The first week of November 2011, I ventured into the
Osaka Grill Buffet. A Chinese, Japanese, American, multi-Cultural Buffet and Hibachi Grill Restaurant.
I'm usually wary of Asian Buffets, because most tend to have lax policies on the food and the Sushi and Sashimi tend also to be suspect.
Yet in my Lunchtime vigor...I was impressed.
It has a modest store front, that is so small you might miss it if you are not paying attention since it shares the same building, door front and Awning as the Goodwill store that it is nestled right next to.
When you enter, in the front entrance you have an almost out of place stone fountain but it is nice to look at. Through the inner doors you come face to face with a Samurai outfit in a Case, however that seems to be the extent of Japanese decorum found since the majority of it is Chinese in origin.
Once inside like the majority of Buffets, you pay first, but for a lunch special of $6.99 and a dinner of $9.99 per person, it isn't bad at all for the pocket book; however they do cut into your dollar for the drink, which is around $2 and some change.
First impressions are deceptive as to the size of this place. Taking up 1/4 of the Goodwill Building it is quite large and roomy , with open and private seating areas. My first impression was one of "Wow", since it had such a small nondescript front entrance.
The owner Curt Wong, seems to be a very hard working Man, Usually found over at the Hibachi Grill, and it is always good to see the curator of your food enjoying their work!
Like most good Asian Buffets, the food is not top par as you'd find at a good Asian Restaurant, but it was spectacular compared to the slew of Asian buffets in the area.
Presentation is well done and the food areas where very well kept and clean.
My first food trip was to the Sushi bar, and although most of their Sushi and Sashimi was [California Roll], (Rice on the outside), they were all made fresh and kept at the proper temperature.
The Sushi Chef was nice and willing to tell you what was out in the display, though they get negative points for not labeling each sushi section. (Not a hard thing to have pre-made labels that you can switch in and out each day for the types of Sushi you are making) Just because your Chef can speak English... does not mean I or anyone else can understand them when they are speaking through very heavy accents.
Although many reviews had this place with very bad to mediocre food, I was really impressed with the Sushi and Sashimi, as well as the broad selection and taste of those selections of food!
Japanese and Chinese Hot foods, soups, even some American style presence such as Pizza, and some other items that I failed to try.
Their desert bar was well stocked and consisted not only of cakes, gelatin type items and other sweet delicacy's, the also had a good selection of fruits to comb over, which appealed to me over the sugary wasteland.
If you are a Vegetarian or Vegan, they have a large selection of foods that will appeal to your tastes as well. However I do not know exactly how some of those are cooked or if they ever come in contact with any meats.
My server, (who looked Chinese-American; though I could be wrong), was named Lily and not only was she a very good hostess for our table, she was on top of things and was quite beautiful to boot!
All in all it was a wonderful experience and if you are looking for an all you can eat Asian experience this is something to definitely check out.
I returned this 4th week of November and had just as good an experience, although the server I had was not as on the ball although the Staff was still very nice and friendly.
R. William Holzkopf Jr.
Sources:
1)
http://www.osakagrillsupremebuffet.com/
2)
http://bolingbrook.patch.com/articles/osaka-grill-and-supreme-buffet-celebrates-grand-opening
3)
http://bolingbrook.patch.com/articles/the-friday-food-critic-osaka-grill-supreme-buffet
4)
http://bolingbrook.patch.com/listings/osaka-grill-supreme-buffet
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