will tempura-rarily stop beating if you eat more than four of these. The place is spacious, well-organized, and clean, even though it seems like a closed, run-down, hole in the wall from the outside. Paying up on entering and self-serve refills make it extra convenient. Plus, we met Lim! That's exciting. That's like meeting Jack from Jack in the Box or meeting five guys at Five Guys. Rice to meet you, Lim! read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - We met Lim! - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This was barely a buffet. Big skip for sure, also not a very clean environment. Maybe your luck will be better. ‍ read more

My family and I came in here few weeks ago. Found on google and didn't have much high hopes, but they proved us wrong. Inside was immaculately clean, just spic and span. The buffet is smaller than most places and not too many options, but that's what makes this place great! The food they do have is consistently hot and fresh and truly embodies the phrase, "quality over quantity." Best sesame chicken I've had and A+ Service! read more

Food not edible. Wings were bloody and too hard to eat. Chow mein had no flavor. Egg foo young was mushy and tasted rotten. Waste of time and money. I cannot recommend this establishment. I mostly had to spit every bite out. Service was not friendly. I did not dine in to comment on ambiance but this place could really use some improvement. read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - Small Take Out Box - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Hands down best Chinese food in Phoenix Arizona doesn't matter where you're from some of the best buffet style food and very affordable. Unlike many other Chinese restaurants here in the valley who up their prices tenfold. read more

I've been going here for decades, and before that my dad and his siblings were here as teenagers that's how long it has been around! It is very small and they only have 12 main options but I leave with a completely full stomach every time. The ambience might be a little offputting because sometimes the music isn't playing and they've got rid of a lot of the cool interior decor or it might be slower than usual BUT I promise you the food is worth it especially the teriyaki chicken read more

Surprisingly, the food was decent. The place is a little bit rundown, definitely weathered. I didn't have much interaction with the staff, but I believe the owner was working the cash register the buffet was clean, but there wasn't a lot of variety. Having tried it I don't think I would go back again. read more

This will forever be my favorite Chinese restaurant ever in Phoenix. I have a bias. A HUGE bias as I have literally been here since I was like 4 years old. Food is great! The Chow Mein and Crab Puffs are just something else. Service... we'll it's a buffet so you serve yourself. That's really the best service you can give yourself. Ambiance is well... it's there for sure. Just try the food. I haven't found anything like it. read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - The Buffet is still great! - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

You have to pay up front when you arrive, before sitting. Which isn't a bad thing, just wasn't expecting it. This spot was nice and clean, kept the food stocked up. They have everything, and I mean everything. Crab boil, steak. Sushi. Pasta. It's all decent cafeteria style food. If you're not going in with high expectations, they won't let you down. read more

It's a hole in the wall place, it has history! Waiters are really welcoming. There's not a lot of food options to choose but their food is amazing Favorite food there is their sweet and sour pork, And fried pork rice. read more

We've passed this place for years and finally tried it. The outside is somewhat deceiving-- a plain front in a strip mall. However, inside it was very clean but utilitarian. It was good, but not great. Everything (including takeout orders) comes off the buffet line. Being able to select exactly what you would like is very appealing. However, the fact that it is sitting out (even under heat lamps) means it's not as hot as it could be. Also, staff was filling takeout boxes from the line and it was often a stretch to grab a sticky serving utensil left on the employee side. There was a good selection of basics; very fresh tasting veggies, great wantons and crab puffs. Not bad for the money. read more

really expensive and little bit of food i got food poisoning it's horrible highly don't recommend never going back there again

Dishes were all over cooked and tasted like they had been sitting out for some time and not warm. Very disappointing and definitely on my list of not to go again. Having lived in Hong Kong for 7 years would suggest they improve their dishes. read more

I always love going back to this place for some classic Chinese buffet! The remodeling looks great and looks very clean inside. The true highlight of this place is the staff! They talk to me like I've known them for years. Amazingly friendly and kind. My favorite things to get are the sesame chicken and the crab puffs. Don't miss it!! read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - Fried chicken, sesame chicken, egg roll, crab puff, and fried rice (egg drop soup in the back!) - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

worst garbage ive ever eaten , upset stomach all night long.........Used to be good , poor service besides , egg rolls were just warm

Consistently good tasting! Never tried the buffet. Just online order. Always hot and ready. Just ensure the extra sauces you ordered are there. The only thing I would comment is once I ordered vegetable egg foo young it came with 4 patties -dry. And only one mini cup of sauce. The next time I ordered xtra sauce but this time the patties were not dry. So if ordering take out, check to see if patties are dry or already have gravy. Either way, fantastic!! Now on my regular rotation! Nothing I could suggest other than that! read more

My family has been coming here for 30 years, the best and most tasty food is the sesame chicken. The last three times I have been there the quality has gone downhill. The food does not taste the same anymore. The sesame chicken is blan and no sweet taste like it used to be. I'm not sure what happened or did they switched the ingredients. I will not be going back. Its so disappointing as this was my favorite place to eat sesame chicken. You lost your taste. read more

Lim's Chinese Buffet In a shady area off of Cave Creek Rd and Greenway, a very simple buffet with a small variety of dishes. The chicken is their signature dish which is labeled as Teriyaki Chicken. Very crisp batter and tender inside. Good dish. There was good size cold shrimp that is unpeeled that was good. The other dishes are average with alot of different kind of chicken entrees. The chop suey is old school and was a little on the watery side. Egg Foo Young was average to below. Fried rice was just average. Drinks are separate price and they were good about filling the drink often. Seems like a lot of customers are there for take out. read more

