My first time in Elmira, I was there for an appointment. BF and I were hungry after appointment, and decided to use Yelp to find a Chinese buffet. There were sit down restaurants, that had much higher stars and better reviews. But we prefer buffets, so we can have a little of everything. Something we very much missed during Covid. So even it had lower stars, we decided to give it a go. We were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was very big, decorated nicely, and clean. The staff were super friendly. Some people came in and the staff knew their names. We felt like we were apart of the neighborhood. The food was basic Chinese food. I love Chinese chicken wings and I think Buffets are the most economical way of having them. Their chicken wings were delicious. I also loved the Honey chicken, had a couple pieces of sushi, the you peel shrimp was delish! There were some items that I didn't like. Their egg rolls, nope not for me. The mussels were ok. I did notice that they had chicken nuggets, jello, pudding, Ice cream, etc...non- Chinese items, probably for the kids.I thought that was very thoughtful. Price was very reasonable! 2 people 30.00. + we tipped 6.00. I enjoyed it very much. I did find it odd that not all food was labeled. But if not looked tasty, I tried it. lol but seriously, it would be nice to have all the labels updated properly. I can see why there are regulars. Once you figure out what you like, you can just slide in and load up. Not perfect, but nice experience. If I had to go back to Elmira, I would eat there again. Give it a go. I think it deserves higher stars. We all know when we eat buffets, foods are going to be hit or miss. I just focused I what I did like. I'd also like to add, that I loved that they had fresh fruit and veggie dishes. read more

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Food was really good this time around and the restaurant was clean. I would recommend this buffet to anyone who wants decent food

The food use to be good. We would drive over 18 miles to get there... now I wouldn't drive down the block. No flavor. Just salty. I placed my ordered via app and ordered several dishes like always. One particular dish was chicken and snow peas and they used green beans instead. They told my son they would give him something for free for the mixup and I don't see what that was unless it was a tiny box with white rice. The egg rolls have zero flavor and the food doesn't look appealing at all. We asked for sweet and sour sauce for our three shrimp egg rolls and yet no sweet and sour sauce. It's sad because coming from China town this was the closest I found to Chinese food in this area. Now it's just like all the other 3 star places. Just a place to fill your belly. Not to enjoy the cuisine. And just as flavorless. If I were to post a photo and you printed it and ate it ... the photo would have more flavor. Don't waste your money. Wait until the reviews pick up. Hopefully They'll get the Hint. read more

Such a clean buffet! Food is very good so much to choose from! You just can't go wrong so go try it! Everything is delicious! Service is very good! read more

Don't let old reviews steer you away! I'm glad my family and I stopped in this Sunday afternoon. We came in around 3:30 and there was food that was continually brought out from the kitchen during our entire time there! Good protein choices, the soup bar, and 6 flavors of hard ice cream. $50 for 3 people to eat at a buffet is a great deal nowadays! read more

The food is always good, the staff are kind, the atmosphere is wonderful with the music they play over the speaker, its a cozy restaurant

Dirty- food is warm at best- although there are many stations, there is very little for traditional main dishes. Packets of hot mustard- not homemade. Spring rolls suck. read more

We had a Sunday afternoon meal which cost about $30 plus tip for the server. The food quality was fine and the selection was fine as well. I consider it a relative bargain and the restaurant was clean and neat. The restrooms were apparently dealing with a temporary spill, but they were not a problem, I thought that the soup course is consisting of a sweet-and-sour a broth with a 110 and I can't recall the other were very good. The fish dishes were well done and made the meal a route to bargain. The service was fine and all the employees were very polite, I probably will not frequent the place only because one tends to over eat at a buffet, but the meal self was fine and worth the price. read more

Just HORRIBLE!!! Avoid if possible. $17 Adult entrance. Not many food options like you would imagine any buffet may have. Dirty food stands, always water on the floor, insane amount of dirty dishes right next to the food stands, bathrooms are stinky and service is unfriendly. Please do yourself a favor, go somewhere else! read more

Lin Buffet - the interior of a restaurant - Buffets Near Me - Horseheads, New York

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Very few items on the buffet were at a safe holding temperature. The chicken lo main was barely warm. I tried a few plates of this buffet and just could not get past the fact that none of this is served at a safe temperature. To make matters worse, I went to leave and the very rude waiter literally chased me down for a tip. Good luck with your next health department inspection, you're going to need it. read more

Absolutely amazing great and wonderful even. Very nice good food Chinese food very tasty and cool very much recommend it all for yes people to eat itso delicious omg great love it so nice and great and cool even read more

The entire menu has been changed. No more chicken with garlic sauce which was the only thing I ever ordered. And no more lunch specials - everything is at dinner prices. Won't be going there anymore. read more

The food is stale , soggy and edible at best The decor is cheap and distasteful The staff is nice and friendly but nothing I ate I would ever want again My advice is don't waist your money here read more

this place kinda smells like pure ass no joke... when i walk in it smelt like someone sharted and the smell kept occurring. i don't know whos baby pooped but its diaper time.. the food is mediocre, sushi is really good everything else sucks ( no offense..) the workers are really nice i guess!! im just not the biggest fan of this place. read more

