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Smiley's Cafe

3.3 (44 reviews)
InexpensiveBuffets, Chinese
Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Smiley's Cafe Photos

SMILEY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Quiet
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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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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5 months 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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13 days ago

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11 months ago

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3 years ago

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4 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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2 years 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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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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4 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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5 years ago

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9 years ago

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14 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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12 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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10 years ago

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9 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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11 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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9 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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Review Highlights - Smiley's Cafe

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

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Grand Buffet

Grand Buffet

2.6(83 reviews)
62.6 mi
•$$

Quite a bit of back and forth on this particular restaurant within the reviews. It is conveniently…read morelocated next to the Hampton Inn on East Griggs and very easy for a traveler to pop over. I asked at the front desk their opinion on the place and it literally had mixed reviews. It was late and I did not want to go anywhere else at a long day of travel so I walked over. You pay for the buffet as you enter. Price to inlcude drink was around $14.50. Proceed to your table with your ticket and one of the wait staff will get your drink. Not very crowded when I went. Fairly large selection of soups, appetizers, entrees, sushi and dessert. I will say that some of the product on the line looked fresher than others. Checked out the sushi and spoke to the chef who was preparing it. Wanted to make sure it had not been sitting out too long. He assured me that it was recently prepared and asked me if there was anything in particular I might like (very nice). Got a full plate and cautiously dug. It was very good. Went back several times and the chef even prepared something special for me with mackerel. I was pleased with the sushi. I did not really get much from the hot bar, but what I got was okay, perhaps a little dry from sitting too long. So, an acceptable meal.

If i could send a negative star review i would everything was undercooked and quality of food was…read morebeyond awful the sushi tasted like a swamp fish and the pork tasted like chemicals do not go here unless laxative don't work for you because i promise you, your going to be bleeding from your asshole and wishing this place wouldn't have existed.

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Grand Buffet
Grand Buffet
Grand Buffet

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Asian Buffet - Broccoli beef, Fried shrimp, chicken nuggets, coconut shrimp and California roll.

Asian Buffet

3.0(63 reviews)
62.6 mi
•$$

I'm not into buffets but I was craving Asian food. I had a let down at another place and decided to…read moregive this one a shot. Honestly, I was surprised at how everything I tried was hot and fresh. I love chicken dishes and tried the General Tso's and spicy Chicken. Absolutely loved both. Outside was crispy and inside was juicy chicken (not ground chicken). They also had every noodle you could think of which really excited me. I tried the ramen bar and was a little nervous. Once again a nice surprise. The one thing with the ramen it was bland, I got the hot chili oil and soy sauce to add and it was great. I did not try the hibachi but saw several people who did and they appear to really enjoy it. Also tried the sushi (I don't like seafood) but they had 3 vegetarian options that were wonderful. I would recommend giving this place a try. They had so many options that I could not try. Definitely going again!

For a buffet that is only $18 for dinner. They had a lot to offer. I focused on Sushi and seafood…read more Even asked for sashimi and they cut some for me! TIP the chef if they do this!! The miso was just ok.. could have more body/flavor but the shrimp and seafood boil was really good with the blue crab (small crab) being cooked well- not dry or overcooked. Same for the shrimp. They have several station from veggies, puddings, 2 or 3 hot stations, sushi and hibachi/stir fry station. Waiters were kind and attentive as well. Went at 1pm on saturday and ut wasn't too busy. When you dont want to cook and want seafood variety, you really cant beat the value.

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Asian Buffet
Asian Buffet - Family is in town visiting so we had to bring them here. Everyone loved it!

Family is in town visiting so we had to bring them here. Everyone loved it!

Asian Buffet

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Smiley's Cafe - buffets - Updated October 2026

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