Good Chinese Buffet near Milford/Branford??

[debvil]

Ok I know it's not right but I need to be wrong. I am still stinging from the closing of Melange East in Hamden and I am DYING for buffet - (yes I've had good regular restaurant chinese in the meantime but I have a need for buffet)

Am I out of luck - I tried the one in Branford and it was sub par, I'm a little put off of the one in East Haven on Frontage Rd (but if it's good please shout out) it just always looks empty...

I don't WANT to go to Stamford but I may have to for King Buffet.

thanks in advance for any help

[Scargod]

I hear "decent" and "better than sub-par" and I wonder what it is you don't get about the typical Chinese restaurant's buffet? Why, oh why, do you need "buffet"?
Don't eat at the buffets! Order off the menu. If that stinks, try another place.

[debvil]

Didn't realize I needed to justify my request but since you seem to need to know...

Though I adore regular chinese restaurants I have been fortunate enough in the past to encounter buffets (i.e. King Buffet in Stamford & East Melange in Hamden) that actually serve very good food (often interesting things I may not have known to order off a menu). I happen to enjoy trying lots of different foods and don't have the funds to necessarily order several different items in one sitting.

So that is why I am seeking good buffet in the area.

[Scargod]

No need to justify. I was in your shoes. Some buffets can be OK. Most are not.
If you are adventurous I suggest trying Thai. Study up and dig in! I like it better than Chinese. Vietnamese is second...Chinese third. None have to be that expensive.

[debvil]

I do enjoy thai and frequent the rice pot often.

Now if we can find Bahn Mi around here we're in business.

[lsnhc]

With the proliferation of really good Chinese (well..and Thai and Japanese) restaurants in the area, I can't see any reason to go to any of the mediocre Chinese buffets in the area (weel..unless you have the need for a quick, filling, inexpensive lunch). The fact is, Melange East used to be the best of the lot, but the health dept had "issues" with them and now they're gone. If you've been to Shanghai Gourmet in Orange, it doesnt' get a whole lot better!

[stormshadow]

I don't know what keeps King Buffet (in East Haven) in business. I've been there twice--just to kind of confirm that they weren't just having "a bad day". The food is a little sub-par; quite frankly the buffet in Branford is slightly better. I think the truckers patronize the place since its pretty easy on/off.

Sadly, the best Chinese buffet in the area is out in Orange, called Cheng's Buffet, next door to the Chucky Cheese (shiver).

This area really needs a better than average Chinese restaurant.

[debvil]

Storm shadow is Cheng's buffet decent? (I thought East Melange was pretty good for buffet how does it compare?)

Is it better than the one in Branford?

Can you see I REALLY want some buffet :)

Had Shanghai Gourmet in Orange today (NOT Buffet) and it was delightful - but sometimes I just like the buffet option.

Thanks.

[stormshadow]

Cheng's really is a decent buffet, yes. Lots of selection too. Better than Branford, yes.

[Shoreliner]

I have a question about Cheng's Buffet - is it run by the Peter Cheng who had a Chinese restaurant on Park Street in New Haven in the 1980s? If so, I'm sure the food is excellent. In fact, because of your post, we're planning to try it soon.