On Mother’s Day in Grand Rapids, one buffet had a line so long that some families wondered if they would ever get a table. They waited anyway.
The reason is simple: a room packed with sushi rolls, crawfish, a salad bar, soft serve, and a hibachi station where you pick your own ingredients and hand them to the cook. Kids find something they like, grown-ups find something new, and nobody has to agree on one menu.
This spot sits on one of the busiest shopping roads in West Michigan, and it has built a loyal crowd over many years. In the sections ahead, you will learn where it is, what to grab first, when to go, what it costs, and a few honest tips that can make your trip smoother.
A Big Buffet on 28th Street
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Fuji Buffet and Grill sits at 4605 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, along one of the main commercial corridors on the city’s southeast side. The street is lined with shops and restaurants, so it is an easy stop during a day of errands.
The restaurant is a buffet in the full sense of the word. Its spread covers Chinese, Japanese, and American dishes, with sushi rolls, a seafood section, a salad bar, desserts, and a grilled-to-order hibachi station.
Size is a big part of its identity. Fans sometimes call it the largest buffet in Grand Rapids, and the dining area is roomy enough to handle families, groups, and weekend crowds.
The place has also been around long enough to collect a long history with locals. Thousands of diners have shared their thoughts online, and the overall score lands at a solid four stars.
That number tells a fair story. Plenty of people return again and again, while others have had rougher visits, which later sections cover honestly.
For now, the short version is this: it is a large, busy, family-focused buffet with a lot of choice under one roof, and the parking lot is usually a good hint at how popular it is.
From $7.99 Days to Today
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Some regulars can remember the very first week the doors opened. Back then, the buffet cost just $7.99, a price that now feels like a page from an old menu.
Times changed, and so did the bill. A longtime guest who returned after several years found the price at $14.99, and shrugged it off as a sign of the times.
What stood out more was the improvement. The food came out hot, the bins kept getting refilled, and the return trip felt worth it after a long break.
That kind of loyalty shows up again and again. Some families say they have eaten here for years, and others come for brunch and dinner as a regular habit.
Longevity matters for a buffet. Running a huge spread every day takes steady staffing and constant cooking, and keeping that going over many years is no small task.
The restaurant has had its ups and downs, like any busy place. Still, the fact that people who knew it at the start keep coming back says something about its staying power on 28th Street.
The Sushi Bar Everyone Talks About
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Sushi is the single most talked-about item at this buffet, and by a wide margin. It comes up far more than anything else when diners describe their meals.
The selection is large. Trays hold California rolls, nigiri, and a range of other rolls, with wasabi nearby for anyone who likes a kick.
Many guests point out that the sushi seems fresh for a buffet setting. Even people who were lukewarm on other dishes have called the sushi counter nice and fresh-looking.
That is a big deal for families. Kids who are curious about sushi can try a single piece without anyone ordering a whole roll, and adults can load up on favorites.
It is also a good starting point for a first plate. Grab a few pieces early, then come back later when the trays get refreshed.
Not every past visit was perfect, and some older comments mentioned freshness concerns. More recent visits lean much more positive, so the sushi bar remains the headliner that draws many people through the door in the first place.
Build-Your-Own Hibachi
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Here is where diners get to play chef without doing the cooking. At the hibachi station, you pick your own raw ingredients and a cook grills them to order.
Shrimp, chicken, and vegetables are common choices. Guests pile their plates the way they like, hand them over, and wait while the cook works the flat-top grill.
Some cooks bring a bit of showmanship to the job. Flames and friendly banter can turn a simple wait into part of the fun, especially for kids watching from the counter.
The station is one of the most mentioned features of the whole restaurant. Families like it because picky eaters can skip what they dislike and build a plate that suits them.
A small tip helps here. Start with a modest plate, since you can always go back for round two once you know how you like it.
One fair note: the raw meat sits out in open view at the counter, which some guests do not love seeing. For most, though, a custom stir-fry cooked right in front of them is the highlight of the visit.
Crawfish and the Seafood Section
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Crawfish might be the surprise star for many first-timers. It is one of the most mentioned items at this buffet, right behind sushi and hibachi.
The seafood section goes beyond that. Diners mention crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and salt-and-pepper crabs that keep people going back for one more round.
First-time guests have described the seafood selection as decent and better than they expected from a Chinese buffet. It is a reason some families choose this spot for celebrations.
For kids, crawfish can be a fun hands-on food. Grown-ups may need to help younger ones peel them, and a stack of napkins is a smart idea.
