How is it possible not to have 5 stars? This place is Amazing! We were traveling around different counties from Sacramento and immediately felt the hometown warmth of Sonora. The beautiful young ladies working here were so professional, friendly, and helpful. When I was told the price of the buffet, I could hardly believe it. Very reasonable, folks. And as I made my way through two plates and a little desert, I was comfortably full. I would give the Mandarin House 10 stars if allowed. You really can't find this much delicious Chinese food at this price anywhere. And everything was perfect! If you haven't been here yet, or it's been awhile, please enjoy your next big meal here. A lot of great food for such a small price. And say hi to the young ladies for me. read more

I genuinely cannot give this place higher than two star rating. For the most part, 75% of the food available at this "buffet" is decent and edible. However, as like with most buffet businesses that does not attract a lot of customers, their food has been sitting around. Not to mention, the portion that is out for customers is very....VERY minimal. One bright side out of all my experience is their sesame ball. I assumed, because of its size, was sesame cookie. However, it contains red bean filling, just like any regular sesame ball. Unfortunately, the size of the sesame ball is the size of a marble Aggie. for the price we paid, I "assumed" it would be just like any other Chinese buffet. Sadly, enough, it is less... A lot less than your typical Chinese buffet. I can see why there was barely any Customer at the time we ate here for dinner. Quality of food: C Quality of service: A Price: $$ Quick note: hubby wanted to have dinner at Mountain Mike's, but we both saw this Chinese buffet a couple of stores down and thought it would give it a try. Next time, we're going to mountain Mike's. read more

Food- it's pretty good, highly recommend the teriyaki chicken skewers. They have a wonderful price, and they have a HUGE portion. I don't really care for their pot stickers, they were a bit stiff and flavorless and the noodles aren't the best either but I will always come back for their teriyaki chicken skewers. The ambiance is very quiet which is why I like to do to go orders, and the servers and employees are very sweet and friendly when I pick up my things. Will always come back :) read more

Mandarin House - 92. Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs - Chinese Near Me - Sonora, California

I was in the area for work and in the mood for some Chinese food. I thought I should try a buffet to experience a variety of dishes. This restaurant was a little tricky to find. It's located in a shopping center, but on the back side. Yeah, a bit unexpected, but be aware if you are planning on going to this restaurant. There was a decently selection of dishes, but nothing stood out. I typically try to sample all the entrees first to see what I'd like to get more of in future rounds, but I was disappointed in how the dishes were seasoned. There were some dishes that were properly seasoned, but a majority of the dishes were very plain. Service was great though. Every time I went back to get more food, my used plate was cleared from my table. Would I go back... unfortunately no. read more

Given this is a b uffet in the middle of nowhere and one of only two buffets in Sonora and/or Tuolumne county, the food is decent going on good. A mom and pop kind of business. The staff is very friendly and knows the regulars who frequently visit the place. I could see staff talking with the local residents, even the Chinese front staff person spoke a couple of phrases of Spanish to the latino residents. I came near opening and the food was fresh and well prepared. Nothing was awfully dry. I was surprised to see sweet and sour pork. Chow mein was a bit bland. Few offering at this buffet but then again all of them prepared well and delicious. At the beginning, was just me and a granny but going towards 12noon, started to fill to 50%. Staff was attenative to refilling my soda whcih is unlimited but an additonal cost to the buffet. I came on July 4th weekend, had an upcharge of $17.99/perperson, dinner all day. Had sushi but I didn't try since I was full. Few dessert options but then again what do you expect out of town with just a couple of thousand residents. read more

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There's one Asian food buffet in Sonora and this is it, and I'm so glad! Always a great selection of quality food with Chinese, Thai and a smidge of American selections. McDonalds charged me 18 bucks for a quarter pounder meal, but for 13 I got to eat a much as I wantedof much more delicious food. The wait staff is always charming, the restaurant is always clean. I've seen some reviews panning this amazing Sonora restaurant, but most, like me, know you aren't going to get a better, more diverse, tasty, large-as-large-as-you-want meal for the price than Mandarin House! read more

Mandarin House - Prices - Chinese Near Me - Sonora, California

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Good Chinese food at a reasonable price. And its buffet style! I eat lunch there at least once a week.

