I tend to be a kinder and gentler Yelp reviewer, however, I can't deny I found myself disappointed during this first visit to Pagoda Grill and Buffet, a Chinese buffet located in the strip center at 38th and Moller in Indy's International Marketplace area. I'd offered a friend of mine a meal at his place of choice for Christmas. We usually get together on my side of town, however, this time around we chose something closer to him. Pagoda is in an older strip center, though it's fairly well maintained with accessible parking spots and an appropriate curb cut. The glass doorways here are a little heavy, though they were manageable. As you enter, there's dining to the right, a hosting area where you pay directly in the middle, some Chinese decor toward the front, and the remainder of the buffet and dining room behind the hosting area. They also have a party room all the way in the back. We arrived at about 5:30pm in the dinner hour. The crowd was pretty steady. There are several buffet tables with both traditional Chinese fare along with obvious American items like fried chicken, pizza, and other items. My friend and I found a table, though it was quite filthy with a big clump of food directly under it that wasn't cleaned up until we were done. After you pay, they give you your receipt and a server comes by to check your drinks and then brings the drinks. This server was efficient, though not particularly hospitable. That said, she did bring refills. The food ranged from downright cold to kind of warm. I think there were a couple items I'd consider to have been hot. I had one plate and started a second, however, by the second the coldness of the food made it very unappealing. Crab rangoons were decent. Chicken was tolerable. Fried rice was bland. Egg rolls were okay. It was all definitely very "meh" and nothing that I thought was memorable. The atmosphere was tolerable but far from appealing. I think the overall price was in the $40+ range including drinks for two people. Would I visit again? Not a chance. There are too many other better options. This is the area where I grew up and I was really hoping to find a place over here for those times when I am feeling nostalgic. While I've had worse meals, the average atmosphere, cold to warm food, dirty floor, and lack of welcome all add up to this being a one and done experience. read more

Food seemed like leftovers. Kids wouldn't eat it. Requested a partial refund and got it but definitely will not be back.

This buffet was one of my favorites when it first opened. They had some new types of food you didn't see in buffets and it was hot and fresh. It's definitely gone down since then. Most of the food was like that cold tepid temperature and I promise you every piece of crab Rangoon I got had a funny sour smell. The service is always prompt to bring out and refill drinks and take trash. Price wasn't bad but would definitely like to see them revamp and update the place and its offerings! read more

The food was cold and it was either flavorless or tasted rancid. I'm super disappointed as they make it seem as though they have a great selection on social media, but it seems they paid creators off to make it seem like it's good. Do not waste your money on this place. read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - Chicken - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

My friends and I had some time to kill while in Indianapolis and decided to go to a Chinese buffet. We were extremely disappointed with Pagoda. The food was cold, low quality, and just didn't taste very good. The staff was kind and the place was clean overall. That's where my two stars come from. I will not be coming back. read more

this place was awful. the tables were sticky and we didn't even go back for a second plate :(. i don't recommend this place if you're looking for a chinese buffet and it's overpriced for the quality read more

Terrible Food. Disgusting. People don't speak english. Disgusting. Gum on the bottom of my plate. Never come here ever in your life. Scam 19 bucks for terrible food. Looks nothing like the pictures read more

I seriously could not recommend a place less than this restaurant. The quality of the food is horrible. I can't speak to the service of the restaurant because we left after serving ourselves just one plate. The food did not taste good and the restaurant itself did not look clean. read more

If I could give it no stars I definitely would! The food was extremely old and hard! My food had hair on it! The food was grotesque! The service was mediocre, my husband had to get his own ice for his drink, with permission from the waitress and our plates were the last to be collected, because of our race! I will never ever go there again! read more

If you are looking for cheap food and don't mind eating a food poisoning, it is a place to go and eat. My friends and I went there to eat today. When I got home I had use the bathroom twice in the space of 10 minutes. I called my friends after using the bathroom four times in a space of 1 hour, only to be told they are all in the same situation. I'm going to inform the health department tomorrow to investigate the restaurant and probably file a lawsuit against them. read more

I really don't eat at buffets after the pandemic but my friend had a hankering for Chinese so we came here. The food was ok, nothing was hot and the two chicken dishes I tried, the meat tasted off. They do have good crab rangoons so that was something enjoyable. Not sure I'll be back anytime soon but we got a decent meal. read more

See all

Wow probably the worst food I've ever experienced at any restaurant. Came here with a big group after an event and for starters, the tables were all super sticky and so were the napkin holders and seats. Floors were not clean. The food somehow was all lukewarm. The kids type food- my two year old would not eat it so I tried the mac and cheese and pizza; the mac and cheese tasted sour, the pizza was cold and hard. The only thing I was able to eat was at the hibachi grill, got some noodles and veggies and it was decent. Everything else was honestly truly terrible. The kids play arcade was nice but zero ac there so we were sweating after a few min, and the games were super overpriced, even though we spent a good amount of money for our son to be entertained while the rest of the group finished up. We're visiting from out of town but man, this place really needs to do something to make the food safe?/edible read more

Great service. I would love to have to eat again. The food was very accommodating. Also the customer service was very pleasant. read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - Main Entrance - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I couldn't care less what people say this food is amazing. All the times I went were great.

