Diamond Head

Heir to a Culinary Tradition

 

The Scene

Diamond Heads offers a wide range of entrees and appetizers, an all-day buffet and a drive-thru window. The main dining area comfortably seats 120 customers. In addition to a buffet and a drive-thru, Diamond Head also offers a catering option for customer’s special occasions.

 

Upon entering the dining area, one will be struck by how clean, modern and new the entire seating area is. While contemporary, it is far from sterile and is not lacking in tradition either. The warm white walls are decorated with Chinese art such as engravings of birds and trees while the atmosphere is set with classical Chinese music.

The modern dining area features many clean and spacious seating options. Booths upholstered with red and black trim are ideal cozy settings for small families. Meanwhile, white marble tables provide enough seating space for large lunches or celebratory dinners.

 

The Service

Hospitality is “our number-one priority” says owner May Wong. She boasts that the staff members “are outgoing, friendly and ready to serve, so that your experience at our restaurant is a pleasant and unforgettable one.”

 

One of the perks of living in Missouri is the friendly, down-to-earth people. To help foster this sense of community, Diamond Head offers several promotions and discounts year-round. For buffet dining, the restaurant offers a 10 percent discount for patrons 65 and older. In order to ensure guests consider Diamond Head for their next family gathering, children five and under eat free on Saturday nights. All other days of the week children three and under eat free at the buffet.

 

The Owner

Wong bought the restaurant in December of 2004. The previous owner had built a successful establishment for the12 years previous, so the new owners didn’t want to change the culinary successes of the restaurant. They did, however, change the décor of the establishment considerably by replacing the wallpaper, art and decorations. But most importantly, after talking with patrons, the ownership decided they wanted to re-emphasize the commitment to customer service and friendliness. Diamond Head, from the top down, has placed a focus on maintaining friendly behavior and a welcoming manner.

 

Drawing on the gracious and personable mentality that has made the Midwest famous, the owner has become an active participant in the Springfield community. Diamond Head has donated and catered for the local high school and Wong is now a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Giving back has reaped the rewards of loyal customers and an attitude that is addictive as the cooking.

 

Wong is considered opening a second restaurant in the future, this time in the Japanese hibachi style, complete with grills where chefs can prepare the food in front of patrons. For now, though, she is happy to manage an establishment that any restaurant owner can be proud of.

 

The Food

When the ownership changed in 2004, the food that people knew and loved was kept while new and innovative recipes were added. Many items from the old menu were reserved but the chefs have added a variety of their own. The chefs of Diamond Head Restaurant now boast many years of cooking experience from places as diverse as New York City and China.

 

One of the main chefs used to be an owner of a restaurant in China and now works to perfect his craft among the steaming woks and frying pans of Diamond Head. From Thursday to Sunday, the peak nights for dining out, three head chefs are always on duty to serve customers. During the other days of the week, Diamond Head usually only needs two head chefs to lead their capable and enthusiastic staff.

 

The new chefs infused new specialties into the menu, including such dishes as Bourbon Chicken, Pearl Shrimp,Seafood Mushroom and the house special Fried Shrimp. Missouri is the home of great American fried food, and therefore it is unsurprising that the Chinese version of fried chicken wings is especially popular at Diamond Head.

 

The Cashew Chicken is also a house specialty that is very popular. The chefs of Diamond Head have good reason to be proud of their Cashew Chicken, for it’s actually a local delicacy. Not many people are aware, but American Chinese Cashew Chicken originated not in the kitchens of China, but rather in the local Springfield, Missouri American Chinese restaurant community. To be noble heirs to that legacy, the chefs of Diamond Head have worked hard to make their Cashew Chicken great.

 

Additionally, the Sweet and Sour Chicken is also a popular dish, probably only behind the emblematic Cashew Chicken in terms of customer satisfaction. Diamond Head also specializes in Orange Beef, Honey Chicken, Coconut Chicken and Happy Family (pork, beef, shrimp, chicken and vegetables).

 

The buffet offers a variety of dishes with special features that rotate throughout the week. Every night the chefs prepare sushi, shrimp and roasted steak. Friday and Saturday nights Diamond Head offers Barbecue Ribs and Peking Duck on the buffet. The chefs also prepare General Tso’s Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan and Shrimp with Broccoli.

 

For appetizers, Diamond Head possesses a vast array of new and old favorites. Popular items include egg rolls, crab rangoon, fried wontons, fried shrimp, barbecue ribs and the fried mushroom platter.

 

Despite the many fried appetizers, health-conscious diners will find themselves right at home at Diamond Head. The restaurant serves steamed and sautéed broccoli, mixed vegetables and a rotation of many other healthy dishes, including green beans. Vegetable soup is also served daily.

 

Diners should not overlook Diamond Head’s drink selection either, for it helps complete the dining experience. For tea lovers, Diamond Head offers complimentary mixed jasmine or oolong tea. The restaurant also has a liquor license and serves beer, wine and mixed drinks. To finish off a filling meal, the buffet offers desserts such as cheesecake on a regular basis.

 

If you find yourself in Springfield, Missouri, you would do well to drop by Diamond Head restaurant. The variety of dining options ensures that virtually any type of customer will leave satisfied. It is ultimately the service and professionalism of Diamond Head that will keep you coming back.

 

No matter what time of day, or what day of the week, the chefs will work hard to prepare for you quality buffet, menu items and take-out cuisine. Meanwhile, the staff, especially the gregarious owner, will strive to make your visit a pleasant and exceptional one.

 

Name: Diamond Head Restaurant

Year of establishment: 2004 Concept: Casual Dine-On

Offers: buffet, take out, drive-thru, catering

Cuisine: Chinese, sushi

Signature Dish: Cashew Chicken

Location: 1214 Porter Wagoner Blvd., West Plains, MO 65775

Phone: 417-256-4888

 

Message from owner: “Hospitality is our number-one priority.”