This No-Frills Connecticut Seafood Buffet Knows Crab Inside And Out

I never thought a random Tuesday craving would lead me to one of Connecticut’s best kept secrets.

Imperial China Buffet, tucked away at 615 Straits Turnpike in Watertown, CT 06795, became my go to spot.

The place doesn’t try to impress with fancy decor or pretentious menus, just honest food done right.

What keeps me coming back is their incredible understanding of how seafood, especially crab, should taste.

Steamed Snow Crab Legs That Speak For Themselves

Walking up to the buffet line, my eyes immediately locked onto the mountain of snow crab legs.

These weren’t the sad, overcooked specimens you find at some buffets gathering dust under heat lamps.

Imperial China Buffet steams their crab legs simply, letting the natural sweetness shine through without interference.

No heavy seasonings or butter baths mask the delicate flavor here, just pure crab perfection.

Each leg cracked open easily, revealing tender white meat that tasted like the ocean itself.

I watched other diners pile their plates high, returning multiple times for more of these beauties.

The restaurant clearly understands what Long Island Sound locals have known forever: good crab needs nothing fancy.

Just proper steaming and freshness make all the difference in the world.

After my third plate, I understood why people drive from neighboring towns just for this.

Location That Makes Finding It A Breeze

Finding Imperial China Buffet proved easier than locating most hidden gem restaurants I’ve visited before.

Straits Turnpike runs right through Watertown, making it accessible from pretty much anywhere in the area.

The building sits clearly visible from the road, with ample parking spaces that never seem full.

I appreciated not having to circle endlessly looking for a spot like at downtown restaurants.

The location feels convenient without being stuck in a chaotic shopping center or tourist trap.

Neighboring businesses and easy highway access make it perfect for a quick lunch or family dinner.

Even first-time visitors won’t struggle with confusing directions or unclear entrance points here.

The straightforward setup reflects the restaurant’s overall no-nonsense approach to everything they do.

Accessibility matters, and this place nails it without trying to be something it’s not at all.

Peel And Eat Shrimp Worth Getting Your Hands Dirty

Right next to the crab legs sat another seafood treasure that caught my immediate attention.

The peel and eat shrimp glistened under the buffet lights, perfectly cooked to that ideal texture.

Not rubbery, not mushy, just that satisfying snap when you bite through the firm flesh.

I grabbed a generous portion, not caring about the slight mess peeling them would create.

Each shrimp tasted clean and fresh, without that fishy smell that signals something’s gone wrong.

The kitchen clearly knows the fine line between undercooked and overdone with these delicate crustaceans.

Some diners dipped theirs in cocktail sauce, but I preferred them naked to taste everything.

The natural sweetness reminded me why simple preparation often beats fancy sauces and complicated recipes.

By the time I finished, I had a small pile of shells and zero regrets.

Hibachi Grill Where You Control The Show

Customization makes any meal better, and the hibachi station delivers exactly that kind of freedom.

Raw ingredients lined up neatly, waiting for diners to create their perfect stir fry combination.

I loaded my bowl with broccoli, peppers, chicken, and noodles before handing it to the chef.

Watching the food sizzle and pop on the hot grill added entertainment to the dining experience.

The chef worked efficiently, tossing ingredients with practiced ease that comes from doing this daily.

Within minutes, my custom creation arrived steaming hot with that signature wok flavor throughout.

This station gives picky eaters and adventurous types alike exactly what they want from their meal.

No preset combinations or mystery sauces, just straightforward cooking with ingredients you personally selected.

I went back twice more, trying different combinations each time with equally delicious results every round.

Sushi Bar That Surprises Skeptics

Sushi at a Chinese buffet might sound questionable to some food snobs out there.

I’ll admit my expectations weren’t sky high when I approached the sushi section initially.

But the rolls looked fresh, properly formed, and way better than I anticipated finding here.

California rolls, spicy tuna, and several other varieties sat arranged neatly on chilled trays.

The rice held together without being mushy or falling apart when picked up with chopsticks.

Fish tasted clean without any off flavors that would signal it had sat around too long.

Obviously this isn’t a dedicated sushi restaurant with omakase options and premium cuts of fish.

But for a buffet offering, it exceeded what most places manage to pull off successfully.

I grabbed a few pieces between my crab leg missions, pleasantly surprised each time.

Family Friendly Atmosphere Without The Chaos

Some family restaurants feel like barely controlled chaos with screaming kids and stressed parents everywhere.

