New Imperial Chinese Buffet

Welcome to New Imperial Chinese Buffet, a Chinese Restaurant located at 18961 Park Avenue Plaza in Meadville, Pennsylvania. As a buffet-style establishment within the Chinese Restaurant category, New Imperial Chinese Buffet aims to offer a variety of Chinese dishes for dine-in customers. However, based on the available online customer reviews, it is crucial for local users to be aware of the significantly negative feedback regarding the dining experience at this location.

One customer expressed extreme dissatisfaction, stating that if they could give zero stars, they would. They described it as "the worst buffet I have ever been to in my life." The primary concerns raised in this review pertain to the quality and preparation of the food. The customer reported that the food was "undercooked and nasty as hell," indicating serious issues with food safety and taste. Specific examples included chicken that had "no flavor" and rice that was "stale," suggesting a lack of freshness and proper cooking. Furthermore, this reviewer noted a "not many food selections to eat from either," implying that the variety typically expected from a buffet was lacking at New Imperial Chinese Buffet.

Adding to the negative experience, the customer stated, "I truly felt like I was eating out of a dumpster can," a strong and disturbing indictment of the food quality. Consequently, they explicitly stated, "I would not recommend anyone to eat here," advising others to avoid the establishment altogether. Beyond the food itself, this reviewer also found the "establishment was also not very clean," raising concerns about the hygiene of the dining environment. They also highlighted an unusual business practice of charging "$15 as soon as you walk in and that’s without eating," which deviates from the standard buffet model where payment typically occurs after the meal or upon leaving. The reviewer further claimed that "the staff just sit in the back and fall asleep without putting fresh food out," alleging a lack of attention to maintaining the buffet with fresh offerings. The overall assessment was summarized as "just terrible overall!"

Another customer echoed the negative sentiments, focusing on specific dishes. They reported that "the crab rangoons were empty," indicating a lack of availability of a popular item. Additionally, they described the "general TC was in a runny flavorless liquid with no spice," a significant departure from the expected characteristics of General Tso's Chicken, a well-known and typically flavorful dish. This customer concluded by stating, "I will never go there again. It was disappointing," reinforcing the negative experience and expressing a firm decision not to return.

Based on these two available customer reviews, the overwhelming sentiment towards New Imperial Chinese Buffet is extremely negative. The issues raised are severe, encompassing concerns about food quality (undercooked, nasty, flavorless, stale), limited selection, cleanliness of the establishment, and unusual business practices (upfront charges, lack of fresh food replenishment). These are critical factors that would likely deter most potential customers.

Given the strong negative feedback, it is difficult to ascertain any positive aspects of the environment or services at New Imperial Chinese Buffet. The cleanliness is explicitly criticized in one review, and the alleged behavior of the staff (sleeping and not replenishing food) does not suggest a positive service experience. The unusual practice of charging before eating could also create a negative perception and a sense of being trapped in a potentially unsatisfactory situation.

The reviews do not mention any specific features that might make New Imperial Chinese Buffet stand out in a positive way. Instead, the focus is entirely on the negative aspects of the food and the overall experience.

Similarly, there is no information about any promotional offers or specials. Given the severe criticisms in the reviews, it is unlikely that any promotions would outweigh the reported fundamental issues with the buffet.

In conclusion, the available online customer reviews paint a highly unfavorable picture of New Imperial Chinese Buffet in Meadville, PA. Potential local users should be aware of the serious concerns raised regarding food quality (undercooked, nasty, flavorless, stale), limited selection, cleanliness, and unusual business practices such as charging $15 upfront before eating. The feedback strongly suggests a significantly negative dining experience, with both reviewers expressing deep disappointment and a firm intention not to return, with one explicitly recommending others to avoid the establishment. Without any positive feedback to counterbalance these severe criticisms, it is impossible to recommend New Imperial Chinese Buffet based on the currently available information. Local users may want to consider other Chinese dining options in the Meadville area that have received more positive reviews.

Given the severity of the issues reported, potential customers who might still consider visiting should perhaps do so with extreme caution and be prepared for a potentially unpleasant experience. It might be advisable to inquire about the restaurant's current practices and food quality standards before committing to dine there. However, based solely on the provided reviews, the overwhelming message is one of significant dissatisfaction.

Local residents seeking a Chinese buffet in Meadville may need to look at alternative options that have garnered more positive feedback regarding their food quality, cleanliness, service, and overall value. The experiences shared by these two customers are stark warnings about the potential pitfalls of dining at New Imperial Chinese Buffet based on their encounters.