# Best way to take a Chinese buffet to the cleaners? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124 "2003-01-17T01:27:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/41 "2003-01-17T18:33:39Z")
As a veteran of many a Chinese buffet, I know what you are talking about! Buffets around here tend to be in the 8-10 buck range so there is more pressure to “get your moneys’ worth”. The one near my house is $10 on the weekends but they have salt and pepper shrimp (head on!) and crab legs. They also have a seafood combo that has scallops and peeled shrimp in it. I usually just load up on those as they are far and away my favorites. Re: the crab legs I have to be agressive, several times I have seen them bring out a new platter of them only to have an elderly Chinese couple take the ENTIRE order back to their table! Grrrr… Plus when you take the hot and sour soup and throw a few scallops into it…Heaven! Other runners up in the money category are shu mai, egg rolls, and other labour intensive products. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/42 "2003-01-17T18:38:12Z")
Well, after reading this I had to have Chinese for lunch. Kung pao chicken… mmm… ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/43 "2003-01-17T18:48:27Z")
I always get nervous when a Chinese buffet is next to a cleaner’s. Wait…I screwed up the joke, didn’t I? ---
**Author:** ![justthefacts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@justthefacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justthefacts)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/44 "2003-01-17T18:50:24Z")
Why not just go in with a plastic trash bag in you jacket and fill it up under the table while nobody is watching. Take it home and “graze”. You should probably load up on cheese products so the food will stay in you longer. You don’t want to crap away your “deal” too soon. Don’t forget to load up on the free mints as you leave and take all the tooth picks and chopsticks for you fireplace. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/45 "2003-01-17T18:52:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > \*\*All I can say is, all this talk of “don’t do it! You’re evil! Isn’t a nice meal that you enjoy good enough for you?” is very un-Straight-Dope-like behavior. I applaud those who have had the guts to answer the question in a straightforward fashion. Why shouldn’t the man (?) get the most for his money? \*\* Because he is not looking to eat what he wants, he is looking to cause expense and that is quite antisocial. His satisfaction is not in eating what he wants to eat but in causing expense to other people. I find that antisocial and very, very, low class. I am not try to insult the OP. I am trying to make him see that getting satisfaction from jsut spending other people’s money for no reason is very petty. Do you think other people like that kind of behavior? Would you tell your date you do that? It is _very_ low class. The best answer to “Best way to take a Chinese buffet to the cleaners?” is “Don’t do it” just like the answer to “What is the best technique to beat little old ladies to the only free seat on the bus?” is “Don’t do it”. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/46 "2003-01-17T18:56:54Z")
Best way to take a Chinese buffet to the cleaners? With a forklift! Ha! I kill me ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/47 "2003-01-17T18:59:33Z")
I have to add that soda costs the restaurants a few pennies a serving. Unlimited serve-yourself soda is a moneymaker for them even if you drink a gallon of pop. ---
**Author:** ![Flint\_Ironstag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/91b2a8/32.png) [@Flint\_Ironstag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flint_Ironstag)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/48 "2003-01-17T19:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pochacco \* > \*\*Ya know I wasn’t aware ancient China had either cheese or potatoes … . > > Where is this “Chinese restaurant” … Wisconsin? \*\* Well, they might not be ancient…or Chinese, but they’re good. As near as I can tell it’s just a couple tablespoons of an even mixture of cheese and mashed potatoes deep-fried into little tots. Also, yes, it’s in Wisconsin, which is why I fault the cheesy potatoes for not having gravy. ---
**Author:** ![justthefacts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@justthefacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justthefacts)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/49 "2003-01-17T19:07:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flint Ironstag \* > \*\*I often frequent a Chinese buffet in my area for a lunch buffet as it seems like a good deal at $5.50. Lately, though, I’ve got a suspicion that there’s no way I’m eating my money’s worth. \*\* How much does a non-Chinese meal cost you? Do you get your moneys worth there? ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/50 "2003-01-17T19:10:54Z")
I should add that many of those places do not exactly have “deep pockets”. And, honestly, I can’t remember the last time I saw a $5.50 buffet; they all start at around $7.00 U.S. here, at least. Think about a value meal from, say, McDonald’s or Wendy’s: the price of a buffet and all you can eat (even if they cut you off, saying “All you can eat”) compared to a meal from any of these places is no contest in the favor of the Chinese buffet. It’s most probably healthier too. Buffet prices rise too, and this is one sure way of causing such a rise. My advice given earlier about how to cause a dent is to be taken with a grain of salt (MSG? 😛 ), and used only for arguments sake. ---
