Frog legs, coconut chicken, and crab rangoon are just a few of the choices at Great Wall Buffet in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. This casual Chinese restaurant on South Mission Street has attracted more than 2,400 Google reviews, with diners frequently mentioning its variety and a few unusual favorites.
The buffet covers familiar dishes like lo mein and General Tso’s chicken, but the seafood selections and frog legs give visitors something different to try. There is also soft serve for dessert, making it an easy option for families who want plenty of choices.
Beyond the buffet, guests can order individual dishes from the menu. A few customer favorites are worth knowing about before filling your first plate.
A Busy Buffet on Mission Street
Plenty of college towns have a Chinese buffet, but few rack up thousands of online reviews. Great Wall Buffet does exactly that, and it sits at 1025 S Mission St in Mt Pleasant, Michigan.
Mission Street is one of the main roads through town, lined with shops and restaurants. Central Michigan University is close by, which helps explain the steady stream of hungry visitors.
The restaurant is listed as a Chinese restaurant with old-school standards and a hot buffet. It describes itself plainly, and I find that refreshing.
There is no big promise of fusion cooking or trendy plates.
Instead, you get traditional dishes in a low-key setting. You can eat from the buffet or order from the menu, which gives you two very different ways to enjoy a meal.
The Google rating of 4.2 stars across more than 2,400 reviews is a strong number for a casual spot. That much feedback usually means people keep stopping by, whether for a quick lunch or a family dinner.
So what actually fills those trays? The answer starts with a couple of dishes that keep showing up in conversations about this place.
Coconut Chicken Gets Its Own Fan Club
Coconut chicken comes up again and again when people talk about Great Wall Buffet. It is one of the most mentioned dishes in online discussions of the restaurant.
That caught my attention because it is not on every buffet line. Many places stick with sweet and sour chicken or General Tso’s and call it a day.
Here, coconut chicken gives the buffet a little personality. It sits alongside the usual fried favorites, so you can try a piece without giving up space for the classics.
My plan would be simple. I’d take a small portion on my first plate, then decide if it earns a return trip.
That is the nice part about a buffet. You get to test things without committing to a full order.
Kids who are picky about spicy food might find it a friendly choice, too. It is a good starting point for anyone who wants something a bit different but not too adventurous.
Of course, coconut chicken is the gentle option. The buffet also carries something that makes some diners raise an eyebrow, and it deserves its own spotlight.
Frog Legs for the Curious Eater
Frog legs are not something most people expect to see in a central Michigan strip of restaurants. Yet they are one of the dishes people mention most often at Great Wall Buffet.
For some diners, they are a fun dare. For others, they are a real treat they rarely find close to home.
I can understand the appeal. Trying frog legs at a buffet is low risk, because you only need to take one piece.
If you like it, go back. If not, there are dozens of other options waiting.
Fried chicken wings often share the spotlight with frog legs in conversations about this buffet. One diner even pointed to both as the highlight of the meal.
That pairing makes sense on a plate. You can set a familiar wing next to a frog leg and compare them yourself.
Families with adventurous kids might enjoy this part the most. It turns dinner into a small taste test, and it makes for a good story at school the next day.
Seafood fans have their own reasons to linger near the trays, too.
Shrimp, Seafood, and Crab Rangoon
Shrimp shows up in more than one form on this buffet. Diners have mentioned peeled shrimp with cocktail sauce, and one longtime visitor specifically said they like the shrimp here.
A seafood bake has also earned attention from at least one couple who visits twice a year. They called it outstanding, which is high praise for a buffet dish.
Crab rangoon is another steady favorite. These crispy wonton pockets are a classic part of American Chinese menus, and they are available here too.
One family said a son loved them so much he ordered them on their own with egg drop soup.
That shows a handy option. Not everyone in your group has to eat from the buffet.
Someone can order a smaller item from the menu instead.
My approach would be to grab a little seafood early, before the plate gets crowded with fried rice and noodles. It is easy to fill up fast at a buffet.
Speaking of filling up, the noodle and rice section deserves an honest look.
Classic Comfort on Every Tray
Lo mein, General Tso’s chicken, egg drop soup, and hot and sour soup all appear at Great Wall Buffet. These are the old-school standards the restaurant is known for.
Opinions on them vary, and that is normal for any buffet. Some people love the familiar flavors, while others want more spice or seasoning.
Here is my tip. Treat the buffet like a sampler.
Take small spoonfuls of several dishes first. Then go back for more of whatever you liked best.
The buffet also includes some non-Chinese choices, according to past visitors. That helps if someone at your table just wants something plain.
Sautéed mushrooms are on the line too, but vegetarians should know one detail. A recent diner noted that the mushrooms are cooked with pork.
