Prices at Buffet City shift with the clock, so timing your visit matters as much as your appetite. Knowing the Buffet City Menu with Prices before you walk in helps you plan a meal that fits your budget and your hunger level. This guide breaks down every pricing tier, dining period, and menu category so you can eat smart.
You will not find one single flat rate here. The cost changes based on weekday versus weekend, lunch versus dinner, and even the specific location you visit. Let us walk through the numbers so there are no surprises at the register.
Buffet City Menu With Prices
The core structure of the Buffet City Menu with Prices revolves around three main service windows. Each window offers a different selection of dishes, and the price reflects the variety available during those hours. Below is the standard pricing model used by most corporate-owned locations.
Weekday Lunch Pricing
This is the most affordable time to eat. The lunch spread includes basic Chinese-American staples, a small grill section, and a limited dessert bar. You get the essentials without the premium seafood items.
- Adult Weekday Lunch (Mon-Fri, 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM): $12.99
- Senior Citizen (65+, Weekday Lunch): $10.99
- Child (Ages 4-10, Weekday Lunch): $7.99
- Children Under 3: Free
Weekday Dinner Pricing
Dinner adds more protein options. You will see the full Mongolian grill open, more shrimp dishes, and a wider variety of hot soups. The price jump covers the expanded protein costs.
- Adult Weekday Dinner (Mon-Fri, 3:30 PM – Close): $18.99
- Senior Citizen (65+, Weekday Dinner): $15.99
- Child (Ages 4-10, Weekday Dinner): $10.99
Weekend And Holiday Pricing
Saturday, Sunday, and all major holidays operate on a single all-day rate. This is the full experience. The weekend menu features crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, and a larger sushi selection. You pay for the premium items.
- Adult Weekend All-Day (Sat & Sun): $22.99
- Senior Citizen (65+, Weekend): $19.99
- Child (Ages 4-10, Weekend): $12.99
- Holiday Special Rate (New Year’s, Mother’s Day): $25.99 per adult
These prices are the baseline. Franchise-owned stores often adjust them by a dollar or two. A location in a high-rent district will charge more than one in a suburban strip mall. Always check the local storefront sign before you commit.
Drinks And Beverage Costs
The buffet price does not include drinks. You pay separately for beverages, and the server will bring them to your table. The drink menu is straightforward.
- Soft Drinks (Unlimited Refills): $3.49
- Hot Tea (Jasmine or Green): $2.99
- Coffee: $2.99
- Bottled Water: $2.49
- Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice (Breakfast Hours Only): $3.99
Food Stations And What You Get
Understanding the layout of the buffet helps you prioritize your plate. You do not want to fill up on rice early if the crab legs come out later. Here is the breakdown of the standard stations found at almost every Buffet City.
The Hot Entree Station
This is the largest area. It holds the classic American-Chinese dishes that most customers expect. The selection rotates daily, but you will usually find these staples.
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Pepper Steak with Onions
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Beef with Broccoli
- Shrimp with Lobster Sauce
- Vegetable Lo Mein
- Egg Fried Rice
The Mongolian Grill
This station is interactive. You pick your raw meats, vegetables, and sauces from a refrigerated display. Then you hand the bowl to the grill cook. He cooks it fresh on a large flat-top grill right in front of you. This is included in the base price, but you must eat what you take. Wasting food may incur a charge.
- Pick a bowl from the stack.
- Select your protein (chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp).
- Add vegetables like bok choy, onions, and mushrooms.
- Choose your sauce (teriyaki, garlic, or spicy bean).
- Hand the bowl to the grill attendant.
- Wait 3-4 minutes for your custom stir-fry.
The Sushi And Seafood Bar
Do not expect high-grade sashimi here. The sushi is basic roll-style, made with cooked crab or imitation crab. The seafood bar is where the value lies during dinner hours.
- California Rolls
- Spicy Tuna Rolls (Dinner Only)
- Shrimp Tempura Rolls
- Steamed Mussels in Garlic Butter
- Snow Crab Legs (Weekend Only)
- Fried Oysters (Friday Dinner)
The Dessert And Fruit Area
This section is often overlooked by first-timers. The dessert selection is not just soft-serve ice cream. You will find a rotating selection of cakes and pastries.
