Some parking lots tell a story before anyone goes inside, and one lot on the south side of Racine is often packed. People drive in for crab legs at dinner, a sushi bar, and a hibachi station where cooks make plates to order.
There is also a dessert corner that rolls ice cream in a cup. Lunch costs about eleven dollars, so plenty of families make it a habit.
The place is not perfect, and some honest warnings are part of this story too. Keep reading to learn when to go, what to expect, and how to get the most out of every return trip to the line.
A Big Buffet on Durand Avenue
Asian Buffet sits at 3701 Durand Ave, Racine, WI 53405, in southeastern Wisconsin. It is a casual, all-you-can-eat restaurant that draws a steady crowd from around the area.
The menu is wide on purpose. Chinese dishes share space with sushi, pizza, American comfort plates, and a long run of desserts.
Durand Avenue is a busy commercial road, which makes the restaurant easy to spot. Many first-timers say they stopped simply because the parking lot was full, and that turned out to be a decent clue.
The building is large and the dining room holds a lot of people. Church groups, birthday crowds, and big families can usually find room without much fuss.
The appeal is simple. One price at the door covers repeat trips to the line, and drinks are included too.
That means nobody has to choose between the hibachi station and the crab legs. Plates can go back as many times as appetites allow, and the staff clears empty ones quickly so the next round can begin.
Before the food, though, there is something at the entrance worth a closer look.
Turtles, Koi and a Fountain at the Door
Kids often stop in their tracks before they reach the cashier. A large fountain greets guests at the entrance, and it comes with fish and turtles.
The koi pond is a real crowd favorite. Grandparents bring grandchildren to watch the turtles, and the little ones tend to linger there longer than at the dessert table.
The decor in general gets plenty of praise. Many guests describe the dining room as a beautiful space, which is not always a given at a budget buffet.
The fountain also sets the tone. It signals that the owners put effort into the look of the place, not just the steam tables.
For families, it works as a built-in break. A child who finishes early can make a quick trip to say hello to the turtles while the adults go back for one more plate.
Good luck pulling some kids away from that pond, though. It may take a promise of ice cream to get them moving.
The Great Crab Leg Chase
Ask locals why they come, and crab legs top the list. They are the most talked-about item at the restaurant by a wide margin.
Here is the key detail. Crab legs are part of the dinner buffet, which sets this spot apart from several other buffets in the area.
They do not last long, either. Trays tend to empty fast once they come out, and grabbing the bigger pieces can turn into a friendly contest.
A little strategy helps. Staying near the seafood section around refill time gives a better shot at a full plate.
The seafood lineup goes beyond crab. Shrimp, crawfish, calamari, fried fish, and raw oysters also appear, though the oysters get mixed marks for freshness.
Dinner pricing applies when crab legs are out, so plan the visit around that. In July 2025, dinner and weekends were listed at $16.99 per person.
For true crab fans, that math tends to work out nicely. Just bring patience and maybe a few extra napkins.
Sushi Bar Notes
Rolls stacked in neat rows make the sushi bar an easy stop on any lap. It is one of the features people mention most after the crab legs.
Plenty of guests call the sushi pretty good and plan return trips to try more of it. For a budget buffet, having a dedicated sushi section is a strong draw.
Opinions are not all glowing. Some find the rice on the dry side, so timing matters.
Fresh trays come out regularly during busy hours. Showing up when the dining room is lively usually means the sushi has not been sitting long.
The sushi bar works well as a starter. A small plate of rolls leaves plenty of room for hibachi and seafood later.
It also suits groups with mixed tastes. One person can load up on sushi while another sticks to noodles and fried chicken, and nobody has to compromise.
Consider it a sampler, not a fine sushi counter. On that level, it rolls with the best of the buffet.
Fire Up the Hibachi Station
Here is the station that turns a buffet into something closer to a custom meal. Guests pick raw ingredients, hand them over, and a cook prepares the plate on the grill.
Families have made the hibachi area their regular spot for years. Many describe it as a reason to keep coming back.
The station stays open into the evening. Even later visits have found the grill running.
A practical note for anyone with a food allergy. In the past, hibachi cooks have cleaned the grill on request to avoid cross-contact, but at least one recent visit went poorly with a new cook.
It is wise to speak up clearly and confirm the grill is cleaned before cooking. If anything seems off, asking for a manager is reasonable.
For everyone else, the hibachi line is a fun stop. Stir fry made on the spot tends to come out hotter than food from the steam tables.
That alone makes it a smart move for anyone who likes their plate fresh off the flat top.
Beyond the Seafood Line
Not everyone comes for crab, and that is fine. The rest of the buffet covers a lot of ground.
Chinese favorites lead the way. Beef and broccoli, Singapore noodles, and crab rangoon are popular picks, along with rice, soup, and plenty of chicken, beef, and pork dishes.
Plantains make an appearance, which surprises some first-timers. Pizza and other American options sit nearby for picky eaters.
