Over the last seven years, Family Buffet in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, has been recognized as the Best Place for a Buffet in News Enterprise and has received five different certificates of appreciation for supporting the educational communities of the surrounding areas. The love local residents have for Family Buffet—a 7,000 square foot buffet restaurant—is undeniable. The restaurant is located in a high traffic area in a shopping center that also houses a Wal-Mart. The location is amazing, but it also attracts many other restaurant owners—there are about sixty restaurants within five miles. But, according to Owner Mr. Jiang, Family Buffet definitely leads the competition with its time-tested Chinese cuisine and first-rate service.

Family Buffet  

• Location: 121 Towne Dr., Elizabethtown, KY 42701-2504
  
• Cuisine:  Americanized Chinese Food
  
• Capacity: 200+
  
• Offers: Party Room
  
• Signature Dish: Coconut Shrimp, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Chow Mein, Fried Rice
  
• Desserts: Diverse Traditional Chinese Cake (Mocha Mouche Cake)
  
• Year of establishment: 1997
  
• Phone: (270) 763-0091
  
• Owner: Mr. Jiang

Upscale at Home

Family Buffet, like its name suggests, was decorated with the intention of making guests feel like family. Several Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling to warmly welcome customers as they walk through the door. The redwood tables and chairs are kept clean and orderly and soft, traditional Chinese music plays in the background so customers feel at ease and at home.

The most drawing aspect of the interior décor, however, is the lighting. Lights—ranging in colors from green, orange, and blue—are hung above the booth tables and really enhance the quality of the ambiance. Three crystal pendant lamps elegantly hang about the buffet bars with blue lights mingled within. Overall, the lighting gives the restaurant a more upscale feeling, while at the same time keeping its comfortable charm.

Guaranteed Fresh

Family Buffet specializes in authentic Chinese cuisine that has been refined to cater to the locals’ palates. The menu offers over 100 different items in the buffet bars suited to satisfy any customer. The experienced chefs prepare food for five buffet bars serving a variety of sweet or spicy hot dishes, salads, and desserts.

“Almost all of our dishes are very popular with customers,” boasts Mr. Jiang. Because the staff is able to monitor what sells and what doesn’t in the buffet bar, they’ve been able to eliminate the unpopular dishes altogether. The three most recommended dishes, however, are the Coconut Shrimp, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Chow Mein, and Fried Rice. The Chinese desserts offered also come highly recommended, especially the Mocha Mouche Cake. The customers love the coffee flavor paired with ice cream.

There are also items for health conscious eaters on the menu. Sautéed Green Beans, Mixed Vegetables, and Home Style Bean Curd are recommended for vegetarians and diners looking for a healthy meal. “The difference between Family Buffet and other restaurants in the area is the freshness of the food and healthy cooking methods,” explains Mr. Jiang. Family Buffet purchases their cooking materials and ingredients on a daily basis so everything is guaranteed fresh and top quality. “Food is the most important factor for a restaurant. I spare no efforts to make sure the material we purchase is the best and most fresh,” says Mr. Jiang, who always has the best interest of his customers in mind.

Family-Style Service

Considering that the majority of the customers at Family Buffet are regular customers, top-quality service is just as important as the food. Mr. Jiang and his staff are considerate, polite, and always smiling. They are dressed neatly and greet each visitor that comes through the door.

Mr. Jiang and his staff have formed solid friendships with each other and the regular customers. “I know my customers very well. I know their favorite foods, their dining times, and personal preferences,” says Mr. Jiang. He doesn’t consider the regular guests customers, but even more as friends.

And just to be certain everything at Family Buffet remains top notch, a regular meeting is held every two weeks with the staff members. Efficient meetings play an important role in solving problems and improving the overall operation of the restaurant. The meetings are also a great time to be sure the staff is happy.

According to Mr. Jiang, “Food quality, efficient service, and sanitation are all important parts of successful restaurants. They are all linked to each other.”

Never Give Up

Mr. Jiang first came to the United States in 1995. He was very ambitious and ready for hard work. While the language barrier and new environment made life difficult at first, he eventually found his way.

He first held part-time busboy jobs while going to school. He learned a lot through tedious work. And in 1997 he opened his first restaurant. At first the operation was not satisfactory and in 2001 he opened a new restaurant with one of his family members. This second establishment was even more difficult. Finally, after much analysis, Mr. Jiang moved back to the original restaurant Family Buffet, which has been continually a success. With the failures and many lessons, Mr. Jiang gained much useful experience.

His secret to success: Gain the ability to make the right choices at the right time. And remember that persistence always takes part in success.

In the future, Mr. Jiang may consider opening another buffet restaurant if the right opportunity arises.