At the Forefront of Innovation

Evergreen China Buffet

Location: 2223 E 17th St. Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: 208-524-0999
Offers:  Buffet, Take-out, Catering
Cuisine: Chinese Cuisine
Capacity: 240
Signature Dishes: Chicken w. Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, General Tso’s Chicken, Spicy Chicken/Shrimp in Sichuan Style
Year of Establishment: 2000

Idaho Falls, as the largest city in Eastern Idaho, has great appeal to travelers due to its proximity to world-class outdoor recreation resorts and also Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, with its economic vitality, booming business market, and high quality of life, it also attracts entrepreneurs endeavoring to blaze a trail of success. Ying Yang came to Idaho Falls with a vision; by opening Evergreen Buffet he was able to realize his dreams of bringing quality Chinese cuisine to Idaho Falls.

Yang’s experience is common as many Chinese restaurants owners began their careers toiling in the back of restaurants. Starting as a busboy, he rose to become a cook, a chef, and finally to becoming the owner of his own take-out restaurant. Yang took each step very seriously and worked hard to accumulate experience and capital so that he could take things to the next level by becoming a restaurant owner. The chance came when Yang visited Yellowstone National Park and found Idaho Falls to be the perfect place to open a buffet.

In the late 1990s, buffet restaurants began popping up, bringing the notion of “all you can eat” to people all around the country. Yang was tracking this trend and decided to introduce Chinese buffet restaurant dining to Idaho Falls as there weren’t any other Chinese buffet restaurants in the region.

“Location, location, location” rings loud in the restaurant industry. Yang knows it well and chose to locate the restaurant in a lively shopping mall with crowds of people streaming in and out.

His decision has proven wise. People in the area love the bountiful options served at Evergreen Buffet. “It is always packed with customers, and there is always a line of people at the buffet bars,” says Yang.

Yang explained that the reason for the buffet’s popularity is that people can get a lot of great food without having to break the bank. An abundance of buffet options, inviting atmosphere, and low price are what sets Evergreen Buffet apart from the rest. 
 
The selections at Evergreen Buffet cover Hunan, Szechuan, and Cantonese cuisine. Patrons usually start with some appetizers like the chicken teriyaki, egg rolls, and boneless spareribs before going on to the entrees which include chicken, beef, pork and seafood dishes. In addition, the restaurant branches out from traditional Chinese offerings by allowing customers an opportunity to taste high quality Japanese sushi. Each style of food has its own unique flavor. Americanized meals tease the customers’ taste buds with sweet and sour flavors, while Szechuan dishes are enticingly spicy, and Cantonese entrees please foodies with their light taste.

Be sure to check out some of the highly recommended entrées such as Chicken w. Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, General Tso’s Chicken, and Spicy Chicken/Shrimp in Sichuan Style. Boasting the largest assortments of seafood, such as crab leg, clam, mussel, salmon and shrimp, Evergreen Buffet is the first choice in the town for anyone with seafood cravings. 
  
During the summer, Yang goes to great lengths to provide authentic Chinese dishes to travelers looking to have some authentic Chinese food before heading over to Yellowstone Park.

The chefs prepare dishes with pure vegetable oil in an effort to keep up with the healthy dining trend. This initiative, along with the chef’s commitment to use less oil or salt in general, is part of a push to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the restaurant’s dishes. This is a priority at Evergreen as saturated fat raises cholesterol levels—putting people at risk for obesity and heart disease. In addition, there is also an extensive selection of vegetables to balance meals, and fresh fruits, ensuring a healthy dining experience.

Another common theme that Evergreen Buffet revolves around is “freshness.” The staff at Evergreen Buffet pays close attention to the number of customers in the restaurant at any given time. This helps the kitchen determine the buffet item portion sizes. The portion size of each buffet item is controlled according to customer traffic and popularity then replenished after a certain time to guarantee that every item in the buffet is fresh.

Building and expanding a solid customer base has been a goal at Evergreen Buffet since it first opened. The staff takes great care to provide top-notch customer service at all times. In fact, they have established two very clear rules: always being polite to the customers and fulfilling their requests whenever possible. Whether it is an especially difficult diner, a customer’s special request for sauce on the side, or a co-worker who needs a helping hand, Yang requires that all the staff strictly follow these rules so that they can help create a wonderful dining experience for every patron who stops in.

Besides buffet offerings, the restaurant continues to expand on existing take-out and catering options in the interest of allowing consumers to enjoy restaurant-prepared meals at home, in the office, and during commutes. 

Although economists are predicting that the economy will recover some in 2011, many restaurants are still firmly stuck in the recession. Evergreen Buffet, while affected, has been one of those restaurants that have been able to make it through the economic storm by relying on the loyalty of its customers and continuing to offer a superior dining experience.

Yang is proud to say that customer support rather than price cutting or discount offering has been the key to the restaurant’s success over the years. “Although people are eating out less, some customers still frequent the restaurant several times a week. I believe the best advertising is through word of mouth,” says Yang.

Opened in 1999, Evergreen Buffet was the first Chinese buffet in the area and has made a name for itself over the past 12 years by consistently offering great Chinese food. The restaurant just received the recognition of Top 100 Buffet in the 7th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Conference & Show held in San Francisco, in January, 2011. This national event organized by Chinese Restaurant News recognizes, cultivates, and preserves the best in Chinese cuisine.

Stop by Evergreen Buffet if you happen to visit Idaho Falls and are looking for a complete Chinese dining experience.