More than a year ago, the local Bennigan's restaurant closed it's doors. It was one of the 'common but nicer' places to eat. The building was vacant for months. One day while passing, I noticed pieces of cut concrete in the front parking lot. To me, this indicated someone was cutting the floor... probably to change plumbing inside the restaurant. Hopefully, a new business was going to take over the old building. A large (30 cubic yard) construction dumpster was dropped near the front entrance and more signs of renovation were happening nearly every week. New lights outside, trimmed shrubs, a neon "OPEN" sign in the window and the Bennigan's sign came down only to be replaced by CHINA BUFFET.
I told a friend about the place and how crowded the parking lot was the first week they were open. So, one day, she and her daughter had a try at the take-out. Simple concept. Take what you want, they weigh it and charge accordingly. Chicken, pork and beef have one price and seafood has a higher price. My friend told me the food was tasty and I should go.
Yesterday, in my travels, I decided to stop at the China Buffet to pick up dinner. It was around 7pm and the place wasn't crowded at all. I walked inside and was greeted by a very pretty Chinese woman who asked if I was eating in or taking out. I said 'takeout'. She handed me a Styrofoam container and proceeded to tell me about the different prices for the food.
I perused the buffet and partly filled the container with some chicken and beef. I went back to the counter for another container. While she was getting the container, I asked "What city are you from?"
In a thick accent, she replied "I'm from China"
I said "Yes, I know... but what city are you from?"
She told me a city name I didn't recognize so I asked what big city was near her city and she said "Shanghai"
She asked if I had been to China and I told her no. I mentioned I have some Chinese friends there and I would like to go this year on vacation... I added that I would need to learn some basic Chinese before my trip.
Her reply was "You come eat at my restaurant every day and I teach you Chinese"
I thought to myself "Who's getting the better end of this deal here" 
So, I paid for my food and said goodbye...
My friend was right... the food was tasty. However she didn't warn me about how greasy it was.
After dinner I started thinking about the woman in the restaurant, her offer and the greasy food. It was then a fear came over me... "Could I learn Chinese before I become afflicted with coronary disease?"
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KnittinKitten
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Jan 30 @ 9:44PM
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Chat:
We have a China Buffet near us...The food is quite tasty and, I haven't found that it was too greasy. Sometimes I'll just put something greasy on a napkin and solve the problem that way.
I have been to China - 17 times...and, Chat, I hate to tell you, but, one of the things that I found there was that the food was greasier than I had over here. However, I believe it's cooked in various oils, not animal fat. (Don't tell anyone, but I liked our American Chinese Food better.)
Whatever you do, don't let that stand in your way of visiting this fascinating country!
Fondly,
KK 
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chatillion
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Jan 30 @ 9:59PM
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Judy, it never ceases to amaze me all the wonderful comments you make on the blogs here. Not just mine but all the others.
I extend a sincere thanks!
Like everyone I know, it's a matter of stability in the economy that will determine when I will be able to go for an extended travel. I'm told it's best to go early in the springtime so I can see the cherry blossom... I dislike cold weather and would consider something toward the end of Summer.
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summerbreeze916
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Jan 30 @ 11:38PM
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The cherry blossoms would be nothing short of splendid! 
We even have a China Buffet here.........
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missliss78
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Jan 30 @ 11:56PM
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A bit off topic from your blog here, chat, but I believe you find what I say of interest nonetheless.
I read an article some time back written by a Chinese girl raised in the United States, somewhere in the northeast. She was born of Chinese parents & was accustomed to the "Chinese food" that her mom cooked at home. When she was older & ventured out on her own & went to "Chinese Restaurants" she was taken aback by how different the food was. Of course, we all know there are so many different regions in China which bring on a different take on the food, but also, she discovered in her travels & eventual research, that the Chinese who settle here in America & open restaurants tend to tweak their foods for the taste of the area they are in here, as well.
There are maybe 3 different restaurants that I visit every so often here. The foods are basically the same...albeit some greasier than others...but I did notice on a trip to southern Illinois a while back that the food there was rather much different from the food here in eastern NC.
Food for thought!
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luneib
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Jan 31 @ 11:16AM
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I love the chinese buffets, there aren't any near us 'though. A really good one is about an hours drive from us. Now we just go to a local chinese restaurant the next town over for takeout and they are pretty good. It's not the kind of food you want everyday but it's nice every once in awhile.
So....Chatillion, are you going to take her up on her offer to teach you Chinese? Perhaps a chinese phrase book from the bookstore? Yeh, greasy food doesn't agree with me either, it just slides on down lol.
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