Our First Chinese Buffet in Many Years

We haven’t eaten in a Chinese restaurant that features a buffet in many years…  Covid really hammered the buffet industry and Laurie has never really been a ‘buffet fan’ although she has made an exception or two in recent years at my behest.  The meds she’s on have also shrunk her appetite.  Despite these facts, we do have a list of restaurants to try or try again and a Chinese buffet style restaurant was on the list. 

We invited our friends Sue and Steve to join us on this dining ‘adventure’.  Sue pet sits for neighbors and Laurie was recently able to get her ‘dog fix’ with Tango, one of Sue’s ‘clients’.  Both of us carry milk bones in our pockets when we go out into the front yard or to the mail box.  Some neighborhood dogs just won’t budge until they get their treats if they see us!

This is the China King Buffet and Grill in Lenoir City Tennessee.  It’s located at the end of a shopping area that includes Home Depot, Walmart and a plethora of smaller shops.  The outside of the restaurant, especially the sign, could use a ‘refresh’.  Apparently the “Grill” portion of the sign was added or replaced as compared to the faded “China King Buffet” portion.  

We had previously eaten at China King Buffet…about 14 years ago.  Our memories aren't what they used to be but we didn’t remember the décor being this eye-catching or the food being above the ordinary.  We remembered a plain and simple dining area, but perhaps we were mistaken.  In any case, the look of the dining area was promising…and the restaurant was really busy!

Once seated it was all about the quality of the food and the selection available.  The choices were pretty much overwhelming.  There was a salad related serving counter or bar, two ‘hot tables’ loaded with a variety of dishes and a dessert bar/counter too…

Selections from the ‘hot tables’ included 2 types of rice, noodles, a couple of soups and appetizers such as fried cream cheese wontons, chicken wings and boneless spare ribs.  Sue really enjoyed the ribs and Laurie thought that the wontons were very nice indeed.

In addition to the buffet tables as shown above, there is a nice selection of sushi too.  Laurie had 2 – 3 pieces of sushi with her buffet selections and she thought that it was fresh and quite nice...she loves sushi.  The menu lists 25 varieties of sushi…

The grill master will also stir up a selection of items that you select with the veggies and protein that you’d like to have.

The menu for China King Buffet reads “Sushi and Grill” as well as “Chinese, American and Japanese Cuisine”.  By way of example, one option that is e a kid favorite was good old mac ‘n cheese.  China King’s menu is broad enough to satisfy the variety of limited taste preferences that are the norm for many children and some adults.

I didn’t take a photo of everyone’s selections from the buffet.  This was my second plate from the ‘hot tables’.  This time I had bourbon chicken, orange beef, black pepper chicken, 2 varieties of rice, and a spring roll.

Protein offerings include shrimp…a couple different varieties, fried fish, calamari, pork, beef, and of course, chicken.  I had the coconut shrimp and it was OK but it was very popular.  Hibachi and Mongolian Combinations include 11 different combinations with spicy versions available too.

It was a bit of overkill but we didn’t skip dessert.  The banana pudding was credible and the other dessert choices were OK…but dessert wasn’t our reason for eating at China King.  China King’s actual menu is huge, offering Combination Platters and Specialties, plus soups, Egg Foo Young, Chow Mein, fried rice and even a number of Chef’s “Lite” Dishes.  FYI, China King does offer ‘adult beverages’.

Service was efficient with plates being promptly removed when finished.  Our server/attendant was very helpful in explaining just what was included in the buffet.  It was a weekend day when we stopped for dinner.  I prefer eating at buffets on weekends as there are more diners and the food turns over and is regularly refreshed…not much down time with your options just sitting there…

All 4 of us really enjoyed our meals.  It’s nice being able to sample food items and decide which ones appeal to your taste.  Despite a couple of trips to the food tables, no one felt ‘overstuffed’…probably due to a relatively low carb load.  Note: This isn’t gourmet Chinese cooking but it is a buffet that offers good food at a reasonable price.  With taxes and tip, the bill for Laurie and I came to $44.00.

China King Buffet and Grill is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.  You can order from the menu and they do a lot of take-out business.  This restaurant is located at 925 US Hwy 321 North in Lenoir City Tennessee.  It is in close proximity to an I-75 interchange so it’s handy for travelers.  Phone: 865-988-5988.  Website: Home | China King Buffet (tnchinakingbuffet.com).   

On the way home we drove south down US Hwy 11.  Laurie wanted to have a look at this little church in the woods at 917 Pond Road on a hill just off the highway.  It is an attractive church in a great setting, that’s for sure.  This is the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Loudon Tennessee.  I couldn’t find any history about this church building.  Website: Resurrection Homepage - Church of the Resurrection (episcopalloudon.com).

That’s all for now.  Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave