This used to be a good place but now every time we go the crab Rangoon is cold and piled high, the shrimp is always cold. The food has gotten worse than ever. The best thing was the egg drop soup and I usually don't spend $16 for a garden salad and soup with cold food. Terrible. We won't be going back. It's not a one time thing either, it's usually this way. read more

Amazing service! Seated promptly and courteously. Hostess and workers were very kind. Outstanding food! My family and I have been to several other Asian buffets and none have ever made my wouth water so much. A great variety was laid out and the cooks continually replaced dishes with fresh food. Friendly environment! Definitely a family-friendly restuarant. All-in-all this place deserves its five stars. We will definitely be returning. Plus, I finally found a buffet with DUMPLINGS! YAY!! read more

Great sushi , stuff mussel Me and my kids love this place always come here one of the best Chinese buffet in town read more

MaMa Garden - Buffets Near Me - Independence, Missouri

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Hello I'm a writer/reviewer for Chinese-American eateries in the KC metro area and I'm leaving this review in response to an experience I had at MAMA Garden. Upon arriving I was greeted by a gracious host that led me down a path to an experience I was unprepared for. After endowing me with a Mtn. Dew (ZERO) I journeyed to the buffet. I was appalled to find what seemed to be bug parts in the selection. I tried to alert the staff but I didn't speak Spanish so I didn't have any luck. They did have the customary cantonese rat-on-a-stick so it wasn't a total loss. If a representative from Mama Garden would like to reach out to me I'd like to give you a second shot and release my Mama Garden Report. read more

Wish I could give it zero stars. The food is good, but the waiters are very rude, last time I went the waiter was just just giving me a rude look with a towel on her hand ready to clean to table basically saying to get out. read more

This place use to be good. The food quality went down hill. Not clean anymore. Some food items weren't fresh. We went around dinner time, on the middle of week. Will look for another place to eat when I want Chinese. read more

Huge buffet, always fresh food.. it's a little pricey but is worth it for quality and service. We moved 30 mins away and still make the drive out when we want Chinese. read more

I don't know if I've been in a more disgusting place. Service people were not friendly at all. The place was busy but well staffed so there was no reason for rushed, unfriendly service. The floors were sticky and wet in many places. The food was overly salty and super saucy. While I sat at my table, there was not (1), but (2) cockroaches on the booth at different times of the dinner. There was a huge table near the back of the restaurant and a few of the staff ate their dinner there. Immediately after, without cleaning the table, they brought a huge tub of clean silverware to wrap for customers and dumped it on the dirty table! immediately after finishing that they brought a large box of green beans and dumped it on the same table. Some of green beans fell on the floor and the lady just picked it up and threw it right back on the table. Maybe they will wash again- but I don't know that. Considering how dirty everything else was....I doubt it. The management needs a lesson in sanitation, sterilization, disinfection, hospitality and quality care and then teach the staff. It was really out of control. read more

I found this place boring and tasteless. The service was friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was typical. Some what clean....definitely a blue collar family eat all and everything. Flavors were off....example was the Hot Sour soup....I believe it was a collection of left over buffet items mixed together. The spicy Chicken wings were just colored red, the sesame seeds had no flavor. Forget the sushi. The green beans were good, cabbage and egg rolls. The buffet food was hot and fresh at 12:45 .. So if I want cheap food and relatively safe I'd eat here again.........maybe read more

