Shanghai Restaurant

My family and I were on our way back home from a long weekend canoing on the Milk River and a beautiful stay in Writing on Stone provincial park.
Everybody was hungry when we drove to Claresholm.
My husband and the kids wanted to eat at the Shanghai restaurant.
I walked in, saw the more than disgusting buffet, the rotten food that should not even be fed to pigs and walked out right away.
Unfortunately, my husband and the kids stayed.
In the car the younger son already felt sick.
This place does not deserve the title restaurant, it should be inspected by the food and health inspectors and shut down asap.
A DISGRACE to keep it open.
Nobody should get in touch with what they think they can serve to humans.
Really, really ridiculous and a total rip off.
Plus, a huge health issue.

A solid 3.5 rounded up, on account of it being Claresholm and us rolling into this spot ridiculous late after a 9 hour drive.
I can’t speak to the buffet. By the time we hauled our road weary butts through the door it was about 9:30pm and the buffet was long since over. From the previous review, i’m guessing this is a very good thing… but on this particular occasion, we ordered off the menu.
The service sucks. But in a comical sort of way. You can tell immediately that this is a family run business because the young kid who served us very openly rolled his eyes when we wandered in, with that «i’ve been stuck here with the folks all day and now you’ve gone and made it longer» sort of demeanour. He was quick with drinks and food but that might have been to toss us out faster. Either way, I was more amused then offended.
The spot is a dodgy chinese food place. It’s got uneven floors and plastic on the seats. It’s not fancy but it’s also your only option for chinese in town, so if you’re hankering, it’s either this or drive to Nanton. And in all honesty, we were pleasantly surprised.
1. The prices here are completely reasonable. At $ 12.95 a dish, it’s a HUGE portion with lots left for take away and you can fill up without breaking the bank.
2. The ginger beef is good. It’s not a dry ginger beef (my personal fav) but also not left in the sauce long enough to get soggy. It was hot to the table and delicious in a «I know this isn’t good for me way.»
3. The wonton soup is a great portion and surprisingly hearty.
I don’t remember what else we had, though I would pass on the spring rolls as they were pretty lack luster. The rest, I remember liking. And it definitely passed the cold chinese food breakfast test the next day.
If you find yourself in Claresholm hankering for chinese, give this place a go. It won’t knock your socks off but it will be a satisfying compromise.