That is worth remembering if you avoid meat.
Asking the staff about ingredients is always a smart move when you have dietary needs. Buffet dishes can surprise you.
Once the main plates are done, though, the meal is not over. The dessert corner has a couple of sweet surprises tucked near the end.
Soft Serve and a Pineapple Pastry
Dessert at a Chinese buffet is often the part people remember most as kids. Great Wall Buffet keeps that tradition alive with soft serve ice cream.
Few things beat swirling your own small cup after a plate of fried food. It is simple, but it makes the meal feel complete.
One diner found something less common, too. They described a treat similar to a shortbread cookie with a pineapple filling, and they wanted more of it.
That sounds a lot like pineapple cake, a sweet pastry popular in parts of Asia.
I find that detail fun. It is easy to walk right past a small pastry while heading for the ice cream machine.
If dessert matters to you, save a little room. A buffet makes that hard, I know.
But skipping the third plate of noodles could be the smartest choice of the night.
Kids will likely head straight for the soft serve. Adults might enjoy hunting for the pineapple pastry instead.
Of course, good food only works if the dining room feels comfortable, so let’s talk about that next.
Clean Plates and Spotless Restrooms
Cleanliness is one of the topics people bring up most about Great Wall Buffet. In fact, it ranks near the top of the subjects diners mention online.
One recent visitor said the restrooms were some of the cleanest they had seen in a public building. Another praised the clean plates, which matters a lot at a buffet.
Fresh food is the most talked-about topic of all, with more than 80 mentions. A longtime visitor explained one likely reason.
Busy traffic means trays get refilled quickly, so food does not sit for long.
A couple who visits twice a year even said they watched staff check food temperatures. That kind of care is reassuring.
The dining room itself is simple and roomy. Past diners have called it clean and comfortable, though a bit dated.
Some describe the lighting as dim.
I don’t mind a plain room if the trays stay full and the tables stay tidy. That trade-off feels fair for a casual meal.
A clean space is great, but the people working there shape the visit just as much.
Friendly Staff Who Keep Things Moving
A party of eight walked in not long ago, and the staff handled them without missing a beat. The diners later praised their waiter for amazing service.
Courteous staff is a frequent topic in discussions about Great Wall Buffet. Many visitors mention prompt drink refills and quick clearing of dirty dishes.
Another family watched workers quickly push tables together for a group of ten. That kind of flexibility makes the restaurant easier for big gatherings, birthdays, or team dinners.
No restaurant gets perfect marks from everyone, and this one is no exception. Still, friendly service comes up far more often than complaints.
My advice for groups is simple. Let the host know your number when you arrive, and be considerate if your plans change.
The staff sets up space for you, so a quick heads-up goes a long way.
Tipping is common since servers bring drinks and clear plates, even at a buffet. It is a small thank-you for keeping your table tidy.
Good service also connects to something many people care about deeply, which is getting a solid meal without spending a fortune.
Budget-Friendly Meals for Families
Value is a big reason people choose a buffet, and Great Wall Buffet keeps that idea front and center. One couple from Harrison said they drove down and found the meal well worth it.
Prices have gone up slowly over the years, like most restaurants. Lunch generally costs less than dinner, and Sunday follows dinner pricing.
That gives budget-minded diners a clear tip. Lunch is usually the friendliest time for your wallet.
If you can visit on a weekday afternoon, you may save a few dollars.
Drinks are typically charged separately. Choosing water is an easy way to keep the bill lower for a big family.
Not everyone wants the full buffet, either. Lunch specials and menu items like crab rangoon or soup can work for lighter eaters or picky kids.
I like that flexibility. A family can mix buffet plates with a couple of smaller orders and still eat together.
Since prices change, it helps to check with the restaurant before you go. That way there are no surprises at the register.
Timing your visit matters for more than price, too.
Smart Timing for Your Visit
Doors open at 11 a.m. every day of the week at Great Wall Buffet. On most days, the restaurant closes at 9 p.m., while Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 p.m.
Those later weekend hours help if you are catching a game or event at Central Michigan University. A late dinner is easy to fit in.
One family arrived near the end of the lunch buffet and still found the trays well stocked. That is a good sign for anyone running behind schedule.
Still, busier times often mean fresher food, since trays get refilled more often. A regular lunch or dinner rush can actually work in your favor.
Takeout is another choice. You can order from the menu and pick it up, though fried foods are always best eaten soon after cooking.
For visitors from nearby towns, this spot makes a handy stop along Mission Street. Parking and access are simple on such a main road.
Hours can shift around holidays, so a quick check online or a call is smart. With more than 2,400 reviews behind it, this buffet clearly keeps plenty of Michigan plates full.
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