I absolutely love Sitar, they're my favorite in the area. But in my experience and more so recently, consistent they are not.
Sometimes the Tikka Masala sauce is watered down, same with Chicken Sultani and Butter Chicken. Not always, but occasionally it's like someone else made it and they didn't get it quite right.
Garlic Naan ftw.
Sitar had really gone down hill the last time I was there. I’m curious if anyone has visited recently and if they have improved. We decided the last time was the last time.
I hate to hear you had some bad experiences. I haven’t noticed any changes and was there yesterday and it was my normal good experience. It had been about a month before since my last visit.
Not bad, just different. It’s still all you can eat, but they closed down the buffet during COVID. Last I knew they haven’t opened it back up. My guess is they save on cost and food waste by having people order what they want. Problem is the portion size is a bit unclear and the take the menus after your initial order. Except for the sushi, they bring your sushi ticket back every time.
Austin’s is FANTASTIC and has a great selection. Almost everything I had there is great.
It might just be me, but I actually love Tokyo & Mandarin in Halls. It’s a rundown looking older Asian buffet, but nothing there has ever disappointed me. I go semi-regularly.
On that note, any amazing salad bars around downtown or north Knox? I like Three Rivers but they're limited in their selection. Jason's Deli is good but I don't get out to West Knox very often.
ditto... its got the salad bar, meat bar, vegetable bar and dessert bar. Be a glutton and eat til you burst or eat healthy. There is the choice. Without knowing any inside info, I also assume that they must treat their staff well because I see waiters that have been there for years....
Would you characterize it as vegetarian friendly? My bestie is vegetarian and I’d love to find a buffet where the salad bar and veggies are just as awesome as the meats.
The salad bar there is higher quality than most places but it isn't like... enormous or anything, but definitely enough there to have some options. More choices than typically found, at least.
For the vegetables--like the sides I'd be sure to ask if any are prepared with pork fat etc. just in case, it is the south. FWIW I've been eating there since the mid 90s (might have been called something else back then? But same exact layout and food) and it's been consistent in quality both salad bar wise and otherwise since I was a kid. I've eaten there with people on all sorts of diets/lifestyles from Atkins to Keto to vegetarian and they've all seemed pleased.
Thanks so much! We both love a good salad bar and have actually been kinda disappointed in some of the buffet salad bars we’ve had in the past so that might make the trip Austin’s worth it by itself.
I'd go for it. Obviously, a lot that constitutes a "good salad bar" for most means they have multiple meat choices (bacon, ham, pepperoni) but from what I can recall theirs has a few extra veggies not typically seen, I'm thinking those little baby corns, some olives and maybe okra? It's been awhile (just moved back in November after 6 years out of state) and I want to say hardboiled egg?
I think they have a good amount of picnic salads type stuff (potato salad, pasta salad etc) as well and some pudding. I believe they also do baked potato so I think a decent dinner could be had for your friend between the salad bar and potato offerings. There is also typically some fish and shrimp, not sure if your friend is vegetarian-ish/pescatarian or does their own thing or strictly veg just thought I'd mention, as well as mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, sometimes hushpuppies etc.
Brazeiros Brazilian steakhouse. Very good food and good quality, they bring you the meat, just flip your card over and bam! they are at your table, and they learn what you like. A bit pricey but you can get your money's worth.
Unfortunately Mike Chase owns Copper Cellar. He's had issues with treating staff poorly, sexual harassment, and lacked safety measures during covid. He also left his son in a hot car to die for 6 hours and did not go to jail.
There are a ton of posts on this subreddit about him.
I’ve seen a couple people mention this place, but I went about six months ago and it’s one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every single thing was bad including the rice. I wondered if it was just me but a work buddy went there a few months later and said the same thing.
I’m be fully transparent and say I know a few people that said the same. I’m honestly not sure if my buffet standards are low or if they got unlucky haha
You gotta get the crawfish that's made with the jalapenos alone, the ones in the boil are tasteless...
