Discussions

Midway55 said "Don't know why some are making a big deal out of Sergio getting back in the restaurant business. he is taking over an existing business that was in completion with Kam Lung regardless of who is in charge. "

Well said. Obviously Ye's were not happy with how their business was going, so they chose to sell it and it's fair game.  
Good luck to both establishments.

To the new owners. Keep the bacon wrapped asparagus. I also went once or twice when they had Korean dishes on the buffet please include these more often especially Kim chee.

Yes, keep the bacon wrapped asparagus! Lol. I don't know why I never make it at home....ok, yes I do! I'd eat it a whole pkg of bacon if I did!!!  
 
When we want great tasting Chinese food we call double happiness but when we want a bit of everything, we go to ye's. Hope some stuff stays the same but looking forward to some new dishes as well.  
 
Just curious...what do you think the difference will be between ye's and lee's? I'm surprised a chain restaurant is closing and a private owner is taking over. That's a huge restaurant to run without the backing of a large corporation isn't it?

dont forget franchises take franchise fees and while you do get some benefits from the franchise benefits do not always equal more business or profits over a well funded and ran non franchised place

Just my opinion on the change, sometimes large chains like to do things by numbers and hitting revenue targets, being able to sell a business as a unit would likely get you a better price than liquidating everything, this can work to the advantage of both parties.  
 
Back to the food part if it, we will continue to spread our eating of oriental food around at different places, every place has items that may be better than others but I enjoy most places. We at ate at Kam Lungs last week and I still went away feeling good about the food.  
 
Edited by don brown, 2015-10-06 21:35:50

Trevor said "Ye's was very mediocre, as was/is Kam Lung. I've never ate at the place in Boissevain but had heard good things. Best Chinese in Brandon is Wah Lee (same family owns the one in Deloraine, which is better IMO) and the best Chinese I've ever had is in Melita. "

Totally agree, the best ever!! And I feel like I've eaten at every Chinese restaurant in Southwestern MB! LOL  
Definitely looking forward to experiencing Lee's though!

Hopefully we'll see the return of lemon chicken and the oh-so-good cantonese pork !!

SparkyJones said "Not a franchise at all. Independent owners no affiliation at all with the previous occupants. Had supper there last night. Service was great, food was delicious. Total change of atmosphere and attitude. Was greeted and seated in a prompt courteous manner. The coconut shrimp is still there and amazing! "

so did they get rid of the salmon, sesame chicken , chicken wings?

Hi Sammy. Ye's closed its Brandon operation and moved to Winnipeg into a new (approximately) 500 seat restaurant. The Lee's and the Choy's with their 59 years of Chinese Food service are running their own business. These folks are all smart enough and experienced enough to know you do not do away with popular dishes, but you augment the existing winners with your own most favoured dishes.  
 
Regarding the backing of a franchise, I think you will find if you ask them, that most franchise holders get very little financial support and backing from the head office, and as somebody said earlier, the Head Offices take some rather hefty fees: usually based on a percentage of sales, and quite often your product has to be purchased from them at their prices! The advantage of having a franchise is the fact that it is generally well known, and the new business owner does not have to start to build a reputation and customer base, and customers start showing up right away. But the franchisee sure pays dearly for this! I think the Lees and The Choys with 59 years behind them in Western Manitoba have their own solid well known reputation. Have you seen the crowds they are drawing since taking over and word is getting around they are back in the business?

I understand that new signage is in the works as we speak. The new name is Lee's Buffet.

Sailorboy said "Hi Sammy. Ye's closed its Brandon operation and moved to Winnipeg into a new (approximately) 500 seat restaurant. The Lee's and the Choy's with their 59 years of Chinese Food service are running their own business. These folks are all smart enough and experienced enough to know you do not do away with popular dishes, but you augment the existing winners with your own most favoured dishes.     Regarding the backing of a franchise, I think you will find if you ask them, that most franchise holders get very little financial support and backing from the head office, and as somebody said earlier, the Head Offices take some rather hefty fees: usually based on a percentage of sales, and quite often your product has to be purchased from them at their prices! The advantage of having a franchise is the fact that it is generally well known, and the new business owner does not have to start to build a reputation and customer base, and customers start showing up right away. But the franchisee sure pays dearly for this! I think the Lees and The Choys with 59 years behind them in Western Manitoba have their own solid well known reputation. Have you seen the crowds they are drawing since taking over and word is getting around they are back in the business? "

Glad to hear! I've never ate their food but have heard about them and look forward to trying it out  
 

Welcome back from Don the repair guy  

Wondering if a new menu has or will be posted after the tweaking is complete? (As some people like take-out)

Anyone know what the price would be to eat there tonight?

well maybe now you will not have to git a bank loan to there the price was nuts for a place like Brandon cant say i will miss them anyone know how much it cost now for the all you can eat eh?????

goodtimes85 said "well maybe now you will not have to git a bank loan to there the price was nuts for a place like Brandon cant say i will miss them anyone know how much it cost now for the all you can eat eh????? "

We went to the lunch buffet there on Thursday and it was still the same price for two adults.

Haven't been to Ye's for quite some time. It was over $20.00 for the supper buffet when I had gone. If Lee's are charging that also it's unfortunate. If you are a big eater I imagine you can eat $20 worth of food but I sure couldn't. Very expensive!

Prices are on menu posted on this site.  
Have to agree with Ten, for all you get to eat including desserts, $20 is not bad.  

I was at the China Star in Minot yesterday for lunch. It included salad and dessert bar, Chinese buffet, sushi and Mongolian food. Lots of great food, with a Chinese food selection at least as much as at Lee's. Price for lunch was $7.75 and $10.75 for dinner. Lunch for 2 yesterday, including a Coke ($1.25) and tax, was $18.01 US.

