A Generous Chinese Buffet Stop in Reno

A plate here can begin with chow mein and a few chicken wings, detour through sushi or soup, and finish with a small dessert from the bakery selection. At 3650 Kietzke Lane in Reno, this Chinese buffet gives a diner plenty of ways to assemble a meal without making the room feel like a mad dash.

The emphasis is on familiar Chinese buffet favorites, with enough seafood, vegetables, meats, salads and sweets to let a family table go in several directions at once. One person can keep things simple with chicken and noodles while another builds a seafood plate or heads straight for the grill.

The main buffet is stocked with Chinese entrées and the easygoing staples many people want from a casual lunch or dinner. Food is replenished regularly, which helps keep the line appealing as diners circle back for another look.

Chow mein is one dish worth noticing rather than treating as a filler on the plate. It has been singled out alongside fried chicken and chicken wings, a combination that makes for an especially satisfying, no-fuss lunch.

Beyond those comfort-food choices, the selection can include barbecue chicken skewers, Sichuan shrimp, steamed whole fish and salt-and-pepper pork chops. Those are the kinds of dishes that make a buffet visit more interesting than a single, overfilled first plate.

Seafood gets its own attention here, and diners who prefer lighter or brothy choices can work in a bowl of soup between trips to the hot bar. The soups have a comforting side to them, useful on a cool Reno day or when a plate of fried items starts to feel a little heavy.

The salad bar is a substantial stop in its own right, not merely a token bowl of lettuce placed near the desserts. It gives the meal a fresh counterpoint and makes it easier to build a more varied plate alongside the hot dishes.

Sushi is another option in the buffet mix. That combination of Chinese entrées, salad, sushi, soup and seafood is handy for a group with different appetites, since nobody has to negotiate one shared style of meal.

The Mongolian-style hibachi station changes the rhythm of the visit. Instead of selecting a finished entrée from the buffet, diners choose their own ingredients and trimmings, then watch a cook prepare the combination to order.

It is a good option for someone who wants a hotter, fresher-prepared plate amid the self-serve choices. You can make the bowl straightforward or load it up with the mix that looks right that day; the friendly welcome at the station helps keep the process relaxed.

Dessert does not have to be a grand finale to be welcome. The sweets are small but satisfying, giving diners a final bite after a buffet plate that may already have covered several courses.

The bakery selections add another reason to take a slow lap before leaving. These treats are a distinct stop from the main dessert choices, and they offer a pleasant alternative for someone who would rather end with a modest pastry-like bite than another full serving.

The room is kept clean, with staff staying alert to used plates and drink refills. On a buffet visit, that quiet bit of service matters: the table stays usable as plates come and go, rather than slowly disappearing under stacks of dishes.

Booths provide a comfortable choice for smaller parties, while a private dining room gives larger family meals and groups another seating option. The overall pace is easygoing enough for couples sharing a relaxed meal, families with children, or someone stepping away from work for lunch.

The restaurant has plentiful free parking in its lot, and free street parking is also available nearby. That removes one of the small hassles that can turn a casual meal into more of a project.

The setup is walk-in oriented, with no reservation requirement. An early arrival near 11 a.m. can be a useful time for diners who like the first service of the buffet, though current hours are worth confirming before making the trip.