Some restaurants greet you with a host stand, but Pacific Buffet in Marietta greets you with waterfalls. Tucked into a shopping center on Chastain Meadows Parkway, this big buffet piles snow crab, sushi, coconut shrimp, and lo mein onto one long, tempting spread.
I wanted to know if the food lives up to that splashy front door. Here is what I learned about the dishes, the room, the prices, and the little quirks that come with eating all you can.
A Buffet Hiding in a Marietta Shopping Center
Drive along Chastain Meadows Parkway NW in Marietta and you could easily miss it among the other storefronts. Pacific Buffet sits at 2475 Chastain Meadows Pkwy NW, inside a busy shopping center near the Kennesaw line.
It is a buffet restaurant serving Chinese and American food, plus all-you-can-eat sushi and tempura.
One longtime Kennesaw resident admitted they had shopped in that same center for about 20 years before finally walking in. Their verdict after the first meal was simple: it was good, and they planned to come back.
That story says a lot about how a place can hide in plain sight.
With a 4.1-star rating across more than 4,200 Google reviews, plenty of people have found it. I came hungry and curious, ready to see why so many folks keep showing up.
Waterfalls, a Bridge, and Two White Horses
Picture walking into dinner and feeling like you are crossing a little bridge over a stream. That is the Pacific Buffet entrance, and nearly every happy reviewer brings it up.
Water fountains flank the path, and two white horse statues stand guard near the door.
A first-time visitor on Father’s Day called the entrance breathtaking. A road tripper heading to Florida said it was beautiful, and another guest loved the unique entryway so much it was the first thing they mentioned.
Fun detail for returning fans: there used to be a fish pond with huge fish swimming around. A regular noticed it is gone now and has become a wishing pond instead.
So bring a coin and make a wish before you grab a plate.
The Snow Crab Situation
Snow crab at a buffet can turn into a contact sport. People hover, trays empty fast, and the slowpokes go home with nothing.
At Pacific Buffet, one diner was pleasantly surprised that the staff kept the crab stocked and hot.
Even better, that same guest noticed nobody hogged it, so everyone got a fair share. The seafood overall was described as hot, fresh, and full of variety.
Beyond crab, the seafood lineup reviewers mention includes shrimp, crawfish, lobster in cheese, crab meat with cheese, and salt and pepper shrimp. Crawfish alone shows up in dozens of reviews.
One honest note from a guest: some prawns still had their eyes on, so be ready for food that looks like it came from the sea.
Sushi Bar Bragging Rights
Sushi is the star here, plain and simple. It is the most talked-about topic in reviews by a wide margin, with hundreds of mentions.
One guest said the selection was about double the size of other buffets they had tried. Another couple said the sushi bar is the main reason they keep returning, calling it excellent for the price.
A traveler from Woodstock praised both the rolls and the ginger.
Labels have been a sore spot that seems to have improved. A review from two years back complained there were no cards telling you what was in each roll.
A more recent diner, though, loved that everything was labeled. There is even fried sushi for anyone who likes a little crunch.
Coconut Shrimp Worth the Hype
Bold claim incoming. One diner called the coconut shrimp the best item they have ever eaten off a buffet, ever.
They are not alone. Coconut shrimp shows up again and again in reviews, from the Florida-bound road tripper to the couple who loves the sushi bar.
It seems to be the dish people grab first and go back for second.
My advice is to take a small scoop on your first pass so you save room. Then circle back when a fresh batch comes out, because crispy fried shrimp is always best straight from the kitchen.
Lo Mein, Sesame Chicken, and the Chinese Classics
Comfort food lives in the hot trays. Lo mein, fried rice, sesame chicken, honey chicken, Mongolian beef, egg rolls, and spring rolls all get shout-outs from diners.
One returning guest rattled off a long list of favorites, including plantains and various vegetables, and summed it up as a lot to choose from. Another happy visitor mentioned beef on a stick as a surprise hit.
Not every bite wins, though. A vegetarian guest felt the lo mein was too oily and the bok choy with mushrooms was too salty.
