A Chinese buffet in East Tawas is giving hungry travelers more than the usual fried rice and sesame chicken. China Buffet serves a wide selection of Chinese-American favorites, sushi, seafood, and comfort food, all under one roof.
Located at 724 E Bay St, this casual restaurant has become a popular stop for families and visitors exploring Michigan’s Sunrise Side. Diners praise the honey chicken, butter potatoes, and sushi selection, while the buffet format makes it easy to try several dishes in one visit.
The variety is the main attraction, but there are a few other things worth knowing before you go, including which dishes get the most attention, what to expect from the buffet, and how to plan your visit.
Where the Lake Huron Breeze Meets the Buffet Line
My first visit started with a quick test of my patience, because the outside is so plain that I almost drove past it. The building does not shout for attention, and honestly, it does not need to.
China Buffet sits at 724 E Bay St, East Tawas, MI 48730, right along the main road that hugs Tawas Bay in northeastern Michigan. The phone number is 989-984-5588 if you want to call ahead with questions.
East Tawas is a small harbor town on the Lake Huron shore, a part of the state locals proudly call the Sunrise Side. Visitors come for sandy beaches, boating, and quiet downtown strolls.
The restaurant fits that relaxed mood well. It is a place where you can show up in beach sandals and nobody blinks.
With a 4.4 star rating from more than 1,500 diners, word has clearly gotten around town. That number made me curious, and the inside soon explained it.
Next up, I will share what greeted me once the door swung open.
A Plain Wrapper Hides a Bright Surprise
Don’t judge a buffet by its siding. That became my new motto about thirty seconds after I went inside.
The dining room is clean, well lit, and much bigger than I expected. Tables are spaced out nicely, so I never felt like I was eating in my neighbor’s lap.
A couple of TVs hang on the walls, and the overall feel is calm and casual. Families with small kids sat a few tables away from a quiet older couple, and both groups looked perfectly comfortable.
Cleanliness came up again and again as I looked around. Staff kept wiping tables and tidying the buffet area while I ate, which made a good impression.
Some couples even treat this as a special date spot because the seating feels private enough for real conversation. I can see why.
It is roomy enough that even a packed holiday crowd does not feel squished.
All that space has a purpose, though, and it is lined up in steaming rows near the center of the room.
Six Tables Deep in Chinese American Classics
Six long, double sided tables. I counted twice because my stomach did not believe my eyes.
The classics are all here. Sesame chicken, honey chicken, General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and pepper chicken sat side by side like a poultry family reunion.
Beef fans get Mongolian beef and pepper steak. There is also fried rice, lo mein noodles, dumplings, egg rolls, and teriyaki chicken skewers.
Honey chicken turned out to be a crowd favorite, and I understood why after one bite of the sticky, sweet coating. The bourbon chicken also earned a second trip from me.
Soups, including wonton, wait near the start of the line. I suggest grabbing a small bowl first while you plan your route.
My best tip is to take small scoops on your first lap. That way you can sample more without filling up too fast.
Trays get refilled often, so the food stays hot and fresh. Still, the biggest surprise was sitting on ice a few steps away.
Sushi on Ice in a Lake Town
Finding fresh sushi in a small northern Michigan town felt a bit like spotting a palm tree in a pine forest. Yet there it was, chilled on ice and made fresh.
The selection covers many common favorites. I tried a roll with avocado, cucumber, and sesame seeds, and it tasted clean and bright next to all the fried dishes.
Let me be honest. This is buffet sushi, not a fancy Japanese sushi bar, but it is very good for a buffet.
Sushi got mentioned by diners more than almost any other dish here. That told me plenty of people agree with my verdict.
The ice keeps rolls cool, and staff restock often during busy hours. Lunch and dinner rushes usually mean the freshest pieces.
One detail made me laugh out loud, in a good way. Takeout sushi has been priced at roughly fifty cents a piece in the past, so ask about current pricing.
Sushi was not the only thing from the water, either, and the seafood surprised me even more.
Frog Legs, Salmon, and Other Plot Twists
Frog legs. Yes, I hopped right over to try them.
They do not show up every day, so consider it a lucky bonus when they do. The taste is mild, somewhere near chicken, with a lighter texture.
Seafood lovers have plenty of other choices. I saw whole salmon, shrimp, scallops, coconut shrimp, and fried shrimp spread across the trays.
Coconut shrimp was my favorite of the bunch. The crunchy outside had a sweet coconut flavor that worked well with a dab of sauce.
Crab rangoons deserve a mention too. These creamy, crispy little bundles were gone fast every time staff set out a new batch.
Stuffed mushrooms and sauteed mushrooms add another savory option that many folks overlook. Do not make that mistake.
My advice is simple. Walk the full line before you commit, because the menu shifts a little from day to day.
Not everyone in a group craves Asian flavors, though, and the next section shows how this buffet handles that.