Mama must have had a day off as I was popping Imodium AD for the next 24 hours.......Please go tend your Garden as this was not my greatest experience. I went this past Sunday after hearing on the local news last week that this restaurant was one of the top Chinese Buffets in the country. This excited me to try it out with a friend after a movie nearby. I was seated promptly with only a few minutes wait at a large table for 6 (even though there were only two of us). The waitress asked us what we wanted to drink and brought us out our soda and then we went buffet hunting. WOW! So many choices! It's 90% Chinese food, but 10% "Continental." I tried shrimp on a stick, ginger shrimp, General Gao, sesame chicken, noodles, jello, pineapple, hot and sour soup, chicken wings, sushi, etc. I'd say they have at LEAST 50 choices of foods to choose from. I tried to sample small amounts and maybe tried 1/5th (if that) in order to try to get a good sampling and pick some foods that I wanted to try for a second time. I hate wasting food you know? You'd think with so many choices I'd find something enjoyable right? ONE THING only: Jello. Yes folks, jello. The rest was all inedible (such as the dried out shrimp on a stick), mediocre (the food often tasted like it was prepared way in advance and/or reheated), or just OK (such as the salty Hot and Sour soup) or the sushi (which was mostly veggie or California roll esque). Thinking about it, I should have tried the grill, where you pick uncooked ingredients and they grill it up for you. Anyhow, it started as a 2 star and then went to one star as 24 hours and several bathroom trips later, I was able to enjoy a light lunch without the aid of Imodium AD. The only positive thing about this place I could find was that the server refilled our soda often and promptly. I thought most buffets include soda. This one does not, but it was a reasonable price. read more

I know, I know. Not everyone likes buffets and I'm right there with you, except sometimes I'm not. Let me explain. I've got a soft spot (my gut) for shitty Chinese buffets in weird, backwoods towns. But this place, this place takes it. It is not really weird and it's definitely no in the back of any woods, but it is good. Chinese Restaurant Magazine (what can I say, I'm a subscriber!) recently rated this place as the 8th best Chinese buffet in the country, and it certainly has the tastes to back up that claim. Though, sadly, beyond food, as you may have suspected, everything else about this Chinese buffets sucks because there are certain, irrevocable uncharacteristics that necessarily accompany any Chinese buffet: Bad people, bad music, prompt but very impersonal service, tacky decor, etc. Being inside Mama Garden is like camping in the vagina of Satan during a drought, but the food's great! read more

The dishes were not clean and was charged full adult prices for my two children who were 4 and 6 to me 45.00 for two kids and two adults for mediocre food that smells awful was not worth it. Also the staff was not very friendly read more

Not impressed. 2nd time being here. Really don't understand how this Chinese restaurant has been awarded top 100 best Chinese restaurants. The lo-mein noodles, crab Rangoon were the BEST things here to eat. Sesame, honey chicken were all way to sweet & just nasty. Not fresh, been sitting out forever. Sushi smelled & looked scary.... The absolute best thing about this restaurant was the self-serve, self-scoop ice cream. Butter pecan was amazing! Servers, waitresses, staff were RUDE RUDE RUDE! We will not return. We gave it a 2nd shot & it just totally disappointed us once again. read more

Husband and I both said that this is quite possibly the worst Chinese food we've ever had. We ordered delivery through DoorDash. I don't know if the food was pulled off the buffet, but it was chewy, bland and tasted weird--almost like it wasn't chicken. We had Sweet and Sour Chicken and Honey Chicken with Crab Rangoons. Very disappointed, and leaves a bad taste in your mouth...both literally and figuratively. read more

Great food! At first when they started they weren't very consistent in getting flavor in their food, but now it's really good, it's not the best I have had but it is good. They have a wide variety of dishes and desserts to choose from on their buffet. Their sushi bar is always fresh, and they have a hibachi grill. Some of the waiting staff seem very stiff/blunt but overall take good care of their customers Other than that a great place to dine in by yourself or in a group read more

I have reviewed Mama China a few years ago, little did I know that it's larger and more impressive predecessor was merely up Nolan Road a bit. Mama Garden is an awesome place with very quality food. I must admit the day I went was mother's day so perhaps they don't turn over food at a steady pace during the week, but EVERYTHING on the buffet was hot, fresh and awesome. They do a Pan-Asian style buffet which can usually mean mediocre food from all Asian cultures, however Mama Garden has done it right, the sushi was good quality and fresh no hard rice from having been out on the table for hours. The Variety was also appreciated. The only problem I have with the place is the volume level, but you can hardly hold the owners accountable for that (save the music volume that was a bit louder than it really needed to be. It was also very crowded, but then again I came on Mother's day so I can take the hit on this one. Mama Garden boasts multiple awards inside for the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants list, I think they are well deserved. read more