It's a typical Chinese buffet, so don't expect anything extravagant or mind blowing. However, it was pretty good considering the area. Good: Chicken dishes that you'd typically order for takeout. Some of it is a bit fatty, but you didn't come to a buffet to mind your food intake...And it's not difficult to just grab a piece that's not fatty. Wait staff is friendly. Price is about average for a buffet. $12/person including drinks. Not a massive selection, but it's enough. They have non-Chinese options, which is nice for picky eaters. And a surprising amount of vegetables. They have seafood!! Crawfish, small mussels, large mussels, flounder, salmon, etc. It's gonna taste a little fishy. That's kinda the point. AND they've got a decent selection of desserts. Avoid: The bathrooms. It's an old building and the bathrooms have not aged well. The sushi. It's a general rule of thumb to avoid sushi at a buffet. You can't possibly get the quality you want for the all-you-can-eat price of $12. Just accept it and move on. Salmon. I usually skip salmon at buffets. It will never amount to the quality of salmon I'm used to, and for $12, I don't expect it to. Wonton soup. Skip. You won't taste the meat in it because the wonton is so dense. Verdict: Obviously I've been to better buffets. But for buffet standards, this place is average. It ain't a Sterling Brunch, but it's better than Bellaire Wings, Seafood, and Tires. read more

The food was great but the ice cream wasn't the same. The last time we came here there was soft ice cream but today there was a popsicle.

Horrible, just horrible. Tasted bad in so many different ways. Soup tasted like soap. Sushi was all rice. Cheese had no taste at all. Didn't get a chance to try the mongolian which is supposedly what they are known for but by that point, I was done. read more

Food is decent cashiers is very nice but servers ask for a tip and watch to make sure you leave them.. that's rude

not good there is no taste to food nothing is seasoned and everything and i mean everything is cold. they need to turn up heat under food, i have been in there 3 or 4 times and it's the same every time. i will not go there ever again.gloria read more

Super cheap buffet that I usually go to when it's along the route I take. It's mostly Chinese food and they have a Mangolian grill option. I love that you will always be seated ASAP because they have soooo much space and seats regardless of how many people you're with. I don't think the food is the best, but it's decent for an AYCE at the price they charge. Desserts here, minus the fruits, are bad. They taste stale and lacks of flavors. Entrees are decent. Overall, options are a bit lacking, but suffice to say, at the price they charge, I would rather eat here for AYCE than say, at another restaurant nearby. More bang for my buck here. read more

I felt this was a pretty standard Chinese buffet. Typical Chinese food with a typical buffet taste. I was not impressed at all with the beef & broccoli, but the honey chicken was some of the best I've ever tasted. If I'm ever passing through the area again I'd definitely be back, as we were here rather late and I'm sure the food was overall not as good as it would be earlier in the day. I also did not have a chance to sample the mongolian grill, which is a selling point for me to any Chinese restaurant. read more

Cheese wontons were good but the shrimp chow mein was not what you would expect. It was Shrimp and cabbage with no noodles. The shrimp and cabbage mixture was very plain and just not what I had expected. read more

While the food is good... for years you could pay the eat in rate to take out food with their rather small provided containers - the restaurant recently implemented your take out to be WEIGHED on a scale at the rate of $6.99 per pound..which turns out to be more than double the eat in rate... a take out meal for 2 previously cost just under $20 now costs almost $35... eater beware... In short... plan on eating IN not taking out from this place... read more

This is seriously like the best buffet we have EVER been to! We go to Chinese Buffets like wherever we can find them, and I have personally been in 48 of 50 states... Lin's is literally the ONLY one where we never get sick! LOL. Very decent prices include drinks. We always pay with the card, and have NEVER been approached about a tip. The staff is very friendly and helpful with our kids. The building itself has had some issues, but the staff still does whatever they can to accomodate. We have family come in from out of town and Lin's Buffet is a must for everyone! read more

Your good old Chinese buffet. Great for its price and they have a good variety of seafood. Service is friendly and expedient.

The atmosphere is great. Friendly host and waitresses. The hot food was cold or lukewarm. Very disappointing. They raised price, but food quality went down. read more

The last time I will ever eat here!!!! Food was not that good. When I went to leave the lady told me to leave a tip. I told her I had left a tip on the card when I paid for the buffet. She would not let me leave untill she got the information from the manager. I had to wait for 15 minutes untill he did not have a line. They harass you if you do not leave cash. Horrible experience. read more

Friendly staff, fresh enough food and numerous variety to choose from on the buffet will go again

Worst place I've ever been. The "salmon sushi" was some sort of paste that fell apart, tasted like really bad smoked salmon. The buffalo chicken wings tasted like they poured honey into Frank's buffalo sauce. It was sweet and spicy in a way my tastebuds couldn't describe(not in a good way). What we thought were chicken nuggets were scallops. Even the hibachi left a bad taste in our mouths. I'm sure I'm looking forward to food poisoning tomorrow. I ended up getting sick in the parking lot. I will end on a positive note, my daughter did enjoy the ice cream. read more