**Author:** ![Flint\_Ironstag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/91b2a8/32.png) [@Flint\_Ironstag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flint_Ironstag)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/51 "2003-01-17T19:21:05Z")
Regarding your posts, Sailor, I am not looking to cause expense, I’m looking to feel, just once, like I ate $5.50 worth of food that they charged me for. That’s what I paid for, that’s what I want. If you went to a restaurant, paid for a 32 ounce steak and they served you a 24 ounce one would you object? Would it be low class or petty to demand the larger steak you paid for? The 24 ounce steak would be the same meat and will probably fill you up, afterall. As for eating what I want, it’s not an issue. I’d be happy eating an entire meal of any single thing they served there, it’s all good and I’m not picky. ---
**Author:** ![Kalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/52 "2003-01-17T19:38:45Z")
if they actually have any white meat chicken, eat that to take em to the cleaners. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/53 "2003-01-17T19:45:29Z")
“$4.95 all day” includes soda! North St. Louis County, MO Mushrooms in garlic sauce followed by lemongrass chicken. ---
**Author:** ![justthefacts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@justthefacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justthefacts)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/54 "2003-01-17T19:52:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flint Ironstag \* > \*\*Regarding your posts, Sailor, I am not looking to cause expense, I’m looking to feel, just once, like I ate $5.50 worth of food that they charged me for. That’s what I paid for, that’s what I want. If you went to a restaurant, paid for a 32 ounce steak and they served you a 24 ounce one would you object? Would it be low class or petty to demand the larger steak you paid for? The 24 ounce steak would be the same meat and will probably fill you up, afterall. As for eating what I want, it’s not an issue. I’d be happy eating an entire meal of any single thing they served there, it’s all good and I’m not picky. \*\* I think “all you can eat” simply means that you eat until you are full. If you can get full cheaper some place else then yes you are not getting the best deal. Your 32 ounce steak example is not comparing “apples to apples”. The Chinese menu does not say “eat X lbs of food”. It says “eat all that you can until you get full”. It seems pretty obvious that if you are eating until you are full you are indeed "getting your what you paid for. ---
**Author:** ![TigoleBitties](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@TigoleBitties](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TigoleBitties)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/55 "2003-01-17T20:38:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aahala \* > \*\*Ever notice how these all you can eat buffets bring out the “wide bodies”? > > Amusement parks have those signs saying if you’re taller than this mark, you are too old/big for this ride. > > Buffet restaurants could use the same principle. Build the turnstiles say 30 inches. If you’re wider than that, we don’t want you grazing here. \*\* Bah…you obviously have not seen a fat person hurdle something. Sure it takes effort, but for trough of food with 10 different gravys, my cousin would roll through a 12 pack of old lady nuns without looking down. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/56 "2003-01-17T20:58:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aro \* > \*\*What shocks me is the price ($5.50) for an _all you can eat_ buffet. > > That equates to £3.40 in the UK, which, here, would barely buy you a portion of rice from a Chinese takeaway. > > I think there must be some sort of specal tax in Ireland on all starchy food that is _not_ potatoes. ☹ \*\* In the interest of fighting ignorance, I must remark that $5.50 for a buffet, even a lunch buffet, is at least $2-3 cheaper than the cheapest chinese-cuisine lunch buffet I’ve seen in the last couple of years. And I’m in the midwest, not exactly the most high-priced place in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/57 "2003-01-17T21:06:18Z")
\*\*Flint Ironstag \*\*, I am not wanting to pick on you but why don’t you just eat what you feel like eating and forget what it costs the restaurant? Why did you tiitle this thread “Best way to take a Chinese buffet to the cleaners”? ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/58 "2003-01-17T22:04:43Z")
$5.50 for as much Chinese food you can eat sounds like a bloody good deal to me. That’s about the same as what we Brits pay for a Burger King meal, which barely satisfies your hunger. I know which of the two I’d rather choose, given the chance. Ignore the restaurant’s costs - that’s their concern - and take the deal at face value. If you feel that $5.50 is overall a reasonable price to pay for stuffing yourself to the gills, just enjoy the food. If you think that’s too much to pay for a full stomach, look for a better deal elsewhere instead. ---
**Author:** ![Novus\_Opiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/858c86/32.png) [@Novus\_Opiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novus_Opiate)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/59 "2003-01-17T22:38:55Z")
There’s two Chinese places that have “all you can eat” buffets for $5.95 near my town. Damn tasty. Hey, where’d all the General Tso’s go? Novus ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124/60 "2003-01-17T23:06:21Z")
In my town, I have my choice of Chinese (4.99), an all you can eat lunchroom-type deal at the University (4.99) or a pizza buffet (3.99). I’m certainly not complaining, although I’ve often wondered just how they keep prices so low… PS- Soda is dirt dirt DIRT cheap for the resteraunt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-take-a-chinese-buffet-to-the-cleaners/149124.md?page=4)