Help Save a Family’s Dream: Support Super Buffet

Help Save a Family’s Dream: Support Super Buffet

Hi! My name is Christine Chen. My parents are going to be very upset about me sharing this…

Many of you may know me from the post I shared a few months ago about my family’s restaurant, Super Buffet, in La Crosse, WI. My parents, Dong Quan Chen and Michelle Chen, have owned and operated this establishment for the past 17 years, working tirelessly to provide for our family and serve the community.

My parents came to the U.S. with nothing but dreams for a better life for their three children. They didn’t speak English, had no money or family here, but they did have an unwavering belief in hard work and the opportunity this country offered. In 2007, they took a chance and bought this building, which has seen many transformations—first Nino’s Steakhouse, then the Avalon Ballroom, House of China, and finally, Super Buffet. Over the years, this place has become woven into the fabric of the community. Couples who once danced here as teenagers return to reminisce. Families celebrated birthdays and holidays, and friendships blossomed. This building holds the stories of many lives, but for my family, it is the symbol of resilience and hope.

Our Journey: From Challenges to Triumphs

This restaurant raised my siblings and me. We spent our childhood here—behind the cash register, refilling drinks, and clearing tables. Like many immigrant children, I was embarrassed at the time, wanting to just be a normal kid, but looking back, I am filled with pride. My parents’ relentless work ethic put me and my siblings through school. Their dedication turned this empty building into a place full of life, food, and love. However, we’ve faced challenge after challenge: flood, fire, and now, COVID 19. Today, my parents are the only ones left running Super Buffet. My dad refuses to close the doors. He still holds onto hope, sitting by the front, waiting for customers to come in. This restaurant has been the dream he worked so hard for, and he can’t bring himself to give up on it.

Why I am Asking for Your Help

The harsh reality is that without substantial renovations and support, the restaurant won’t survive. The building is not what it used to be after years of wear and damage, but the food and the love behind it remain. I’m asking for your help to keep them going. Here’s how your donations will make a difference:

- RENOVATE BATHROOMS (!!!!!!!!)

- Replace flooring around the dining area

- Painting

- Revamp the giant Super Buffet sign out front

- Stripping the paint off the blue walls to reveal the hidden beauty of the stone veneer inside

- Other repairs: toilet, ceilings tiles, light fixtures, mirrors, etc…!!!

Every dollar will go toward giving Super Buffet a chance to thrive again. My dad’s refusal to give up is inspiring, but without the necessary renovations, they can’t continue much longer. Your support will not only save a building; it will preserve the history, memories, and future of my family and this community.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Any contribution, large or small, will bring us closer to our goal of keeping the doors open.

2. Share: Even if you can’t donate, please consider sharing our story with others. Awareness is key, and you never know who might want to support a small family business in need.

3. Visit: If you’re local, stop by for a meal (after the renovation!!) The food will still as good as ever, made with the same love and care my parents have poured into every dish for years.

Thank you to everyone who has already shared kind words and encouragement. Your support has meant the world to my parents and to me. Together, we can give them the strength to keep going, and bring new life into a place that has given so much to so many. I hope to see many more Thanksgivings and Christmases with you all! ❤️

With heartfelt gratitude,

Christine Chen