Again here we go, came home on vaction from Phoenix Az. stoped by with the family, my dad loves this place thats all he knows, we got some buffets in Phoenix That will blow that place away , but it is what it is, the food was just ok, it filled me up if thats saying anything haha, read more

Try to go during or right after the lunch hours when food is freshest. The service could be a little friendlier, but otherwise I don't have much to complain about. I've been there several times and will likely keep going. Also they need more of a verity of sushi. read more

Quite possibly the worst food experience any of us had. No idea how they are still in business. I get that it's the Appalachian mountains so the sushi was what you would expect. No marine life was harmed in the making of any of this sushi. I have no idea what that salmon looking thing was but it was not salmon, it was like sea monkeys pressed into a paste that was then formed into a rectangle placed on dry rice. The salad bar was horrifying. All of the lettuce was browned and the toppings consisted of baco's and gray olives. All of the chicken dishes were way over done, dry and disgusting. Our party of 7 tried literally everything in the building in an attempt to find something that was edible. The only thing that was acceptable was the corn. Yes, corn soaked in butter with salt. No pork fried rice in a Chinese place. Just "vegetable fried rice" which was boxed Mexican yellow rice with 5 corn kernels and 3 peas. The hibachi was a joke. 5 options poorly cooked and prepared as none of us requested. Unfortunately for us most of the food was not labeled and we could not identify what it was so we have no idea what we ate. I really should go back there and ask for my money, my time and my calories back, absolutely horrible. Avoid at all costs. I cannot find the adjectives to describe how absolutely terrible all of their food is. For hours this swill sat in our stomachs like bricks. I now understand the term "food regret". This place should be shut down simply for insulting peoples intelligence, palates and wallets. read more

First, they do not ask for a tip as stated by a Yelp review. I come here at least once a month, so I've been here over 30 times. If there's a huge line, you will be seated swiftly and still get to the food easily. The food is very saucy and sweet, the way I like it. Nothing is overly spicy, again, what I prefer. There are many desserts to choose from, most are very good. It's a great buffet for a very good price. read more

If you're in the Elmira-Horseheads area looking for the best Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet, then this IS the place. First, I had bad expectations about this restaurant because of the reviews I've seen on here, but boy, they proved me wrong. My favorite food they serve there is the General Tso's Chicken. It was the best chicken I have ever had in a Chinese restaurant in the Twin Tiers. The lo mein they served here was also delicious. The beef & broccoli was OK, but a little bit crunchy. I also had dessert there. The atmosphere there was enjoyable and soothing. The restaurant wasn't too packed. Also, there is a VAST selection of food in their all-you-can-eat buffet, probably more food than the En En Chinese Restaurant in Riverside/Corning. The only major problem about this place is the AC. I complained about being hot there. Nevertheless, it's still a great place to dine at. I would DEFINITELY come back again next time we're in the Horseheads-Elmira area. For your to-do list, eating at this Chinese buffet is a MUST. UPDATE: I came back here again and was disappointed. The part that struck me the most was the bathroom. It was slippery and it could hurt someone. I suggest that they clean up the bathroom when the restaurant closes. Now, onto the food. The general Tso's chicken and lo mein were as good as last time, but their chicken nuggets and honey chicken didn't really seem too great. I also had some other stuff which I forgot. For dessert, I had some mint ice cream. I even had a more in-depth look at the decor. It was nice for a big Chinese buffet like this. Despite the slippery bathroom and chicken, I had an OK time. Keep in mind that I ate lunch during that time, so they probably serve better food during dinnertime. Still, I recommend that you check this place out, especially during dinner hours. read more

The worst meal I have ever had. Chicken was fatty, chewy, cheap. Egg rolls were cheap, bready and dry. Most of the food was cold. Clams were fishy tasting and gritty. Wontons were so over cooked they were like mush. $12 for a lunch that gave me a stomach ache. Eat anywhere else! read more

Lin's was one of our top Chinese buffets to go to in this area. We never had a bad experience until last week. We were very disappointed! We aren't sure what has happened, but it's a shame. Every dish we tried, including the soups were bland, had a funny taste and was lukewarm. The only thing I found edible was the white rice, and that still made me suspicious. My pink lemonade and my husbands soda tasted 'musty'. I couldn't even come to drink anymore beyond that first sip. My husband pushed his plate aside and went for a 2nd try, to no avail. My stomach wouldn't let me go for a 2nd try. Sadly we got up and left. I think our first clue should have been the VERY low # of people eating there at 5pm, because in the past the place would have been crowded! We will not return unless we see more positive comments here on Yelp. read more

Best chinese in town, great buffet, great price.

A decent place to eat on the road. $15 buffet, including tips and taxes.

Food is very good. The black pepper chicken is very good. The service was great and the employees were very polite.

We have eaten here many times since they first opened and enjoyed the varsity of items. They have gone downhill ever since. My very last time was when I watched a slob of a guy LIck the serving spoon at the buffet, we left never to return. NO MORE buffets ever again ! read more