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I was traveling and hungry and needed something filling at a good price. Pulling up to the restaurant I was wondering if it would be a hit or miss. The exterior is nothing fancy. The food is actually very good. I haven't had sesame chicken since I moved here from the mid west that was this good. The orange chicken was also good. Both were crispy fresh and perfectly seasoned. The restaurant is also very clean. It really is a hidden gem especially for the price. read more

27/100. Thoroughly disappointed to be writing this. I came in with a positive and hopeful mindset. The food selection is VERY MINIMAL. It has your typical chow mein, fried rice, orange chicken, egg rolls, but very limited selection and virtually no desserts. My favorite food items were the sweet and sour pork and the crab puffs. Other than that, nothing wowed me. I have read from other reviews that the interior was recently remodeled, which makes sense because it was very clean, but there was little decor there. They could also use some better air flow inside (It was 72 outside and felt like 80 inside). One thing that truly caught me off guard was how small the serving trays were. They made me self-conscious about how much food I was taking and made me have to think about the other people in line. I was very upset with that setup. Serving trays at any buffet should ensure plenty of food for their patrons. The staff was very polite, I wish I had better news, but I won't be returning. read more

My new favorite Chinese buffet to go to. The sweet-and-sour pork, the chow mein, the pork, fried rice, the sesame, chicken and orange chicken were off the hook. Highly recommend this place for the amount of food you can get in the value definitely worth a try. read more

Wow! Don't let the neighborhood or the look from the outside fool u! This is a CLEAN establishment the food is delicious and u can tell they aren't just warming up frozen packages instead he back. This is our new go-to. Not a large selection, but when the food is done right, it's done right! See u soon Lim's! read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - It went too fast for me to get a "before" photo! Lol - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Ok driving by this place it doesn't look great. The area , the plaza however it is so delicious give it a chance. Support your local mom and pop restaurant they're so many of those left. Highly recommend it. read more

The food taste delicious! Very authentic! Service is incredible they are so nice and answered all our questions! The chow mein was incredible! The teriyaki chicken had an amazing crunch to it! Its a very small but cozy place to eat. read more

My boyfriend went to this place a lot growing up, so he took me and I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn't look like much when you pull up but the food was delicious. Quick service. There was not much ambiance other than it feeling like a family place but everything was clean and nice. It is a small buffet and everything tasted great, the only thing I didn't care for was the sweet and sour pork, but I do not normally like sweet and sour pork. read more

Staff is nice crab puffs are amazing ! My favorite family owned Chinese food in Phoenix ! Very fast service ! read more

For the price of this restaurant the buffet part for what I came for is just small not a lot of options for 2 people to pay $40 is crazy, the floors were sticky and tables smelled like old wet rags, service was pretty decent never saw anything missing on there line but once again it's not a grand line so it's easier to keep up, overall unless you're willing to overpay on a "buffet" I wouldn't recommend read more

If you are looking for decor and ambiance go elsewhere. If you are looking for an abundance of choices on a buffet, go elsewhere. If you want a quick and easy meal and you live in the area, this could be a go-to for either sit down or to go. We noticed a fair amount of customers took it to go. I don't blame them. There isn't much to this place, but then again, it's a mom and pop place not a chain that has tons of cash to blow on decor. The next day you may inevitably regret eating here, but I think that's pretty consistent with an Americanized Chinese food places where MSG may possibly be a main ingredient. Overall Score: B almost minus read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - Buffet plate - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Have been coming to Lims for about 10 years never had a problem until I dug in to my large to go and bit directly onto a mop string. Because they are only doing takeout you do not get to choose what you want to eat, they take your money and partially fill the container with what they choose. I wasnt given a sheet to fill out was only asked you want everything? When I agreed I was sure in for everything. read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - Mop string I bit into with my large to go order. - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

If u asked to go they serve you a minimum portion for $20 dlls. Service is not good. And look dirty. Never again I swear. read more

Filthy. Absolutely filthy. Food stuck to bowls. Egg in the water cups. Disgusting filthy atm buttons. Garbage in the salt shaker. I saw them drop food handling gloves on the filthy floor and just put em back in the box to use. So filthy you just can't get away from it. I cannot imagine how bad it is in the back. They did shut for a while. So now it's more expensive but less to chose from and they must have changed cooks cuz the food is no longer awesome. I will never go back to my fav old dive. It's just to nasty. Now 15 min after, I had to rush home because diarrhea. read more

Absolutely love this restaurant. Great food I recommend the pork fried rice and the sesame chicken.

Food and service are both excellent . Great food selection and quality. Staff there are very polite and friendly! I've seen negative reviews about it being dirty and the food not tasting good; I'm not sure what Lim's Chinese Restaurant they went to but it's definitely can't be this one. Love this place after my first visit and definitely will be back! read more

Just ordered this from Uber Eats and it was disappointing. The wontons in the wonton soup are falling apart. The beef doesn't taste right, my egg drop soup has no flavor. Will not be coming back. read more

Very poor lunch buffet for $8.00 each. Small strip center place is just dirty. Yes freindly folks but that is it. Very few main dish items on buffet and all pretty cool, far from hot. Two cool soups, tried hot and sour and did not like taste. read more

Food was very good! From the outside it doesn't look appetizing. And the decor inside is very plain. But the food is hot and fresh! And it's delicious!! I highly recommend this place. read more

So yummy! Everything was hot and fresh, but above all, will come back especially for the sesame chicken!! read more

Lim's Chinese Restaurant - Chinese Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I have been coming to Lim's for over 25 years. They still have the original staff and they ALWAYS remember me. The food has been consistent for over 2 decades and it is such a prominent memory for me and my family. The sesame chicken and egg rolls have yet to be beat in my experience. read more