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    New China Buffet & Grill

    3.7 (62 reviews)
    Open 10:30 am - 9:30 pm

    New China Buffet & Grill Photos

    Business Info

    NEW CHINA BUFFET & GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Sushi and phili and Cali roles set
    Paul K.

    ok well it has been a while since I have been in here. located south ridge mall area north east corner entrance. prices 16 bucks per person for all you can eat late afternoon. as most folks that know me i am a sushi hand role maki person. not a snob but know when i tie in to the good stuff. ask at the sushi counter for chop sticks well on the sushi this place was right on point! LOL! the rice was favored perfect, a true moment for sure. yea by BIG city standards i ate maybe 100 bucks worth. lol 2 good sized plates worth. yea i needed that! on to the hot food. the egg drop soup was real good best in town so far. nice chicken flavor and perfectly seasoned. ok they had steamed won tons. think dim some. flavored with 5 spice. chicken with broccoli was ok i made the mistake on the Mongolian beef. i did not see it was loaded with HOT peppers. way too hot for me to enjoy. they did have a good looking salad area. and ice cream in cups. inside was Divy but ok lots of folks piling in just as we were checking out. kinda small in side not super large. glad we went in mid after noon 4pm ish. i could see this packed at noon or 5 pm prime times.

    Storefront
    Derick D.

    Feel the dark aura as you enter the parking lot! See those pot holes? Those are for good luck! While the exterior may seem dark and uninviting, the interior will brighten the most gloomy day! Server was maybe 12 (kidding, he looked super young though). Staff was nice, nice selection of food including your standard Asian style chickens, rice, noodles and sushi. I ate 2 pieces of sushi and said no but the hot plates were quite delicious and the desserts are the Bomb! Price is right on point!

    Colorful Dining Area
    Mark S.

    So this place is always consistently great for lunch or dinner. Same food with day to day greatness...Always Hot, Always Clean, and Always Ready for Attacking!! This Mainstay is a Southside Attraction soo Always expect a full house as the Word has Clearly been passed Around...Super Good Buffet with Stir Fry Station and Sushi; Making this place a Definate Bang for your Buck. Extremely unassuming exterior hides the colorful dining space Within...Soo ask for some chopsticks on your way in and prepare yourselves for a Solid Choice in Food variety. Things to look for are the Salad/Dessert bar, Whole Baked Salmon, Stuffed Mushrooms, and my favorite being the Sushi Bar with a Side of Stir Fried Octopus...Leave some for Me as We Will be Back. Hidden Gem soo only tell your Close Friends & Family.

    One of many plates

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    27 days ago

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    2 months ago

    The food was dry and not very tasty don't think I will ever eat there again it's not worth the drive to eat there

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Threw up 8 times and had stomach that felt like period cramp I'm dying. ;-;

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is great and great service. Amazing authentic Chinese food and the ambiance is nice. The fried squid is my favorite

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    3 years ago

    the food there is fantastic . The staff are very kind warm and welcoming . I love the fresh sushi .

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    12 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    We sat down ate for like 10 min and they brought the check and left then came back and said you pay now and was so absolutely rude

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great food, Awesome choices. You can make your own Mongolian dish and they have excellent sushi. Great value.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - New China Buffet & Grill

    Review Highlights - New China Buffet & Grill

    We were traveling through Des Moines and looked for a good buffet and this restaurant was delicious!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Buffet City

    Buffet City

    2.9
    (78 reviews)
    9.0 mi
    $

    If you want a place that will get you in and out then this is the place that does have plenty of…read moreoptions. My number one complaint is the temp of the food-- it is my opinion- it does not meet my standard for state regulation temperatures some what-- lukewarm-- and with seafood you really have to be careful. The staff is pleasant, seating well spaced and the dessert bar is good. The offering of protein is served with some being over cooked or chewy -- but that is according to my taste -- which may be okay for others. A very pleasant staff that is environmentally friendly for all groups.

    I still consider Buffet City to be Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet's little brother...despite the…read morefact that Buffet City has been in business longer. They both offer similar litems. Standard Chinese food. Appetizers. Hibachi. Sushi. Salad and fruits. Desserts. And Western items for kids or the non adventurous adults.... The selection is not quite as extensive as HG&SB but it's big enough. One thing this place is probably better with, than their main competitor, is seafood... Crab legs, shrimp, scallops, crawfish, mussels, and octopus. Along with salmon and halibut... No matter what diet you are on you can accommodate it here. Staff greets you when you walk in and seats you and your party. Seating is a combination of booths and low top tables and chairs. Drink orders are taken at your table. Payment is done with your server when you finish your meal. Service has never been an issue for me here. Buffet City is open on most holidays like Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet when other businesses are closed and is usually less busy. This is actually one of the biggest appeals of Buffet City for me... Starting with the pandemic Buffet City starting offering take out across their standard menu and delivery through Doordash (and possibly through other services). I've seen a lot of comments in reviews about cold food here. I've never run into this... When I order off the menu at any restaurant I'm liable to go at off peak times to avoid a crowd, but... When I go to a buffet...ANY buffet...I ONLY go at PEAK times. Lol Most buffets have plenty of seating so going at peak times isn't an issue unless you insist on having rockstar parking. Going at a peak time normally ensures you hot and fresh food. If you hit a buffet at an off peak time you are really rolling the dice. You have no idea how long that food has been sitting on the warmer... This place has never knocked my socks off, but I've never walked away hungry or feeling like I didn't get my money's worth.

