Isabel P.
Yelp
Location just opened 11/9/22. Juicy seafood replaced Cafe East, located at the corner of Hwy6 and Dulles. The set up is practically the same. The pricing is pretty fair for the options. Came early on a Saturday Evening and wasn't busy at all. Started to do up the dinner crowd about 630-7pm when we left. They still have that private back room with a large screen. Looked like it was being used for karaoke at one point.
Here's a rundown of what I can recall from what was served on our Saturday dinner:
Seafood options:
- Baked Mussels
- Steamed Clams
- Shrimp prepared in multiple ways [black pepper, fried, buttered shrimp, popcorn shrimp]. Only thing missing was cocktail shrimp.
- Fried prawns
- Fried Fish
- Crawfish with a mix of shrimp and Mussels
- Soft shell crab
- Steamed fish
- Vermicelli and Scallops [my favorite]
- Fried squid
Other hot bar items: typical of a Chinese buffet
- Lo Mein
- Fried Rice
- Beef and Broccoli
- Sautéed chicken
- Chinese Egg roll
- Fried Chicken
- Potato Wedges
- Fried Corn poppers
- Fried Sweet Bread [kids were a fan]
- Texas Toast
- Crab Rangoon
- Steamed veggies
Dim Sum Bar
- Chicken Feet
- Banh bao [BBQ pork bun]
- Steamed Pork Ribs
- Sticky Rice in Banana Leaf
- Chinese Broccoli
Soups
- Seafood Soup (same texture of the crab Maw Soup)
- Hot and Sour Soup
Sushi Bar
- Various Rolls: mostly traditional
- Sashimi: Salmon, Yellowtail
- Sushi: Eel, Tuna
- Edemame
- Seaweed Salad
Salad/ fruit Bar
- Lettuce, dressings [ranch and Italian]
- Random toppings: cheese, raisins, bacon, egg, and I think chicken cubes(?)
- Kim Chi
- Tomato, Cucumber, Red onion vinaigrette salad
Dessert
- Chocolate Cake
- Strawberry pudding
- Jello
- Fruits: oranges and honey dew. Also had pineapple and peaches but definitely came from a can.
- Individualized Ice cream cups: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry sundae, Chocolate sundae
When we walked in, the hostess wasn't very welcoming. I don't think she even said anything to us. I just asked if we needed to check in with her or just seat ourselves. She just nodded and I told her our party. She sat us in a booth. The chairs felt new as they were quite firm. The hostess also asked what we'd like to drink without really informing us of any options so I just defaulted to sweet tea and waters. Btw, the water tastes straight up unfiltered tap. We made sure our kids drank from their water we brought from home. Our waitress was attentive to clean off used and finished plates. She even checked if I wanted a refill on my drink.
Overall pretty decent and my kids enjoyed the options. I remember my parents taking us to Cafe East often with other family when I was young. Not many, if any, Chinese buffet options in the Sugar Land/Missouri City area so I'm sure it will do just fine. Nothing crazy spectacular about the place. Just the typical Asian buffet.
Some suggestions I hope they would consider is to have extra silverware or utensils for guests to grab if desired. There were no Soup spoons readily available. Also would have liked to get new utensils at times without hunting down the wait staff. There wasn't any plain white rice available that I noticed. I did note a little concern that seafood can get messy and eating with your hands. Seeing other guests dig into their crawfish, crab, and peeling shrimp then licking their fingers. I was just thinking how people would return to the bar with filthy or not properly cleaned hands and touching the shared tongs to get more food. So I'd recommend to bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes. Or they could provide wipes at the table. Or providing gloves we can use to eat our seafood.
Though they just opened, I do hope they add to their offerings of something unique. Probably more dependent on the season but like having dungeons crab or lobster (crab legs when available). Even if it's only 1 per person in the price.
On our exit, another guest entering did ask how it was and if we'd return. We did happily say yes.