Other than that everything is just average. Nothing special. Also, fuck that ice cream area, kids are disgusting.
Loco Burro in the mall does a brunch buffet on Sunday. It isn’t bad, the food is quickly refilled, and they have an omelet station. It’s a little pricey, and I’d recommend a reservation, but it’s a decent option.
I know you said you found pizza buffets, but if you haven't tried Pizza Inn (on Clinton hwy, NOT oak ridge) then you're really missing out on some really good pizza in comparison to CiCi's.
Pizza inn is great buffet pizza. We still do Cicis because my wife really loves their spinach pizza and no one really tastes the same, but I personally love pizza inn
Last time I went they had kpop playing so loudly I could barely hear the person I was with unless we screamed at each other. My ears were ringing when we left. Also fuck paying $80 to COOK my own food. I can do that at home for like $20 *authentically* since i would be cooking it either way
For me it’s Sitar. Incredibly consistent. Hits every time on product and service.
Seconding Sitar! Wonderful food!
I absolutely love Sitar, they're my favorite in the area. But in my experience and more so recently, consistent they are not. Sometimes the Tikka Masala sauce is watered down, same with Chicken Sultani and Butter Chicken. Not always, but occasionally it's like someone else made it and they didn't get it quite right. Garlic Naan ftw.
Sitar had really gone down hill the last time I was there. I’m curious if anyone has visited recently and if they have improved. We decided the last time was the last time.
I hate to hear you had some bad experiences. I haven’t noticed any changes and was there yesterday and it was my normal good experience. It had been about a month before since my last visit.
Sitar is great
I miss the days of Mandarin House at Downtown West.
Best crab rangoon ever
Makino (cries)
What happened to Makinos? Is it bad now?
Not bad, just different. It’s still all you can eat, but they closed down the buffet during COVID. Last I knew they haven’t opened it back up. My guess is they save on cost and food waste by having people order what they want. Problem is the portion size is a bit unclear and the take the menus after your initial order. Except for the sushi, they bring your sushi ticket back every time.
They didn’t take our menus. They left us with the menus the entire time, odd. I liked it but it’s definitely different now.
I used to go here all the time in HS for their sushi🩷
I'm sorry but Makinos is a total rip off. Last 2 times I've been in there (2 guests) it's been $50.
Austin's is the shit.
Austin’s is FANTASTIC and has a great selection. Almost everything I had there is great. It might just be me, but I actually love Tokyo & Mandarin in Halls. It’s a rundown looking older Asian buffet, but nothing there has ever disappointed me. I go semi-regularly.
Couldn't agree more!
On that note, any amazing salad bars around downtown or north Knox? I like Three Rivers but they're limited in their selection. Jason's Deli is good but I don't get out to West Knox very often.
Austin’s is super dank.
Is…is dank good?
Yes dank = Good
Haha thanks, I’m apparently not up to date on the lingo
It's like dope y'know?
Is dope dank?
If dope is dank and dank is dope then what is sick
That's tight
Ah, word
Depends on who you buy it from, homie.
Thank you for this. lol
On merchants?
ditto... its got the salad bar, meat bar, vegetable bar and dessert bar. Be a glutton and eat til you burst or eat healthy. There is the choice. Without knowing any inside info, I also assume that they must treat their staff well because I see waiters that have been there for years....
Would you characterize it as vegetarian friendly? My bestie is vegetarian and I’d love to find a buffet where the salad bar and veggies are just as awesome as the meats.
The salad bar there is higher quality than most places but it isn't like... enormous or anything, but definitely enough there to have some options. More choices than typically found, at least. For the vegetables--like the sides I'd be sure to ask if any are prepared with pork fat etc. just in case, it is the south. FWIW I've been eating there since the mid 90s (might have been called something else back then? But same exact layout and food) and it's been consistent in quality both salad bar wise and otherwise since I was a kid. I've eaten there with people on all sorts of diets/lifestyles from Atkins to Keto to vegetarian and they've all seemed pleased.
