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    Smiley's Cafe

    3.3 (43 reviews)
    InexpensiveBuffets, Chinese
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Smiley's Cafe Photos

    SMILEY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    a dining room with a table and chairs
    Genevieve P.

    Hello fellow restaurant-goers, I am leaving a review for Smiley's Cafe due to my outright dismay at the standards I witnessed there. If you love Smiley's Cafe- this review isn't for you. However, if you have a penchant for delicious food, quality service, and nice restaurant surroundings - don't ignore what I'm about to list. Smiley's is a buffet. The one time I went there, on November 15th, 2023, some of my food was lukewarm. If the food is lukewarm in the serving basins; it isn't food safe. And no, I didn't wait for my food to get cold. Secondly, the food doesn't taste 'right.' At least not the soup that I tasted. It tasted more than 'off.' Also, the water that I was served had a dirty film floating on top. I didn't drink it. When my boyfriend and I entered the Smiley's Cafe unit in the mall- none of the tables were clean. If I recall correctly, there were no other customers there. We were assigned a table that I wouldn't have chosen. Because the staff member chose that one to clean. As I was sitting down at the table, I pulled out the chair next to me to set down my stuff. The chair had a huge chunk missing-- ripped open. If I were the restaurant owner/manager, I would have that chair replaced! After getting my food ..I looked up from my chair.. and in the corner of the restaurant; there was a huge spider web-- CAKED with dust. Horrified, I thought to leave- but since I already had my food; I decided to give the place the Genevieve Parry, (or Gordon Ramsay-style,) treatment. After I left, I felt dirty and gross on the inside. Wouldn't recommend, and honestly would vote to have the place shut down. It makes Alamogordo, NM. look like a joke. I already put in a tip to the State of New Mexico's Food Safety Program. I went back in to Smiley's on the 8th of December and took a photo of the spider web- which I've included for my review. Thanks for reading. P.S. My boyfriend wrote this: "There were what appeared to be food stains and small bits of dried food stuck to the wall next to our table, and they looked like they had been there for a while." He also mentioned to me that he got lukewarm food, and another dish with soggy breading. Food in buffet tables should be kept at a temperature of 140°F or above. Not to mention, changed out with fresh food every so often.

    Michael W.

    The serving size is absolutely insane for the price you pay. They hook it up big time. The food is always fresh. The potato's and mushrooms are delicious. All the chicken is good. Noodles and rice are good.

    Store front (entrance is inside White Sands Mall)

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    6 months ago

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    14 days ago

    always delicious and fresh, Gret variety of dishes, but wish they had more veggies. We always go for lunch when visiting Cloudcroft area/

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    1 year ago

    Great food and lots of choices. We eat here on a regular basis, usually to go. If it fits in the container you're good.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Arguably the worst Chinese food I've had. Buffet style, it's cheap, and definitely not worth it in my opinion.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We actually liked this Chinese food option. No service really needed, pay, pick out and eat. Inexpensive, quick and clean.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

    For the price it is unbeatable anywhere. Clean, nice, interesting atmosphere and my wife likes it even more than I do.

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This place is really good. Price is fair and people are very polite. I come to this place atleast once a week.

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This place is awesome! Great service, decent food. Small but really good for the price. Will be going again!

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Smiley's Cafe

    Review Highlights - Smiley's Cafe

    It's in the White Sands Mall, but the food is a delicious buffet for a reasonable price.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Smiley's Cafe - buffets - Updated May 2026

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