Around the World at Grand China Buffet

Remember the song “It's a Small World After All” from Disney? The crossroads of international cuisine can be found with an X on the spot of small town Everett in Washington at the Grand China Buffet. Although China is headlined in the name of this gigantic buffet palace, other cuisines are prominent: Mexican, Japanese and Korean. All three make appearances though not as sidekicks rather as equal to the main player, Chinese American cuisine. Here the commingling of styles and cuisines from Asia to north and south America meet universally. The chefs have traversed long culinary distances to meet the demands of patrons in this corner of the northwestern most state on the mainland.

Competition is not a Bad Word

Located west of the Cascade Mountains, Grand China Buffet is the largest all-you-can-eat buffet with over 15,000 square feet of room to indulge in. Six hundred diners can easily fill up the Herculean sized space. The big banquet room can hold up to 300 persons for any number of occasions — from wedding receptions to corporate functions and a cozier one holds 50 for more intimate gatherings. The banquet room has a fully equipped karaoke system, a podium for speakers, professional stage lighting and a dance floor.

The ambitious owner, Mr. Li, does not shy away from his competitors. “I chose this location, just north of Highway 526 because there were loads of competitors.” “I feel the higher the stakes, the more challenging it is for me. I like that kind of playing field," he smiles. Unlike many others who shriek from their rivals, Mr. Lin faces them head on.

He adds matter-of-factly, “In my mind, the signal of intense competition means there is a strong demand in this area; where there's a demand there's a market.”  “Of course, I am convinced that my restaurant will stand out above the competition and customers will naturally choose to dine here," he explains confidently.

Décor Galore

Because of the immensity of the space, it is sectioned into five independent areas. The layout is designed to allow customers to feel the entirety of the space. In the lobby, a beautifully carved rock is strewn with rich and varied vegetation giving off a sense of jungle-likeness. Exotic fish swim beneath the rock sculpture in a magnificent aquarium. One of the largest crystal (golden colored and very glittery) chandeliers ARN's ever laid eyes on poses an eyeful. Blue neon lighting inlaid inside a circular embedded drop ceiling surrounds the gigantic pendant lamp.

The walls are filled with wood carvings of traditional Chinese images such as lucky cranes who symbolize longevity, hospitality, elegance and faithfulness. Above the overflowing buffet bars sit a blond wood carving of two phoenixes with enormous feathery plumes. This sculpture is atop a pink stand and it truly stands out. The birds face one another and hold a sign written in Chinese which indicates health, fortune and good luck.

You'll Never Go Hungry

It's normally taken for granted; big Chinese buffet equals fifty or so menu choices. When in recent memory, have you gone to the extreme of having to choose from not one but nearly two hundred items from ten buffet bars? That is what you will be confronted with here at Grand China Buffet. You'll find two bars presenting cold dishes, six for hot meals, one for the Mongolian Grill and one just for sushi. During weekdays, the dishes tend towards the spicy side as many customers hail from Mexico. Compare that to weekends where traditional Chinese cuisine and seafood seem to be the order of the day.

The popular items, prepared by the ton include, Pepper Shrimp, Home-made Sesame Ball, Walnut Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Kung Pao Chicken and Mongolian Beef.  “Above all, the most recommendable item in Grand China Buffet is the Ginger Chicken which has conquered many regular customers’ picky taste buds," says the owner.

He adds, “Our Ginger Chicken is very appetizing. It is like an improved-version of General Tso’s Chicken which is well known by most Americans. In summer, ginger is a very good ingredient for keeping the stomach healthy” says the owner.

“What’s more, our sushi is also very unique because of the innovative preparation of various ingredients? Our sushi chef has been a professional chef in a Japanese restaurant for decades. He's been invited from New York City to work with us.”

“Along with the consistently high quality of our dish, the biggest attraction is the style and presentation. You can’t find the same ones in other restaurants,” boasts the owner.

Non Cholesterol Veggie Oil

At Grand China Buffet only 100% no cholesterol vegetable oil is used for frying. They do not use any MSG. The condiments served at Grand China Buffet are good for one's health, guarantees the owner. Furthermore, attention to freshness and nutritious value is a priority.

Mr. Lin doesn't use the word 'guarantee' lightly. He talks the talk and walks the walk. “We will tag all items that can lose their temperature quickly, record the time when we're serving up, and replace those items immediately if they expire during the time we initially set” explains the owner. “Everything we use is absolutely fresh and of good quality, because in Grand China Buffet, we always put our customer’s interest first” adds the responsible man. “In essence, everything we use is fresh. Customers may set their minds at ease at Grand China Buffet” sums up Mr. Lin confidently.

Journey to the Center of Good Service

Traveling down the road of good service leads to a way of thinking that shows up in the form of passionate behavior towards customers. A good example of this is the offering of jasmine tea to all customers for free. It's also a way of promoting Chinese tea culture Mr. Lin informed ARN.

Waiting staff, front desk staff and those working the kitchen all have a strong sense of satisfying the customer in any way possible. Making them feel at home is an art says Mr. Lin. He and his staff have mastered this art form over many years. One of the key methods for obtaining an unanimous opinion and attitude towards customers is in Mr. Lin's democratic egalitarian approach to problems. Direct talks with staff lead to ingenious solutions that are carried out the moment they are discovered and agreed upon.

There's no bureaucracy blocking the way towards making successful changes at Grand China Buffet.  Mr. Lin's ability to motivate his staff towards the same goals is legendary. It helps that his priorities are agreed upon — topnotch quality service, teamwork and the appreciation that employees are the most precious assets of the business win the hearts of customers and staff alike. 

Breaking Ground

In 1990 Mr. Lin was befuddled by the complexity of American life. Able to bear hardship, he gallantly braved the tough world of the restaurant industry as a busboy; that with no prior experience or exposure to restaurants in his life. Rapidly advancing, a mere 13 years later he owned his own buffet eatery in Indiana, applying everything he learned along the way. In 2008, he expanded his restaurant Grand China Buffet setting it on course. As to the future, he would like to open a chain of express restaurants with many branches. With his persistence and efficient manner, it will be no surprise when ARN learns that Mr. Lin has achieved his next goal.