Mandarin is still highly popular though. Unless you have a reservation, good luck getting a table between the hours of 5 and 8, at least at the locations I checked out. Though I suspect it's mostly seniors keeping it so busy. Seniors love their buffets.
It has definitely gone downhill IMO. Not only has the price increased 40% in the last 4 years, but the food selection has declined. I typically would go for the AYCE crab legs, plus they had a cheesy crab casserole dish I loved. Well, the casserole is gone, and the rare times they have crab legs they're usually on ice instead of kept on a hot plate. Just not the same.
COVID killed my favorite Chinese buffet: The Crystal Palace in Collingwood. Damn, I miss that place!