China One Buffet in Big Rapids, MI, is the kind of place that delivers exactly what you want from a proper buffet experience—hot, fresh food, a wide variety of options, and service that operates with near-military precision.
A group of work friends and I initially planned to grab takeout but wisely chose to dine in. A break from the office was well worth it. The buffet stations were consistently stocked, ensuring there was never an empty tray. Every dish was hot and fresh, a rarity for some buffets. The only mild mishap was one unfortunate diner underestimating the temperature of a bacon-wrapped bite—though, if anything, this speaks to the kitchen’s dedication to serving food at optimal temperatures.
I piled my plate high with their green beans, cooked in a style I describe as distinctly Chinese—simple, flavorful, and addictively good. General Tso’s chicken was rich and saucy, delivering just the right balance of sweet and spice. While I can’t confirm the origins of the General’s recipe, I can tell you it’s certainly not from the Colonel. The pepper steak was well-prepared, and in a strategic move, I borrowed some broccoli from the chicken and broccoli dish, a maneuver I highly recommend for boosting vegetable intake.
One of the more mysterious, yet delightful, items was a spring roll filled with a meat pâté-like filling. I didn’t know exactly what I was eating, but I did know I wanted more of it. Using green beans as a base instead of rice proved to be an excellent choice, keeping the meal lighter and preventing an afternoon energy crash.
The service was exemplary. The staff moved with sniper-like accuracy, ensuring my ice water was never empty—I have never felt more hydrated at a restaurant.
The environment was clean, though the restaurant has seen younger days. It has been around for years, and I don’t think I’ve seen a change.
China One Buffet checks all the necessary boxes—solid food quality, exceptional service, and an experience that delivers on expectations. I’ll absolutely be back, green beans first, mystery spring roll second. If you’re looking for a buffet that gets it right, this is one worth visiting.
Reta S.
I love their food. Do miss the dumplings or potstickers though. Very friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rochelle Smith
The food made my son and husband very sick that night. I do not care for it. Chicken is always dry and tough. And the fried rice tastes like they order the cheapest, worst quality available. I've tried this place a few different times and have felt the same every time. Won't be back, especially after husband and son got sick. Waitress was a sweetheart though.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
David Mortensen
Great food,friendly service, buffet is great good selection of foods,great place to eat
Kid-friendliness: It is kid friendly, from babies on up
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it is wheelchair accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Salad Bar, Steak Bites
Linda Collins
Wow the food was awesome. Variety was great. Just loved this place ❤️
I stop here all the time on my commute to work. Food is always good and fresh. Floor is greasy by the kitchen entrance so watch your step. Good sushi selection. I enjoy their tempura chicken. Very tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robin Kennedy
Not as Good of flavoring or seasonings on the meats. Friendly staff, pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
t f
Not worth it at all. Scallops were fishy, rice tasted funny, chicken mostly breading.
If I could give it zero I would... gave me and my boyfriend food poisoning... hair in food... dirty dishes don't go here
Talisha Hardin
Love all their food. All you can eat for $16. Great service also. Will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Susan Brown
We had six at our table and took one meal to go. At 5:30pm the (hot) food was cold, multiple pans of food were empty too long. Coconut shrimp was floating in sauce and cold. General Tao was so spicey you couldn't breath after taking a bite. Must have a different cook, not good anymore. The waitress didn't ask if we wanted refills of drinks and practically pushed us from our table, she started taking our dishes while we were still visiting and finishing our drinks. Not going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
A DeBoer
This place I went to under comparison to others of the same franchise. And I gotta say hands down this place beat them silly. Staff was quick, friendly, and knowledgeable. Food wasn't dry, or make me sick. Portions were displayed nice. When my friend who I was meeting for first time suggested it. I have to admit I was hesitant, so I was glad to see it was better then anticipated. Would I suggest here yes, would I eat here again yes. Did I have any complaints no not really. I believe this would be good place for any kind of gathering from simple lunch to couples, to event gatherings.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Honey Chicken, Egg Drop Soup
Caleb Handy
Excellent buffet, they have a large selection of traditional Chinese dishes. The sushi bar is fantastic, with a great variety of choices. Fruit, salad and dessert bar are also on point. The hand dip ice cream was fantastic.
Service is friendly and prompt. The restaurant also has clean and adequate bathrooms.
My only complaint was that the music was too loud and distracting. It made it difficult to converse with my dinner party.
Vegetarian options: I did not see many vegetarian options. Most dishes contain meat and or is fried with some kind of animal product.