I came with my family and the food was cold and disgusting my mom got cucumber and it was with soggy and some were dry also Noodles were disappointing and disgusting and it was $86 for cold and dry food ,everything looks like it was from 3 days ago , the Dr Pepper was disgusted too. read more

Lots to choose from, there's little bit for everyone. go try it out, it is good food read more

See all

if i could give this place zero stars i would. they have no a/c. it is like 100 degrees inside of the place. all of the food was old and hard and nasty. the sushi that is supposed to be served cold was hot. the floors were dirty as well as the seats. i had to clean them before we sat down. i will never be coming back. for almost 100 dollars i could barely eat anything. DO NOT COME HERE!!! read more

Actually got my order to go. Friendly efficient service and delicious food at a great price! What more could you ask for?

They don't have their salmon on their buffet anymore they've cheap and a lot of the stuff they carry. The waitressing is OK the bathrooms are usually clean. They need to work on their food selection. read more

They seemed to have given up ‍ food was a disaster - and the place needed a good cleaning

Food is horrible and cost too much. Several meat entrées were over cooked and hard. There were plates of food waiting on the grill bar counter waiting to be cooked. I called ahead for prices and when I got there to pay for the buffet the girl charged me more. I told her the prices quoted over the phone were less. The girl said the prices went up... I should had left the restaurant, but I had other people with me I was taking out. Do not waste your time or money on this place... read more

The food was just horrible. I go to lots of restaurants, especially Chinese buffets and they are very different and better than here. They didnt have a variety of beef dishes, they had a lot of American that looked horrible too, and some of the food was cold and had been sitting for awhile. For the price they have to do better. read more

The foot is cold !! I don't recommend this restaurant at all. If you want warm Half way decent food you have to get it cooked on the grill. It's around $15 a person ( $6 for a child 3-6 years old) which is definitely not worth it at all. It costed us almost $75 for a family of 5 with one under the age of 6. This restaurants costumer service is also absolutely horrible!! The ambiance of the restaurant was absolutely disgusting. The tables weren't clean and it's extremely dark. read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - The total cost on our bill. - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Pretty sub par, but it's the only China Buffet in the area. Stay off the buffet and hit the "Mix your own stuff". They will Hibachi dat' sheeeeet! read more

We get take out buffet from here about 1-3 times per month. It is exactly what you think a buffet should be. Lots of choices, usually good, the price is fair. parking is easy, restaurant is clean and the staff are friendly. If you are looking for a consistent and decently priced meal to fill you up, this is your place. read more

Paid $30 for two people, chicken was hard asf and they had no AC. Talk about one hell of an experience. Thank god for their cool claw machines... read more

Place is actually pretty good! I love their hibachi and their sushi as well which are both my favorites from this place. The food in the general buffet today wasn't the greatest specially their pepper chicken. My wife loved the coconut shrimp and I really liked their butter shrimp. I'd recommend going for lunch read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - Entrance - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

You know you hot the hibachi but the fried chicken was a gem. Delicious and you eat til yiu pass out read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - Front of it - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Very good buffet on 38th St. First time visit but I am not disappointed. I will return with my family. They will love it for sure.

Well decided to go to Pagoda and treat my uncle to a good meal haven't been there in four months Well the food was great but nothing changed we waited for the server to come refill our drinks but that didn't happen she removed dishes but never asked about a refill felt a little embarrassed because I told my uncle this was the spot the server just walked around clearing tables actually looking at my and my husband's empty glasses as we were leaving my husband spoke with the girl at the front all she did was smile today is the last time I will pay for lack of service if you want refills on drinks do not go to Pagoda on 38th Street service is terrible read more

Many food bars closed. Limited selection. Service was minimal. The food they did have was not bad. Slightly over priced for the offerings. Much of the seating was closed off and the only tables available were dirty. Definitely not something I'm eager to return to. read more

I was excited to hear that Pagoda was opened back for business. I'm a regular at Pagoda. They have a variety of food that is just great for me. It doesn't matter what you're in the mood for. Pagoda has the food for you. Also, the staff are very respectful and always near to help you. They practice social distancing and created appropriate spacing between tables. read more

Pagoda Grill and Buffet - Rice, plantain, pork bbq, beef, mushroom and shrimps - Buffets Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This place is awful. Food always cold, mediocre at best. Definitely not worth your money. I've been there over a handful of times and nothing has changed. Only the feeling of wishing I'd taken my business elsewhere. read more

I've visited this place for a few years now and while covid definitely took its toll on it its still doing great when compared to other buffets. The food is good and while sometimes its old they try their best to rotate the food out. They are understaffed so if you're visiting while covid is still a thing there is a high chance you might wait a little for your drinks to arrive read more

Place is sooo dirty and filled with rude customers on speaker phones watching videos while they eat. Kids listening to iPads and phones full blast. Will never return. Run a vacuum or maybe replace your carpet. Gross!! read more

Very poor management waitress took my cup for a refill an it took her 10 minutes to bring it back half of the food was cold or barley warm also very fatty I'm from out of town an just wanted to sit down for a decent meal and I am far from impressed with This place definitely not worth the 30 dollars for 2 people read more