This place used to be the go to place for Chinese Buffets in Chattanooga. Sadly this place has gotten too comfortable with being the number one place over the years. They now rely on their past success. the last time we visited here, the food in the buffet was not very high quality. and some of it was not that hot. their sushi and hibachi is good. The real issue is when my father selected some dessert cakes from the buffet. when he tried them they seemed to be stale. this would not have been a big issue in itself, but what the main issue became is when my father told the staff about it, because he loved to visit this place and wanted them to know that there was a problem with the food he normally eats here. instead of taking the information as just feedback, the staff got very defensive, saying that "oh those cakes were made today" which may be true but all he was trying to do was give constructive feedback. its very sad as i grew up eating at this buffet regularly, and now i will choose to eat elsewhere read more

Always get the honey chicken. Plus the noodles is all i could ever ask for. Service can be good and bad from my experience, i've been numerous times. I cannot blame them, it is always packed there, but mostly ordinary service but definitely not bad service. The waitress are always kind though. read more

Good take out , on the go . Good sweet n sour soup too Friendly and pick up quick. read more

Five of us went for lunch on a recent Sunday. I had been hesitant about going there since the other major Chinese buffet on Gunbarrel had a higher rating. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! We were seated immediately , the variety of food was excellent, and everything was fresh, hot and delicious. I never made it to the sushi bar! Next time, I'll start there. We were seated in a private dining room, and we could actually hear each other. Definitely our new 'go to' Chinese restaurant. read more

Great price, great food and always so friendly! Been coming here for years and we love it. Sad they don't have the crab legs anymore but the sushi is yummy and the variety of choices is plentiful! Highly recommend read more

Everything was hot n fresh, love the ice cream machine staff was friendly. We will be back

sorry service and don't know how to treat customers gone up on price and down on customer service and quality of food definitely not worth the price read more

Everything was cold and the dishes all tasted the same or were inedible. I ate here many years ago and the food was really good. The fried shrimp and crab Rangoon were the only things worth eating. Don't waste your money! read more

I tried this for the first time today did not like one thing on their buffet. Everything was mushy the ribs tasted as if they were boiled with some barbecue sauce on it I tried to push through each new thing I put in my mouth was worse,than the first my younger daughter said that she couldn't eat anything. She lost her appetite after she tried the chicken she said gross. I just lost my appetite. The oldest liked the vegetables like fingers not a lot of chicken inside it greasy I complained to the manager she granddaughter eating chicken. She says what about her? What you need to do what about your drinks? Your drinks we'll pay for our drinks. My husband comes back and tried the hibachi about if you need us to pay for pay for him he tasted it. And the steak was tough as could be no seasoning was pretty rude and she go and speak in a different language. She goes to the front person upfront that was taking payment. They just continue to speak at a different language. No sorry, nothing I will never go there again management acted as if no one else complained about it before That is very hard to believe NASTY FOOD read more

We went on a Saturday night, it wasn't very busy. The food did not seem fresh. Most of it was mislabeled. The WAITRESS SUCKED! It was me and my 2 teen girls ( it was one of their b-days) and my preteen, all girls. First, I asked her if they did anything for birthdays she said you have to have 5 people minimum...ummm, ok...website says 3 or 4 but well...ok..then she was more busy sweeping the floors that checking anyone's drinks or clearing tables. But the check was put down before we even got back from our 1st plate...she acted like she did not want us there.​ read more

First time here. The sushi was good. Fresh and a large variety. The food on the bar was cold. Cold food is just not good. I was hoping for much more. The service was good. Several refills on drinks. read more