Imperial China Buffet manages to welcome families without descending into that particular kind of madness.

The dining room feels spacious enough that tables don’t crowd together uncomfortably close to neighbors.

I noticed several families with young children during my visit, all seeming relaxed and happy.

The buffet setup makes feeding picky kids easier since everyone finds something they’ll actually eat.

No arguing over menu choices or sending food back to the kitchen for modifications needed.

Staff members seemed patient with the younger diners, never rushing anyone or acting annoyed by questions.

The casual atmosphere means parents can relax instead of worrying about perfect table manners constantly.

Even solo diners like me felt comfortable, not awkward or out of place among the groups.

Freshness And Variety Across Multiple Stations

Nothing kills a buffet experience faster than dried-out food sitting under heat lamps forever.

Staff here constantly monitor the stations, replacing trays before things get crusty or unappetizing looking.

I watched them swap out nearly empty dishes with fresh ones throughout my entire meal.

The variety impressed me more than I expected from a suburban Connecticut buffet restaurant.

Traditional Chinese dishes, American favorites, seafood options, and Japanese items all coexist peacefully here.

Each station maintained its own identity instead of everything tasting vaguely similar, like some places.

Hot foods stayed hot, cold items remained properly chilled, and nothing seemed neglected or forgotten.

This attention to detail separates decent buffets from ones you regret visiting almost immediately after.

Even near closing time, the food looked fresh enough that I’d happily fill another plate.

Operating Hours That Fit Real Life Schedules

Restaurant hours can make or break whether you actually get to visit a place.

Imperial China Buffet opens late morning and runs through the evening on most days of the week.

The schedule accommodates both lunch crowds and dinner diners without weird gaps in between service.

They close Tuesdays, which seems common for many Asian restaurants, giving staff a break.

Weekend hours extend slightly later, perfect for families wanting a relaxed Saturday or Sunday meal.

I appreciated knowing exactly when they’re open without consulting multiple sources for conflicting information online.

The consistency means you can plan visits without worrying about surprise closures or shortened hours.

Late afternoon visits work great if you want to avoid peak lunch or dinner rushes.

Reliable hours from a restaurant show respect for customers’ time and planning efforts always appreciated.

Takeout Options For Home Dining Convenience

Sometimes you crave buffet variety but don’t want to sit in a restaurant for an hour.

The takeout option solves this perfectly, letting you fill containers with whatever you want from stations.

I’ve grabbed takeout several times when cooking at home felt like too much work after long days.

The system works simply: grab containers, fill them up, and pay by weight or container size.

You get the same access to all the buffet items as dine-in customers enjoy.

No separate takeout menu with limited options or different pricing that feels like a ripoff.

Food travels well in the containers, arriving home still hot and ready to eat immediately.

This flexibility makes the restaurant useful for more situations than just traditional sit-down meals.

Even those crab legs work for takeout if you don’t mind cracking them at your table.

Pricing That Doesn’t Punish Your Wallet

Quality seafood usually comes with a hefty price tag that makes you think twice before ordering.

Imperial China Buffet breaks that rule with dinner pricing under twenty dollars for adults eating everything.

Kids under eleven pay even less, making family outings actually affordable instead of budget-breaking.

For what you get, especially those endless crab legs, the value feels almost too good.

I’ve paid more at mediocre chain restaurants for a single entree with no variety whatsoever.

Here, you sample dozens of dishes, go back for seconds or thirds, and leave satisfied.

The lunch buffet costs even less if you visit during earlier hours on weekdays.

No hidden fees or mandatory gratuities get added to surprise you when the check arrives.

Honest pricing for honest food makes this place a regular stop instead of a special occasion splurge.

Accessibility Features That Welcome Everyone

Too many restaurants overlook accessibility, making dining difficult for people with mobility challenges or disabilities.

Imperial China Buffet provides wheelchair accessible entrances and plenty of parking spaces near the door.

The dining room layout allows easy navigation between tables without tight squeezes or awkward obstacles.

Buffet stations sit at heights that work for most people regardless of their physical situation.

I noticed staff members ready to help anyone who needed assistance reaching items or carrying plates.

These considerations matter tremendously to families with elderly members or disabled loved ones joining meals.

Restrooms also accommodate wheelchairs, showing thoughtfulness throughout the entire space and facility design.

Universal design principles benefit everyone, not just those who specifically need accommodation features built in.

Restaurants that get this right earn loyalty from customers who often struggle to find welcoming dining options.