I’ve been coming to China Buffet in Lowell for years and have always enjoyed it. The food is consistently good, and while the service can feel rushed with servers frequently checking if you’re all set, it’s never bothered me since I’m used to it. However, during my most recent visit, I witnessed something that really changed how I feel about eating here. One of the employees who restocks the buffet accidentally dropped a piece of salmon fillet onto the hard counter area where the trays are set. She struggled to pick it up using the same serving spoon she was using to restock the tray. After the fillet slid across the counter, she eventually picked it up and placed it into the tray she was carrying so I assumed she was going to discard it. Unfortunately, she ended up mixing it back into the tray for customers to eat. I know things happen, and I’m sure this isn’t the first or last time mistakes like this occur, but seeing it happen firsthand was unsettling. It’s unsanitary to serve food that’s touched the counter, which sees constant exposure to germs. On top of that, the same employee was earlier stocking food at another buffet line while wearing gloves, but she picked up her phone and continued stocking food without changing them. The food was, as always, pretty good, but after witnessing these practices, I’m not sure I’ll be returning.

This Chinese buffet is fully stocked with a lot of fresh food. It has a full sushi bar. The temperature is kept lukewarm solar foods stay fresh longer. Lunch is only around $17 total with 15% tip automatically added into it