Chef Lin- Chattanooga TN Good food, bad service. If I were to rate solely on food it would be four stars. The food smelled fresh and there was a lot prepared. The staff was mostly friendly and told our group to sit where we wanted. We needed two tables for 15 people, but three did not show up. Our waitress was nice and friendly. One employee who knew very little English kept walking over to our table, staring at the empty seats. I was aware that they thought the restaurant was going to be packed, but there was plenty of empty seats and tables in our section. I didn't count, but I'm thinking at least 70 seats were open. We were having a good time enjoying the food and conversations with family. It's hard for us all to get together with most having busy schedules. A large group of people probably from Mexico decided to sit right next to our group. They were short one table. Two employees came over to my group and took the smaller table where we talking and eating. They didn't ask or even try to be considerate. Some of us laughed in disbelief. Some of us got upset. The room was 25% filled and they took our table as we were eating. My son was angered so much we had to step outside to cool off. My wife talked to the owners wife and told her we wouldn't pay tips. The owner's wife said she couldn't change the charge. My wife told her that she would cancel the transaction Monday if she wouldn't change. They agreed and we paid cash to cover the food, but no tips. I slept on this to see how I would feel the day after the issue. I don't think the good food made up for the horrible treatment of my family. I will never go back to that restaurant. I am used to poor treatment having been stationed in jobs across the nation. My wife is an immigrant and can tolerate horrible treatment better than most other Americans. We were stationed in California for 13 years and understand cultural and racial differences better than most. I don't know whether culture, race, or our mixtures of each had any influence on our treatment, but it was obvious that these two employees had more concern for the Central American group (Mexican nationality or other Hispanic culture), as they took our table and gave it to them. No one in that group even looked at us, apologized, or seemed to care. I know that culture. It's not unusual in California. I also know the cultures of China. Like most, there are people who are brought up with respect and some who are not. The two employees who took the table as my family was sitting and talking had no respect. We cook at home and don't go to restaurants for just the food. I thought about the good food, but the service is more important, especially for a family get together. Service is more important than the food, thus I could only give this place two stars. I couldn't sleep because of the poor service. My wife and I can cook anything these restaurants cook and for much lower cost. My son who got mad was right. The restaurant should have at least cut our bill in half. Our family time together is worth more than any reduced or free meal. We will never go back to this restaurant and risk getting angry or losing sleep. Solutions? The employees could have kindly requested the table and diffused the anger. With so many empty tables and chairs, however, we still would have felt disrespected. Maybe we would have laughed more? It may not be enough to just train these two employees. The owner's wife told my wife that she couldn't change the transaction. My wife informed her that she had to. The owner also expressed his concern that we had a few empty seats as my wife negotiated the cash payment to cover the food costs. Did he approve of those employees taking that table out from under my family members? SAH, 2025-01-26 read more

I going to keep this short. Been here several times over the years but never again! Here's why: 1) Food was bad, the flavor was non-existent and some was cold! 2) One of the servers actually, physically COUGHED ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE and didn't even acknowledge that she did it nor apologized! While I was telling my wife about it she came back from the opposite direction and COUGHED ON MY WIFE! 3) Same server was walking around chewing on a mouthful of food, OPEN -MOUTHED! 4) Yes there's more, look at the picture I posted of the blue rag and the white rag too. Those rags satright there the whole time we were there and they continually used the blue one to clean tables never using any disinfectant ever! read more

Chef Lin Buffet - These rags sat there the whole time we were there. They were being used to clean the tables and never ever saw any disinfectant! - Buffets Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Most of the food was over cooked. Shrimp was mushy. Food was not hot! Kids were helping their self's. Differently not how we remembered it! Will Not be back!! read more

The food very very fresh and very good. The service was unbelievable. We had Kevin with us and Mrs. Lin they were great. Not to mention the ambiance was good too. read more

Hibachi was just as good as a sit down restaurant! Fiancé enjoyed the crawfish. Only downside: actual Chinese food wasn't that great. Would def recommend for cheap hibachi and seafood though! read more

Update: We went back 4/20/24, and all the food was AMAZING and very fresh and hot!! The staff is very friendly and on top of refills

The few times I've been there I didn't enjoy the food. The wait staff act like robots. They don't look at you or smile. It's not a pleasant experience. read more

