China House is a Chinese buffet place, which means is predominantly standard fare Chinese dishes and a few American standbys such as baked Ham, crab legs, and salad fixings. My first impression comparing this with the numerous other Chinese restaurants I’ve been to during the 16 weeks I travel each year. I grew up in a Chinese family in New York, so I’ve had the best. So here goes.
Good things: loved the baked seafood, coconut shrimp, and the shrimp and fake crabmeat on a stick. I liked the seafood combo, bacon chicken, chicken with pineapple and the spinach wrap. But make sure to go to the “hibachi” (wrong country) corner where you can have chicken, steak and shrimp and seven kinds of veggies freshly cooked. Don’t get too excited about the steak, but the shrimp and chicken are decent The only buffet place with fried frog legs. It’s conveniently located especially if you are staying at any of the hotels on Franklin St.
Bad Things: How about the proprietor who sat down at my table, turned her back and proceeded to have a 10 minute conversation with the next table in Chinese. Not even so much as “dwei buchi” (excuse me). Seemed to have a limited 35 plus choices compared to Florida (maybe I’m spoiled) which had double that. Fish was a bit dry and General Tso would be ashamed of the chicken bearing his name. The fried stuff seemed to have sat around too long – the egg roll was tasteless. I didn’t try the fried chicken, shrimp or veggies.
Overall, a very passable meal (don’t expect gourmet food), and I’m sure you’ll be unlikely to have a rude proprietor at your table. The soup was decent, and even if you are on a diet, you’ll be able to find something. There’s enough there that you will be full. All for 10.60 for dinner, and probably less for lunch.