I had been wanting to check out Mainland China for awhile and finally got the chance recently. If you drive down Elk Grove Boulevard towards Elk Grove Florin, you’re bound to see it on your left-hand side. It’s a great little place for a tasty bite of Chinese food with an Indian kick.

The Atmosphere

When I first walked in I saw red walls, some bronze statues and lions, and noticed the contemporary feel. Most Chinese restaurants don’t have a contemporary feel to them. The restaurant gives off a modern vibe. I was greeted quickly and walked to a seat by the window. Also, I noticed everything was very clean. This is unusual for a Chinese restaurant.

The Food

For lunch, each day Mainland China sets out a nice buffet. You can also order dishes from the menu at any time. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, they also offer a dinner buffet.

The food is Chinese, with a bit of an Indian flair. As I looked at the buffet, I noticed a few items not usually found in Chinese cuisine such as samosas, green veggie curry, the salad bar, and burnt garlic soup. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just an observation. I filled my first plate with chow mein, grapes, an egg roll, a samosa, baby corn, mixed veggies, and green curry over rice. The waitress was also super nice and brought me out a whole plate with Fried Salt & Pepper Fish and Kung Pao Shrimp.

My personal favorites were the Chicken Chow Mein, the burnt garlic soup, the Kung Pao Shrimp, and the Fried Salt & Pepper Fish. I love garlic and the burnt garlic soup was a unique soup unlike anything I had ever tasted. If you like the taste of kung pao, you’ll love the Kung Pao Shrimp. It’s outstanding. I’m not usually a fish person but I really liked the Friend Salt & Pepper Fish. It was lightly seasoned and a bit crunchy.

Kung Pao Shrimp

Fried Salt & Pepper Fish

Overall

Overall, Mainland China is a welcome addition to the East side of Elk Grove. It’s not your typical Chinese restaurant but I think it’s a great place for a quick bite or lunch. I like the modern vibe, the friendly service, and the tasty food. I will definitely be back! I’m still thinking about that Kung Pao Shrimp!