Changsha Restaurant

The Buffett was filled with dried, long sitting food. Noodles are hard, the chicken is cold and sticky. Not much of a selection. Going back to Diamond Head.

Yes, it's Americanized Chinese, but that's what you'll get at 99% of Chinese restaurants in southwest Missouri, and it's delicious for what it is. Changsha is my favorite cashew chicken in Republic; when my wife and I moved here almost two years ago, we tried them all, and I think we've returned here all but a few times.

I usually stick with the basics, so that's what I'll be able to report on. All their breaded chicken is lean white meat, so no extra charge or possible order mixup there. I've yet to have a sauce I didn't like, though the lemon is strong enough that it can get to be a bit much by the end of the meal. I'm not a huge rice guy, but can eat it if I add some sauce. Their egg rolls, crab rangoon, and wontons are good to above average. Each entree receives a complimentary fortune cookie. The portions are large enough that the meat and rice of each entree cover an entire plate, leaving the other items on a separate one.

The drive through can be slow at times, but service at the window and inside is very courteous and polite. The tables are placed a decent distance apart, and the hostesses seat to allow you a measure of privacy unless the place is packed. The tables and chairs are the same ones that are in every other Chinese restaurant.

It isn't the absolute cheapest Chinese food in the area, but it's a great value: two adults can have two large entrees and waters for less than $10 before tip, and when almost all traditional fast food combo meals are $6+ apiece, that's pretty good. The buffet looks relatively small, but I don't eat enough to justify getting it.

Good buffet. Great Mongolian BBQ.  Excellent service. I think this is the best Chinese buffet in the area.