Martin has a new addition to its eclectic cuisine choices. The Dragon Buffet, located in the University Plaza with Snappy Tomato Pizza Co. and E.W. James, is the newest Chinese restaurant in town.

Ever since A Taste of China closed its doors, I was wondering when we would get another Chinese restaurant. You know we can’t have just one. It seems in Martin, restaurants come in pairs — La Canasta, La Cabana, Austin’s Pizza, Pizza Hut. The decision to eat Chinese used to be an easy decision. Do I want to stay on campus or go get my car and go off campus? That was an easy enough decision. Well, now the whole Chinese segment of the market is in University Plaza. Well, I ventured over to the new Chinese place, even though I felt like I should sneak in because I was afraid the woman at Hunan’s would see me and come outside and yell.

I was not very impressed. First of all, they didn’t have corn nuggets. Now I realize that normal people don’t go to a Chinese restaurant to eat corn nuggets. However, Hunan’s has them and they are so good. They will even cook them for you if they are not on the buffet. Also, I have to say the Sesame Chicken at the Dragon Buffet was crunchy. I don’t particularly like crunchy Sesame Chicken, but if you do, you need to go to the Dragon Buffet.

I did like the lo mein though. The noodles were round as opposed to Hunan’s square noodles. It added a little variety to the noodle. The chicken and vegetables were pretty good. They weren’t soaked in as much brown liquid as the chicken and vegetables at Hunan’s are. The pudding was very good.

Overall, I had an ok experience at the new Dragon Buffet. The service was wonderful. Every time my water got below half a glass, there was someone there to fill it up. I never saw an empty bin at the buffet and everyone working seemed happy to be there. I would go back sometime, but I can’t help but keep my loyalties at Hunan’s Palace.