I used to enjoy this restaurant, but hadn't been here for about a year. I was craving just a decent meal of Chinese, but was disappointed. One thing I remember from previous visits was how hot the holding pans used to be. One actually had to be careful not to get burned on the metal pans. This last visit, I planned on going on the weekend when they would normally have a few special items, justifying the higher weekend pricing. Aside from the huge sushi selection, that I don't personally eat, I found nothing special about the meal and found everything quite bland. It's said to finish a meal disappointed. Though I've never been to the only other Chinese buffet in Lacey, I plan to give it a try next time I have a craving. Perhaps I'll find it more interesting. read more

The people were friendly. The food was pretty good with a wide variety to choose from. The buffet was very clean and neat. The restrooms could use some updating and fixing up. All and all we were satisfied with the atmosphere as we gathered to visit with a cousin and a few of her family members whom we hadn't seen in years. It was a great experience. read more

Umm, I would say this buffet was sub-par. When we arrived, the staff was kind of rude because we wanted to push the tables together so we could all sit together. They seemed to have a problem with this. We weren't asking them to do it. In fact, we were more than willing to rearrange the configuration and put it back. The new configuration wouldn't have impeded aisle space for people to walk by. Also, it would be the same amount of tables and chairs used so no extra cleaning would be done on their part. They didn't give us any real explanation. Instead, they just didn't look pleased that we wanted to do it. The food looked good but wasn't that great. The green beans didn't taste fresh or crispy. Instead, they seemed a little soggy. The sushi tasted really fishy like it wasn't fresh. It seemed like lower grade sashimi. For $20 per person, I think the quality and taste should have been a bit better. I think the best thing I tasted that evening was the sautéed mushrooms and snow crab. The Dungeness crab wasn't too good, again tasted not so fresh and salty. They also didn't bring out anymore after the first serving was gone. There was plenty of snow crab though. The snow crab tasted sweet and not overcooked. I enjoyed this. Facilities are clean. There is plenty of parking. I guess in comparison to the other Chinese buffets that I have been to, this one is on the sub-par side. It was a little more expensive for what they were offering. read more

Not going to be overly critical of buffet food. Pretty much met my expectations and i had a good time. Don't expect 5 star food. It is a buffet. They work really hard to bust out tons of food all day. read more

Many lunch options, but I didn't feel it was outstanding. $18. Lunches. One can only eat so much

I really enjoyed this food. My whole family enjoyed it. Go here before others hear about it and it overflows with costumers. read more

Main Chinese Buffet - Chinese Near Me - Lacey, Washington

First off I had not eaten at Main Chinese for over a year. So I was looking forward to a good lunch meal here. The price is $15.99 for all day, whether the lunch or dinner menu. First off, the food was not so great. They use to have good crispy fried fish, now the fish is in a bread coating that has been fried and is soggy. The Chicken egg roll was also soggy and not crisp. The fried shrimp were not the usual large shrimp with a nice crispy coating, now just breaded shrimp that are deep fried and soggy and chewy. No longer have the egg foo young out, disappointed. Then to top it off their air conditioning in the place is not working correctly so you do not have an enjoyable meal, as by the time you finish your meal you are dripping in sweat and the people working there know it and apologize, but don't take anything off the bill for having to sit and sweat as you try and enjoy your meal. The cashier did nothing to amend my bill for the bad experience as well. Yup, $15.99 for a mediocre meal and an environment that is not pleasant to sit in. Doubt I will be going back. Shame it use to be a decent place to get a good meal. read more

We ate early lunch 11:30A very clean fresh lots of variety. I will eat there again. Sushi, prawns, clams fish, chicken Asian. Deserts were good ice cream yummy. Good service spacious. read more

Honestly it wasn't that good and I'm pretty disappointed. My fiancé and I tried the pork buns and they were pretty dry and tasted like soy sauce more than anything. He tried the crawfish which he said was okay. The sushi was alright. It was pretty warm in there too and so it made it pretty uncomfortable to eat and just be in there. My fiancé got the chocolate pudding with a cookie and the cookie was as hard as a hockey puck. He tried to break the cookie like 5 times and it never broke. So unfortunate that this place wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. read more

We ate at Main Chinese Buffet in Lacey last night and really enjoyed the wide selection of food, especially all of the sushi which often is limited at other buffets we've been to. All of the food was fresh and tasty, so I don't know how a prior reviewer could have been so harsh unless there was prejudice or just a hacker. The interior is neatly and modestly done and improved from when we were there 6 years ago. It's a buffet - not a fancy Chinese restaurant, and it's great to see that it survived Covid-19, too! read more

My wife and I, before the pandemic hit, used to visit Main's no less than monthly and have NEVER been anything but satisfied with both selection and prices. The staff are very courteous and helpful and the place is immaculately clean and pleasant. Our anniversary is on the 21st of august and guess where we'll have dinner. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. read more