- Soft Serve Ice Cream (Chocolate and Vanilla)
- Fresh Sliced Watermelon and Pineapple
- Mini Cheesecakes
- Chocolate Mousse Cups
- Fried Donuts with Condensed Milk
- Fortune Cookies
How To Maximize Your Visit
You want to get the most value for your money. A buffet is a business. They count on you filling up on cheap starches like rice and noodles. You can beat that system with a simple strategy.
Skip The Rice And Noodles
These items are cheap to produce. They fill you up fast and leave little room for the expensive proteins. If you want to eat your money’s worth, avoid the fried rice and lo mein entirely. Focus on the grilled meats and seafood items.
Go For The Grill First
The Mongolian grill takes time to cook. If you go there first, you can eat your custom stir-fry while the rest of your party is still getting their first plates. This staggers your eating pace and allows you to eat more over the course of the meal.
Check The Freshness
Food is usually freshest right when a new pan is brought out. Watch for the staff carrying fresh trays from the kitchen. When you see them, get in line. Fresh food is hotter and tastes better. Cold, dried-out food is not worth the calories.
Location Differences And Taxes
The menu items are consistent across the chain. However, the prices we listed above are the base rates before tax. You also need to consider the local sales tax, which varies by state and city. Some locations add a mandatory gratuity for parties of six or more. Ask the host about this policy before you sit down if you are in a large group.
Some franchise locations also offer a “light lunch” menu on weekdays from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. This is a reduced price option that excludes the grill and sushi. It is usually about $8.99. This is not advertised widely. You have to ask the cashier if it is available.
Takeout And To-Go Boxes
Buffet City offers takeout by weight. You cannot use the dine-in buffet price for takeout. The to-go process is different.
- Grab a standard takeout container at the register.
- Pay for the container first (usually $6.99 for a small, $8.99 for a large).
- Fill the container once. No stacking or double-layering allowed.
- Close the lid. If it does not close completely, you have overfilled it.
This is a strict policy. The staff will check the box at the register. If the lid bulges, they will ask you to remove food or pay for an additional container. It is not a good deal compared to the dine-in price, but it is convenient.
Tips For Large Groups And Parties
Bringing a group of ten or more? You need to call ahead. The restaurant does not reserve the main dining room for walk-ins. They have a private party room in the back, but it requires a minimum spending amount.
- Private Room Minimum: $300 (Excluding Drinks)
- Gratuity for Groups of 8+: 18% Added Automatically
- Birthday Cake (Store-Bought): $15 Cutting Fee
If you bring your own cake, they charge a plating fee. This is standard practice. The staff will cut and serve the cake for you, but they charge for the labor and the plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Buffet City prices include the drink?
No. The buffet price covers the food bar only. All beverages, including water bottles and soft drinks, are charged separately. Tap water is free if you ask for it.
Is the weekend crab leg price worth it?
Only if you eat a lot of crab. The crab legs are often small and salty. If you eat two pounds of crab, you get your money’s worth. If you only eat a few, stick to the weekday dinner price.
Can I get a discount for paying in cash?
Some franchise locations offer a 5% cash discount. This is not a corporate policy. You need to ask the cashier if they have a cash price. Many do not advertise it.
Are there gluten-free options on the menu?
Very few. Most sauces contain wheat-based soy sauce. The steamed shrimp and the fresh fruit are safe. The Mongolian grill can be made gluten-free if you ask for no sauce and use only salt and pepper.
Do prices change during the dinner rush on weekdays?
No. The weekday dinner price is fixed from 3:30 PM until closing. There is no surge pricing. However, the food quality may drop if you arrive late, as they do not refill every dish after 8:30 PM.
Final Thoughts On Budgeting
You should budget about $25 per adult for a weekday dinner with a drink and tip. For a weekend visit, budget closer to $30. The Buffet City Menu with Prices is designed to reward early birds and weekday visitors. If you are flexible with your schedule, you can save almost ten dollars per person by choosing a Tuesday lunch over a Saturday dinner. The food quality is similar, but the selection is narrower. That trade-off is worth it for many families.
Remember that the prices listed here are accurate as of this writing, but they can change without notice. The restaurant industry faces fluctuating food costs. The management at your local Buffet City has the authority to adjust menu prices at any time. Always confirm the current rate at the entrance before you are seated. That way, you can decide if the feast fits your wallet.
Now you have the full picture. Go hungry, go smart, and hit the grill first.