Sept. 15, 2008

2 Chinese buffets battling it out in Centre

BY ROY MITCHELL

CENTRE — Local diners are witnessing a competition loaded with international flavor. For what may be the first time in the history of county cuisine, two buffet-style Chinese restaurants call Centre home. For those with a palate for oriental delicacies, the choice between these two restaurants, Happy China and City Buffet, may make them forget more trivial selections such as McCain or Obama, Ford or Chevy, or Original Recipe or Extra Crispy.

Located at 500 Chesnut Bypass, Happy China has treated Centre's buffet crowd seven days a week since 1994. Despite a smaller dining facility, Happy China's owner, Mr. Li, and his wife, Tina Li, are banking on return customers and reputation to keep their patrons.

“Even from the beginning we've had a lot of people eat here,” Tina said. “We've gotten a lot of repeat customers. We know what they're going to drink, even before they order. Customers come from Centre, Sand Rock, Cedar Bluff -- all the local communities.”

Happy China features a 20-table dining room decorated with oriental paintings and ornaments. Four long buffet bins serve favorites like sesame chicken, chicken teriyaki, sweet and sour chicken and shrimp, sushi, and various desserts, which customers may enjoy dining-in or “to go.”

Patrons may also treat themselves to the American traditions of salad and ice cream.

Happy China also sports an additional dining area.

“We have a party room for birthdays, motorcycle parties, or school groups. We have all types of parties here,” Tina said.

Happy China combats their newfound competition by discounting their buffet 30 percent, a substantial deduction for the penny-pinching buffet lover.

A newer and larger Chinese establishment, City Buffet, hopes to lure away some of Happy China's established crowd. Open since June 2008, City Buffet sports s 35-table dining hall with an oriental decor.

“We have a bigger dining room. It's nice and clean. We can accommodate 150 people. We get feedback that the food is excellent,” said a manager.

Sitting across Highway 411 from Wal-Mart, City Buffet varies items throughout the week on their five buffet bins, including more seafood choices on the weekends.
They pride themselves in having a “huge variety and a better selection.”

We have over a hundred items daily,” said a spokesperson. “Our seafood buffet includes crab legs, roast beef, shrimp, salmon, pizza, apple pie, and Japanese sushi, plus our salad bar, ice cream, and variety of cakes.”

City Buffet offers specials on holidays, plus a discount for seniors. Customers with a valid ID get half-off the buffet price on their birthday.

Despite only weeks of Chinese culinary competition, Centre citizens are already picking favorites. Lawrence Brand of Centre says that not long after City Buffet opened, someone came to his workplace bragging on the new restaurant.

“I like Happy China better,” he said. “The service is always good. They keep the food out there on the buffet pretty good. I enjoy it. It's clean.”

Centre resident Amanda Floyd and her family have frequented both Chinese eateries. Amanda said her husband prefers Happy China, but she is impressed with City Buffet's selection.

John Willingham of Collinsville said the 30 percent discount at Happy China is an influencing factor.

“As far as the food, I like them both,” he said. “On the weekends, the City Buffet has the crawfish and crab legs. They've got a bigger selection there.”

In the recent Summer Olympics in Beijing, each sport declared its gold medalist, all within a three-week span of time. Yet the competition for Centre's Chinese dining dollar will certainly last far longer than any Olympic sport.

The real winners, though, are all those in the local lunch crowd who appreciate and enjoy delicious, affordable Chinese food.