Some Reno lunches come with a menu and a plan. Others come with an empty plate and zero limits.
On one busy stretch of road in Reno, a Chinese buffet has been feeding hungry families for more than ten years, and it still draws crowds who drive in from as far as Carson City. The big three here are sushi, seafood, and a Mongolian grill where a cook makes your bowl while you wait.
It is not fancy, and it does not pretend to be. Opinions run hot and cold, which makes the place even more interesting to size up.
Keep reading to learn what sits on the trays, when to show up for the freshest food, what a family meal costs, and how to get the most out of every trip back to the line.
A Kietzke Lane Address Worth Knowing
King Buffet sits at 3650 Kietzke Ln, Reno, NV 89502, in the United States. It is an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet on one of the city’s busiest commercial roads.
The setup is simple. You pay at the register, grab a plate, and work your way through rows of hot trays, a sushi station, seafood, desserts, and a Mongolian grill.
The restaurant describes itself as a casual, family-friendly spot serving traditional Chinese fare. Noodles, meat, and seafood form the backbone of the spread.
Kietzke Lane is a practical location. A couple of nearby stores make it easy to pair a meal with errands, and some regulars say that convenience is part of the appeal.
Nobody walks in expecting white tablecloths. The goal here is volume, variety, and a fair deal for the money.
That straightforward mission has kept the doors open for a long time, and the story behind that staying power deserves its own look.
Ten Years of Refills
More than ten years is a long run for any restaurant. For a buffet, where costs and crowds shift constantly, it says something about loyalty.
King Buffet has served Reno for over a decade, and it has watched lunch prices climb along the way. Longtime diners remember when a weekday lunch cost $9.99, then $10.39.
The restaurant also adapted during the pandemic, reopening with new safety measures in place. That stretch was bumpy, with slower refills and higher prices.
Still, people kept coming back. Some describe a love-hate relationship, enjoying the food and selection while wishing certain areas were tidier.
Others have returned many times over the years and found it consistently satisfactory. A few have had off days that left them disappointed.
That mix is part of the buffet’s identity. It has never been a polished showpiece, but it has stayed a familiar stop for families who want plenty of choice without a big bill.
Longevity like that is earned plate by plate, and the sushi bar is a good place to see why.
The Sushi Station Everyone Talks About
Sushi is the single most discussed item at King Buffet, and by a wide margin. No other dish comes close in how often people bring it up.
Many diners call the sushi fresh and good. Some single it out, along with the seafood, as the best part of the visit.
Not everyone agrees. A few regulars say the sushi is just okay and suggest saving stomach space for the meat dishes instead.
That split is normal for buffet sushi. It is a quick-grab option, made for sampling a few pieces rather than a sit-down sushi dinner.
The smart move is to try a small plate first. If it hits the spot, go back for more, since that is the whole point of an unlimited meal.
Timing matters too. Arriving close to opening gives you the best shot at freshly stocked trays.
Sushi may grab the headlines, but the seafood section next to it has its own following.
Seafood on Repeat
Seafood lovers get a decent lineup here. Shrimp, clams, octopus, and a whole steamed fish all make appearances.
The Szechuan shrimp gets praise from regulars, who happily pick the shrimp out of the tray. The steamed whole fish also earns approval, with one practical warning: watch for bones.
Octopus shows up often enough that people mention it regularly. Results vary, and some find it chewy.
Clams get mixed responses as well. Like any buffet, quality can swing depending on how long something has been sitting out.
Several diners name the seafood as a top reason to visit, pairing it with the sushi as the strongest part of the spread.
The best strategy is a sampler plate. Take a little of each, decide on favorites, then return for seconds.
When seafood is not your style, a different kind of station offers something made fresh just for you.
Your Bowl, Your Rules at the Mongolian Grill
Here is where the buffet gets personal. At the Mongolian grill, you pick your ingredients and a cook prepares them on the spot.
The cook at this station gets warm words for being friendly and super nice. That alone makes the line worth joining.
One detail surprises people. The station uses spaghetti-style noodles rather than lo mein or yakisoba, which some noodle fans would love to see changed.
Even so, one couple drives from Carson City specifically for this grill. That is a serious commitment to a stir-fry bowl.
Plates coming off the grill tend to catch attention from nearby tables, too. Passersby notice them and often decide to try it next time.
For anyone with food allergies, ask about sauces before the cook starts. Communication at the station has been tricky at times, so clear questions help.
The made-to-order bowl is fun, but the classic hot trays still carry most of the meal.
The Hot Trays That Fill the Plate
Behind the big three sits the real workhorse of the buffet: the classic Chinese hot line. This is where most plates get loaded.