Parking: Adequate parking available as it's in a shopping plaza
Kid-friendliness: Plenty of options and choices to keep the kids happy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salad Bar, Sushi, Honey Chicken, Steak Bites, Chicken Fried Rice, Princess Chicken, Hong Kong Steak, Chicken Lo Mein
China One Buffet in Big Rapids, MI, is the kind of place that delivers exactly what you want from a proper buffet experience—hot, fresh food, a wide variety of options, and service that operates with near-military precision. A group of work friends and I initially planned to grab takeout but wisely chose to dine in. A break from the office was well worth it. The buffet stations were consistently stocked, ensuring there was never an empty tray. Every dish was hot and fresh, a rarity for some buffets. The only mild mishap was one unfortunate diner underestimating the temperature of a bacon-wrapped bite—though, if anything, this speaks to the kitchen’s dedication to serving food at optimal temperatures. I piled my plate high with their green beans, cooked in a style I describe as distinctly Chinese—simple, flavorful, and addictively good. General Tso’s chicken was rich and saucy, delivering just the right balance of sweet and spice. While I can’t confirm the origins of the General’s recipe, I can tell you it’s certainly not from the Colonel. The pepper steak was well-prepared, and in a strategic move, I borrowed some broccoli from the chicken and broccoli dish, a maneuver I highly recommend for boosting vegetable intake. One of the more mysterious, yet delightful, items was a spring roll filled with a meat pâté-like filling. I didn’t know exactly what I was eating, but I did know I wanted more of it. Using green beans as a base instead of rice proved to be an excellent choice, keeping the meal lighter and preventing an afternoon energy crash. The service was exemplary. The staff moved with sniper-like accuracy, ensuring my ice water was never empty—I have never felt more hydrated at a restaurant. The environment was clean, though the restaurant has seen younger days. It has been around for years, and I don’t think I’ve seen a change. China One Buffet checks all the necessary boxes—solid food quality, exceptional service, and an experience that delivers on expectations. I’ll absolutely be back, green beans first, mystery spring roll second. If you’re looking for a buffet that gets it right, this is one worth visiting.
I love their food. Do miss the dumplings or potstickers though. Very friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food made my son and husband very sick that night. I do not care for it. Chicken is always dry and tough. And the fried rice tastes like they order the cheapest, worst quality available. I've tried this place a few different times and have felt the same every time. Won't be back, especially after husband and son got sick. Waitress was a sweetheart though.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Great food,friendly service, buffet is great good selection of foods,great place to eat
Kid-friendliness: It is kid friendly, from babies on up
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it is wheelchair accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Salad Bar, Steak Bites
Wow the food was awesome.
Variety was great.
Just loved this place ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Baklava, Salad Bar, Honey Chicken, Cajun Style Seafood, Princess Chicken
Excellent buffet style dining. Staff are fast and efficient as well as friendly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always love the food the service is always great n it's clean
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Chicken Fried Rice, Princess Chicken, Chicken Lo Mein
I stop here all the time on my commute to work. Food is always good and fresh. Floor is greasy by the kitchen entrance so watch your step. Good sushi selection. I enjoy their tempura chicken. Very tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not as Good of flavoring or seasonings on the meats.
Friendly staff, pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Not worth it at all. Scallops were fishy, rice tasted funny, chicken mostly breading.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
If I could give it zero I would... gave me and my boyfriend food poisoning... hair in food... dirty dishes don't go here
Love all their food. All you can eat for $16. Great service also. Will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
We had six at our table and took one meal to go. At 5:30pm the (hot) food was cold, multiple pans of food were empty too long. Coconut shrimp was floating in sauce and cold. General Tao was so spicey you couldn't breath after taking a bite. Must have a different cook, not good anymore. The waitress didn't ask if we wanted refills of drinks and practically pushed us from our table, she started taking our dishes while we were still visiting and finishing our drinks.
Not going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
This place I went to under comparison to others of the same franchise. And I gotta say hands down this place beat them silly. Staff was quick, friendly, and knowledgeable. Food wasn't dry, or make me sick. Portions were displayed nice. When my friend who I was meeting for first time suggested it. I have to admit I was hesitant, so I was glad to see it was better then anticipated. Would I suggest here yes, would I eat here again yes. Did I have any complaints no not really. I believe this would be good place for any kind of gathering from simple lunch to couples, to event gatherings.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Honey Chicken, Egg Drop Soup
Excellent buffet, they have a large selection of traditional Chinese dishes. The sushi bar is fantastic, with a great variety of choices. Fruit, salad and dessert bar are also on point. The hand dip ice cream was fantastic.
Service is friendly and prompt. The restaurant also has clean and adequate bathrooms.
My only complaint was that the music was too loud and distracting. It made it difficult to converse with my dinner party.
Vegetarian options: I did not see many vegetarian options. Most dishes contain meat and or is fried with some kind of animal product.
Parking: Adequate parking available as it's in a shopping plaza
Kid-friendliness: Plenty of options and choices to keep the kids happy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salad Bar, Sushi, Honey Chicken, Steak Bites, Chicken Fried Rice, Princess Chicken, Hong Kong Steak, Chicken Lo Mein
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