There are a lot better Chinese buffets in St. Louis. But one thing that many people neglect to try is Joy Luck Buffet's order menu. My parents and I usually order out or sit to eat their restaurant menu once every other week. The Sichuan dishes they offer (remember, the order menu, not the buffet!) are very well prepared -spicy and authentic-. So, if you're in the mood for authentic Chinese Sichuan dishes, definitely check out this restaurant!

I go to this buffet to meet a friend for lunch every once in a while because she is young, poor and Bosnian. And this restaurant is conveniently located, cheap and crummy, but she can afford it and doesn't know any better. The atmosphere is Army chowhall with plastic flowers. The food isn't as good as Army chowhall. It doesn't matter what time you arrive, nothing ever tastes fresh. The potstickers, crab rangoon and egg rolls are always dry and flavorless. The meat or poultry in the various dishes are almost always tough, gristly or dry. Vegetables are always overcooked and flavorless. The vegetable lo mein is about the only thing that is consistently pretty good. And I do mean the ONLY thing. The buffet is cheap, which, I suppose, makes it a bargain for some, but it is not simply not great Chinese food, it isn't even good Chinese food.

The Joy Luck Buffet is a great place for a Chinese lunch. The food is superb and the service is excellent, you will never have an empty glass! The selection of food is unbelievable. Some Chinese buffet's that you go to don't have a very big selection, but the Joy Luck has probably close to 60 items available. Their location is about halfway between I64 and I44 on Hanley. Well its actually at the corner of Hanley, and Manchester Rd. If you like Chinese, the Joy Luck is definately a place to try! The price is right!

PROS: Price, Selection
CONS: Location