    Photos
    Dining Hall Well Spaced
    Dining Hall Well Spaced
    Egg Drop Soup, veggies and dessert
    Egg Drop Soup, veggies and dessert
    Marquee

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    Marquee
    International Buffet

    International Buffet

    2.4
    (23 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    They have amazing service. I love the staff I went here ever since I was a baby and they always…read moreremembered me. it is really sad to hear they closed, I loved the food!

    Someone needs to notify the health department about this joke of a restaurant!…read moreThey charge you as you come in - this was the first red flag. The only reason I can imagine a restaurant charging before you eat, is if previous customers ate and realized it was not worth the $$$$ they charge. The place is dirty. I mean - DIRTY. Glass is smeared, obviously wiped down with a dirty towel. Dried, spilled food splattered on the buffet line. The floor is sticky and dirty. Cushion on booth seats with bare springs coming up through ripped booth seats (see photo) Chairs, tables and basically ANYTHING you "touch" in this place is "sticky"... It just screams "CLEAN ME!" Bus tub FILLED with dirty dishes left sitting throughout the entire lunch time. (see photo) Disgusting. Food was far from eatable. Some dishes smelled spoiled. Meats dried out and "Stale". We were two of only 8 people total eating at noon (lunch time) - NO RUSH and the staff sat mindlessly looking at their phones. Seriously, as a restaurant manager for years, I am amazed this place is still in business. THE HEALTH DEPT NEEDS TO VISIT THIS PLACE ASAP!!!!! I am sure they will be closed down after such a visit. Don't bother spending a nickel in this dump. Plenty of other restaurants across the street. Go where you won't get sick.....

    Photos
    Spoiled food served at the buffet.
    Spoiled food served at the buffet.
    Some of you may need proof of visit. Save your money and protect your health.
    Some of you may need proof of visit. Save your money and protect your health.
    International Buffet

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    Iowa Beef Steak House

    Iowa Beef Steak House

    3.7
    (143 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    Got full rack of ribs. It was huge. The server Lisa was awesome. Kept our glasses full. It is the…read moreFriday before Valentines day, so it was packed. Great service, great food, great staff. I would highly recommend.

    I moved to the Des Moines metro in 1992 and have been coming to Iowa Beef Steakhouse for years…read more Iowa Beef Steakhouse opened in 1982. It changed ownership in early 2015 when two previous employees purchased the steakhouse from the original owner. For me it's the quintessential steakhouse in the metro... That's not to knock any of our other long standing locals like 801, AJ's, Chicago Speakeasy, Johnny's, John & Nick's, The Big Steer, Rube's, Irina's, Jesse's, Trostel's, etc. Probably others I've forgotten to mention along with many other recent additions... We live in Iowa. We have some of the best beef in the nation! It's hard to throw a rock without hitting a restaurant that serves up a good cut of beef. Outside of the ownership and some slight changes to the menu (weights, additional items, prices) not much else has changed since I started coming here. Same signage, same building exterior, same dark hardwood walls and furniture, even the same carpet I think... It's an old school vibe. One of my friends had a recent trip to Mayo. When they were up there they called me and told me about a horror show of a visit they had with a chain steakhouse up there in Rochester. I listened and I probably smirked a little on the other side of the phone... I told them when they got back in town, had recovered from their procedure, I'd take them out for a good steak. To me Iowa Beef Steakhouse is the place to go. We were greeted right away at the host station up front as we walked in. A later dinner on a Friday evening... We were shown to a low topped table towards the rear half of the restaurant. Seating is low top tables and chairs for the most part along with a standard bar area and seating. After a short wait Jess came by and introduced herself and took our drink order (Pepsi products, wine, beer, and anything else you may want from the bar). The drinks hit the table after a couple of minutes and it was on to our food order. 1x fountain drink 1x unsweetened ice tea 1x large sauteed mushroom skillet 1x 16 oz ribeye (medium), with fries, and salad bar 1x 20 oz sirloin (medium rare) with fries, and salad bar They offer seven cuts of steak, pork chops, chicken, ribs and more. Served with a baked potato and salad bar. The salad bar is one of the better ones! Boasting standard lettuce and fixings along with multiple dressings. On to potato, pasta, coleslaw, cucumber and onion, broccoli, bean, pea salad, etc. Pudding and fluff. No more pickled herring though... Guess the demand for that one is no more. I used to grab a piece or two now and then. I kind of missed seeing on there, but mostly from a nostalgia sense. Lol They started offering burgers on their lunch menu after the ownership change in 2015! Don't sleep on these! One of the best burgers you'll find in the city. We were able to sub the baked potato choice for fries, but Jess warned us they have a pretty small fryer in the kitchen and when it's busy at dinner time it's at their discretion whether they can do this or not and it may not always be an option. I have an issue with some textures. Lumpy mashed poatoes being one of them...so it's really hard for me to enjoy a baked potato. No matter how good it is. Lol I'm just really glad they have a fryer again... They went a few years without one at all. Jess was a rockstar! Attentive. Quick on refills. Welcoming and she had a very enjoyable personality. The steaks were cooked perfectly to temp. In all my years of eating here I've never sent anything back to the kitchen. And even back in the day when they offered to let you cook your own I always paid the extra $ to let them take care of it for me... The mushrooms... Little morsels from the gods themselves! The fries and Texas toast. So good. Rochester tragedy not forgotten... But Iowa Beef Steakhouse restored their faith that meat can be cooked properly the first time and there is still exceptional service out there. Frankly..., I hope this place never changes! Subtle is fine... There's just something so comforting about walking into a place you have been coming to for over 30+ years and it's still like you remember it. Kind of like walking back into your parents' house when you come home for a visit, no matter how old you are, and your childhood bedroom is still pretty much the same. Another great visit to Iowa Beef Steakhouse... I know I'll be back...! https://iowabeefsteakhouse.com/