This is the worst Chinese buffet I have ever been too. The staff was great, very fast and attentive and kept the food coming out steadily. However, the food was just so bad. Baked salmon that was dry as jerky. Fatty rib meat. Fried rice with the largest chunks of onion I've ever seen in fried rice (and that was the best thing I ate). Sweet and sour chicken was dry but not awful. Donuts with barely any sugar on them in the same serving tray as other rolls. Sushi I didn't dare eat after seeing all the health department violations. Hair on the steamed buns. I didn't try half the food because it looked gross honestly. Just really disappointing. read more

We love coming here. Food is always fresh and there is a lot of selections. We have a very picky eater and we never leave hungry. I've never tried the sushi, I'm not a sushi fan tho. The dessert area looked great, unfortunately at the time we were there, kids were running around dipping their hands in the chocolate fountain and grabbing the desserts without tongs. Not the restaurants fault at all, parents fault. But normally we like hitting the desserts. We had a great woman help us towards the end of our meal. She was outgoing, fun, and made us feel good about being there. The young gentleman who helped us prior was emotionless. We tried talking with him and got nothing. He completely ignored us. Try this place, you won't regret it. read more

Solid 4 stars, 5 because Oly/Lacey/Tumwater doesn't have many AYCE chinese buffets... Nondescript exterior outside. Inside, decent selection of hot/cold items, sushi and sashimi. All in all tasty and good quality. Chinese music in background was a plus . This buffet is an excellent value and a go to for the area. read more

Main Chinese Buffet - Good roll selection - Chinese Near Me - Lacey, Washington

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Had to come on here because the reviews are so low and it doesn't seem right... I'm half Chinese and grew up going to a lot of Chinese buffets because the international food options in my hometown were very sparse... As far as Chinese buffets go, this is one of the best I've been to!! It's clean, the servers are pretty friendly, all of the typical food options are available + more, the food quality is great, and for a buffet, the sushi is above average! (Plus, they have sashimi!!) I will definitely be back! (Btw, some said it's overpriced on the weekend, but for quality and variety it's very much worth it.) read more

I came here at least once a week or even twice a week when I was pregnant & craving Chinese & Seafood..

Ok. I have eaten here many times over the years and I would never rate it 5 star but it's been a fun place for us to go. Most of the time the servers are quiet but efficient and it's clean enough for me to feel like I can eat there. Tonight however was a different story. Let's start small, I found it a little uncomfortable that while trying to walk the buffet multiple staff were sweeping large piles of dirt around the buffet tables while people were trying to get around to get food. Dirt and food pieces were being flung from the food section to the other side of the room. Cleaning is one thing but sheesh. The food was all fairly fresh and being brought out however the dessert section was sub par to say the least. The marshmallows were all stale and the chocolate fountain tasted like chalk. BUT the icing on the cake causing me to write this review. A server came to our table and asked my husband if he would like a drink refill. He said yes please and right after the man grabbed his cup while still looking at us he reached down and vigorously scratched his junk. Ummmmmm just because you have gloves on doesn't mean they are clean for one but like what???? Really???? Needless to say I think that will be my last time there. read more

Delicious!! This restaurant is definitely a great place, this was my second time to eat dinner with my family here at main buffet, the food was still very satisfying. Everything here is just fine. I also have to say that for the price of this restaurant that they give which is 14.99 for adults 13 and above, and for a buffet it is absolutely worth it and also affordable for the food they serve. They've got snow crabs, baked scallops, sushi, beef back ribs and lots more. I just really loved the sushi it tasted surprisingly fresh and the baked scallops were yummy indeed. It is very good and they have salads on the side too. Their desserts are pleasant, they don't have much but it's good enough. They even have a huge chocolate fountain for kids to adore. Also the ice cream, they have 4 flavors, with some chocolate fudge on the side, it was so yummy. So far so good, the customer service was adequate, the waiters and waitresses treated us well and helped us with what we needed. I would like to mention our server named Alex he was very understanding because my nephew happened to have spilled water on the carpet and he was very helpful with the situation. This restaurant is Very reccomendable if you want good Asian affordable food. read more

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Love the food , the service and the Sushi !! 5 star for a Chinese Buffet , Definitely on my too list

The food isn't good. The noodles had a smell to it. Pastries were hard. Definitely not worth $20. I think I got full on drinking my Pepsi.

One of the best Chinese buffets I have eaten at from Seattle all the way down to Olympia... hands-down the winner ... very fresh ingredients, very pleasant customer service--- I tried the beef back ribs, beef short ribs, two types of fried fish : mackerel and flounder ... the Mackerel was a first in that I've never had fresh deep-fried mackerel anywhere along the I-5 Corridor , fish bar holds its own with chefs behind counter preparing sushi, sashimi as well as rolls. There were four types of very nice ice cream- not soft serve! - actually in buckets, in a deep freezer, light on the sugar smooth on the cream, very nice desert ... speaking of which, the desert bar is a game of its own -- very nice pastries.... Overall, price is a tad bit on the high side, at 18.95 per person ... but you get MORE than what you pay for. A must dine read more

