The Ultimate Chinese Buffet In Illinois That Locals Never Get Tired Of
I still remember the first time I walked into this long-running buffet in Illinois, drawn in by the promise of sheer variety and the low hum of conversation drifting through the dining room. It didn’t take long to see why people keep coming back.
The place runs on abundance, with trays refilled in steady rhythm, steam rising behind the glass, and the unmistakable clang of spatulas at the grill.
The buffet is advertised as having more than 200 items, and the selection certainly feels that big once I start making laps.
Beyond familiar Chinese staples, there is a mix of comfort foods and seafood that encourages a second and third plate. What stays with me most is the ritual of building a bowl at the Mongolian grill and watching it come to life on the sizzling surface right in front of me.
An Incredible Variety That Pleases Every Palate
Walking into Chinese buffet feels like stepping into a food lover’s dream.The wide range of buffet stations makes it difficult to sample everything in a single visit.
From crispy egg rolls to carved meats, from sushi rolls to American comfort foods, the selection spans continents and satisfies even the pickiest eaters in your group.
Families love this place because everyone finds something they enjoy. Kids can load up on familiar, family-friendly favorites typically found on the buffet.
The salad bar offers fresh greens and colorful fruits, perfect for balancing out richer dishes.
What really stands out is how the restaurant manages to keep so many different types of food available without sacrificing quality. Staff members constantly monitor the buffet stations, replacing empty trays with fresh batches.
Buffet stations are regularly refreshed to maintain food quality and temperature.
The rotating selection allows repeat visitors to try something new on different visits. One day you might focus on Asian cuisine, the next on American comfort foods, and another visit could be all about exploring their impressive seafood selection.
Convenient Location And Operating Hours
Imperial Buffet occupies a convenient location at 1950 East College Avenue in Normal, Illinois, making it easily accessible for both local residents and visitors to the area. I
ts location in the Bloomington–Normal area makes it a convenient option for both local residents and nearby college communities. Ample parking surrounds the building, eliminating the frustration of circling for spots during busy times.
Imperial Buffet generally opens around late morning and serves guests through the evening, though exact hours may vary by day. This schedule accommodates various dining preferences, whether you prefer an early lunch, late afternoon meal, or traditional dinner timing.
However, diners should note that arriving close to closing time means some food stations may already be winding down.
The restaurant maintains its cleanliness and food quality through regular staff oversight and routine maintenance. You can call ahead at 309-454-4848 to confirm hours or ask about current menu offerings.
Their website at imperialbuffetil.com provides additional information for planning your visit.
The central location in the Bloomington-Normal area means most residents can reach Imperial Buffet within a short drive, making it a practical choice for spontaneous dining decisions or planned family outings.
The Famous Mongolian Grill Experience
One feature that sets Imperial Buffet apart from other restaurants in the area is their interactive Mongolian grill station. You become the chef here, selecting your own combination of raw ingredients from an array of fresh vegetables, proteins, noodles, and sauces.
Once you’ve built your perfect bowl, you hand it to the skilled chef who transforms your creation into a sizzling masterpiece right before your eyes.
Watching chefs prepare custom stir-fries on the large grill adds an interactive element to the meal. They expertly manage multiple orders simultaneously, using long spatulas to flip and toss ingredients with impressive speed and precision.
The sizzle and aroma draw people over even if they hadn’t originally planned to try the grill.
The customization options are nearly endless. Guests can typically choose from a mix of meats, seafood, noodles, vegetables, and sauces.
Add broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, baby corn, and more vegetables than you can count. Pick your noodle type and sauce intensity, from mild teriyaki to spicy Szechuan.
First-timers sometimes feel overwhelmed by the choices, but the staff happily offers suggestions and guidance. Regular customers have perfected their personal recipes over multiple visits, knowing exactly which combinations create their ideal flavor profiles.
Coconut Shrimp That Keeps People Coming Back
Among the many rotating buffet offerings, coconut shrimp is frequently mentioned by diners as a popular favorite when it’s available.
These golden-brown beauties feature plump shrimp coated in a crispy coconut breading that delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The exterior crunch gives way to tender, juicy shrimp inside, creating a textural contrast that makes them incredibly satisfying.
Many regulars make a beeline for the coconut shrimp as soon as they enter the restaurant. Smart diners grab a small plate of them first, knowing these popular items can disappear quickly during busy periods.
The kitchen keeps making fresh batches throughout service, but timing your visit right means you’ll get them straight from the fryer.
What makes Imperial Buffet’s version special is the quality of the shrimp itself. Portion size and preparation can vary, but fried shrimp remains a popular pick.
The coconut coating stays crispy even after sitting on the buffet line for a few minutes, though they’re absolutely best when piping hot.
Pairing them with the sweet and sour sauce from the condiment station creates an amazing flavor combination that elevates these shrimp even further.
Fresh Sushi And Sashimi Selection
The sushi station offers a selection of rolls and seafood options commonly found at large buffets. The sushi station features multiple varieties of rolls, from classic California rolls to more adventurous combinations.
Nigiri and specialty rolls are often part of the sushi lineup, depending on availability.
Freshness matters tremendously with raw fish, and the restaurant takes this seriously. The sushi area gets restocked regularly throughout service hours, ensuring items don’t sit out too long.
Pieces are arranged attractively on chilled platters, maintaining proper temperature until customers select them.
Not everyone who visits Imperial Buffet comes specifically for sushi, but many people are pleasantly surprised by the quality when they give it a try.
The rice is properly seasoned and sticky, the nori wraps are crisp, and the fish tastes clean without any off flavors. Wasabi and pickled ginger accompany the sushi, along with soy sauce for dipping.
