To celebrate the Year of the Boar, BiteClub made a, uh, pig of itself at several of SoCo's most impressive all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets. Let's just say it's no easy task to face down 100-plus items at a single sitting. Especially when some of those steam trays had us worried for our gastronomic lives. But for you, it was worth it. After tossing back a few Tums, we name the top spots to get some serious grub on. As well as where you might want to, well, reconsider if you're really THAT hungry.
Best Bet: Gourmet Garden Buffet
A rare gem, this Petaluma newcomer is some seriously good eats, and word is already out among the buffet-set. Eager eaters at both lunch and dinner can be cause for some serious traffic jams among the steam tables. But the wait is worth it.
What endears Gourmet Garden most is the minimal amount of filler--you know, tapioca, carrot salad, Jell-O and French Fries--that beef up other buffets. Oh sure, you'll find most of this stuff, but it doesn't dominate. Instead, Gourmet Garden has trays of fresh seafood (salmon, Tilapia, shrimp and crab), and a genuine sushi bar where fresh rolls--including high-end 'Rainbow' and unagi--are made frequently.
Other extremely edible entrees include orange chicken (waaaaaay better than Panda Express) beef noodles, pepper chicken and pineapple chicken. There are plenty of nods to American tastes with trays of fried calamari (steer clear), pizza, macaroni and won tons. Plus, a decent salad bar with both lettuce (shocking!) and cold seafood and salad dishes (along with a not-to-bad Kimchee). For dessert (where Chinese buffets eternally fall short), there is of course, three kinds of Jell-O, along with cakes, warm apple crisp and ice cream. 100 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707.778.3899. Open for lunch and dinner, plus take-out.
Top Contender: Fou Zhou II
A Press Democrat lunchtime favorite, this spot has recently undergone a serious facelift. Boasting some 150 items, it's the most expansive we've found, verging on a bit dizzying in its selections. There are plenty of solid choices--and favorites include garlic green beans, Chinese-style Angel Hair pasta and a creamy, sweet chicken in white sauce (kind of like Walnut Chicken without the walnuts). Steer far away from the sushi, which is among the nastiest bit of food I've ever put in my mouth. Fried food fans will find an embarrassment of riches here, and there are a number of interesting desserts, including sesame cookies, among the Jell-O and tapioca. Overall, a solid choice for serious eaters and hungry media-types in need of a quick nosh. 450 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, 707.523.7000
Kid's Choice: JK's Four Seasons Buffet
With just about 50 or so selections, JK's in Rohnert Park doesn't have nearly the selection of the top two contenders, or the quality. BiteClub, to put a fine point on it, would be loathe to put just about anything here on its plate or in its mouth again. However, the all-you-can-eat thrill of non-stop Jell-O, canned peaches and Won Tons got our kid's thumbs up. If you go, the cream cheese Won Tons and Vietnamese spring rolls are your only salvation. 595 Rohnert Park Expy W, Rohnert Park, 707.588.8629
Other buffets
King Buffet, 2131 County Center Dr., Santa Rosa, 707. 576.8388
Kwei Bin, 613 E Washington St., Petaluma, 707.778.6939
Panda Palace, 1202 W Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, 707.535.0404
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Geep (03/08/2008 6:37:50 PM)
Comment: I go to Gourmet Garden fairly frequently, most recently just last evening. The quality of the food remains consistently good. The selection varies, your favorite might not be there on any particular visit, as they rotate the items all the time.
JK's in Rohnert Park has been under new ownership for a few months. There have been minor upgrades (such as real ice cream instead of softies and some improved table decor) but no really major changes. Perhaps something else is coming soon.
Posted By: isabella (03/04/2007 10:27:07 PM)
Comment: Fou Zhou's non-buffet restaurant near Oliver's in Cotati was good, and you could get a hot meal while doing your laundry next door. However, their buffet restaurant is lacking in both quality and heated food. I went to JK's for the first time a couple of days ago, and after gagging down a half plate of nearly inedible food, I won't go there again. They did have good beer, but if you need your Chinese food fix after shopping at Target or after a movie, at least Panda Express changes their food trays regularly. I hope Gourmet Garden is better than the competition.
Posted By: Tony (26/03/2007 9:28:36 AM)
Comment: I have been to Gourmet Garden numerous times since it had opened a few months ago. Their food has always been fresh and very tasty. I followed the link from the previous comment to the helath dept.'s website. It appeared that all 7 out of 8 violations have been corrected within 2 days.
Posted By: Pulcino (01/03/2007 6:06:34 PM)
Comment: The review of the Gourmet Garden Buffet in Petaluma seemed very tempting until I found out that it has 8 critical and 1 minor health inspection violations, one of the highest number of any restaurant in Sonoma County.
See for yourself at http://food.sonoma-county.org/FoodInspectionDetails.asp?FoodID=CL71
Posted By: Tom (22/02/2007 6:01:56 PM)
Comment: You all should head over to the new chinese/american buffet in petaluma off e. washington. Its called Gourmet Garden Buffet and its the best place so far. My family and I enjoy going there and I think you all should swing by and give them a try!
Posted By: Megan (21/02/2007 1:54:25 PM)
Comment: After some friends got seriously sick after eating at Fou Zhou II and their report from the health department that they "put food from customer's plates back on the buffet" I think I'll pass!!
Posted By: denise (21/02/2007 1:08:55 PM)
Comment: very very good!! my husband and i enjoyed the place a lot! best thing thats hit town
Posted By: natasha (18/02/2007 6:05:02 PM)
Comment: We have eaten at Fu Zhou many times,including last week. The newly redecorated place scared me a bit,but the prices are still low and favorites are unchanged. We head for the dim sum. I find their har gow(shrimp dumplings)tasty,char siu bao(pork buns)fine,small spring rolls and siu mei all good choices. I also like the garlic green beans,chicken wings,barbequed boneless chicken,stuffed mushrooms,and fresh fruit. My dessert selections of fancy iced cake,more fruit and cheesecake make me happy and my husband likes the cookies and cheesecake,too.The fish for the sushi is okay,but the rice is BORING! Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Posted By: Mel (18/02/2007 3:07:10 PM)
Comment: Look who ended up in P-Town at the new buffet! Good to know for that next chance I get to dine mid-western style!!!
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