China Garden — Restaurant in Columbia Township

Let me start off by saying that my work has me travelling all over the place. So I have a larger sampling of Chinese buffets than most.

The good: The place is clean, from the bathrooms to the tables. That's a plus, believe me. The food was hot. I went on a Wednesday at noon and what they had was a decent temperature. The selection was standard for a Chinese buffet. Although they did have shrimp, which most places reserve for dinner. Surprisingly they didn't have chicken tenders, which is fine. They're never good from a buffet. Their best entree was definitely their hibachi chicken with teriyaki sauce. It was the best I've ever had it. Their general tso's left something to be desired, but their Hawaiian chicken was excellent. I didn't see any crab rangoon, which is nice. If it isn't from St. Louis, where it was created, then it's usually bad. All in all the food was a bit above average. It was fresher than most when I went there. They have a soft serve ice cream machine, which puts them above most. It was good cream too. It wasn't spoiled. Believe me, it happens.

The bad: As many other reviews have stated the service here is terrible. All the servers are young girls. I was led to my seat, and I set my things on the table and got my food. I sat down and started eating. The girl who was supposed to be in charge of my table looked busy. No worries, I could wait. She started seating other people. Again, it was the lunch rush, not a problem. But after ten minutes of her walking around doing nothing, I had to stop her and ask for my drink. I had to ask her about my drink, not the other way around. She had no intention of serving me if she could avoid it. After I got my water, she never came back. I drink a good amount of water, and need more refills than most. After they caught me looking up the reviews on the place, another server asked me if I wanted a refill. At that point everything was fine. The different girl paid attention and asked me about my drink just after it was finished each time. So the service is this place's downfall.

My verdict, 3 out of 5. If they step up their service, 4 out of 5. If you are hungry for Chinese buffet style food, you could do worse. Just don't be afraid to voice your needs to the servers, because they will...

Sushi is 20 Stars. Buffet had several items: Luke warm, even cold: Chicken on stick, beef broccoli, fried rice, Hawaiian chicken was chewy. Front legs were nice & hot.

Server was aweful, water glass was empty, I came back to table after filling 2 plates, and it still was not refilled. Asked server to refill (mind you customers drink should never be empty). He finally refilled it, mind you he only had 4 tables. Watched server hide when we first came in, then later is was talking (loudly) @computer station by our table to woman working up front (spoke in Chinese, even sounded like they were arguing).... While there our server, placed water glasses on different table, they didn't want water(he got the drink order), then stopped 1 other table, then stopped at our table asked if wanted more water, I said yes, he then dumped the water from the other glass in my glass. (So was so unprofessional), our server should have never did this, he should have only been using a water pitcher, I am sure there is a issue from healthy department. I went to restroom, they were clean. Saw a female server working an area by restrooms, she had a water pitcher.(correct way, for water refill). Our server was the only male server, he needs some major training, education on proper care of customers. Restaurant got busier as time went on, then our server was busy. He was lazy when we got there, he was more interested in sweeping the floor, and should have been taking care of customers drinks & removing dishes. Took pictures of food(something I like to do), our server heard me say something about google, he tried to be confrontation with me, (trying to cover for his bad serve, regarding refilling my water)I was talking to me husband, not him. This was very rude, I coukd see the game he was playing. Beware management of this location needs to set in, asap with corrective education for...

When you've lived in several big cities like Chicago, Detroit, D.C., Salem/Boston, and New York City, it's really hard to them find good/delicious and authentically made Chinese food that tastes like good/delicious and authentically made Chinese food... This place genuinely nails it because they're owned and operated by experts!!

If you enjoy good Chinese food, then you should definitely try this place!

It's a giant place with six distinct buffet spots. There's the sushi bar and hibachi, there's 4 entire banquets of hot, fresh, well stocked protein, veggies, rice dishes, noodles, sauces, yummy authentic soups, an entire salad bar section, and of course the fried deliciousness appetizers you'd expect. On the largest and furthest buffet section on the entire back wall are various fruits, and desserts galore, including cookies, cakes, and an ice cream machine!

Even your toddlers and young children will appreciate this place because the water feature for the fishies right up in front -- the about noise it makes tune out in a chatter or specific conversations that you might see here It's almost like white noise but not in a sleepy way. This place is chill but also really refreshing.

If you've never been inside because of its location, I highly suggest you go anyway but wait --- Go in through the gas station entrance. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed! 😉 (There is only one way in and out of this place and it is not through the hotel entry. It is absolutely the last entry point on that (East) side of the road. Seriously, it is just north of the light, right beside the gas station.)

This place is with the price, and they didn't charge my son's plate, so!!! 🫶

You'll thank me...