Chopsticks Every Day

Interviewed by Cuiyin Zhang   Written by Pam McElory

Too good for any competition, Chopsticks Chinese Buffet is the only Chinese restaurant in Morrilton, Arkansas. The large 6,500 square foot restaurant offers dine in, take out, and for private parties customers can reserve either the banquet room or the VIP room.

The restaurant is located on a high-traffic business strip near a Wal-Mart and other convenient stores. The restaurant is easily accessible to passing drivers and has a large parking lot that is easy to get in and out of. There are so many benefits to visiting Chopsticks Chinese Buffet that it has become a part of the local residents’ daily lives.

Feel at Home

The restaurant’s dining room is divided into three sections: the first is the main dining area, the second is the buffet bar area, and the third is the room reserved for private parties. The holistic ambiance is welcoming and one for families. The building is kept spotless, from the neatly arranged booths to the wooden partitions. To welcome guests, the owner, Tony Lin, hung elegant Chinese and Japanese lanterns around the entrance and dining area. One regular customer exclaims, “Every time I come to Chopsticks Chinese Buffet I’m relaxed and happy. I love the homey atmosphere and simple design.”

Food for the Locals

The buffet at Chopsticks offers an array of Americanized Chinese and Japanese cuisine. In total there are five buffet bars: three for hot dishes and two for cold dishes, offering over sixty options.

The highest priority when planning the menu, according to Lin, is the customers’ preference. As a customer oriented restaurant, the staff has become well versed in what the customers like and have adjusted the options accordingly. “The homemade sauce, condiments, food preparation have all be adjusted to suit the clientele,” says Lin.

The most popular dishes in the buffet are the Fried Catfish, Sesame Chicken, Honey Chicken, Orange Chicken, Pepper Chicken and Fried Chicken. With Morrilton being so close to the Arkansas River, any catfish dish is especially popular with the locals. And the regular customers all agree that the fried catfish at Chopsticks Chinese Buffet compares favourably with and is even better than some fish houses nearby in town.

For customers who are looking for a healthy meal, Chopsticks Chinese Buffet is surely the place to go. All of the dishes are prepared with little oil and salt. Additionally, the chefs are experienced in cooking for health and always prepare the food with nutrition in mind.

According to Lin, “The most important factor when it comes to running a buffet restaurant is the good quality.” Customers never need to worry about the freshness of food at Chopsticks Chinese Buffet because Mr. Lin strictly controls the ingredients the kitchen uses. The ingredients are purchased multiple times each week so only the chefs only have the freshest materials to work with.

Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

“Happy, efficient service is essential. It directly influences the customers’ impression of the restaurant,” says Lin. The diligent owner spares no efforts when making sure his customers are satisfied. The staff members are amiable, attentive, and efficient.

One regular customer adds, “It is an excellent place to take the whole family. It is not very expensive, the buffet is all you can eat and comes with a dessert bar. Everyone will find something good to eat.”

Another way Lin is sure to keep his customers pleased is with sanitation. A thorough cleaning is conducted every week and every area of the restaurant is kept spotless.

However, according to Lin, the best way to build a solid foundation for a restaurant is with customer relationships. Lin has actively become involved in the daily life of the community by making donations to the local churches and participating in charity events. In turn, the restaurant becomes better known among the locals.

All in all, when it comes to service there are certain steps that are never missed at Chopsticks Chinese Buffet: high quality food, happy service, a homey dining ambiance, and perfect hygiene.

All About Tony Lin

With hopes of a brand new life, a young and ambitious Mr. Lin came to the United States in 1992. He immediately started working in a Chinese restaurant to gain experience and improve his English language skills. He began as a busboy, moved up to waiter, then director of the dining room, to chief chef over time. Finally, in 1999, Mr. Lin and his friend opened their first restaurant. However, success doesn’t always come easy and this first restaurant closed soon after opening. Soon after, Mr. Lin got back on track and studied the history of his first restaurant, analyzed the risks, and started preparing for his second attempt. In 2002, Mr. Lin took over Chopsticks from its original owner and now the restaurant, as well as Mr. Lin’s career, is running smoothly on track.

According to Lin, his secrets to success are to stick to what you believe in, be courageous, and tackle every obstacle step by step.  In any business venture, there’re opportunities to learn every day. However, restaurant location and food quality are always half the battle when it comes to the restaurant industry.

Eventually, Mr. Lin hopes to open a new and even larger restaurant. But for now, he plans on maintaining the current business. He intends on adding even more unique dishes to the ever expanding menu and coming up with new ways to make the dining room even cozier and more inviting to his guests.

Chopsticks Chinese Buffet

• Location: 1618 E Harding St., Morrilton, AR 72110


• Phone: (501) 354-8200


• Fax: (501) 354-8881


• Owner: Tony Lin