- Chinese Food
- Chinese Restaurant
- Kansas
- Miami County
- Paola
- Chinese Restaurant in North Pearl Street
- Chen's Buffet
Chen's Buffet Photos










Hours
Monday, ClosedTuesday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday, 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday, 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Sunday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About Chen's Buffet
Welcome to Chen's Buffet, your local Chinese restaurant situated at 901 N Pearl St, Paola, KS 66071, USA. As a valued member of the Chinese Restaurant category, Chen's Buffet aims to provide a diverse and abundant selection of Chinese cuisine to the Paola community and its visitors. For inquiries or to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us at (913) 294-1188 or our mobile number, +1 913-294-1188.
As a buffet-style restaurant, Chen's Buffet typically offers a self-serve dining experience where customers can choose from a wide array of dishes. The environment of a Chinese buffet is often characterized by a spacious dining area designed to accommodate a large number of guests. You can generally expect a casual and family-friendly atmosphere, making it a suitable place for various occasions, from casual meals to group gatherings. The focus is usually on providing convenience and variety, allowing diners to sample different dishes at their own pace.
In terms of services, the primary offering at Chen's Buffet is the all-you-can-eat buffet. This format allows customers to enjoy a wide selection of appetizers, main courses, and desserts for a fixed price. In addition to the buffet, many Chinese restaurants also provide takeout services, enabling customers to enjoy their favorite dishes at home. It is advisable to contact Chen's Buffet directly to confirm if they offer takeout options and to inquire about any specific procedures or menus for takeout orders. Delivery service might also be available, so it's worth checking with the restaurant to see if they deliver to your location in Paola.
The core feature of Chen's Buffet is the extensive variety of Chinese dishes available on the buffet line. Typically, a Chinese buffet includes a range of popular items such as fried rice, noodles (like lo mein), various chicken, beef, and seafood dishes prepared with different sauces and vegetables, spring rolls, egg rolls, and soups. You might also find a selection of Americanized Chinese dishes catering to a broader palate. To get a complete understanding of the specific dishes offered at Chen's Buffet, it is recommended to visit the restaurant or inquire about their current buffet offerings, as these can sometimes change.
Customer reviews provide valuable insights into the dining experience at Chen's Buffet. One reviewer expressed extreme dissatisfaction with a carryout order of Shrimp Fried Rice, stating it had a "burnt taste" with "singed carrots, eggs, and shrimp." This customer reported being hung up on when attempting to address the issue, describing the experience as "totally unprofessional" and leading to their decision not to return. This negative feedback highlights a significant concern regarding food quality and customer service in this particular instance.
Another review mentioned that "a few years back," Chen's had a "friendly atmosphere" with "good food" and a welcoming service that made customers feel "almost as family." However, this positive sentiment was linked to a previous ownership, suggesting a potential decline in these aspects with a change in ownership. This indicates a possible shift in the restaurant's atmosphere and service quality over time.
Further feedback from a customer who spent over $100 at the restaurant expressed upset over being charged $30 for a meal for themselves and a four-year-old, contradicting a quoted price of $21. This issue raises concerns about pricing transparency and potential overcharging. The customer's disappointment led them to state they would not be spending a similar amount there in the future.
Considering the available reviews, it appears that Chen's Buffet may have experienced changes, possibly with new ownership, that have impacted customer experiences. While there might have been a time when the restaurant was known for good food and a friendly atmosphere, recent feedback indicates potential issues with food quality, particularly with takeout orders, and concerns regarding customer service and pricing accuracy.
For local users in Paola considering dining at Chen's Buffet, it is crucial to weigh these recent experiences. The buffet format generally offers a wide variety of food at a set price, which can be appealing. However, the reported issues with food quality and customer service should be taken into account. It might be beneficial to seek more recent reviews from other local diners to get a broader perspective on the current state of the restaurant.
Currently, there is no specific promotional information available online for Chen's Buffet. However, buffets often have their own inherent promotional aspect by offering an all-you-can-eat experience for a fixed price. It would be advisable to contact Chen's Buffet directly at (913) 294-1188 to inquire about their current pricing for adults and children, any special deals for certain days or times, or any other promotions they might be running. Visiting the restaurant's website or social media pages, if they exist, could also provide information on current offers.