For sushi beginners, the buffet format provides a low-pressure way to experiment with different types. You can take just one or two pieces to sample before committing to a full plate, making it easier to discover new favorites without waste or regret.
Attentive Service That Enhances The Experience
Servers at Imperial Buffet understand that their role differs from traditional restaurants, but they still make a significant impact on the dining experience.
They greet guests warmly upon arrival, guide them to clean tables, and quickly provide drink orders. Throughout your meal, they circulate through the dining room removing used plates so your table doesn’t become cluttered with empties.
Guests often comment on the staff’s attentiveness and efficiency. When you need something, whether it’s a drink refill or extra napkins, servers respond promptly and with genuine smiles.
This positive attitude creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel valued rather than just processed through like anonymous customers.
The efficiency of plate clearing deserves special recognition. Buffet dining naturally generates multiple plates as you make several trips to try different foods.
Servers stay alert to tables that need attention, swooping in to clear away finished plates before your space becomes cramped. This allows you to fully enjoy the buffet experience without feeling crowded by your own dishes.
Even during busy weekend dinner rushes when the restaurant fills with families and large groups, the service team maintains their attentiveness and pleasant demeanor, which speaks volumes about their training and work ethic.
Cleanliness Standards That Build Trust
Restaurant cleanliness matters enormously, especially at buffet establishments where food sits out in public view. The restaurant emphasizes cleanliness across its dining room and buffet stations.
Tables get wiped down thoroughly between guests, floors stay free of debris, and the buffet stations themselves are monitored constantly for spills or messes.
Staff members don’t just wait for problems to develop. They actively patrol the buffet lines with cleaning supplies, immediately addressing any drips or spills that occur.
This proactive approach prevents small issues from becoming larger sanitation concerns. You’ll often see employees checking temperatures, rotating food items, and ensuring everything meets proper food safety standards.
The restaurant’s bright lighting helps showcase their cleanliness rather than hiding it in dim corners. Nothing looks dingy or neglected.
Chairs and booths appear well-maintained, and the overall environment feels fresh and inviting. Even the restrooms receive regular attention to keep them presentable throughout operating hours.
For families with young children, this cleanliness provides peace of mind. Parents can feel comfortable letting kids serve themselves from the buffet knowing the restaurant takes hygiene seriously.
The clean environment also makes the food more appealing, since presentation and surroundings significantly influence how we perceive taste and quality.
Reasonable Pricing For Unlimited Options
Pricing at Imperial Buffet reflects the quality and variety offered, though some first-time visitors experience sticker shock if they’re expecting rock-bottom prices.
Pricing varies by time of day and day of the week, with lunch generally priced lower than dinner. These prices position Imperial Buffet in the mid-range category for all-you-can-eat restaurants in the area.
Understanding what you get for that price helps put it in perspective. You’re not just paying for basic fried rice and egg rolls.
The cost covers access to over 200 items including fresh seafood like crab and crawfish, quality proteins like roast beef and barbecue ribs, the interactive Mongolian grill experience, fresh sushi, and an extensive dessert selection featuring tiramisu and ice cream.
Smart diners can maximize value by visiting during lunch hours when prices are lower but food selection remains impressively comprehensive. While the buffet selection remains extensive throughout the day, certain premium items may vary between lunch and dinner service.
Compared to ordering individual entrees at a traditional Chinese restaurant, the buffet format allows you to sample multiple dishes and find new favorites without committing to full portions. For adventurous eaters and big appetites, the unlimited access justifies the cost.
Specialty Items Like Crawfish And Dim Sum
Beyond the standard Chinese buffet offerings, Imperial Buffet surprises guests with specialty items that you don’t typically find at every Asian restaurant.
Crawfish make regular appearances on the buffet line, giving diners a taste of Southern-style seafood without leaving Illinois. These small crustaceans require some work to eat, but seafood lovers appreciate the authentic flavor and fun of cracking into them.
Dim sum selections add another layer of authenticity to the menu. These traditional Chinese small plates include various dumplings, buns, and other bite-sized treats that showcase different cooking techniques and flavor profiles.
Steamed, fried, and baked options give you multiple ways to experience these classic preparations.
Frog legs represent another adventurous option for brave eaters willing to try something new. They taste similar to chicken but with a slightly different texture, and the buffet format makes them risk-free to sample.
If you don’t enjoy them, you’re not stuck with an entire order like you would be at a traditional restaurant.
General Tso’s chicken, a Chinese-American favorite, appears alongside more traditional preparations. The kitchen also features less common items that rotate based on availability and season, rewarding regular customers who visit frequently enough to catch special offerings when they appear.
Perfect For Groups And Special Occasions
Imperial Buffet’s spacious dining room can accommodate over a hundred guests simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for large groups and family gatherings.
The buffet format eliminates the complications of coordinating individual orders, taking separate checks, and managing different dietary preferences. Everyone simply pays the same flat rate and chooses exactly what they want from the extensive selection.
Birthday celebrations, team dinners, and family reunions all work well at Imperial Buffet. The variety ensures that picky eaters, vegetarians, meat lovers, and adventurous foodies all find plenty of options to enjoy.
Grandparents can stick with familiar American comfort foods while grandchildren explore sushi and Mongolian grill creations at the same meal.
The casual atmosphere means you don’t need to worry about formal dress codes or stuffy dining etiquette. Kids can be kids without parents stressing about disturbing other diners in a quiet restaurant.
The natural buzz of activity in a busy buffet masks most table conversations and minor disruptions.
Groups also appreciate the flexibility of arrival times. Not everyone needs to show up simultaneously since each person can start eating as soon as they arrive and pay.
This relaxed approach to group dining reduces stress and allows everyone to enjoy the experience at their own pace.