Food wasn't hot or even warm unless you stand up to watch for new stuff to come out ....kids running a muck helping there self I know i know I'm not a Karen at but when i say it was babd its bad. Me and my husband was set by three couples with children i ask to be moved said waitress didnt answer me back or even acknowledged me speaking was kinda rude but i wont ever visit this place again. And had to wait 20 min for sushi to be made. Food wasn't getting replace What food was there was cool and taste like its been under a light to long. The hot sour soup was straight black pepper tasting read more

This is a decent buffet. You can get full here. There were no crab legs or high end offerings. There were many variations of shrimp dishes. They had sweet and sour chicken and some other common American Chinese foods. They also have sushi and dessert and salad bar. read more

Wasted potential. All of the sauces are great. BUT what they called chicken is not chicken. No idea what it is. Could be styrofoam, cat tendens, ground up mice... who knows but is foul and unfit for human consumption. I spit it out in my napkins and threw it away. Do better. Get actual breast meat chicken for for human consumption. read more

This place is now my favorite buffet in town. Nice, friendly staff and great selection of food! It will take several visits to try everything. Can't wait to go back!! read more

very good food. I love it! I've been coming here for years. I especially like their fried rice, coconut shrimp, green beans and Egg Drop soup. Delicious. read more

Awful! I didn't even get to eat here. After I got seated I walked over to get food and it's all gone. It was like taking scraps from the bottom of the barrel or everyone's backwash. Then, I walked over to the sushi hoping you can't mess that up. Yup. Sure can. It was nasty looking because it was probably sitting there since breakfast. Go Next door to the Italian spot. Much better! read more

We went today and to Say disappointing is an understatement. One plate of Sushi on the bar and everything was just bad. Once this restaurant was amazing, but I think that was probably years ago and it wasn't the pandemics fault. I would get take out before going back! read more

I've eaten at a lot of Chinese buffets on the road. In my hometown I have a few I frequent, but many on the road I've tried I wouldn't go back to eat again....Chef Lin is an exception. We were driving back to Ohio from Destin and wanted a place that was cheap and easy to eat with the kids, just off the highway. My wife did some research as we approached Chattanooga, on all the buffets there and we chose this one and man was it a keeper. They have all of your typical chinese trimmings, General Tso's, Pepper Steak, etc, all great. What was exceptional about this buffet....the raw bar. They have freakin' Sushi chef's making excellent pieces. On top of that...raw oysters....man I love raw oysters and they are expensive anywhere else. This place was packed, but it's big enough to handle all the traffic, worst part was finding a place to park. My kids loved the fried donuts and ate several. read more

The buffet was not bad, but I wish the atmosphere was a bit brighter and spacious. There were limited choices but for the price, you definitely get your money's worth. Come here hungry and you will leave satisfied or even stuffed. read more

Chef Lin Buffet - Everything - Buffets Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Great selection. Sushi, shrimp, clams and CRAWFISH are wonderful. They also have a good selection of food for the people who don't want seafood. BEST selection and price. Casual dress. read more

Food is good. Selection is great. Was a bit disappointed in our experience. Got to the restaurant 45 minutes before close and they were already shutting down the buffet. By the time we were finished eating there was nothing left on the bar and the restaurant was still open. read more

We had a party of 4 and they had every table spread out which was great. All the staff members were wearing masks and gloves. The only complaint I have is that I watched a server quickly wipe off a table and seat a new party without wiping any of the condiments or seats. The food was overall good and warm. read more

This place has much less of a selection than the nearby Forbidden City Buffet, however, my boyfriend and I believe it to usually be a little bit better quality--especially during unpopular times. The atmosphere is much like any generic buffet--not particularly clean. It's fair quality food for the amount of money being paid. read more

Food was ok. However, the interior looks like it has not been updated in a very long time and the dining room was extremely cold. There are other buffets with much better atmosphere. read more