Something for the Picky Eater at Your Table
Every family has one. Mine is my cousin, who orders plain pizza at nearly every restaurant.
Happily, this buffet has a strong lineup of Western style dishes for people like him. Fried chicken, wings, pan fried potatoes, and fried shrimp all made an appearance.
The ribs were a fun twist. They come with traditional barbecue sauce plus a light Asian touch, so they taste familiar with a little something extra.
Butter potatoes also get plenty of love from diners. They are simple, soft, and very hard to stop eating.
Veggie fans and plant based eaters can find choices too. Fresh fruit, salads, vegetables, spring rolls, and veggie sushi rolls offer a decent range for a small northern town.
Options shift depending on the day, so vegan diners should check the trays carefully. Staff can help answer questions.
Kids love this setup because they choose exactly what lands on their plate. Fewer arguments mean happier parents.
Speaking of happy kids, the sweetest corner of the room is coming up next.
The Sundae Bar and a Cookie Worth the Hype
Grown adults swirling soft serve like kids at a birthday party. That was the scene I found at the dessert station.
A small soft serve ice cream sundae bar comes with toppings, and it is a big hit with families. I built a modest sundae and then went back for a less modest one.
The rest of the desserts include tiny cakes, pudding, jello, and fresh fruit. Nothing fancy, just sweet and simple.
Now for the real secret. The almond cookies at the end of the fruit and jello bar are a must, and regulars seem to agree completely.
They are crisp, buttery, and lightly nutty. I tucked one next to my tea and called it a perfect finish.
Here is one more tip for dessert hunters. Sesame balls, those chewy treats with a sweet bean filling, are served only at lunch.
Plan accordingly if you want them.
So when should you visit for the best mix of fresh food and elbow room? I have some thoughts.
Timing Your Visit Like a Local
Clock watchers, this one is for you. The hours are easy to remember.
China Buffet opens at 11 AM every day. It closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and stays open until 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Dinner rushes, especially after 6 PM, get busy. The place fills up quickly on weekends and holidays like Mother’s Day, though the big room keeps it from feeling cramped.
Some regulars like going between 1 PM and 5 PM on weekdays. It is quieter, and the food stays hot, although a few items may sit a bit longer during slow stretches.
Busy times actually help freshness, since trays get replaced faster. Even in winter, steady traffic keeps the line moving.
Summer brings the most visitors to East Tawas, roughly June through August. Plan an early dinner during those months.
There is a private lot behind the building, but it can fill up at peak hours.
Once you have a table, you will notice who keeps everything running so smoothly.
The Refill Squad Never Misses a Beat
My drink never got close to empty. I tested this, sip by sip, and the staff won every time.
Servers here move quickly and stay friendly. I was greeted with a smile, and my drink order was taken within minutes.
The hot tea was a pleasant surprise, warm and soothing after a cold walk along the bay. Tea lovers will appreciate the choices.
Behind the scenes, workers keep the buffet trays filled and the serving area clean. Used plates vanish from tables quickly, so there is always room for round two.
Even on busy nights, helpful staff stayed calm and polite. Nobody rushed me, and nobody made me wait long for anything.
Small details like that matter more than people think. Good service makes a simple meal feel relaxed and easy.
I made a point to say thank you on my way out. It felt like the right thing to do.
Of course, great service is nice, but the bill at the end might be the happiest part.
Full Plates, Light Wallet
Fifteen dollars. That was roughly the price of my dinner buffet, and I left with a very full belly.
Recent dinner prices have hovered around that mark, with lunch usually costing a little less. Prices can change, so check before you go.
For a family of four, the total can come in lower than expected. Kids get to sample several desserts without anyone counting scoops.
Not in the mood for a buffet? A full menu is available for dining in or takeout.
Combo meals are a strong deal. A sesame chicken combo with rice, an egg roll, and soup has been listed around ten dollars, and crab rangoons come cheap too.
Staff have even been kind about small swaps when ordering takeout. It never hurts to ask politely.
Takeout food arrives hot, with large portions that easily stretch into a second meal. Perfect for a cabin night.
There was still one more thing I had not noticed yet, and it was waiting right outside the window.
Sunset Over Tawas Bay With a Side of Fried Rice
Dessert in one hand, camera in the other. The view surprised me more than the frog legs did.
From the dining room, I caught a glimpse of Tawas Bay glowing under a colorful evening sky. In winter, diners have enjoyed that same view over a snowy bay.
Location makes this spot easy to pair with a full day out. Tawas Point State Park and its historic lighthouse are a short drive away.
I spent my morning walking the sandy shoreline there, then came back hungry. It was the perfect plan.
The AuSable River is also within reach for anglers who want to try fly fishing. Summer brings swimmers and boaters to the bay.
After all that fresh air, a hot buffet hits just right. Simple food, friendly faces, and a lake view make a strong team.
East Tawas has plenty of charm, and this buffet adds a hearty, honest meal to it. I will be back for those almond cookies, and probably for one more sundae.
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