Zen Buffet

Solid buffet. No real wow factor though. Not sure if it warrants over $20 for the meal on a Sunday. Crab legs were good. The butter provided wasn't the clarified warm butter you'd expect. Prime rib was pretty weak didn't go back for more. Sushi selection was pretty good. The standard Chinese buffet offerings were also kinda meh. Atmosphere and service were good. Overall better than a lot of Chinese buffets out there, but nothing really special. I give a 4 but it's really more of a 3.5.

Zen buffet used to be a solid mid range budget here in the SGV. Unfortunately time has not been kind to this place and it has moved down market. There used to be a time when the weekend offerings were the good stuff you'd hit the buffet for. So when showing up for a Sunday dinner, I had higher expectations that what I saw. Strike one, when entering the buffet it's very apparent the AC was set at a nice and musty 78° or higher, or it just wasn't working too well. It's not like the place was packed. Maybe only 1/3 filled, but it was still pretty warm... If I'm sweating while seated... It's much too warm. Strike two... As I head on into the buffet area, I'm surprised and disappointed to see stuff that would be standard fare for the weekday lunch buffet... Sashimi that's been left out too long, onion rings that are no longer crunchy... Did I mention the AC wasn't working too great? It was hot enough I wished I was sitting in front of a swamp cooler with shorts and flip flops.... This buffet is merely a shadow of what it once was. I understand now why they had to go to Groupon to fill the place up. This place used to be a solid choice, but at $17.99 per adult, I won't be back. It's at most a $11.99 buffet. And that's being kind.

Expect to be under surveillance from the time you walk through the door. After I informed her of how old my granddaughter was she proceeded to keep asking her all the way until we made it to our table. The crablegs are served chilled, and the butter is served warm so by the time you make it to your table it is almost in its original state. The all you can eat Lobster is cut up into portions. The crawfish was excellent, and they kept the tables clear. The food is ok.