$50 dollars for a couple to go out and eat in my opinion is a pretty standard price as long as the quality of food holds up, and from what I noticed when I went to check out Lee's last week it does.

November 1st according to Facebook. (see attached poster pic)

ZachT said "I was at the China Star in Minot yesterday for lunch. It included salad and dessert bar, Chinese buffet, sushi and Mongolian food. Lots of great food, with a Chinese food selection at least as much as at Lee's. Price for lunch was $7.75 and $10.75 for dinner. Lunch for 2 yesterday, including a Coke ($1.25) and tax, was $18.01 US. "

Dinner for two is 20 dollars.  
That's includes sweat and sour chicken balls, beef and broccoli, veg and rice or noodle. Additional mains are around 7 to 8 each. Single apps are 2 to 9 each.  
 
Definitely not all you can eat.  
 
Add drinks and one extra and it looks like lunch is expensive down at the star.  
http://701-838-3833.chinesemenu.com  
 

all you can eat  
star for lunch weekday $9.68 USD or $12.84 Cdn with drink  
 
Ye's for lunch weekday $13.99 with drink  
 
 
 
Edited by loeog, 2015-10-27 12:24:39

Ate at it and didn't notice too much difference yet. The bacon wrapped asparagus needed to be cooked longer, the sushi was still good, the sweet and sour sauce is different (good but not sure which I prefer), there was pork balls (lots of pork dishes actually) instead of chicken which I didn't like but the chop suey was so good! Same great service  
 
They haven't had them in so long but I miss the coconut cookies lol. Maybe the new owners will bring them back!

Place looks jam packed for opening... Don't think there's a parking spot to be had at this exact moment

sammy said "Ate at it and didn't notice too much difference yet. The bacon wrapped asparagus needed to be cooked longer, the sushi was still good, the sweet and sour sauce is different (good but not sure which I prefer), there was pork balls (lots of pork dishes actually) instead of chicken which I didn't like but the chop suey was so good! Same great service     They haven't had them in so long but I miss the coconut cookies lol. Maybe the new owners will bring them back! "

Went in.. was disappointed with the amount of pork dishes! took away a lot of the chicken dishes. not 100% sure if i'll be back.

Getty said "    sammy said "Ate at it and didn't notice too much difference yet. The bacon wrapped asparagus needed to be cooked longer, the sushi was still good, the sweet and sour sauce is different (good but not sure which I prefer), there was pork balls (lots of pork dishes actually) instead of chicken which I didn't like but the chop suey was so good! Same great service     They haven't had them in so long but I miss the coconut cookies lol. Maybe the new owners will bring them back! " Went in.. was disappointed with the amount of pork dishes! took away a lot of the chicken dishes. not 100% sure if i'll be back. "

Hey Getty, You really have something going on about the chicken at that place.  
I found your ye's grand opening post.  
 
The BAD:  
 
"- Chicken wings, chicken balls(yeah right, don't even look like it), sesame chicken, general chicken.. were ALL dry and over-cooked. "  
 
I found you post interesting, sorry Getty, but I like the place.  
 
To anyone thinking of going, it's a Great place and to the good people that own it, I hope you find the perfect mix of food to keep Brandon happy.  
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by loeog, 2015-11-01 15:20:34

loeog said "    Getty said "    sammy said "Ate at it and didn't notice too much difference yet. The bacon wrapped asparagus needed to be cooked longer, the sushi was still good, the sweet and sour sauce is different (good but not sure which I prefer), there was pork balls (lots of pork dishes actually) instead of chicken which I didn't like but the chop suey was so good! Same great service     They haven't had them in so long but I miss the coconut cookies lol. Maybe the new owners will bring them back! " Went in.. was disappointed with the amount of pork dishes! took away a lot of the chicken dishes. not 100% sure if i'll be back. " Hey Getty, You really have something going on about the chicken at that place.   I found your ye's grand opening post.     The BAD:     "- Chicken wings, chicken balls(yeah right, don't even look like it), sesame chicken, general chicken.. were ALL dry and over-cooked. "     I found you post interesting, sorry Getty, but I like the place.     To anyone thinking of going, it's a Great place and to the good people that own it, I hope you find the perfect mix of food to keep Brandon happy.             Edited by loeog, 2015-11-01 15:20:34"

good job on using the search button! lol.

loeog said "    Getty said "    sammy said "Ate at it and didn't notice too much difference yet. The bacon wrapped asparagus needed to be cooked longer, the sushi was still good, the sweet and sour sauce is different (good but not sure which I prefer), there was pork balls (lots of pork dishes actually) instead of chicken which I didn't like but the chop suey was so good! Same great service     They haven't had them in so long but I miss the coconut cookies lol. Maybe the new owners will bring them back! " Went in.. was disappointed with the amount of pork dishes! took away a lot of the chicken dishes. not 100% sure if i'll be back. " Hey Getty, You really have something going on about the chicken at that place.   I found your ye's grand opening post.     The BAD:     "- Chicken wings, chicken balls(yeah right, don't even look like it), sesame chicken, general chicken.. were ALL dry and over-cooked. "     I found you post interesting, sorry Getty, but I like the place.     To anyone thinking of going, it's a Great place and to the good people that own it, I hope you find the perfect mix of food to keep Brandon happy.             Edited by loeog, 2015-11-01 15:20:34"

thanks man! I love chicken, especially since Ye's actually improved on their food over time.  
 
Disappointed on that point.  
 

Does anyone know the phone number?