In conclusion, Chen's Buffet in Paola, KS, operates as a Chinese restaurant offering a buffet-style dining experience. While it may have been well-regarded in the past for its food and friendly service, recent customer reviews highlight significant concerns regarding food quality, customer service, and pricing. Local users considering Chen's Buffet should take these points into account and potentially seek more up-to-date feedback or contact the restaurant directly for the most current information before making a decision.
Chen's Buffet Location
901 N Pearl St, Paola, KS 66071, USA
Customer Reviews
I had to rate 1 star in order to post my experience. Otherwise, ZERO would be more adequate. At one time, going to Chen's felt like stopping by your cousin's cookout. Friendly atmosphere. Everybody around the food table with plates, nodding at one another, GOOD food. The previous few years i had been most pleased with the owners, staff, food, and SERVICE. But, then, that all seemed to change- with change of ownership. 3/8/2025- I telephone Chens in order to let them know that, although I hated to make the call, the Shrimp Fried Rice I'd ordered for carryout had a burnt taste. I was told that this is the way it was supposed to taste. I reiterated that no, I've had their SFR before, and this is burnt with singed carrots, eggs, and shrimp. I was then hung up on. And, I assure you, the entire time I was speaking politely, as I honestly did not want to phone with a complaint. However, I really couldn't afford this splurge right now, that is absolutely inedible! I tried to phone back, but it went to voicemail. Totally unprofessional! This is the lowest amount I've ever spent there. Instead of replacing a meal that they know isn't right, they've lost a customer, and I'm sharing my experience. I am so disappointed. Granted, a few years back, the food used to be really good - but, I feel the main reason most people loved Chen's so much during that time is due to the way we were all treated, almost as family. I refuse to go back. Not with the most recent change.
Good food. But upset that when I broke $100 there I was charged $30 for a meal for me and my four year old. Was told it was $21. If there were cameras I'd go back in and complain about it. Anyway. I won't be breaking hundreds any time soon anywhere else other than my bank.
I have been going to Chen's for several years at this point. Spending anywhere from $50-$200 at a time with my family of 7. My family and I have loved it but something has been up the last several months. I think there has been a grace given by people because we want to love it but it's just getting bad. My visit yesterday with my boys that eat almost anything was rough. We all left a buffet hungry, crazy. The chicken on a stick and dumplings are always a favorite and were dry, burnt, and just not edible. I guess they also put what they call rice noodle in the dumplings now is what the lady said. It looked more like Korean glass noodle. When I took a bite it was slimy and looked like a bunch of parasites sprouting out of the dumplings. 🤢 We LOVE the green beans and they tasted like straight dirt and exploded with oil when you bit in to them, not flavor. I always get the jalapeño chicken but I couldn't eat that either because it's just slimy overcooked hard something....not what it has been in the past. The crab Rangoon is a favorite for everyone who eats Chinese I think and let's just say that is not what they are. It's literally just fried cream cheese. No crab, no green onion, nothing....just cream cheese fried in a wanton. While the dessert is a preference I'm also sad about seeing the tiramisu go away! That was the best thing there! I did say something to the lady there and she said all she could do is give me a 10% discount because the owners weren't there. She decided at the end to just not charge me for my drinks. She said "that's just how it is now" about the dumplings and "ok, I'll say something to the kitchen" about the other things. Sadly, we won't be returning until we hear of it turning around. I know several others that feel the same way. All we were able to snack on were chicken nuggets and French fries and I can buy those at price chopper for much cheaper. Overall I think everyone wants to love this place as it's the last standing Chinese restaurant in the county. Unfortunately the food quality and overall atmosphere has gone down hill quickly.
I haven’t eaten the buffet but we get takeout every couple of weeks or so and Chen’s has the best crab rangoon! We typically get the General’s chicken, crab rangoon, egg roll and egg drop soup. It is always top-notch service and quality of food.
I got the vegetables fried rice . And it was literally frozen vegetables thrown into some rice. It was horrible. Nothing fresh about it and it tasted nasty! I'll never eat there again!!!! Horrible!! I'm still spitting it out cause it tasted so bad
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