Chinese Buffets

OK, Lets go ahead and get this one out of the way. Most of the Chinese buffets in our area really have very little to do with real Chinese cuisine. They are mounds of breaded chicken with different cornstarch based sauces that are aimed at western taste buds. Their main goal is allowing us to gorge on mounds of the supplied fare which is very cheaply produced. There is one standout that I have found however. The Empire Buffet on Roan Street in Johnson City is about a mile north of the JC Mall. While it has all of the regular buffet stuff that most people look for, it also has some excellent other choices. Along with the regular, it has Vietnamese egg rolls, several types of fresh seafood, (Please try the baby clams if they are out), duck on occasion, and a well stocked and professionally run sushi bar. There are 4 hot service bars and 2 cold ones with the sushi section apart from the rest. The staff is the typical Chinese immigrant work force that we are used to but they at least don't give you that patronizing smile when you ask for chopsticks. Please feel free to give it a try if you like the buffet setting but don't blame me for the "I ate too much" feeling after you leave.

The Coffee Company, Elizabethton, TN

The Coffee Company is located on Elk Avenue in the old Downtown section of Elizabethton. The store that it is housed in an old store that used to be a men's shop that had been around since the 1920's. Walking in is like stepping back in time 70 or 80 years. The walls are bare brick and the owners were able to make use of the old display cases that were left behind in the store. They are oiled hardwood and heavy plate glass. They have a roaster in the back where cook up some of the finest fresh roasted coffee beans this side of Seattle. The roast master is John Bunn, who along with his wife Lisa own and run this operation. Flavoring oils are added to the fresh roasted beans while still warm from the roaster for the best possible flavor. They also employ what has to be some of the best cooks in the region. Ladies like Beth and Irene cook up some of the finest soups, breads, salads, and pastries ever made. The scones are soft but crumbly and the cinnamon roles are huge and slathered with a wonderful fresh frosting. Lunch of a soup, salad, or sandwich are great. Sandwiches can be served on croissant or hearty flat breads, the soups are flavorful, and the salads are incredibly fresh. As good as these are they pale in comparison to the quality desserts that they have available all day long. They are reasonably priced for the type and quality of food that they provide. They are open from 7:00am till 5:00pm and lunch is served until 3:00. They also offer catering and will host meetings at the restaurant site.

A Fat Man's Opinion about Dining in the East Tennessee Region

A friend once told me that "When a fat man recomends a place to eat, I eat there because they must know what they are talking about." With that being said, I decided to do a review of some of my favorite or most notable places to eat around my home. Please feel free to use any info that I put out there and tell me if my tastes are lousy.