Chow mein, egg rolls, potstickers, crab rangoon, and a range of chicken dishes all show up. Fried chicken and chicken wings earn strong praise from regulars.
Salt and pepper pork chops, broccoli beef, and a barbecue chicken skewer also have fans. Garlic bread makes a surprise appearance as well.
Flavor is where opinions split. Some say the fried rice and noodles lack punch, while others call the food well cooked and comforting.
A few also note that some items that should be hot were only warm. Freshly refilled trays tend to fix that.
Here is a handy trick: ask staff for a fresh batch of a specific dish. Regulars say the kitchen will bring one out.
Fill up on favorites, but save a corner of the plate for what comes next.
Greens, Soups, and Sweet Endings
Not every trip to the line needs to be about protein. The salad bar has earned surprising praise, with one regular calling it better than most around.
Soups get a nod too, described as comforting. They make a good starter before the heavier trays.
The bakery section is the sleeper hit. Diners recommend not skipping it, pointing to a handful of tasty treats.
Desserts overall are a small selection. Think a few solid options rather than a giant spread.
The soft serve machine is the weak spot. Some say the ice cream comes out thin and melts fast.
Fruit can be limited on certain days. If fresh fruit is a must, it may be hit or miss.
A light finish from the bakery is a solid way to close a big meal, and it leads nicely into the bigger question of what the room feels like.
A Room Built for Families
Kids, coworkers, grandparents, and hungry friends all land at the same tables here. The vibe is casual and unfussy.
Families appreciate the variety, since picky eaters can find something they like. One parent brought kids for lunch and called the buffet clean and easy to navigate.
Coworker lunches are common too. It is the kind of place someone recommends to a colleague, and the colleague comes back pleased.
Groups of friends show up for relaxed meals, where nobody has to agree on one order.
Cleanliness gets mixed marks. Many call the space clean, while others want the restrooms and seating area kept in better shape.
The best fit is anyone who values choice and a casual setting. Fine dining fans should adjust expectations.
Of course, the people behind the counter shape the visit just as much as the room does.
Staff Encounters, Good and Uneven
Service at a buffet is mostly about refills, cleared plates, and drinks. At King Buffet, experiences swing in both directions.
Plenty of diners call the staff friendly and quick, clearing tables fast and smiling along the way. The cashier and Mongolian grill cook get especially warm praise.
Others describe the service as efficient but not chatty. That suits people who just want to eat without interruption.
There are rougher stories too. Some mention missed drink orders or tipping friction at the register.
A practical tip: double-check your bill. If you already left a cash tip, mention it clearly when paying.
Patience goes a long way. Most visits land somewhere between pleasant and perfectly fine.
Service aside, timing your arrival may matter even more for how good the food turns out.
When to Show Up for the Freshest Trays
Timing is everything at a buffet. Doors open at 11 AM every day of the week.
Monday through Thursday, King Buffet closes at 9:30 PM. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it stays open until 10 PM.
Regulars have a clear message: arrive near opening for the freshest food. Late arrivals close to closing time may find trays that have been sitting.
Mid-afternoon can also work well. One diner arrived around 4 PM on a Friday and found hot food constantly being refilled.
Weekend evenings offer the longest window. They are ideal for bigger family outings.
Steer clear of the final half hour if possible. The kitchen will not restock every tray right before closing.
Once the timing is set, the next question is the bill, and that part is pleasantly reasonable.
What the Check Looks Like
Value is the strongest argument for this buffet. It ranks among the least expensive all-you-can-eat options in Reno.
One family of two adults and one child paid a little over $50 before tip. Another diner recorded about $20 for dinner with tax.
Lunch has been cheaper historically, last noted at around $10.39. Drinks are separate, so budget a bit extra.
Coupons exist, though they are modest. One offered $3 off with two adult meals and two drinks.
Most people call the price fair for the amount you can eat. A few feel it runs high for the quality on off days.
The math works best with a big appetite. Light eaters may get less bang for the buck.
With costs covered, a little game plan can make the meal even better.
The Verdict on Reno’s Long-Running Buffet
King Buffet will never win a prize for elegance. It was never trying to.
What it offers is a steady formula: sushi, seafood, a Mongolian grill, and rows of familiar Chinese dishes at a fair price. That formula has held up for more than ten years.
Go in with an open mind and realistic expectations. Regulars say that mindset leads to the best experience.
Arrive early, start with small samples, and ask for fresh batches of favorites. Do not skip the bakery or the salad bar.
Parking is easy, and the Kietzke Lane spot makes errands simple afterward.
Some days shine, and others are just okay. Families keep returning anyway.
For a casual Reno meal with endless second chances, this buffet still knows how to fill a plate and send people home planning the next trip.
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