Timing can matter with seafood. Trays tend to get refreshed often during busy hours, so peak times can mean more turnover at this part of the buffet.
Not every seafood item wins every time, and one family found the shrimp too hard on their visit. Still, the seafood corner is a big part of why so many West Michigan families make the drive to 28th Street.
Comfort Classics and a Salad Bar
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Not everyone comes for raw fish or crawfish. Plenty of guests head straight for the familiar Chinese buffet favorites, and this place keeps a deep lineup of them.
Bourbon chicken, crab rangoon, and peanut butter chicken all come up when diners talk about their plates. General Tso’s chicken has its fans too, along with fish and dumplings that some call the best bites of their meal.
American options round things out for picky eaters. Fries and other kid-friendly choices sit alongside the Asian dishes.
A full salad bar is part of the spread as well. That gives lighter eaters, or parents trying to sneak a vegetable onto a plate, some easy choices.
Fresh fruit is also available. For one family, the fruit was the best thing they ate, which shows how wide the range of tastes can be.
Quality on the steam tables can vary, and some dishes can sit too long and dry out. Many diners say staff keep the trays full and swap in new food often, so a quick look before scooping is a good habit.
Save Room for Soft Serve
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Kids often know exactly where the soft serve machine is before they even sit down. The self-serve ice cream is a favorite, and some guests rank it as the best part of the whole visit.
The dessert area offers more than ice cream. Colorful cakes and other sweets make it easy to justify one last trip from the table.
For families, the dessert bar is a handy tool. It can be a reward for trying a new food, or simply a sweet ending that everyone agrees on.
Fruit sits nearby too. That gives a lighter option for anyone who wants something sweet without a big bowl of soft serve.
A small tip for parents: younger kids may need a hand with the machine. A quick assist can keep the line moving and the counter tidy.
Some guests call the desserts just okay, while others love the variety. Either way, it is hard to leave a buffet with a soft serve machine without at least one cone or cup in hand.
Room for the Whole Crew
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Big families, birthday tables, and holiday gatherings all find space here. The dining area is spacious, with tables near the food and booths toward the back.
There also seem to be several separate rooms. That layout makes the restaurant a practical choice for a group meal.
Busy days show how well the space can work. On one Mother’s Day, the line was long, yet a party of three got seated fairly quickly, drinks arrived fast, and staff set out extra chairs for larger groups without fuss.
Families with young kids often like the setup. Many diners call it a great family choice, with plenty of options for every type of picky eater.
The mood is lively more than quiet. When the room fills up, it can feel crowded, and one guest noted it is not exactly first date material.
A few corners offer a calmer spot if you ask. Overall, the restaurant suits families and friend groups who care more about choice and space than a hushed setting.
Hours, Costs, and Crowds
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
Planning ahead pays off at a buffet this popular. Fuji Buffet and Grill opens at 11 AM every day of the week.
Closing time is 9 PM Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it stays open a little later, until 9:30 PM.
The adult buffet was $14.99 at one point, though prices can change and lunch and dinner are charged differently. Arriving near the end of lunch may still bring a dinner charge, so it helps to check the price at the counter.
Age also matters for the bill. Kids 10 and under pay a lower rate, around $10, while guests 11 and older pay the adult price, a policy posted at the front counter.
Crowds build on weekends and holidays. On a Saturday around 2 PM, the lot can be full and the room crowded, though parking and seating usually still open up.
For a calmer meal, a weekday visit is a smart bet. You can also check the restaurant’s website before heading out for the latest details.
Honest Tips and a Fair Verdict
© Fuji Buffet and Grill, Grand Rapids, MI
No buffet pleases everyone, and this one is no exception. A fair picture includes both the praise and the bumps.
Many guests describe the place as clean, well-stocked, and good value, with friendly staff who keep the food coming. First-timers often leave impressed and ready to come back.
Others have had a harder time. Some mention staff who seemed short or tired, and a few raised concerns about food quality or how complaints were handled.
Management does respond to feedback and has said it is working on service and food standards. If something seems off, speaking up right away at the counter is the best move.
A few simple habits help. Check the price before you sit, look over trays before scooping, and ask for utensils or napkins if your table is missing them.
For families who want sushi, crawfish, and a hibachi plate they design themselves, all in one stop, this 28th Street buffet delivers a lot of choice. Go hungry, go with patience on busy days, and let everyone at the table build their own perfect plate.
Dining and Cooking