The quality has gone downhill here in a big way. I haven't been to this restaurant in about 6 months but remembered them having decent sushi for a buffet and a pretty good variety of items ( including frog legs) and so after seeing a movie at the theatre nearby; My husband and I dropped in for a quick dinner here on Sunday evening. We waited quite a while to be seated. Which I thought was odd because, you know...it's a buffet. What can the hostess possibly be doing? Tucking people into bed? Cutting their food for them? I still don't know. As we were turning to leave, someone came out of an alcove and starting seating people. Crab legs are no longer included in the price of the buffet. Half the sushi trays were empty. Most of the food had been picked over. Frog legs are apparently not served here anymore. What was left was unappetizing looking. I got half a dozen different kinds of sushi and chicken on a stick, plus the last piece of Peking duck left on the tray. My husband only ate the chicken on a stick and some lo mein. Our drinks were never refilled. When I got to my table the sushi was unpleasantly warm. There is a hibachi grill but you do not pick your ingredients. You have to tell the cook what you want and they portion it for you. The bathrooms have the look of an attempted remodel but the middle toilet was leaking onto the floor and there is a general dinginess which is unpleasant. Maybe I went on a bad night but I have no desire to go back. read more

I must admit I love a good Chinese Buffet! Hey if your in this neck of the woods and you don't want to be guessing if you'll have a good supper or not just roll on in hear! Vegetables were fresh and snappy. Meats were cooked but not over cooked. They have sushi and hibachi grill also. Staff was courteous and attentive. Can't go wrong hear if you like Chinese. read more

There was hair in my food and they made my boyfriend sick I'm never coming here again. The workers were on there phone most of the time .

The service was great. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Thats the only reason this is getting 2 stars instead of one. The food on the other hand was terrible.. Most of the dishes were cold. Even the chicken nuggets were white. Like they had not even been cooked. The spring rolls were cold esp in the center. I go to Chinese restaurants for the lo mein.. this place had spaghetti noodles.. Not good.. Be kind to yourself and go somewhere else... read more

We went to the Chef Lin Buffet for the first time today. The Hibachi Chef either did not understand English or was being purposefully obtuse. There was no clear guideline as to whether we should wait there or go to our table and eat. They need a better system to make that clear. The employees were not very friendly and I had more than one of them cut me off at the path to get where THEY needed to go, which is VERY rude for employees to do to their customers. The food was a disappointment to say the least. The chicken for the sweet and sour chicken was bland and I only ate one piece as a result. I ended up fixing myself a salad, but the ranch dressing was HORRIBLE. Do not eat this if you go there. The things we did like were the crab rangoon and honey chicken. I was glad they had cantaloupe on the bar because that was their saving grace for me as I was disappointed in the Chinese food. We will never go back to this restaurant again. It was that bad. The place needs to be shut down and scrubbed until thoroughly cleaned. read more

No idea why this place has such a low rating! For the price, the food is pretty amazing! I plan to come back here every time I come to Chattanooga! And the service was great too. I question all the high maintenance low reviews that were made here. read more

If you just want a mediocre buffet eat here. My husband and I ate here last week for dinner because we love hibachi grill restaurants and when we found out they had crab legs we were all for it.....BIG MISTAKE! What they call crab legs is hilarious. They are so tiny and thin and seriously, they only bring out one little pan at a time so you have to get there right as they're bringing them out or you won't get any because they bring only enough out for like 3 people....no lie! The other food was just ok, nothing to get excited about. Oh, and don't even get me started on the women's bathroom. How hard is it to fix a loose toilet seat? And the last time someone actually cleaned it was probably a month ago. Very nasty! read more

Certain combinations just come across weird. Hearing an Asian person with a thick southern accent counts as one of them. Irrelevant ruminations aside, I was surprised at how good the food was here. They have a big spread and everything I grabbed was delicious. The sole crawfish I sampled was perfectly cooked, making it easy to peel. Overall, their seafood selection was pretty good and they even had items I didn't expect, like tripe (no chicken feet, however). The disappointment came on the dessert front. Fortunately, the fruit was good enough to cap off my meal. I didn't pay, but I believe it was less than $10 each with tax and tip. Pretty good value considering the food. Not that I'd be back in Chatt any time soon, but I wouldn't mind returning to this place. read more