Dobson’s Choice

A portion of my Friday mornings is spent dropping the Reader in the fine, burgeoning village of Crookston, Minnesota. Recently, I also scheduled a meet and greet with a gentleman who I hope is an up-and-coming contributing writer for HPR. Spencer Dobson suggested we meet for lunch at the China Moon. Great, I drop the Reader there every week and have not eaten there since I moved from Crookston three years ago.

Wow!! I had forgotten what a delight it was to dine in this clean little gem. I say this because recently I had eaten at an Asian buffet in Grand Forks that offers a much larger selection than the China Moon yet pales in quality. Just as I remembered, everything in this single-line buffet is fresh and tasty.

The spring rolls are the largest I have ever had, beautifully brown and crisp. Other items include beef and broccoli, chicken with vegetables, pork on the stick, plain and fried rice, egg drop soup, mushroom soup, sweet and sour chicken, General Tao’s Chicken, steamed vegetables, lo mein noodles, orange slices, and other dishes. The all-you-can-eat buffet with a soda is $7.40 or you can order from an extensive menu.

The proprietors are always checking the buffet to add fresh steaming stock, as it runs low quickly. They make it an art to not overprepare. The line is kept very clean. The dining area is simple, not overstated. This remains a very popular eatery in Crookston. I can see why.

I took the liberty of ordering, to go, a large quart of the China Moon’s famous House Special Won Ton Soup. Chock full of veggies, chicken, shrimp and, of course, some won tons, the broth of this soup is medicinal for body and soul, and only $4.50. My only regret is that I ordered but one for a friend and should have picked up two to include myself. I shall not repeat that blunder.

If You Go:

WHAT: China Moon
WHERE: 114 S Broadway, Crookston, Minn.
WHEN: Monday-Sunday 10am to 10pm; Buffet: 11am to 2:30pm & 5 to 9pm
INFO: (218) 281-3136