Queens Buffet, Woodhaven NY

[Webmaster]

Located by the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, The Queens Buffet has been an off-and-on favorite of mine for quite some time.

From the outside, the place looks like a dump. It's located in an old industrial building with peeling paint outside and a faded sign that is enough to repel many people who have never eaten there. But inside is another story. The place is clean, comfortable, and well-lit; and the food is fresh and of decent quality. It's also huge, and there is plenty of seating: I don't think I've ever had to wait more than a couple of minutes to be seated, no matter how busy the place was.

Prices are moderate. I lost the receipt, but I think adults are about $14.00, and kids are about $9.00. They seem to have a rather vague definition of what an "adult" is, however, depending on who happens to greet you at the door.

This past weekend, dinner for three kids and two adults set me back about $56.00 plus tip -- a bit higher than most buffets I've been to; but the costs of running a business in New York City are a lot higher than average, so I cut NYC eateries some slack where pricing is concerned.

The food is your standard buffet fare, but a bit more diverse than usual, reflecting the great ethnic and regional diversity of Queens. The cuisine includes Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Polynesian, and probably others that I don't recognize, not being an expert on food (except for eating it). There's also plenty of vegetarian fare, as well as a variety of soups, salads, and fruits. It's pretty unlikely that you won't find something you like at the Queens Buffet.

Some of the food is also higher-end than is commonly found in buffets. For example, snow crab legs, octopus salad, sushi, and salmon are always on the line "for dinner customers only" (which basically means not for take-out).

The place is fairly family-friendly. They don't do anything special for kids, nor is any of the food specially targeted to children. There is no playground or playroom, and they will (quite reasonably) ask that you keep your kids under control if they start running around the joint and raising hell. On the other hand, normal kid noise, chattering, spills and such don't seem to bother the staff.

The Queens Buffet has a liquor license and serves wine and beer (and possibly other liquor, too; I'm frankly not sure, not being much of a drinker myself). Drinks are not included with the standard meal cost.

In short, the Queens Buffet serves decent food at a fair price. Food quality is a bit better than average. There is plenty of parking. There is no dress code. If you happen to be in Woodhaven, New York and are looking for a decent meal without a lot of waiting or fuss, I suggest you check it out.

--Richard