    Photos
    The salad bar looks great!
    The salad bar looks great!
    Large skillet of sautéed mushrooms.
    Large skillet of sautéed mushrooms.
    Slipknot rules this house. The Nine would be impressed

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    Slipknot rules this house. The Nine would be impressed
    Buzzard Billy's

    Buzzard Billy's

    4.0
    (426 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Just had a great experience at Buzzard Billy's. The food was genuinely impressive. Everything came…read moreout hot, fresh, and full of flavor. I had the Crescent City Chicken, and it was enough food for two. The kitchen was clearly putting in the effort. But the standout was our server, Allianna. From the moment we sat down, she made us feel genuinely welcome. She checked in at the right times without hovering and had a way of making everyone at the table feel taken care of. I highly recommend Buzzard Billy's for its great food and excellent staff.

    May 4, 2026. Monday. Dinner…read more I hadn't eaten all day. Had an almost seven hour delay in DFW due to a broken monorail and false gate information on the American Airlines phone application. I'd missed my connection and got bumped by a last minute female runner even though I was first on the standby list. I stepped off the hotel shuttle, checked into my room, dropped off my baggage and walked here for dinner. Needless to say, I walked in the door quite hungry. I sat at the bar for the quickest service. I ordered a local lager, Des Moines Exile's Maria lager ($6.75/5% ABV). To eat, I seldom go wrong with fried catfish. This time I got the fried catfish strips, with tartar sauce, 2 large hush puppies, and a bunch of fries ($16.99). The smooth lager hit the spot and the fried dinner really filled me up. Catfish average, hush puppies had great texture and taste, and fries were hot. The bartender/waitress really wasn't too attentive. Spent most of the time talking to other customers and staff. I ordered another lager from Exile. This one was an award winning Ruthie Gold lager ($7/4.9% ABV). I preferred this lager to the first one. It had a more rounded taste and mouthfeel. The huge meal didn't wow me, but it did feel me up. Thumbs up to the two local lagers I tried. They were good. Come here if you need a large meal and mediocre service.

    Photos
    Buzzard Billy's
    Buzzard Billy's
    Buzzard Billy's

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    Smokey D's BBQ

    Smokey D's BBQ

    4.0
    (574 reviews)
    8.8 mi
    $$

    Had to stop on my way through Des Moines. If you love BBQ don't miss the chance to eat at Smokey…read moreD's. Jalapeño Cheddar Hot links were so amazing. Smokey, cheesey and a little kick. So tasty and juicy. I should have bought two orders because my friend wanted to eat all of it. Brisket burnt ends were amazing! The bark was so yummy. Brisket was moist and Smokey. Perfect size, too. Pulled pork was also juicy and Smokey. Pork at other places can dry out quickly, but not at Smokey D's. It was filled with flavor and I couldn't stop eating it (until I had eaten all of it). Baked beans were very tasty and good. Coleslaw was just the right creamy sweetness to keep the palette clean. Not pictured was the two orders of garlic toast I ordered after eating the piece that came with the plate. Overall a sweet 10/10 from me, or as a BBQ judge, I give it all straight 9's.

    We were early, right at opening, party of 2. The smell alone lets you know you've been invited for…read moresome good BBQ. The lady at the counter, she's got your back and is very friendly helping you through the menu. Staff all around is super nice and helpful! The food just can't be beat when it comes to BBQ in DSM. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple spots, but Smokey D's knocks it out of the park with their consistency and quality, every single time. Thanks for the grub! See you for our next birthday lunch!

    Photos
    Smokey D's BBQ
    BBQ Sampler Platter
    BBQ Sampler Platter
    BBQ AT ITS BEST!!

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    BBQ AT ITS BEST!!

    New China Buffet & Grill - buffets - Updated June 2026

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