There is also a salad bar and a fruit bar. The salad selection gets mixed comments, so it may not be the main event.
Variety is the clear strength here. Few guests manage to try everything in one sitting unless they are really committed.
Flavor gets debated. Some love the food, while others find many dishes mild, so a plate of small samples is a smart first lap.
Find the favorites, then go back for seconds of those. That approach keeps the visit fun and the plates manageable.
Rolled Ice Cream and the Sweet Finish
Saving room for dessert is not optional at this buffet. A special station serves rolled ice cream in a cup with a choice of toppings.
That station arrived after the pandemic, and it quickly became a hit. Kids especially enjoy watching it come together.
There is more on the sweet side. A sundae station, several ice cream flavors, cakes, cookies, pudding, and gelatin in different colors fill the dessert area.
The fruit bar offers a lighter option. It is a nice balance after a round of fried dishes.
One small heads-up. Some guests have noticed kids reaching into ice cream areas, so a quick check before scooping is not a bad idea.
The rolled ice cream station stays open into the evening. Late diners can still end on a sweet note.
For many families, this corner is the grand finale. It is hard to leave grumpy after a cup of rolled ice cream.
Drinks Included, Self-Serve Style
Few things please a buffet crowd like a drink that does not show up on the bill. At this restaurant, beverages come with the meal price.
Everything is self-serve. Guests fill their own cups at the drink station.
The choices are broad. Soda from Pepsi and Coca-Cola lines, water, lemonade, coffee, horchata, milk, and cappuccino-style drinks have all been offered.
The cappuccino machine is the convenience-store kind, so set expectations accordingly. Still, it is a fun extra for coffee fans.
Included drinks make a real difference for families. A table of five can save a nice chunk compared with buffets that charge separately.
Staff also move quickly to clear empty cups and plates. That keeps tables tidy during long meals.
A full cup and a clear table set the stage for round two. Then it is back to the line.
Who Feels at Home Here
Big groups are the bread and butter of this dining room. The space is huge and can handle church gatherings, family reunions, and birthday crowds.
Families with kids fit right in. The fountain, the ice cream, and the pizza make it easy to please young eaters.
That also means it can get loud. Busy times bring noise and some running children, so quiet date nights may be better elsewhere.
Budget diners are another core audience. Many guests call it one of the best values around for an all-you-can-eat meal.
The staff earns frequent praise. Friendly, prompt, and attentive are words that come up often, even from guests who were not thrilled with the food.
Not every encounter has been smooth, and a few recent visits included billing disputes. Checking the price at the register before sitting down can avoid confusion.
Overall, it suits people who value variety and value over polish. Hungry crowds tend to leave happy.
Honest Talk on Cleanliness and Temperature
Every fair feature needs a reality check, and this buffet has a few rough edges. Cleanliness comes up often, in both directions.
Some guests find the dining room very clean. Others mention sticky tables and restrooms that need more attention, including missing paper towels.
Food temperature is another sore spot. Several recent visits found dishes lukewarm, especially later in the day.
Recent comments have also flagged food safety concerns. It is fair to look over dishes carefully and alert staff if something seems wrong.
The good news is that staff will refill items when asked. Speaking up usually gets a fresh tray.
Timing helps a lot here. Busy periods mean faster turnover, which keeps food hotter and newer.
Go in with eyes open, and the visit tends to go better. A little awareness is the best side dish.
Hours, Prices and Parking
Good news for flexible schedules. The restaurant opens every day of the week from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm.
Prices shift between lunch and dinner. In July 2025, lunch was $10.99, while dinner and weekends were $16.99 per person.
Prices have gone up over time, so confirm at the register. Crab legs come with the dinner price, which is a big part of its appeal.
Timing matters as much as the menu. Arriving near the end of lunch or after 7:30 pm can mean food that has been sitting, and cleaning may start around 8 pm.
Earlier dinner visits tend to work best. More traffic means more frequent refills.
Parking is rarely a worry. The lot is large, and guests often mention that finding a spot is easy.
Durand Avenue makes the drive simple from most parts of Racine. Plan the arrival, and the rest falls into place.
Worth the Trip for the Right Appetite
So, is the crab leg chase worth it? For many Racine families, the answer has been yes for years.
The strengths are clear. Crab legs at dinner, a sushi bar, a hibachi grill, rolled ice cream, included drinks, and a dining room big enough for any group.
The weak spots are real too. Food temperature, cleanliness, and flavor depend heavily on timing and luck.
The smart plan is simple. Come at a busy dinner hour, start with small samples, and head to the hibachi station for something cooked fresh.
Speak up about allergies and ask for refills when needed. Most staff respond with a friendly attitude.
Stop by the turtles on the way out. It is a nice way to close the meal.
A buffet like this rewards a little strategy. Bring a hearty appetite and a game plan, and the plate may just crack open a new favorite.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.