This is our go-to Chinese buffet in Independence. They've got the full line of what you'd expect from any other buffet of the same type, and then usually a whole nother table of stuff that's not usual. They have a sushi counter, which I did not partake in, but my wife did, and enjoyed. They also have a grill counter, for doing faux-mongolian style stuff. Guys working it looked a little bored while I was there. The rangoons are good, which matters (back to basics here) and the egg drop soup was good too. everything else seemed to have been turned over fairly well, so we didn't run into too much in the way of tough stuff. read more

Great food, lots of selections, they have almost anything you want, meat and potatoes to frog legs and some things I don't even know what you call it. It's very affordable and friendly. It is my usual when I want Chinese. read more

I have been a good customer and have hung with them through the price increases, but this latest increase is nuts. I was charged over $17.00 a plate for the Asian buffet dinner. I know we are in a new world, but compared to other buffet locations this pricing is ridiculous. read more

Went here for lunch today. Not very many non meat options to choose from unless you picked from the salad bar, but I already knew that going in. What I'm upset about is when I asked for an avocado roll I was promptly met with a "No avocado!" Shout. And I looked at him confused and said "what?" He then shouted at me again, "no avocado!" Rude. Now my first trip around there were three pieces of avocado cucumber rolls and I took them. So I'm not sure why they couldn't fufill a request for a roll. I ended up with fruit, green beans and hibachi noodles with snap peas. read more

Mama Garden is your run-of-the-mill Chinese buffet. It has that sleezy, no-nonsense decor and it is chock full of loud, obnoxious families. I am convinced that almost all Chinese buffets across America use the exact same recipes or ready-made food products because this one also has pretty much exactly what you'd find in any other super-buffet from here to Portland. With that said, sometimes familiarity is a good thing and Mama Garden is a decent bet if you get a hunkering for some overly sweet General Tso's or sweet and sour chicken. I certainly wouldn't put Mama Garden on the top of my list of must-visit restaurants, but it is a fair choice if you just want something you can get everywhere else and aren't too concerned about what exactly is going in your mouth. read more

Was my first time going to a China Buffet in a decade. Loved the Mongolian grill option. Very busy place, so you know the food is always fresh. read more

There is a nice selection of items here, with the majority being fried and/or meat-based dishes. Everything is good, but a larger variety of vegetable-based dishes would make this place even better. Overall, a good value and a decent atmosphere. read more

By far and away the best overall Chinese buffet I have found in this metro area. There's a dizzying array of choices and everything I had was excellent. You can really judge a Chinese buffet by the crab rangoons and this place has the best you'll find in the KC area. read more

MaMa Garden - a plate of food on a table - Buffets Near Me - Independence, Missouri

Excellent selection of food. Just about everything that you would want. Clean dining room and the staff is very friendly. The price was good for all there is to select from. read more

I wish I could give a half or zero star. Food was over cooked customer service was TERRIBLE and It was like they never seen black people. I definitely wish i could get a refund. read more

Not too expensive and fresh. Friendly employees and the food doesn't taste half bad. I don't know how many more words they want me to put here there's not much else to say it's a buffet read more

Came here for the first time. There Was a line, but did not take long to go through it. Food was good and so was the service. Food was fresh looking and plenty of variety. read more

Definitely one of the best Chinese buffets I've ever been to. Sure will be coming back they have everything and it's all fresh! read more

MaMa Garden - My son chowing down (that's both of our plates) - Buffets Near Me - Independence, Missouri

Food was good but the waitress is rude and pushy felt like they just wanted us out Had same waitress twice and she was the same both times. Sadly we will not be back even tho the food was good. Work on your wait staff and teach them respect the customer and don't demand tips those are given based on service!!! read more