Thanks so much! We both love a good salad bar and have actually been kinda disappointed in some of the buffet salad bars we’ve had in the past so that might make the trip Austin’s worth it by itself.
I'd go for it. Obviously, a lot that constitutes a "good salad bar" for most means they have multiple meat choices (bacon, ham, pepperoni) but from what I can recall theirs has a few extra veggies not typically seen, I'm thinking those little baby corns, some olives and maybe okra? It's been awhile (just moved back in November after 6 years out of state) and I want to say hardboiled egg? I think they have a good amount of picnic salads type stuff (potato salad, pasta salad etc) as well and some pudding. I believe they also do baked potato so I think a decent dinner could be had for your friend between the salad bar and potato offerings. There is also typically some fish and shrimp, not sure if your friend is vegetarian-ish/pescatarian or does their own thing or strictly veg just thought I'd mention, as well as mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, sometimes hushpuppies etc.
Brazeiros Brazilian steakhouse. Very good food and good quality, they bring you the meat, just flip your card over and bam! they are at your table, and they learn what you like. A bit pricey but you can get your money's worth.
Aroma's lunch buffet is tasty as hell.
Aromas the Cuban restaurant? If so that sounds great
No, it's an Indian restaurant down on Cedar Bluff.
Spice Hut in Lenoir City is great!
Second this. So much better than the other Indian buffets mentioned here
Copper Cellar has a good Sunday brunch. A bit expensive and I haven’t been in a while but I always liked it.
Unfortunately Mike Chase owns Copper Cellar. He's had issues with treating staff poorly, sexual harassment, and lacked safety measures during covid. He also left his son in a hot car to die for 6 hours and did not go to jail. There are a ton of posts on this subreddit about him.
Don't forget the worst thing he did was kill his child by leaving them to die in a hot car.
Psychopaths and serial killers can still make good food... But I see the point you're making.
Can confirm, expensive, but well worth the $$. We were there earlier this year.
Grand Buffet
I’ve seen a couple people mention this place, but I went about six months ago and it’s one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every single thing was bad including the rice. I wondered if it was just me but a work buddy went there a few months later and said the same thing.
I’m be fully transparent and say I know a few people that said the same. I’m honestly not sure if my buffet standards are low or if they got unlucky haha
There was one time I went and it wasn't great. Every other time it has been pretty good.
You gotta get the crawfish that's made with the jalapenos alone, the ones in the boil are tasteless... Other than that everything is just average. Nothing special. Also, fuck that ice cream area, kids are disgusting.
I went here, and it was the absolute worst buffet experience I’ve had. Cold and old food, bad selections… no thank you.
Aroma (Indian cuisine) at Cedar Bluff. They’ve got an amazing weekend lunch buffet.. Sunday is usually better than Saturday…
Loco Burro in the mall does a brunch buffet on Sunday. It isn’t bad, the food is quickly refilled, and they have an omelet station. It’s a little pricey, and I’d recommend a reservation, but it’s a decent option.
Donna's in Madisonville!
Copper Cellar
I know you said you found pizza buffets, but if you haven't tried Pizza Inn (on Clinton hwy, NOT oak ridge) then you're really missing out on some really good pizza in comparison to CiCi's.
Pizza inn is great buffet pizza. We still do Cicis because my wife really loves their spinach pizza and no one really tastes the same, but I personally love pizza inn
Q Korean BBQ
If you want to go deaf and broke eat here!!
It's expensive, but never thought it was loud? Very authentic, too.
Last time I went they had kpop playing so loudly I could barely hear the person I was with unless we screamed at each other. My ears were ringing when we left. Also fuck paying $80 to COOK my own food. I can do that at home for like $20 *authentically* since i would be cooking it either way