This was my first time ordering from them and I'm so glad I did! The food was the best I've had since I moved to Sonora and there was even a note with the food thanking me for my order and wishing me a good day. I would order from here again based only on the food, but taking that extra minute to write a note, is amazing customer service! read more

Not satisfied food bad service was good the food was too dry half cooked I'm not going back again

Easy parking. Greeted warmly by staff. Love the soups. Always a variety of good food. A reasonable price. Staff checked ùs often. Always a full glass. read more

If I could leave a 0 starts I would terrible flavorless food that made my stomach constantly whole thru every bite! If you don't finish the food you have to pay for what you don't finish. It is absolutely disgusting and gross read more

The food is fresher and better verity, soups are hot and good Kiki is friendly and doesn't rush you Clean restaurant and a good value meal read more

As someone who frequents Yelp, I am not one who loves to give negative reviews. My family loves an Asian buffet. We've gone to many in our lifetimes. When we saw that there was one in this quaint little town we were pretty excited. I'm going to start with the positives. $17 is a great price for a buffet. Everything was fresh. I can tell that they care about keeping what they have on the buffet fresh. They were rotating the items, pushing the older stuff forward, as they put new stuff out. The staff seemed friendly, the one time they interacted with us (upon arrival). And that was it. As previously mentioned, $17 is a great price for a buffet. I have been to many buffet that were well over $17, and I am happy to pay that. However, I am less happy to pay $17 per person, when there isn't a single item on the buffet that I would eat again. The California Rolls, they tasted off. Something about the mayo? Why is there mayo in everything? Mayo covered salmon, mayo honey garlic shrimp? The egg rolls, the filling was just mush. The BBQ Chicken skewer's, that was not BBQ. Or maybe it was teriyaki, I'm not sure what that sauce was, but it wasn't that, in any sense of the term. The cake, was dry. You could definitely tell it was frozen, and well, old. That is just a few of the items we ate. This is the first time, in all my 40 years that I've ever left a buffet, still hungry. If I would have taken photos, it would be lies. Because the food doesn't LOOK bad. It just tasted bad. read more

We came into town to visit family. We all decided to go out to eat and they wanted Chinese food. My mom mentioned this place and said she always liked it. So off we went. Well what can you say about a buffet restaurant? I mean I've been to maybe one that was actually good. We went in and we're seated immediately. The staff was very nice. After being seated we went up to the food serving station and looked over the choices they offered. It was pretty standard fare for Chinese food. Translated "mall food court food". It looked ok. But it was pretty bad. I chose to try the General Tso Chicken instead was mostly breading. Very little chicken. I also chose what looked like some stir fried green beans that were pretty good. They had some good looking cream cheese rangoons which I love. They were as stale as stale can get. Bottom line. It's a buffet. You're getting what you pay for. So go figure. I'm going to tell anyone not to eat here. Bcz I'm sure it's not this bad all the time. But today it wasn't even close to being good. read more

I adore the Mandarin House. Really wonderful staff! They are so good about wearing masks, providing gloves for everyone for the buffet, and super quick service. I greatly appreciate their diligence and attentive customer service, plus, they are so nice! Also, the food is very good :) you can balance all your favorite American Chinese comfort cuisine with healthy options. Note: Unless you specifically ask to order off a menu, it's assumed that you and everyone in your party will partake in the buffet. Ask for a menu if you want something specific or specialty items that aren't in the buffet! You can't take leftovers home if you get the buffet, but you can pay for the buffet for "take out", and I stead of eating in the restaurant they'll give you a box that you fill up once and take away. I recommend the buffet and basically everything in it! read more

