East Coast Sushi Buffet Offers Incredible Variety, Value during Grand Opening Month
Florida Times Union - Dining Guide (January 15, 2010)
Located just minutes from downtown, on the north side of Regency Square Mall, East Coast Sushi Buffet is attracting quite a following only three weeks after opening for business - in large part because every menu item imaginable is available during its lunch and dinner buffets.
And in January, it's is a good time to sample the delectable dishes. The lunch buffet, offered seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is only $6.99 a person - and customers who bring in their Grand Opening Coupon will get another 20 percent off the price.
“It's a great deal and it's been very well received so far,” says owner Kamun Chan, who is a partner in the restaurant with his brother, Kabun Chan. “I hope more people will come in and try us out. We offer a tremendous value at lunch or dinner. I think that value, along with the variety of food they have to choose from, will keep our customers coming back for more.”
Chan says there are more than 150 items, served fresh and piping hot from five large stainless steel steam tables, at any given time. And whether you're looking for Asian delicacies or American fare, you'll find it.
On the seafood spectrum, you'll find shrimp of all types (fried, boiled, broiled and stuffed), large succulent crab legs, baked crab meat, baked salmon, and steamed mussels. Or you can sample a variety of the most popular styles of sushi, from the traditional California Roll to Dragon Roll, and watch as the chef prepares your favorites from a center island Sushi Bar.
More traditional American-style entrées include pork loin, roast beef, pepper steak, barbeque, chicken wings and chicken strips, side items like French Fries, mashed potatoes with gravy, an assortment of steamed veggies from green beans, corn and cabbage to several varieties of salads.
Along with sushi, you'll find an array of Asian items - sesame chicken, lo mein, egg rolls, vegetable and sushi tempura, and an assortment of soups including wonton, dim dim, hot sour and egg-drop.
And if you don't find what you're looking for at the buffet tables, they have a hibachi chef who can help you select a steak and sauce and cook up your beef choice fresh while you fill the rest of your plate.
After the main course, you'll have a hard time avoiding the buffet stand dedicated to desserts - featuring assorted puddings and pies to fresh cut bananas dripped in a homemade sweet sauce, along with ice creams, too.
Chan says during the evening buffet, priced at $10.99, they focus on fancier fare. Chan says diners will still find a range of choices whether they are in the mood for American, Italian, Chinese and or Japanese fare - or a combination of all - and the sushi bar and hibachi grill are always open
Either way, when you visit East Coast Sushi Buffet, bring your appetite.
The restaurant is large roomy, with tables and booths, and a seating capacity of 300 that can easily handle large families and groups. It also has two separate private dining areas available for reservation with no additional room charge.
In addition to restaurant dining, East Coast Sushi Buffet offers on-site catering for office parties and other private events, and accepts take-out orders for lunch or dinner.
Along with their grand opening special through the end of the month, seniors always receive a 10 percent discount.
In the restaurant industry for thirty years, Chan initially emigrated from Hong Kong to San Francisco, where he managed and operated restaurants before moving east.
The Chan brothers opened a similar restaurant in Brooksville, Florida, a suburban community north of Tampa, two years ago, where they've achieved a successful following. The Chan brothers have been eyeing Jacksonville for a restaurant and actually purchased the vacant property on Regency Square Boulevard (adjacent to Lowe's Home Improvement Store near Monument Road) more than a year ago introducing their buffet-style restaurant to town.
Based on the initial response to East Coast Sushi Buffet near Regency, chances are good they'll repeat that achievement on Florida's east coast.
East Coast Sushi Buffet is located at 9569 Regency Square Blvd. The restaurant's hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. For more information, contact 904-726-9888.