Emperor's Palace

Recommends

k1pper

Joined 7 years ago

Exception to the Rule. *I don't like buffets myself because I'm kind of a germaphobe, and there isn't always an actual variety of food (or even good food at all) just spaced out stations with a lot of randomness (whatever comes in the frozen aisle with a few actual cooked foods here, and there). This however is the exception. I was watching something on t.v., and they named this restaurant as being one of the best in STL. So I decided to let go of my pickiness for one night to enjoy my family, and try a buffet again for the first time in years. The food was delicious! Unlike most every other Chinese food buffet the food was fresh, and there were different foods than what you ALWAYS see at Chinese buffet's as well. The food was so good in fact that I went two times in a week (had a gluttonous moment). If you're looking for five star service, and ambiance you don't go to a buffet anyhow. If you're just having a night out with your family this is a great place to take them.

Doesn't Recommend

2ys4u

Joined 5 years ago

Another Standard, Unexciting Chinese Buffet. The decor is impressive, overwhelming and very noisy. The choices of food is large, but on the whole the food does not excel in flavor whatsoever. A grill area used to serve up fresh char-grilled meats right off the grill, but lately everything is pre-cooked and is generally dry and tough. Sushi looks good, but does not really impress with the fish is often past its prime or of very poor quality. The fried dough sushi is like biting into grease. The employees behind the buffet lines are not at all customer focused. They GLARE and GLOWER at you and almost throw the food at you if they have to serve it to you. Each time I have been, one or two people I have gone with ended up with the an upset stomach the next day. The chocolate fountain looks great, but having observed people, especially children helping themselves, I get TURNED OFF even thinking about trying to eat anything on the buffet. I also stay away from the soft serve ice cream- many in my group suffered from an upset stomach afterwards. It doesn't help that the plates, bowls, and glasses DO NOT FEEL CLEAN to the touch. Just like many of the buffets in the local area, the amount to choose from is plentiful and looks good. Once the food is in your mouth, expect to be DISAPPOINTED. If FLAVOR is what you want, this is NOT THE PLACE. Families with kids will not be disappointed. Stay away from the upstairs on hot days - it gets really hot up there. Please go--if you really have to. If you don't have to - don't go.

Doesn't Recommend

stingingscorpion

Joined 5 years ago

Mangolian BBQ Chef UNBELIEVABLY SUCKY & HORRIBLE (INDISCIPLINED in capitals). I go to this restaurant just to eat at Mongolian BBQ because I can see what is cooked and what I eat. Well, the Chef is really indisciplined and rude. I am a pure vegetarian from India and would not like to have meat remains in my food. I requested the chef to cook separately with fresh or washed pair of sticks so that I don?t eat meat remains in my food. I even waited until the big line's food was cooked. In spite of waiting, the chef cooked in usual manner and I was forced to throw the food. I told him slowly and very clearly, but that chef pretended as if he never understood me. Also, he goes why do want this stall try somewhere else you get all other veg stuff. He also criticizes how do you people in India cook meat. He offended me being vegetarian.



According to me, I pay $12-17 and go all the way to eat at Mangolian BBQ and this silly chef asks me to find any veggie somewhere else? Also offends me for being Vegetarian. This silly man seems to have not been educated to respect others culture and eating habits.

I am surprised how Emperors palace is still surviving having this kind of SUCKY chefs. About fruits stall, everything is from CAN food. You can feel the preservatives taste. Icecream was bad.I once heard EP was good for large groups but NOT ANYMORE. This memorials day (May 26 2008), they literally had all food stale. Chocolate fountain didn?t work. Another stall, I asked for garlic bread he says ?No? he doesn?t have anymore. Either you have stale food or canned fruits or have no food. It was really PATHETIC to pay big bucks for that horrible food.

I don?t know if quality of food is what Chinese and Mongolians eat ??????????????????

I had this experience with Chinese owned restaurants (8 out of 10) they are so MEAN, DIRTY, their service STINKS BIG TIME. These restaurants always have poor quality food like in dollar tree?s made in china items ?WORSTEST quality

I feel Consumer department need to look into these restaurants for FOOD QUALITY

Doesn't Recommend

geewhiz

Joined 6 years ago

Oh my. Emperor's Palace at first glance looks like a massive food fest for the eyes. The selection at the different buffet stations is terrific. The indoor waterfall and stream is beautiful and the kid's love it. Interior design overkill, but it's common place around here.

However, if you're looking for 'food' this isn't it. Yeah, there are some dishes that can pass. Many things are indeed edible, but sadly whomever is creating the menu, left the flavor out. Bland as far as the eye can see. Miles and miles of bland.

It's the sort of place that you can happily bring children to. Where else can you get sushi and mac and cheese and pizza in the same place? Few kids turn down the chocolate waterfall (strawberries and marshmellows). But on an adult food scale, consider this sort of like an Asian Hometown Buffet. I find myself eating the same things over and over, because although it's not good, it's consistant. Familar blandness.

Btw, when it's a zillion degrees out in mid-August, those huge torches don't work for me. The flames shimmering in the heat. Someone needs to let them know that it probably would be better to fire them up AFTER sundown.

Recommends

glapinski

Joined 6 years ago

Great Food, Bad Service. This is one of the biggest Chinese Restaurants in STL. The food is pretty consistent and very good. It reminds me of a Casino buffet with the different stations and varieties. I love the Japanese station with the Japanese BBQ ribs and the sushi. The atmosphere is good, I love the huge torches outside and the waterfall inside. However, the place is a little crowded with the tables very close to another. Unless you're seated at a booth, its almost impossible to not get bumped into. The fondue is too bitter everytime I go, but the other desserts are great. My only major complaint is SERVICE. It is definitely getting worse. The last time I visited, the waiter NEVER paid any attention to us, we had to request refills 4 times to 3 different people before the waiter finally arrived at the end of our meal with club soda instead of water!! I thought about going to the manager, but I didn't want to cause a scene. The bottom line is that the food is great, but after paying $15/person for a weekend lunch buffet, I didn't expect to be treated that way.

Recommends

shelli43

Joined 6 years ago

Great atmosphere, awesome variety. This place is genius! I hate buffets but this place tops them all. Japanese, Chinese, American, Mongolian, Sushi you name it they probably have it. While it is not cheap to eat here, the quality of the food, service and atmosphere is worth every penny. Dinner on the weekends features some of the best snow crab legs I have ever eaten. Make a reservation if you have a large group and go early on the weekend because there is ALWAYS a wait.