ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Local diners now have an even greater variety to choose from in Robertsdale. The area has seen a surge in the number of restaurants being built in the area, and this progress has provided the famished diner with a seemingly ever-expanding number of choices.

Some potential patrons seek a Southern or “country style” meal, maybe fried chicken (fried anything for that matter) or other traditional American fare. Others might have an appetite with more international flare; for Mexican or Mediterranean cuisine.

Area diners now have all these under one roof. Located on the south side of the Twin Oaks Shopping Center on Highway 59 North is Public Buffet, Robertsdale’s newest restaurant celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 8.

David Ou, the restaurant’s owner and a local resident, is from Hong Kong and has been in the United States for 10 years now. He, his wife and several members of their extended families arrived in the country shortly after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred from the United Kingdom to China (often referred to as “The Handover”) in 1997. His mother and father remained back in Hong Kong, where they own and operate three restaurants. David was the first in his family to bring the tradition over seas. His wife manages another restaurant of theirs in Mobile, and according to David they both stay exceptionally busy. However, things seem to be working out well for them, despite the tremendous work load.

“Things are going good,” David said pleasantly, “We’ve just been open a couple of weeks right now, and business has been good. No customers have had any complaints. Everybody enjoys it and are very happy.” Apparently, the buffet has already begun to draw a regular crowd two or three times weekly and, in addition to that, gets quite busy on Friday evenings.

Despite a noticeable Chinese accent, David was more than eloquent when asked why he brought his family and business to Robertsdale. “It’s because I like this area a lot. It’s quiet and the people are so very nice here,“ he said warmly. “It’s also a good place to start a business. Here, there aren’t many restaurants that offer what we do in our buffet. There are also no traditional Chinese restaurants in the area.”

When asked to explain what it was that made Public Buffet different from any other Chinese restaurant or buffet, it was if David had been waiting for that question all along. “We’ve got a lot of different kinds of food. Not just Chinese, but an American and international variety of cuisine,” he replied. From sweet and sour, to sushi, to fried chicken. It’s all there at Public Buffet; but what about the taste…

Excellent. Whether it’s their Chinese food you’re after, or some of the other more traditional courses, area diners won’t be disappointed. Many of the recipes used at Public Buffet are David’s old family recipes, including the Sesame Chicken and Coconut Shrimp. After tasting both, one might easily say it’s the best they’ve ever had. The restaurant even offers a full take-out menu for those that prefer to dine in.

Even at the restaurant, David is surrounded by family. He works with the siblings, cousins and in-laws that accompanied him from China and have now taken up residency in the Robertsdale area.

David says he is very happy to be a part of the community in Robertsdale and grateful to have found an area such as this to settle his family. The business is a welcome addition to the City of Robertsdale, but above all; It is an exceptional place to eat.