Lin's Express in San Antonio, TX

3.9(478)San Antonio, TX
Mixed feedback

3.9-star rating from 478 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Quick meals
  • Large groups

Not ideal for

  • Fine dining seekers

At a glance

San Antonio, TX • 3.9★
Lin's Express, a beloved San Antonio, Texas institution, offers an unparalleled Chinese buffet experience on the Far West Side. Their all-you-can-eat buffet features an expansive array of dishes, all meticulously prepared to ensure an unforgettable dining experience. Visitors rave about the generous portions, with many opting to take advantage of their convenient takeout and delivery services. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet or savory, Lin's Express has something for everyone, making it the perfect destination for families and foodies alike. Guests have consistently praised the attentive service, with many servers going above and beyond to ensure a seamless dining experience. With its commitment to quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction, Lin's Express is a true standout in the San Antonio dining scene.

Good to know

  • Lin's Express has a listed address in San Antonio, TX, so visitors can confirm the exact location before going.
  • The page includes a 3.9-star rating from 478 reviews.
  • Hours are listed on the page; verify current hours before making a special trip.
  • Website and phone details are available for checking current menu, hours, or availability.
  • Photos are available on the page to help preview the restaurant before visiting.
This family-friendly Chinese buffet welcomes diners of all ages.
Address
11841 Alamo Ranch Pkwy Suite 114, San Antonio, TX 78253, USA, Far West Side, San Antonio, Texas
Phone
(210) 362-1812
Today
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Rating
3.9 (478 reviews)

What stands out

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

Fresh, quality food

Multiple reviewers mention the freshness

🍰Great desserts

Wide selection of sweets

View reviews →

Before you go

🅿️Parking available

Convenient parking for customers

Wheelchair accessible

Accessible entrance and facilities

🥡Takeout available

Order to go

Signature Dishes

7 popular dishes mentioned by diners

Top picks

**Delivery** ServicesGenerous **Portions**

Also mentioned

Food CleanFood Quality LikePortions LikePrices LikeWait Time Long

Extracted from diner reviews and FAQ answers.

Trusted Rating

⚖️ 4.1 weighted · 478 reviews
4.1weighted · raw 3.9 from 478 reviews( 0.18 from raw)
Needs More Reviews
Review volume vs. city median478 / 793.5 median
03,967.5 (Rock Solid threshold)
Rating spread on Yelp
5
4
3
2
1

Relative share of Yelp ratings by star — bar length shows how ratings skew, not exact counts.

The trusted rating blends this place’s raw score (3.9) with the city average (4.19) using a Bayesian formula. Places with fewer reviews are pulled toward the city mean; places with 3967.5+ reviews carry their rating at nearly full weight.

Photos

1 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
Monday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Popular Times

See when it's busiest
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more
Wheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lotWheelchair accessible restroomWheelchair accessible seating

Amenities

Available facilities and features
RestroomWi-FiFree Wi-FiGood For GroupsVegan optionsWheelchair accessible

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
CasualQuietGood for groupsNoise: Noise level

Dining Options

Food and beverage choices
LunchDinnerDessertSeatingLunchDinner

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
TakeoutDine-inDeliveryReservationsCateringDrive-through

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Parking

Parking availability
Parking

Parking is available for customers.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
Credit CardsDebit CardsN F C mobile payments

Highlights

Special features
Great tea selection

Food & Drink

Menu offerings
Comfort foodQuick biteSmall plates

Planning

Reservations and groups
Accepts reservations

Popular Dishes

4 dishes reviewers mention most
  • Egg Roll (2) 春卷$4.1923 mentions
  • Lo Mein 捞面$12.499 mentions
  • Steamed Dumpling (8) 蒸饺$7.591 mention
  • Yaki Udon 炒乌冬面$14.891 mention

Dishes most frequently mentioned in Yelp reviews.

Full Menu

26 items with prices
  • A1. Spring Roll (2) 菜卷$3.39

    Spring rolls filled with Vegetables. The order includes 2 pieces and sweet and sour sauce on the side.

  • A2. Egg Roll (2) 春卷$4.19

    Egg rolls filled with Pork. The order includes 2 pieces and sweet and sour sauce on the side.

  • A5. Crab Rangoon (4) 蟹角(小)$4.89

    Crab Rangoons filled with cream cheese. The order includes 4 Pieces and sweet and sour sauce on the side.

  • A3. Fries 薯条$5.69

    Crispy potato sticks served hot. The order includes ketchup on the side.

  • A4. Chicken Nuggets (8) 鸡块$5.79

    Crispy, bite-sized chicken nuggets, perfectly seasoned and fried, served in a portion of eight and ketchup on the side.