I hate to give this type of review for this restaurant because I've been going there for many years but unfortunately, the last time I picked up takeout, there was a bunch of hairs in my food. once I got to the bottom of my lunch meal container I noticed 5, 1 inch long black hairs in my food. I'm completely disgusted and will never go back. read more

I have been here 2 or 3 times a year for as long as they have been open...my parents live in the area and they like it....I never have ...very limited items that are hardly ever fresh and even if they are ...they are nothing too write home about...was there last weekend per moms request ....that was it ...even my parents realized this place sucks...if you like room temperature mediocre Chinese food then this is your joint..but my family never again! read more

We have been looking for a good Chinese spot, buffet is a plus. When we entered we were sweetly greeted by the host and everything looked very clean and quiet. I love a quiet environment to enjoy my food and small talk while eating. The lunch hour was only 11.99 per person it was two of us so a total of 24 rounded before tax. After tax and tips it was a total of around 36$. We had no issues with how much was available because if there was little left of an option they made more and you can go back and grab some. I love that it's not overwhelmingly filled with food as that can be messy and gross. I love that there was just certain amounts for the people they had. The cakes were dry but the rest was great. I would suggest salt on the fried rice personally as I like saltier food, and salt on the pot stickers. Other than that I will be a returning customer for a cheap meal in this economy and with more than awesome food safety practices. You have a customer for life. read more

Great local restaurant. Great dishes at great prices. Definitely a good place to go. Staff is friendly and helpful

The service is absolutely amazing, and the waiters are extremely kind, This place has an amazing vibe and the food is absolutely amazing!! Unlike most buffets where everything is frozen you can tell that all the food was made fresh, and by hand, i 100% recommend this to anyone that is visiting, and I will most definitely be coming here the next time I come to visit Sanora! read more

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We LOVE the Mandarin House! The food is always delicious, and the service is fast, and the lady who takes our order is very friendly and nice! The buffet is awesome also! We can even ask for ice cream for desert. It comes with the buffet. read more

It's sucked. It was my only option. The other 2 I go to are closed temporarily for various reasons. I got fried wontons just plain ones they were so damn hard I chipped a tooth. The food here really does suck! It's like mall/ county fair quality which I think might be better. I get it they have the Buffett it quick easy and cheap meal. But it's not quality. If you want good food do not and I mean DO NOT waste your money here. But if you like trash go for it lol. read more

Really enjoyed the general tsao chicken and the hot and sour soup at the buffet. For 12 bucks it's darn good

I really like this place- safety protection is in place for everyone. Your hands must be glove into to get your food. The food is fresh and season quite well. The food selection is rotated it's not always the same thing every day which is nice. I love eggplant but they didn't have it today. It's so good. I am doing keto, so I have watch anything sugary and the use of flour. Bottomline, it get crowed around lunchtime. They constantly checking to make sure the food is hot and there's plenty of it this is definitely a hidden gem. read more

Not the greatest food, but tasty and good deal for what you get. They have ice-cream after your meal if you ask, but I didn't see that written anywhere just heard some ask about it. Will be back again. read more

Mandarin House is quite good. We have gone here for at least 20years. It took a little downturn before Covid, but they came back very good when they reopened. We really like the buffet. Delicious chicken dishes, soups, egg rolls, pot stickers and more. read more

Love this restaurant and everyone working there is so nice and inviting. Good clean atmosphere and good food.

New Year's Day Review. This is a mom and pop Chinese Buffet with friendly staff who seem to know all of the locals that frequent the buffet. It's a warm family environment to eat at with delicious Chinese food. Honestly, when we first arrived, the food spread was uninspiring with the small portions laid out in the buffet. But after eating, the food was surprisingly fresh and so very satisfying. The chef is a professional at cooking Chinese food with authentic flavor and quality. Mandarin House makes small batches on demand, so the good thing is that the food comes out fresh. The ingredients are fresh, fresh oysters, snow crab legs and my personal favorite, Walnut Shrimp which had a crispy outer coating with a mild sweetness of the sauce flavored to perfection. Don't forget to ask for their smooth ice cream, which is situated behind the buffet counter. Would recommend to check out during high traffic times, like lunch time to get the freshest food. read more

