For the fifth year in a row, Chef Lin Buffet has been chosen as the Chattanooga Times Free Press "Best of the Best" People's Choice Award winner in three categories: Chinese Restaurant, Buffet and Meal under $10.
"Any business that wins every year for those five years, they give you a special plaque for that," says owner Tony Lin. "I don't know how many businesses gets this kind of honor, but of course, it's exciting."
He says for the past dozen years he has been in business, the staggering support of customers has allowed him to stay open despite competition and tough economic times. Part of the secret to success for Chef Lin, he says, has been consistency both in the quality of the food and the price, along with a large helping of friendly service.
"We've been here 12 years and a lot of people come three or four times a week," Lin says. "We appreciate our customers, because we wouldn't be here that long and wouldn't have been winning every year without their support."
One of the most important things Lin says he is doing to keep his restaurant popular is listening to customers' suggestions and trying to incorporate their desires into the restaurant's service. In the last year, Chef Lin has introduced a new hot bar with delicious new entrées, a second hibachi grill station to reduce the wait time for guests' favorite freshly grilled meats and vegetables, as well as an expanded sushi bar nearly double in size and selection than the original. The sushi bar offers a variety of fresh rolls including favorites like the Wonderful Roll, prepared with tempura shrimp, avocado and lettuce and topped with fish eggs and eel sauce.
"A lot of regular customers come back to say to me that after they try somewhere else that they think we are still the best," Lin says. "Everywhere I go, Atlanta or somewhere else, I'll eat at Chinese restaurants or Japanese buffets and always be thinking about 'What can I do to bring the customer to my door and my business?'"
Seeing customers return year after year means Lin gets to know his guests, many of whom he's watched grow into adulthood, get married and have kids that they now bring to eat at the restaurant.
To honor the customers who have made the restaurant a success, Lin continues to keep his prices low despite rising costs. When the restaurant opened its doors 12 years ago, the lunch price was $5.99; it has only been raised less than 50 cents to $6.45. The dinner price started out at $9.95 and remains the same today. Even the price of soft drinks remains stable, having started at and still remaining $1.20.
"We understand economy hardship and we don't want to raise the price," Lin says. "Everybody understands how much food costs and the increase right now at the stores."
LOCATION: 5084 South Terrace.
PHONE: 510-1998.
HOURS: Open all year long Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
NICE TO KNOW: A birthday guest accompanied by three or more paying guests can eat for free.