Yummy Wok was yummy

I was over off Blakenbaker & 64 the other day for business and stopped for a quick lunch at a new place " Yummy Wok". I went not realizing it was a buffet ( which I'd usually avoid) and then decided to stay for simplicity. Really glad I did!

They have a very large buffet with multiple stations including sushi, soups, mongolian grill, appetizers, prepared chinese dishes, desserts, etc. ( Similar to Umi Zushi). The food was definitely way above other Chinese buffets- I really enjoyed several of the appetizers and the wonton soup. I really appreciated that there were a lot of interesting choices, not the same tired fried chinese options. I just got back from China and their dumplings were very similiar. I did not try the Mongolian Grill, but it looked good & there were a lot of interesting choices. Sushi was of course not up to Sake Blue standards ( my personal favorite) but fresh and about 7-8 choices. Service was very good and very friendly.

I went to check out and was amazed to find that it was $6.90 for lunch! ( $10.90 for dinner). I'm not into "all you can eat", but that was an amazing amount of good food for the money. Even if you don't eat much, the food is very good and it's a great way to be able to try lots of different things.
I'll definitely be going back soon!

Deb

Deb

[Robin Garr]

I don't want to be negative, and I would love for this place to be the one that breaks the mold, but over the years I've seen a sadly consistent pattern of new buffets starting off full bore with afterburners burning, but then pulling back to the same old after the word-of-mouth gets around and the buzz wears off.

If I have any occasion to get out that way, I'll hope to try it.

Robin,

I understand your point ( and typically avoid buffets), but I have hopes for this one. Don't get me wrong- it's not Red Pepper. But the food in general was much better quality than usual fare, and more interesting. I was at Umi Zushi the month they opened and thought it a good value with food that was "fine" , but this one was much better. The wonton soup was as good as at Ling's in Springhurst- not usual take-out fare. The other positive was the people; they were genuinely friendly and seemed to care- I'm guessing a family operation.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that you, for once, are wrong.
Deb

I'm trying to place this. Is it in the building next to Back Yard Burgers? There was a Chinese buffet there several years ago when I used to work in the neighborhood.

Terri,

Yes, it's next to Backyard Burgers and the Puzzle Dome. Didn't know it's been a buffet before ( but that makes sense) I know the sign was new; owner said he'd been open 2 weeks.

Deb

I'm taking that "reviewer's" comments with a shaker of salt.

He LIKES Kingfish. Ugh. All credibility went out the window with that one. If I want seafood, that's the last place I'd go. He also likes Jumbo Buffet. I've tried that place twice, spaced out over a period of several years, and the food has no flavor at all. He admits to being afraid of Thai food, so obviously he's not keen on spice. He also doesn't like Bazo's. Seems he's more in favor of bland, Americanized food.

I don't get to J-town much any more, but I'll try it out if I am in the neighborhood.

Terri,

I didn't notice his other listings .

I will agree with his point that things are mislabeled/unlabeled. The signs are small handwritten and not all have them. That didn't bother me- I guess I'm a more adventurous eater.

Again, I'm not suggesting this place is the best Chinese in town- you'll never get that from a buffet. But it's better than the rest in my opinion - and a huge food value for lunch ( Grand total $7.90 with tip).

Deb

I agree with Deb. The food is very good. They have the best wontons I have ever had. Lots of choices, I hope the quality stays.

OK, I've tried it and I've liked it. The food is fresh. The staff is very attentive. Nice selection, although a bit meagor on the Sushi....

Now, one thing that they do that I LOVE! The beef spare ribs are grand.

The selection of traditional and not so traditional fare is very interesting as well. Alan and I have waddled out of there twice, and plan on going back. It's a new fav. Can recommend it as one of the better Chinese buffets in town!

Ventured to Yummy Wok based on these posts, with 4 year old in tow. I agree with everything said previously and hope the quality continues. I follow Weight Watchers and found plenty of choices....I was able to "safely" eat at a buffet!

The price can't be beat and the service was attentive. (I like when the old plate is gone, when we get back to the table)

The building itself (on the outside) is a little rough around the edges. We parked on the side for a shady spot and noticed boarded up windows on that side.

File me under 'dissenting opinion'.

Ate there today at lunch and was undewhelmed. The food was ok by buffet standards, but two issues made it a less than stellar visit:

- one of the sushi pieces I picked up was a nigiri with a slice of some form of raw(?) fish on top. About 6 inches from my mouth, the smell of 'dirty aquarium' hit my nose. Did not eat it for obvious reasons.

- the shrimp in both of the shrimp dishes I tried were cooked to the point of mushy. Several pieces still had parts of the shell on the shrimp, and that was in 3 total serving spoons of food.

Decent buffet-style food, but nothing to write home about.