bruce halleran There are reviews here that are completely reverse of our experience. I will eat here when in the area.
Just off NY 7. Use I 88 Exit 22 westbound, exit 21 eastbound, and it is little detour for a good meal. Follow signs for Arbys, if you like. It is across the street.
This is an impressive buffet. Not least in a modest size town on a Wednesday afternoon. 4 soups, 50 (!) hot items, 2 cold tables (sides and deserts) and ice cream. The food was good. The variety was outstanding. There were things I have not seen in scores of Chinese buffets across north America. I counted 50 different hot foods. This included steamed Brussel sprouts and Happy Family, a dish too expensive and fragile to be on any other buffet acce$sible to someone who drives a 16 year old van. The sushi tray looks to be brought in, but there is a nice enough selection that you could make a meal from just that. See photo. The fish is salmon, not whitefish. Did I mention that they had fifty different hot pans!? This was LUNCH! Thankfully they dont have pizza. The kids can find sweet and sour, chicken on a stick, and fries. Or you can steer them onto the good stuff.
I cannot see the economic case for freshening a buffet this size at 2:30 on a weekday, but they do. The steam tables are Servesafe compliant, not running cool. Things will dry out and the only real cure would be to close from 2 to 5, or stay on it constantly.
Short of inspecting the kitchen, I give this establishment high marks for cleanliness. The place is not new, but there are no crumbs, smells, or marks to attract questions. As mentioned, I witnessed no Servesafe violations, a fact that isnt as common as you might hope. The mens room and ladies room are pleasant to use.
Surrounded by all types of fast food and auto parts stores, The Red Apple offers you an above average experience, buffet speed, value pricing, comfortable surroundings, a group dining room, and options. If someone is bent on chain fast food, they can cross the parking lot. I run I 88 in NY almost every year, and now I know where to stop for lunch next time.
