Dragon Palace

Welcome to Dragon Palace, a Chinese Restaurant located at 115 Ryan Dr in Forest City, North Carolina. Operating within the "Chinese Restaurant" category, Dragon Palace appears to primarily function as an all-you-can-eat buffet, also offering hibachi and a diverse selection of dishes. Situated on Ryan Drive in Forest City, it aims to provide a wide array of culinary options for local users seeking a varied dining experience.

Based on the available customer reviews, Dragon Palace elicits a range of reactions, indicating both positive and significantly negative experiences. One reviewer who visited for the first time with family expressed overall satisfaction, stating they had "no complaints." This positive initial impression was strong enough that the reviewer indicated a likelihood of becoming a regular, particularly on Sundays, attributing the freshness and full stock of the buffet to the post-church service crowd. This suggests that the restaurant might experience a peak in activity and potentially in food turnover and freshness during Sunday lunch hours.

The variety of offerings at Dragon Palace was a highlight for this reviewer, who specifically mentioned "Full size mini octopus," "sushi bar," "frog legs," and "crab legs" as being "fantastic!" The only minor critique was regarding the vinegar sauce on the octopus, which was simply not to their personal taste. The reviewer also praised the attentiveness of the servers and concluded that Dragon Palace would be their preferred location for hibachi and all-you-can-eat buffets in the future.

However, a starkly contrasting experience was shared by another group who were revisiting Dragon Palace after a positive experience about a year prior. This group, including visitors from Orlando, had built up expectations based on their past meal. Unfortunately, their return visit was met with significant disappointment across multiple dishes. They reported that the "Mei Fun noodles tasted like fish oil," the "peel & eat shrimp had a slimy texture," and the "snow crab legs were a greenish color," which is a concerning indicator of potential spoilage or poor quality. The Mongolian BBQ and Beef on a Stick were described as "flavorless," and the "hot oil" was deemed unidentifiable and certainly not hot oil. Even the lychees were reported to be "flavorless."

The only items this group found acceptable were the "fried chicken because it was freshly cooked, green beans and the jello." This limited selection of palatable food was particularly disappointing given the price tag of $18.99 per person. The reviewers expressed surprise that they ate as much as they did, attributing it to having "starved all day to eat at an all you can eat buffet," which they acknowledged was not a valid excuse for consuming substandard food. They concluded that Dragon Palace was "Way way way over priced" and not worth the "Long drive for bad food."

Considering these two reviews, Dragon Palace in Forest City, NC, appears to be a Chinese restaurant with significant variability in food quality and potentially in the overall dining experience. While one customer found a wide variety of fresh and delicious options with attentive service, another group experienced multiple dishes that were unappetizing, potentially spoiled, and lacking in flavor, all at a price they deemed excessive.

For local users in Forest City, NC, who are considering Dragon Palace, it is crucial to weigh these contrasting experiences. The positive review suggests that on certain days or during peak hours, the buffet might offer a wide selection of fresh and enjoyable food, including unique items like frog legs and a substantial sushi bar. The attentive service mentioned is also a potential draw.

However, the negative review raises serious concerns about the quality and freshness of several key buffet items, including seafood and noodles. The description of slimy shrimp and greenish crab legs is particularly alarming. The lack of flavor in other dishes and the perceived high price further detract from a positive impression. The fact that a previously positive experience turned so negative within a year also suggests potential inconsistencies in the restaurant's standards.

Given that Dragon Palace operates primarily as an all-you-can-eat buffet, the environment is likely to be spacious to accommodate a large number of diners and the various food stations. The service model in a buffet typically involves self-service for food with servers attending to drinks and table clearing. The positive reviewer mentioned attentive servers, indicating that service beyond the buffet itself was satisfactory during their visit. The negative review did not specifically comment on the service, focusing primarily on the food quality and price.

As an all-you-can-eat buffet, a key feature of Dragon Palace is the wide variety of dishes available, potentially including Chinese-American staples, sushi, hibachi grill items, and seafood. The first reviewer highlighted this variety as a major positive. However, the second review indicated that the quality across this variety can be inconsistent. There is no promotional information available in the provided reviews.

For local users in Forest City, NC, the decision to dine at Dragon Palace should be made with caution, considering the starkly different recent experiences. The potential for a wide selection of enjoyable food, especially during peak times, is appealing. However, the risk of encountering poorly prepared or even spoiled food, as detailed in the negative review, is a significant concern. It might be advisable to seek more recent reviews from other sources to get a more current and comprehensive understanding of the restaurant's current quality and consistency before making a decision.

If local users still wish to try Dragon Palace, perhaps visiting during a peak time like Sunday lunch, as suggested by the positive reviewer, might increase the chances of encountering fresher and well-stocked food. However, the higher price point mentioned in the negative review should also be considered.

In conclusion, Dragon Palace at 115 Ryan Dr, Forest City, NC, is a Chinese restaurant offering a large all-you-can-eat buffet with hibachi and sushi options. Customer reviews present a polarized view, with one praising the variety, freshness, and service (potentially during peak hours), while another details a deeply disappointing experience with multiple dishes of poor quality and a high price. Local users should carefully weigh these contrasting reports and consider seeking additional recent feedback before deciding to dine at Dragon Palace.