6 Kansas Buffets You Should Skip & 6 That Are Worth The Trip
Kansas offers plenty of all-you-can-eat options, but not all buffets are created equal. Some leave you wishing you’d saved your money, while others make every penny count with quality food and great service.
Having tried countless buffets across the Sunflower State, I’ve compiled this honest guide to help you avoid disappointment and find the truly satisfying spreads.
1. Super East Buffet – Wichita (Skip)
Lukewarm food awaits at this Wichita establishment, where freshness seems optional. The steam tables often hold dishes that have been sitting far too long, with crusty edges and dried-out meats becoming the norm rather than the exception.
My last visit included rubbery chicken and vegetables that had lost their color hours before. The dining area itself needs attention, with sticky tables and floors that made me question the kitchen’s cleanliness standards.
2. Chinatown Super Buffet – Kansas City (Skip)
Chinatown Super Buffet promises variety but delivers disappointment. The egg rolls consistently arrive soggy, while the sweet and sour chicken often sports a thick, gloopy coating that overwhelms any flavor the meat might have had.
I once brought my nephew here for his birthday (big mistake!), and even his undiscriminating teenage palate found the food lacking.
The dessert section features the same tired jello cups and stale cookies day after day, making the “super” in their name feel like false advertising.
3. China Star Super Buffet – Hutchinson (Skip)
The faded decor at China Star mirrors its lackluster food offerings. Crab rangoon arrives either undercooked with cold centers or overfried to a crisp, with little middle ground for proper preparation.
The mongolian beef consistently lacks flavor, while the lo mein noodles clump together in an unappealing mass.
Staff members seem perpetually understaffed, resulting in slow drink refills and empty food trays that remain unfilled for uncomfortable periods.
4. Hong Kong Buffet – Salina (Skip)
Hong Kong Buffet suffers from a serious identity crisis, attempting to offer everything from pizza to sushi alongside traditional Chinese fare. Unfortunately, this jack-of-all-trades approach means mastering none.
The hibachi grill section particularly disappoints, with pre-cooked ingredients simply tossed together rather than freshly prepared.
My family stopped here during a road trip last summer, and we all agreed the experience wasn’t worth pulling off the highway for.
5. Great Wall Super Buffet – Great Bend (Skip)
Great Wall’s lackluster offerings make its name ironic at best. The restaurant’s lighting casts an unflattering glow on food that’s already struggling to impress, with greasy options dominating the selection.
Vegetables appear limp and overcooked, while meat dishes often contain more filler than protein. The soup station consistently features broths that taste watered down, lacking the depth of flavor you’d expect from proper Chinese cuisine.
6. China Pavilion – Topeka (Skip)
China Pavilion’s buffet feels like it’s stuck in a time warp, with the same limited rotation of dishes day after day. The fried rice lacks any distinguishing flavor beyond salt, while the sweet and sour chicken consists mostly of breading with minimal meat.
The restaurant’s temperature control issues mean hot dishes cool quickly on the serving line. I’ve noticed the staff tends to rush customers through their meals, creating an atmosphere that feels more like fast food than a relaxing buffet experience.
7. Cinzetti’s Italian Market – Overland Park (Worth It)
Cinzzetti’s transforms the buffet concept into a culinary journey through Italy. The pasta station features chefs preparing fresh noodles to order, while the pizza oven produces thin-crust pies with perfectly bubbled cheese and aromatic toppings.
Unlike typical buffets, their food stations recreate the feeling of wandering through an Italian market. My grandmother, who rarely enjoys buffets, couldn’t stop raving about their tiramisu.
The ambiance completes the experience, with warm lighting and rustic decor that transports you straight to Tuscany.
8. B&C Barbeque – Wichita (Worth It)
B&C Barbeque’s lunch buffet proves that quality and quantity can coexist. Their smoked meats maintain perfect tenderness under heat lamps, a rare feat in the buffet world.
The brisket practically melts in your mouth, while the ribs offer that ideal balance of smoke, spice, and fall-off-the-bone texture.
I still remember my first visit when the owner stopped by our table to explain their smoking process. Their house-made sides deserve equal praise, especially the tangy coleslaw and rich mac and cheese that complement the smoky meats perfectly.
9. Joy Wok Super Buffet – Overland Park (Worth It)
Joy Wok stands out with its commitment to freshness and variety that puts other Asian buffets to shame. Their sushi section features rolls prepared throughout the day rather than all at once, ensuring rice texture remains perfect.
The hibachi station offers truly customized cooking with chefs who take pride in their wok skills. Beyond Chinese staples, they excel at dishes from across Asia, including Korean bulgogi and Vietnamese spring rolls.
The seafood selection particularly impresses, with crab legs that aren’t overcooked and shrimp that maintain their proper texture.
10. Sohao Buffet – Lawrence (Worth It)
Sohao Buffet caters to university tastes without sacrificing authenticity. Their crab rangoon achieves that perfect balance of crispy exterior and creamy filling, while the General Tso’s chicken delivers genuine spice rather than just sweetness.
The restaurant smartly rotates special dishes throughout the week, giving regulars something new to discover.
Unlike many buffets, their vegetable dishes receive the same attention as meat options, with broccoli that remains vibrant green and crisp-tender.
The dining room’s modern design and cleanliness elevate the entire experience.
11. Golden Apple Buffet – Kansas City (Worth It)
Golden Apple Buffet earns its loyal following through attention to detail often missing in buffet-style dining. Their dim sum selection rotates throughout the day, ensuring steamed buns and dumplings never sit too long.
The restaurant excels at maintaining proper food temperatures, with hot dishes genuinely hot and cold items properly chilled. During a family reunion last summer, our table of twelve found something for everyone, from adventurous eaters to comfort food seekers.
Their seafood offerings particularly impress, with salt and pepper shrimp that maintains its crispy coating.
12. Pizza Ranch – Manhattan (Worth It)
Pizza Ranch elevates the pizza buffet concept with dough made fresh daily and creative topping combinations that go well beyond standard pepperoni.
Their signature Roundup pizza with barbecue sauce, chicken, and bacon strikes that perfect sweet-savory balance.
Beyond pizza, their fried chicken rivals dedicated chicken joints, with a consistently crispy, non-greasy coating and juicy meat.
The dessert pizza section provides a fitting finale, with cinnamon streusel and cherry varieties that somehow avoid being cloyingly sweet.
The Western-themed atmosphere adds a fun dimension to the dining experience.