The China House Restaurant and Buffet at 1900 Sycamore Ave. in Dekalb is located just past the Jewel and before the Wal-Mart. It is a really plain and simple exterior covered in bricks with a small parking lot gracing the front. As you walk through the front door you are greeted by children’s fifty cent toy machines on either side of you and another set of doors. As you walk in the actual restaurant there is seating on the left side of the room with five buffet tables on the right side. A hostess leads you to your table and takes your drink orders and then you commence the gorging process.
The first buffet table on the far left is dedicated to the seafood of the Chinese culture. With trays of crab legs that are always a favorite for anyone and they are delicious. Next to that they have fish fillets in different sauces that I cannot comment on due to my allergies to fish products. So, I interviewed my brother who is a China House Veteran and he said, “It was alright, the different selections kind of have the same basic flavor and not much else. I would only recommend the shellfish on that buffet because they are delicious.” Overall, the first buffet table looks delicious and is a successful table.
The second buffet table is dedicated to traditional Chinese dishes that we Americans know and love. They have your classic sesame chicken, orange chicken, beef, pork, and shrimp fried rice, and different side noodle dishes. They also have many beef and pork dishes that I barely sampled but were very tasty. I am a fan of everything on this buffet table except for the fried rice. The rice is dry and tasteless, so if you are looking for good fried rice then you’re in the wrong place.
The third and forth tables are filled with traditional American cuisine. All kinds of appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks and potatoes, and other side dishes with children’s food, like chicken strips, take all those spots on those tables. These dishes are adequately prepared for the average buffet so I was not impressed with any of those. You can find all of the American foods anywhere.
The fifth table is all desserts, Chinese and American, with a soft serve machine that makes everyone happy. They have sweet glazed pineapples, chocolate pudding, wontons with various fillings. The dessert table is a great way to finish your experience with nothing too heavy which makes everyone feel more comfortable walking out the door.
The service is great for drinks and cleaning up your dishes. They know when you’re done with your drinks and when the next round of plates is coming. But the funniest part is watching the servers talk to each other in little groups about how long you have been eating in their restaurant and how much business they’re losing. I asked my brother what he thought about these women and he said, “I think the little Chinese women are funny to watch because they scurry around getting everything done. When they get in their little group and snicker about the fraternity guys that are eating all their food makes us all laugh.” So, if you have nine dollars lying around, then the China House is the place for a great Chinese experience. The interior is covered with murals and tapestries of old China that really give you a sense of history and tradition as you consume copious amounts of Chinese food. I urge everyone to experience the China House and enjoy.
China House Restaurant
1900 Sycamore Rd, Dekalb, IL
(815) 748-0032
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