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Just don't. Everything tastes like fish you have a selection of two to three entrees that aren't common nor are they good. When we each took two bites of food which was my husband and I, we complained and they charged us 60 dollars and refused to discount. Don't take your family here unless you're purposely looking for disappointment. The atmosphere was less than ideal as well read more

The variety of dishes was great. Service area was well kept and constantly cleaned and food replenished quickly! Customer Service was amazing! Love this place and every chance we get traveling through, we stop. Highly recommend. read more

This place charges $16.99 for lunch, so it is expensive but it's the same food that is served all day. We are going for lunch tomorrow, and we've been going there for years whenever we come to Olympia. It has always been crowded when we come. I primarily go for shrimp and fish because I don't cook them at home very often. What we wish they would serve is dim sum. They do have sushi. read more

This place I give a 3 star. Because they were really nice and sweet. The food was ok. They didn't have much sushi out. They were running out. Otherwise the place was good. And the food was ok read more

Very impressed with the timeliness of the customer service here. Personally, I really enjoy the food that they make here too. Plus, they have the cheapest beer in town so there's that....maybe even in the state. read more

This is a buffet. If you don't understand that, then you shouldn't come here. The food is cooked in large batch quantities and most is delicious but it's buffet food. The food is not exactly like what you would get at a Chinese restaurant. They have lots of options that include biscuit donuts, delicious soups, and lots of carbs. My expectations lower when I come here but it's still definitely worth the price. The staff changes frequently in the back so the food slightly differs in taste but I've never eaten anything "bad". Try it out next time your in for a buffet but don't expect Las Vegas circa 1990's buffet food. It's simply just good buffet. read more

Foods here are fresh and price is reasonable. However, pastries were too sweet . The menu was too small and didn't have many options.

Came on a Sunday. Yelp under rates this place. Fresh quality food at a nice place. Eat here they do a good job.

Was in the area in a Sunday night and needed dinner. Great service I enjoyed a plate of crab, plate of beef back ribs, a plate of beef short ribs and some delicious green beans and cabbage. Ended with some fruit and pudding. Buffet or not this place had delicious food. The sushi station with the poke and all the offerings looked amazing, but I didn't get that far. Clean and presentable. Those poor review posters may need to visit again. read more

Four stars for food, five stars for the people working there! We come here a lot for the sushi, believe it or not! It's pretty good for a buffet and cheap considering what you're getting. They don't skimp on lunch options which is also a plus. Their staff have always been really nice but today they went above and beyond. During lunch, I tweaked my back and could not get myself back to the car. They walked me out and made sure that I was alright (a friend was driving). They were so caring (and not in a "I'm scared I'll be liable" sort of way). They deserve your business! read more

People were mandated to wear masks and gloves when leaving the seated table. The food was delicious! And the sushi section was wonderful! The price was just right! I will definitely be coming back. read more

We took our family here. It was pricey for what you get. I used to live this place. I'm saddened to see that they took some of the best food away like snow crab and deep fried fish. I've even had lobster claw here before those days are gone. read more

My family and I have eating here every couple months for about two years! Never had a bad experience. Staff is always accommodating and friendly would recommend this place. Food is usually spectacular and we are going here tonight for my husband and I anniversary.. read more

My family went here today. I did not go, I don't like this restaurant. If you go here, look up the health department reviews first. I would like to add that when my husband got home, my daughter puked everything she ate. Think before eating here read more

Main Chinese Buffet - This is how they keep their dirty ladies bathroom. If you want to know what a restaurant is like, look at their bathroom. - Chinese Near Me - Lacey, Washington

Chinese buffet, oh why do I keep going back? Like every other Chinese buffet, this place has it all. Noodles, rice, fish, chicken, vegetables, sushi, pizza, everything. There's a chocolate fountain in the desert section with all kinds of items to put that oh so delicious flowing chocolate on. The staff were great, our plates were removed each time we left the table. The cups were never half full, they were always being filled. They were helpful in explaining what the food selection was. read more

My husband and I love this place. We both love all of the veggie options. He enjoys the sushi dishes and ribs and I love the egg flower soup and deep fried shrimp. The staff is friendly but not intrusive. read more

My husband and I have been diehard fans of Chinese Main for literally YEARS. Its been a while since we've eaten there, but we stopped in today for lunch at 1 p.m., and it was so disappointing. We love sushi, and theirs was always the best. Not today. Everything tasted like frozen Chinese food. The salads at the sushi bar were good. Everything else was bland-- definitely not what we've come to expect from Chinese Main. New owners? Different cooks? Very dissapointing. read more

Really good buffet. A lot of sushi options, chocolate fondu fountain, and seafood. They only had sweet and sour chicken, and general Choi's for meat tho.. i was really hoping for orange or lemon chicken read more

Most chinese buffets have the same foods but each of these dishes have different flavors. Not like others where the beef stir fry has the same taste as the chicken. The sushi is fresh, and the food turnover is contant. Our family's go to for many years. read more