  • A5. Crab Rangoon (8) 蟹角(大)$7.59

    Crab Rangoons filled with cream cheese. The order includes 8 Pieces and sweet and sour sauce on the side.

  • A6. Steamed Dumpling (8) 蒸饺$7.59

    Eight pieces of steamed dumplings, typically filled with a blend of minced pork and finely chopped vegetables, encased in a tender wheat wrapper and dipping sauce on the side.

  • A7. Gyoza (8) 锅贴$8.59

    Pan-fried dumplings filled with pork and vegetables, typically served with a dipping sauce on the side.

  • F4. Fried Rice 炒饭$12.49

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp.

  • F6. Lo Mein 捞面$12.49

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp.

  • C1. Sweet & Sour Chicken 甜酸鸡$11.99

    Sweet and sour chicken balls, served with a choice of fried rice, white rice, or lo mein.(Include sweet and sour sauce on the side)

  • C11. Lemon Chicken 柠檬鸡$12.89

    Crispy fried chicken with tangy lemon sauce. Choice of fried rice, white rice, or lo mein.(Include lemon sauce on the side)

  • Szechuan Pork 四川猪肉$13.89

    Pork, carrot, bamboo, napa cabbage, onion, mushroom, snow pea, and zucchini in a mildly spicy dark sauce. Served with a side of your choice-fried rice, white rice, or lo mein.

  • J1. Ramen 拉面汤$14.89

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp with ramen noodles (Tiny noodles)

  • J2. Udon 乌冬面汤$14.89

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp with udon noodles (Thick noodles).

  • J3. Yaki Udon 炒乌冬面$14.89

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp.

  • J4. Yaki Soba 炒拉面$14.89

    Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp.

  • J5. Unagi Don 鳗鱼饭$15.69

    Steamed rice with eel, radish and seaweed.

  • J9. Hibachi Combination 铁板三样$18.99

    Served with fried rice, steamed rice or lo mein.

  • Milk Tea$6.19

    Refreshing drink mixed with milk, boba and ice cubes.

  • Brown Sugar Tapioca$6.19

    Refreshing drink mixed with milk, ice cubes, brown sugar and boba.

  • Curry Triple Delight 咖喱三样$15.90

    white meat chicken, Beef and Shrimp with carrot mushroom, onion, napa cabbage, bamboo, zucchini and special curry sauce

  • Garlic Sauce Triple Delight 鱼香三样$15.90

    White meat chicken, beef and shrimp with carrot, bamboo, mushroom and zucchini in Garlic sauce

  • Amazing Triple Delight 怪味三样$15.90

    white meat chicken, Beef and Shrimp with Broccoli, water chestnut, snow pea napa and zucchini and mushroom

Menu sourced from Yelp; items and prices may change.

Reviews

478 reviews

Customer highlights

  • Customers have left 478 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9 stars.
  • Review tags mention drive thru, chinese food, egg rolls, and lo mein.
  • Positive review text points to crab, fresh food, service, and takeout.
  • Recent positive review text gives this page enough customer detail to compare it with nearby buffet options.

Reviews

Customer reviews available

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

What is the food quality like?

The food quality is excellent. The Magnolia’s beef was incredibly flavorful—tender slices of beef cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce that had just the right amount of sweetness and spice.

What are the prices like?

The prices are reasonable. The food portion was amazing. about the same price as panda but this was WAY better.

Is the wait time long?

No, the wait time is not long. We came in for dinner around 7pm and everything we ordered was made fresh and was very tasty.

Is the food clean?

Yes, the food is clean. 0ece3630-5ebe-4745-a304-912cec3e0a9b

What are the portions like?

The portions are big. The portions were very generous!

Is Lin's Express a good place to eat?

Yes, Lin's Express is a good place to eat. I had the best time at this place! The food is AMAZING—totally a 10/10.

Is Lin's Express clean?

Yes, Lin's Express is clean. always quiet and clean with really good food

What is the rating of Lin's Express?

Lin's Express has a 3.9-star rating based on 478 customer reviews.

📍Neighborhood Gem

A standout spot in a quiet area — people come here on purpose.

A standout spot in a quiet area — people come here on purpose.

Healthcare & Medical
2
Retail & Shopping
1

3 nearby places across 2 categories

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

3 places nearby (healthcare, shopping)

Pharmacy & medical supplies

H-E-B Pharmacy

Pharmacy

12125 Alamo Ranch Parkway

~0.3 mi
CVS Pharmacy

Pharmacy

~0.4 mi

Specialty stores

Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary - Smoke & Vape Shop Alamo Ranch

Tobacco

12007 Alamo Ranch Pkwy

~960 ftMo-Su 10:00-21:00