Absolutely disgusting food. Went at dinner time on a weekend, there was no one in there, the food was cold and selection very limited. There wasn't enough food for the 4 of us, and they never refreshed the trays so we could get anything fresh or even enough for a plate. Brought water once but we had empty glasses about halfway through and she never refilled them. Do not recommend, absolutely horrible experience read more

Stopped by for lunch and was really disappointed. Food smelled good but was either loaded with salt or bland. Also the surprise at the end was over $18/person! Food was mediocre at best and definitely not worth the price. read more

I should have listen to the yelp reviews. The food was tasteless, chewy, and disgusting. I made a point to try everything because I'm not a very picky person but I couldn't even finish most of my food. We got the ice tea which was also tasteless and unappetizing so instead we got sprite but it taste like soap. I don't recommend this place though very beautiful, clean, and welcoming service; the food was just so bad. Womp Womp read more

Best salmon and snow crab at one all-you-can-eat price. What else can u ask for in the middle of no where! The food is fresh and not greasy! The dessert are heavenly ! The owners always greet customers with smile. Dining hall and restroom are clean. Perfect for party or quick stop for lunch and dinner before/after skiing. read more

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The place is gross, dingy and dirty. The food was absolutely disgusting, cold tasteless, sitting too long. The food looks nothing like the pictures. I would never go back unless they did a complete renivation. read more

Been going since I was a child I am now 22 and they always have a variety of foods to choose from in their buffet. Everything is great tasting and I love their seafood selection and wish for more in the future! The staff is always so friendly and kind to my child as well and their customers, it makes the experience all the more better! I hope to keep eating here for years to come! read more

Just started going here again after probably 15 years and am very pleasantly surprised! Its my new favorite Chinese takeout. The great wall used to be my go to but they are horrible now with horrible customer service. I'll be coming here until they disappoint me, which I hope they never do!! read more

I really wanted to like this place, the staff has great customer service and I liked it the first time I ate there. However, this time around I found some sort of pieces of shell in my chow mein. I didn't notice at first until I bit into several crunchy bits :( read more

Mandarin House - I found these pieces of shell in my chow mein :( - Chinese Near Me - Sonora, California

We just love the place, very good food, tasty! Service is excellent and a fair price for good food. What more would you want. Thank you to the cook and waitress and we will keep coming every other week for my Chinese food fix. All of the dishes we order are very tasty and we don't do the buffet because we can't eat that much at one sitting but my brother in law pigs out when we bring him and he loves it to. Please go and enjoy this fantastic restaurant. read more

0 STARS!!!!! The food here is terrible. My boyfriend and I came and we both got food poisoning. All of the food tasted old like it has been sitting out all day and now I've been throwing up for the past hour. Not long after getting home. After biting into a few of the food I gagged because of the taste and consistency of all of the food. It was mushy and old. The only good things were the pudding and ice cream! My stomach was so messed up that it honestly felt like I was having birthing contractions I was in so much pain. DO NOT EAT HERE!!! read more

Terrible terrible terrible! I tried the buffet and it was awful. Food smells bad and the taste is like frozen food. Starter, main course and the dessert all were bad. I am not picky about the food but this restaurant was the worst ever. Very rude waitress!! read more

Pretty much average Americanized Chinese food. On the plus side they do have a lunch and dinner buffet with a lot of seafood. There were three different types of shrimp, crab legs, oysters, and a whole steamed rock cod. I love oysters, but am not crazy about the ones here - they are the huge oysters that just don't have the flavor. The rock cod was good and went fast. We were here last night with a group of eight. No problem getting a table. The restaurant had changed ownership in the past year. The new owners did a remodel/update of the restaurant. We have several oriental restaurants in Sonora - all are fairly average. Good food, but nothing outstanding. read more