You’re driving down Eisenhower Drive in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Maybe you just finished a massive shopping haul at the nearby plazas or you're heading back from a long shift. You see the sign for Royal King. It’s one of those places that feels like it’s been a part of the local fabric forever, even if the names on the lease have shifted over the years.
Honestly, finding a reliable spot in York County that doesn't feel like a sterile corporate chain is getting harder. Royal King Hanover PA fills that specific niche. It’s a buffet. It’s a hangout. It’s a place where you can actually get a decent variety of food without breaking the bank or waiting forty minutes for a table.
But what’s the deal with it now? People often mix it up with the old Great American Buffet or wonder if it’s still the same quality they remember from five years ago. Let's get into the weeds of what actually makes this place tick, the food you should actually grab, and why it stays busy when other buffets are folding left and right.
What Royal King Hanover PA Actually Offers
The core of the experience here is the variety. You’ve got the standard American comfort food—think fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and those rolls that are basically just vehicles for butter—sitting right next to a pretty expansive selection of Chinese dishes.
It’s a hybrid.
You’ll find General Tso’s chicken that actually has a bit of a kick, alongside steamed broccoli and lo mein. Then you turn around and there’s a salad bar that, frankly, is fresher than you’d expect for a high-volume buffet. They also do the hibachi thing. You pick your raw ingredients—shrimp, steak, onions, peppers—and hand them over to the chef who grills it right there. It’s probably the smartest play if you’re trying to eat somewhat healthy or if you’re just picky about how your meat is cooked.
The Seafood Factor
Seafood at a buffet is always a gamble. We all know that. At Royal King, they lean heavily into the weekend crowds with things like salt and pepper shrimp or baked salmon. Is it Michelin-star quality? No. Don’t go in expecting that. But for the price point? It’s solid. The crawfish and mussels are usually the big draws for the locals who want to get their money's worth.
The turnover is the key here. Because the place stays crowded, the food doesn't just sit under heat lamps until it turns into leather. It moves. That’s the golden rule of buffet dining: if the parking lot is full, the food is fresh.
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The Atmosphere: No Frills, Just Food
Don't come here for a romantic candlelit dinner. Just don't. Royal King is loud. It’s bustling. It’s full of families with kids who are vibrating with excitement over the dessert bar and older couples who have been coming here every Tuesday for a decade.
It’s a "come as you are" kind of place.
The decor is functional. You’ve got the large booths and the open floor plan designed to move people toward the steam tables. The staff is efficient. They’re there to clear your plates—and they do it fast—so you can head back for round three or four. It’s a well-oiled machine that prioritizes volume and value over ambiance.
Why the Location Matters
Being on Eisenhower Drive is a massive advantage. Hanover is a weirdly busy hub for being a "small town," and this stretch of road is the heartbeat of its commercial district. You’re right near the North Hanover Mall and a stone’s throw from the movie theater. It makes Royal King the default "I don't know, what do you want to eat?" choice for thousands of people every week.
Navigating the Menu Like a Pro
If you want the best experience at Royal King Hanover PA, you have to have a strategy. Don't just start piling things on your plate at the first station you see.
First, do a lap. See what just came out of the kitchen.
I always suggest hitting the hibachi grill first. Since you choose the ingredients, you have the most control over the quality. Plus, it’s hot. There is nothing worse than lukewarm lo mein. After that, look for the "house specials" in the Chinese section. The coconut shrimp is a huge fan favorite here; it's sweet, crunchy, and usually disappears within minutes of being put out.
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- The Salad Bar: Actually legit. The greens are crisp.
- The Sushi: It’s basic (mostly rolls with crab stick or avocado), but it’s a nice palate cleanser.
- The Dessert Bar: This is where the kids lose their minds. They’ve got the ice cream machine, various puddings, and small cakes. It’s standard buffet fare, but it does the job.
Dealing with the "Buffet Stigma"
Let’s be real for a second. Buffets get a bad rap. People worry about cleanliness and food safety. Royal King stays on top of this better than most. You see the staff constantly wiping down the counters and checking temperatures. In a post-pandemic world, people are hyper-aware of these things, and the management seems to get that. They keep the sneeze guards clean and the serving utensils swapped out regularly.
Pricing and Value Proposition
In 2026, finding a meal for under $20 that actually fills you up is becoming a Herculean task. Inflation has hit the restaurant industry hard.
Royal King manages to keep their pricing competitive. Lunch is the real steal. If you can sneak in before the dinner transition, you’re getting a massive amount of food for a very reasonable price. Dinner and weekends cost a bit more, but they usually rotate in the "premium" items like steak or more elaborate seafood dishes to justify the jump.
It’s about the ROI on your stomach. If you’re a big eater, or if you have a family of five where everyone wants something different, this is the most logical financial move in Hanover.
Common Misconceptions About Royal King
Some people still call it by the names of the restaurants that occupied the space years ago. It’s had a few identities. But the current iteration has focused more on the "International" aspect—blending the American and Asian cuisines more seamlessly than its predecessors.
Another misconception is that it’s only Chinese food. While the owners are clearly pulling from that background, the "Royal" part of the name implies a bit of everything. You can genuinely have a plate of fried chicken and gravy followed by a plate of sushi. It’s chaotic, sure, but it’s the American dream on a plate.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to Royal King in Hanover, keep these points in mind:
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Time your arrival carefully. If you show up at 5:00 PM on a Friday, expect a wait. If you go at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’ll have the run of the place, but the food might not be cycling as fast. The "sweet spot" is usually around 11:30 AM for lunch or 4:30 PM for an early dinner.
Check the Hibachi station first. Since it’s included in the price, it’s the highest value-per-bite option. Get your protein there, then use the buffet for your sides.
Watch the "New Trays." Wait for the kitchen staff to bring out a fresh tray of your favorite dish. The difference between General Tso's that has been sitting for twenty minutes and a fresh batch is night and day.
Bring the whole crew. This isn't the place for a solo, quiet meal. It’s a social environment. It’s great for birthdays or "end of the season" sports team dinners because the seating is flexible and everyone can find something they like.
Don't skip the fruit. Surprisingly, the fresh fruit at Royal King is usually quite good. It’s a much better way to end the meal than the sugary cakes if you're trying to avoid a total food coma afterward.
Royal King Hanover PA isn't trying to be a five-star bistro. It knows exactly what it is: a high-volume, high-value community staple that offers a little bit of everything to a town that appreciates a full plate. Whether you're a local or just passing through the 17331 zip code, it remains one of the most consistent bets for a filling meal.