Overall it is a clean establishment with a good amount of variety. The food is generally good but their chicken dishes, such as General Tsos, really need a new recipe. I could order from a restaurant such as Mandarin house and much better chicken dishes. The sauces of the chicken dishes here is basically water, especially the honey chicken. Add some corn starch or something to make it thick. My favorites are the ginger shrimp and egg tarts. The staff has never been rude to my family but it's obvious they are extremely busy workers who need some extra help, which might make others see them as unprofessional. The sushi isn't amazing. Sakura sushi in Lee's summit is much better for sushi. Be realistic. This is the Midwest and we do not have much fresh fish swimming around, so things aren't going to be the best. This place is busy busy busy for a reason. read more

My husbands cup had a baby roach on the cup and we addressed it to the waiter & she just wiped it off and claimed it wasnt a bug. She then offered to just give us a "discount" and took $5.00 off.. highly unsatisfied!! read more

Staff is rude! They act like they are doing you a favor by waiting on you. Had to refill my own drink twice while the staff stood around giggling read more

Normally this is a good place to go because of the wide variety. However the customer service leaves something to be desired. This trip through today for a friend and I was the worst... (He and I have an arrangement; one pays the other tips) today our waitress brought the ticket very early on. I thought it odd but didn't think too much about it. (Maybe they are busy and trying to get a jump on the lunch rush etc) however her next pass at the table she ask if it was going to be together or separate; I voiced together. She then stated that I could pay her. So I gave her my card. We were probably half done I suppose. She ran the card and I signed 0 for tip as my friend was going to leave a cash tip. She actually said out loud "No tip for me?" I said that I was paying the ticket and my friend was tipping. The fact I had to say this was rude. Then she proceeded to look under and around the little tray making a show of it later. How appalling. I did complain to the manager on the way out that it is a poor example of customer service. So if you go here... Just know you may be expected to pay early and be hounded for a tip. My suggestion... Go to Lucky Buffet at 2931 S Noland Road. Maybe not the same huge selection but the friendly customer service tops Mama Garden 11/10 times! hands down!!! read more

The service was horrible. We were quoted one price in the phone when we called and charged something different when paying. The food was cold and extremely salty and some of it was tough to chew. Will never go there again read more

Found a long hair in my sushi will never return. Food was very dry looked like it was sitting there all day should have known about this place read more

The restaurant is closed for renovation!!! We made a detour to visit, saw their Bill board ad on the side of I70, but found the place closed. We are very disappointed because we checked yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor, and the website of the restaurant before driving over to check the reviews and hours of operation on Sunday. read more

I went with my family - a party of 6, and the food was good as it usually is. The food is always consistently good. The service is questionable, and sometimes lacking. On this particular day, we went in the evening, around 8pm. The food on the steam table was so old and dried out that much of it was like eating jerky. This visit, my sister slipped on an area that I just walked across. There were no wet floor signs in sight. The only wet floor sign I saw was tucked under the server station. Keep in mind, however, I wear slip-resistant shoes by habit, as I work in a restaurant. I didn't realize the floor was wet. Well, she went down, and smacked her head on a chair along the way. There was a table full of wait staff there at the table, and one in that particular chair. They all watched as she fell, and didn't even stop rolling silverware to help. We were pissed. She got her meal comped, but the manager didn't know what an incident report was, let alone what to do in this situation. Nobody at the table offered to help, but instead continued their work as to not be bothered by the situation. I don't often rate restaurants poorly, but the level of service, the food, and the inability to help a patron in need is beyond me. We found out after calling several 1-800 numbers that we should have called the police to write up a report on the spot. If this ever happens again, we will not hesitate. Simply, keep an eye on your footing. They don't care if you fall. They do have awesome food, most of the time, and I plan to go back in a few months. The customer service is always very poor, but the food is worth the trip, in my opinion. They are one of the few remaining buffet restaurants with a Mongolian grill and decent sushi. read more

The food is good for the money but we always get stuck with the WORST WAITRESS in the world. Please do not ask if I want a drink then don't bring one. Please don't take a plate away from my guest as they are still eating. No matter where we sit we get her. If you see a guest getting up please don't stand behind the chair blocking them. Too funny, the question below asked about a Waiter Service. read more

Never had a bad buffet experience here. Our whole family loves it. It has about everything you could ask for including Hibachi and Sushi. Price is reasonable. Service is always nice. Buffet always fresh. read more