Mandarin Restaurant – St. Catharines

Absolutely a great restaurant to have a special night at.

Been there numerous times. I find it is very greasy for a buffet. China Emerald buffet is a lot better

I have been to Mandarin several times, and at this point I feel no reason to return, having given it a fair shake. Quite a few of their dishes are fried, or battered and fried, I don’t find the prices competitive, and the vegetarian options are limited. There are much better buffets.

the Mandarin is one of my favourite restaurants ever. One thing i must mention is that the variety at this location seems to be more diverse than the Niagara Falls location. Only drawback was during our recent visit the lobster was hard to get a hold of as it was disappearing almost as fast as they could prepare it.

In my old age, health restrictions have forced me to watch my sweet tooth (with an eye tooth?), so I do not eat meals at Mandarin as often as I used to visit. Nevertheless, when I do treat myself, you really cannot do better than the overall value and sterling service provided at Mandarin.
Even though it is not my favorite Chinese restaurant (another has dishes that are prepared exactly as I want), Mandarin is my favorite in terms of buffet and overall choices.
First timers need to know the ins-​and-​outs of eating at a buffet. The more expensive food like the hand carved roast beef is at the end, while the lesser expensive items like pastas and pizzas, are near the beginning. So survey the offerings, then go and get your plate.
I always seem to end up with a dog’s breakfast which might be, for example, General Tso’s chicken, cole slaw, pasta with red sauce, a slice of roast beef, some pizza, etc. The desserts are quite excellent and the selection absolutely vast.
And for the juvenile humor crowd, you are not forgotten. You can laugh at the Canadian term for chicken nuggets: «chicken balls». I don’t think it is funny, but I am sure many get amusement at this nomenclature. Oh slang and limited intellect, where would the world be without thee?
BUT, where Mandarin wipes the floor with competitors is service. If I were wealthy and arrogant enough to employ servants, anyone with waitstaff experience here would be offered employment immediately. The staff is friendly yet not imposing, polite, efficient, competent, and seem genuinely happy. To be treated like this is very enjoyable, and I make sure I show my gratitude in a large tip.
If you want to save a little bit, go on a weekday before the official dinner time that begins in the late afternoon. Essentially, you get the same selection of food (minus maybe crab legs or other relatively expensive seafood, but it is about 30% less the cost.) You can use the savings to reward your new friend on the wait staff.

I love the food and having the many, many choices to choose from. Plus the staff is nice and helpful too. I also like how clean the bathroom is and how they keep the areas clean of spills. I can’t wait to go back again.

I love Mandarin Buffet restuarants in Ontario, and go once or twice a month. Each location does things their own way so, although the dishes are similar, the taste and quality can vary from restaurant to restaurant. In all cases, the quality is reasonably good. But overall, the St. Catherines Mandarin is a little better than some of the others I have been to.
This restuarant also appears to be one of the best kept secrets in St. Catherines, because it has never been busy during the 4 or 5 times that we have been to that particular location. I know this is usually a sign that a restaurant isn’t very good, but in this case, I think people just don’t know what they’re missing. But St. Catherines has always been a little odd when it comes to brick & morter establishments. Despite the size of the city, I’ve seen perfectly decent locations of shopping centers go under due to lack of patronage from the locals. Anyway, all the more for us!
The crab legs are the best out of all Mandarin locations I have been to (6). As are the chocolate chip cookies (I know — it’s just a cookie — but I always like to have one). The roast beef was not great during our last visit, but that is ALWAYS hit or miss at ANY location. This location uses less garlic than some other locations (which, for me, is a good thing).
The staff here are more social on a broader scale. I know… they are friendly at ALL locations. But that usually doesn’t apply to the busy bee staff who stock the buffet tables. But not at this location. Here, EVERYBODY is friendly.

Have gone to multiple Mandarins all are good. Friendly staff hot fresh food.

Who cares if the food at Mandarin isn’t authentic Chinese? It’s delicious. I find that you get what you pay for with this chain. I haven’t been to this location a lot, but it always has great food and even better service.

I have to say, I love this restaurant.
Everything I’ve tried here is tasty. Everytime I’ve been here, too.
This place makes me like sushi, although I stick to the vegetable and chicken kinds. What can I say? I’m not too big on fish and I am not hardcore enough to try it. –smirk–
My other favourites are the Salad Bar, Croissants, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Roast Beef, Seafood Nicoise (when they have it), the aforementioned sushi, brownies, cheesecake, chocolate dipped strawberries and their rice pudding.
Soooo tasty.
What I love is how it always tastes exactly the same. –heart–
I don’t like suprises.
Service itself though, is a bit hit-​or-​miss.
Sometimes you can’t get rid of the serviers and sometimes they take forever to bring you a simple glass of water.
And don’t ever ask for a glass of water with no lemon.
Not.Happening. :P
PROS
–srsly awesome food selection
–food always tastes the same
–reasonable price considering what’s being served
–clean
–nice décor
–lots of different pries to win, and promos
CONS
–speed of service is inconsistent