Chinese Restaurants in Townships Around Detroit

The Mongolian Buffet (4235 East 12 Mile in Warren - (586) 558-9015) boasts over 200 items on its tables. I didn’t count literally but I would not be surprised if this were the case. There is the usual standard fare, from appetizers to soup to main courses, but there is also sushi and dim sum and a Mongolian grill (tip, please).

There is salad and pizza and a table full of deserts (no almond cookies though) and if you catch them on the weekend, oysters and roast beast. There is even a variety of cold food that is not labeled. This is probably a good thing; one glance at the chicken feet will tell you why.

My foremost rule when dining at such an establishment is “go for the protein“. These tables are set up so that you will load up on the fried rice, lo mein and egg rolls long before you discover the entrees you really want. In my case that would be the crab legs, pork ribs and all things shrimp.

I must admit that I love the variation and selection in buffets, but I believe Chinese food is meant to be tasted, savored, and above all, fresh. If that crab rangoon looks as if it has been shitting there for hours, it probably has.

The service here is moderate, but then a job clearing off endless crab claws is probably not the greatest profession. You often have to seek for yourself a crab-cracker or chop sticks or even extra napkins.

They offer carry-out buffet by the pound, party platters and children under 2 eat free. (When was the last time your toddler ate chicken feet?)

At the other end of the spectrum, if a generic Chinese restaurant exists, Ruby’s would be it. Located at 13720 14 Mile Rd. (at Shoenherr) in Warren, this small eatery has been in business for over 20 years.