Dragon Buffet Buffet
Chinese Buffet · 8230 Marbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78227
★★★★½ 1 review(210) 257-6882
Menu Items
Reviews
-
Average Buffet, Lots of Variety, At a Decent Price
I had seen the sign up as it was remodeled, and then someone mentioned it was open. I had been unimpressed with the previous buffet that was in the same location, but there was mention that it was totally different. So I made a visit while in the area.
**Initial Impression**
Immediately on entry, it was clearly apparent the whole place had been redone. The back wall had a grill, and off to the side was a bartender. A bright blue round buffet at the center of the restaurant gave the buffet a totally different look. Fresh chairs and tables, wall decor ect, made the place look so different you would never suspect it was even the same building you had been in before.
**Food Items**
I returned with a plate and made my first selections. The baked seafood was the first item I tried, it was pretty good, very tender, the cheese was baked nicely, all the flavors pretty even, temperature was hot, and tasted freshly made. Next up the steak pieces. Again, pretty good, they were tender, cooked about medium, well seasoned and juicy with a sweet glaze on them.
I ate a few pieces of sushi, none really impressive, some general chicken, sautéed garlic green beans, and rice noodles, everything was decent to good. On a return trip I picked up 2 salt and pepper shrimp out of curiosity, as I've noticed its an item that is either average or very good at buffets. The batter here was perfect, it was crispy, salty, and I actually enjoyed the outside more than the shrimp inside. So far everything was good.
The baked custard was good as well, the shell crispy and flaky, the custard light and sweet. I noticed there were only a few of these out at a time, and it appeared they were being freshly replaced.
There were many items I didnt try, Cajun seafood boil, soups, fresh rolls, octopus, ribs, seafood salad, and much more. I didnt even make it to the grill to see if there were steaks.
**Wait Staff Issue**
Service was a bit spotty, my waitress only came by once while I was eating, and towards the end of my meal used my table as a bus station while I was getting another plate. They left other peoples cups on my table even after they saw me return, something I've never had happen before. My drink was only refilled once, and the wait service was probably the biggest issue with my visit. I know for some people seeing a stack of dirty plates being put on their table while still dining would have been the end of the meal.
**Overall Impression**
Despite the issue with the waitress, I would return here, as I hope she thought I had left, and this isnt a common occurrance. Compared to the other buffets in the city, this one is probably in the top 3 for variety, flavor and price. I would say theres maybe 2 buffets I would rank above this one, but one of them costs much more, and this one is a close 2nd to the other one.
Storefront
Buffet Area
Cajun Seafood boil, Marinated Steak Strips, Baked Custard Cups
Crawfish, unknown Pork & Pepper item, unknown item with Crispy Noodles.
Baked Seafood, Ribs
BBQ Station & Bar (in background)
Pot Stickers & Sauce, Clams, Shrimp
Spring Rolls, Fried Shrimp, Crab Rangoons, Fries
Baked Oysters, Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Fried Crabs
Egg Drop Soup, Sweet & Sour, Sauteed Green beans, Mushrooms
Some type of Boiled Seafood with Jalapeno, squid, carrots,celery, shrimp, red pepper.
Seafood Boil with Clams, Potatos, Crafish, Sausage, Corn.
Salt & Pepper Shrimp
Coconut Shrimp, Corn on the cob, Steamed Vegetables, Fried Potatos
Salad shrimp, Oysters with Chile sauce.
Sushi bar
Squid Salad, Oysters
Pepper Steak, Mongolian Beed, Pepper Chicken
General Chicken, Rice Noodles, Lo Mein
Dessert Cakes
Buns & Baked Custard Cups
Baked Oysters
Mongolian Beef
— Paul