The last few years have seen a trend of "All you can eat" style Buffet Restaurants appearing in Sheffield where I live and to my knowledge there are now at least three Chinese and one Indian within the city centre.
The Jumbo is a large Chinese Buffet and it was the also the first of the bunch to appear about three years ago. It is in direct competition with another Chinese Buffet nearby called No.1 which is larger.
I have been to the No.1 a couple of times but I much prefer the Jumbo which I have visited many times, the most recent of these visits being just a couple of weeks ago.
THE LAYOUT
The Restaurant is situated on two different levels with a small Bar area located just inside the doorway. The food is located at the back at of the room on the ground level, with the tables positioned in front of this area. Whilst on the upper level the food is located in the centre of the room with the tables positioned around this area.
There are toilets downstairs from the ground level and a further set
of toilets on the upper level plus a single disabled toilet located on the ground floor.
It is nice and clean but the lighting is rather bright which tends to take away the intimate feeling that you expect to find in a Restaurant and the tables tend to be arranged in an order that is more reminiscent of a School Canteen.
THE EATING PROCEDURE
As you enter the Restaurant through a pair of glass doors at the front of the building you are greeted and took to a table. The table you are given is largely determined by the size of your party, but if the place is not too busy you can state where you prefer to sit providing it is a table with roughly the same number of seats as the size of your party.
Once you are seated the waiter will ask you if you wish to order any drinks. Since the cost of the drinks are however extra to the cost of the set meal we always decline this offer and buy our own drinks from the Bar so that the final table bill at the end can just be split easily.
After you are seated you are then free to help yourself to the food. The food is arranged under hot plates in the centre of the floor and around the edges, and providing that you walk around the correct way it is more or less set out in the order of starters and nibbles first, the main dishes in the centre and sweets at the other side around the edge.
There are plates piled at the end of each section which you help yourself to, but remember that since you are able to revisit the Buffet as many times as you wish there is no need to pile your plate ridiculously high.
THE DIFFERENT BUFFETS
Depending on the time of your visit there are different Buffets which are reflected by different prices and a different range of food. The Lunchtime Buffet is the cheapest Buffet aimed specifically at Shoppers and people popping in for a bite of lunch during their lunch hour. Whilst the evening Buffet is the most expensive option.
LUNCH BUFFET - This costs £4.99 and is available every day from 12.00 midday until 4.45pm.
HAPPY HOUR BUFFET - This costs £6.99 and is available from 4.45pm until 6.45pmevery day except Sunday.
GRAND BUFFET - This costs £8.99 and is available from 6.45pm until 11pm every day except Sunday.
FAMILY DAY BUFFET - This takes place every Sunday from 4.45pm until 11pm. It is a similar Buffet to the Grand Buffet with an emphasis on kids so there are generally a lot of kids around on a Sunday. Children under 3 years eat free on this day whilst children aged 3-10 years old eat half price. The cost for adults is £8.99.
There is a 10% discount for Students at all times.
WHAT DO THEY SELL?
The main difference between the lunchtime Buffet and the evening ones are that during the evening there are a wide range of Seafood Platters which are not available during the daytime, Duck is also available only during the evenings.
There are starters available at all times including a choice of about half a dozen different Chinese Soups. There is an extensive Noodle Bar plus a wide choice of meat dishes including Chicken and Pork cooked in a variety of different dishes and Spare Ribs etc.
Other dishes include Chow Mein and Chop Suey style foods. It is worth noting however that the majority of the main dishes do appear to be meat based so there is only a limited choice for vegetarians.
There is also a wide selection of different sweets available to finish off your meal. These include fresh fruit and Ice Cream.
THE LOCATION
The Jumbo is located right in the heart of the city centre, directly opposite the Crucible Theatre at the end of Chapel Walk, which is at the back end of the Mark & Spencers store.
The address is
Jumbo 43 George Street Sheffield S1 2PI
Telephone: 0114 2756044
CONCLUSION
I think this is an excellent place and offers superb value for money. It does however get rather busy at times and advance bookings are recommended for parties of six or more.
I cannot fault the variety of food or the quality and fresh food is brought out throughout the day. The only negative things that I would say is that the lighting is a little too bright and the drink prices at the Bar are a little expensive. I paid £2.85 for a pint of lager whilst a jug of tap water will even cost you 50p.
At busy times they also do try and rush you a little bit and hover around the tables collecting plates as soon as they are empty, but this is not nearly as off putting as the tactics used in the No.1 where they take away your cutlery and scowl at you should you dare to ask for more.
Overall I would definitely say Highly Recommended.
I can't believe I've never seen this place - I must have walked past it half a dozen times (Sheffield student here :) ) Thanks for the review!
MAFARRIMOND 14.03.2006 22:05
i have eaten here with my sister - an incredible varierty of food. Maureen
tekin21 14.03.2006 14:37
I agree this type of restaurant seems to be popping up all over the place, not likely to visit the one in Sheffield, but you have reminded me that I should give my local Chinese another try – not been there for years. Jane x
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Mar 14th, 2006
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