Second Helpings: Asian Buffets
Many table-service restaurants with lunch buffets treat their sneeze-guarded fare as some sort of ugly stepchild; find out how to avoid them in this week's "Second Helpings" on Asian buffets.
Fri., Dec. 15, 2000
The weekly Chronicle feature "Second Helpings" offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were compiled by Chronicle writer Greg Beets. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.
Buffet Palace
1012 W. Anderson, 458-29992601 S. I-35, #B-200, Round Rock, 388-9600
Mon-Thu, 11am-9:30pm; Fri, 11am-10pm; Sat; 11:30am-10pm; Sun, 11:30am-9:30pm
This perennial "Best Buffet" winner in the Chronicle's "Best of Austin" poll offers a tantalizing mix of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine in gluttonous proportions. You'll pay a bit more than you would for your average Chinese buffet, but once you sample the juicy Beef Bulgoki, spicy Kim Chi, and fresh pan-fried dumplings (in addition to the usual Kung Pao and beef with broccoli fare), you'll be glad you did. Buffet Palace also serves a wide variety of sushi.
China Star
6134 E. Hwy. 290, 706-4545Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm
While not as adventurous as nearby Buffet Palace, China Star delivers an above-average buffet repast featuring all your traditional Chinese favorites. Egg rolls, pepper steak, lo mein noodles, and Buddha's Delight are just a few of the dishes awaiting the discerning buffeteer in ample, frequently replenished portions. All-you-can-eat crab legs are added to the buffet at dinner.
Shangai River
2700 W. Anderson, 458-9598Mon-Fri, 11am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm; Sat-Sun, 11:30am-9:30pm
This unassuming spot across the parking lot from the Village Cinema harbors one of Austin's premier Chinese buffets. Over 60 items are submitted for your palate's approval, including zesty garlic shrimp and a hearty won ton soup that shouldn't be missed. Shanghai River also has a bountiful vegan and vegetarian buffet featuring General Tso's tofu ball, sweet and sour mushrooms, and broccoli with wheat gluten.
Mongolian BBQ
9200 N. Lamar, #100, 837-4898Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-9:45pm; Sat-Sun, 12-9:45pm
117 San Jacinto, 476-3938
Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-9:30pm; Sat, 11am-3pm, 5-10:30pm
The best thing about Mongolian BBQ is getting to enjoy a big, all-you-can-eat stir-fry meal without having to chop anything. Just grab a plate, pile on a wide assortment of meats and vegetables, add sauce (we recommend spicy hot Szechuan with extra garlic) and hand it to the stir-fry chef. Minutes later, your steaming hot plate will arrive at your table along with a stuffed dumpling, a ball of steamed rice and sesame pocket bread. It costs extra to go through the line more than once, but we doubt you'll need to.
Thai Spice Buffet & Restaurant
2501 W. Parmer, 821-1522Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; Sat, 5-9pm
Many table-service restaurants with lunch buffets treat their sneeze-guarded fare as some sort of ugly stepchild, but you won't find that attitude at Thai Spice. Most of the food on their $6.95 lunch buffet is comparable to what you get when ordering off the menu, which is especially good at a superlative Thai restaurant like this. Sweet, spicy Moussaman Curry, plentiful Pad Thai, and addictive Chicken Cakes compete for your appetite along with a separate buffet for vegetarians.