So treat the line like a tasting tour and pick what looks freshest.
Build-Your-Own Hibachi Grill
Ever wanted a cook to make your plate exactly your way? The hibachi station lets you pick your ingredients, hand them over, and watch them cook on big grills.
A Kennesaw local named this make-your-own grill station their favorite part. Another guest liked being able to see the food cooking right in front of them.
Here is the tip regulars keep repeating: stick with chicken and shrimp. One fan said the steak just is not their strong point, and an older review felt the raw beef display looked unappealing.
Go poultry or seafood and you will probably walk away happy.
Burritos, Wings, and the American Side
Not everyone in your crew wants sushi, and that is fine. Pacific Buffet runs a standard American line too.
Diners mention chicken fingers, chicken wings, steak pieces, grilled fish, and steamed vegetables. There are even small beef burritos, which one Father’s Day guest called the best they had, cute and not bulky.
Picky kids and meat-and-potatoes grandparents should find something here. That mix is why one couple described the place as having something for everyone.
Salad, Fruit, Jello, and Ice Cream
Save room. That is the lesson one first-timer learned too late, since they skipped dessert so they would not feel too stuffed.
The salad bar and dessert section offer fruit, jello, and ice cream. One guest especially loved the salad alongside the sushi.
Fair warning, the sweets get mixed reviews. One unhappy diner found the ice cream rock hard to scoop and flavors mixed together.
If dessert matters to you, give it a look before committing to a big bowl.
A Sky-Blue Restroom and a Spacious Room
Quirky detail alert: the bathroom is painted blue, with a drop ceiling decorated to look like the sky. One guest found it charming enough to mention in their review.
The main dining room is big, with lots of seats. A visitor from Woodstock said the tables and buffet are spaced out so you can eat in peace without feeling watched.
They found the sound of the water features mixed with chatter oddly calming.
Comfort can vary, though. One recent diner said the AC was not working and some rooms felt around 80 degrees.
Another noticed the restaurant had updated its old HVAC ductwork, so changes seem to be happening.
Servers Who Keep Plates Moving
Funny story from one review: a server asked if everyone had Pepsi, the table said yes, and she poured sweet tea into their half-full glasses. They dubbed it Peptea and laughed it off like a sitcom moment.
Most stories are kinder. Guests describe servers as kind, quick, and attentive, clearing plates fast and keeping cups filled.
Two friends learning Mandarin loved that their server taught them some Chinese words.
On busy days, staff can stretch thin. One group waited a long while for a refill.
Drinks are Pepsi products, and there is beer and wine too.
Who Will Love It, and Who Might Not
Families seem to be the core crowd. Reviewers recommend it for family outings, Father’s Day meals, and casual dinners with friends.
That also means noise. One guest said lots of kids and crying babies dragged the mood down for them.
If you want quiet, mid-afternoon may suit you better.
Vegetarians should be careful. One guest ended up eating pork because of a wrong label.
And as one realistic reviewer put it, this is a buffet, so come for variety and value, not fine dining.
Hours, Prices, and Smart Timing
Pacific Buffet opens at 11 AM every day. It closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and at 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Call +1 770-423-2238 or check pacificbuffet.shop for updates.
Prices from reviews have shifted over time: $11.99 for lunch two years ago, $15.99 in June 2024, and about $16 for dinner more recently. Dinner options kick in after 4 PM, according to one guest.
Timing matters. Regulars say go when it is busy or on weekends, since fresh food keeps coming.
A weekday lunch visitor felt some trays had sat a while, while a 4 to 5 PM visit found hot food and few crowds.
My Take on This Waterfall Feast
So, is it worth the trip? For a big, affordable, keep-coming-back-for-more meal, I think yes.
The entrance is a genuine treat, the sushi bar outshines many rivals, and the coconut shrimp has fans who would fight me over it. Reviews do flag uneven temperatures, some salty dishes, and occasional comfort issues, so expectations help.
Go hungry, go when it is busy, and stick with seafood, chicken, and sushi. Toss a coin in the wishing pond on the way in.
Mine was for more room on my plate.
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