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Early next year, , the country's largest Asian buffet, will open its second Tucson location in the former Sweet Tomatoes at 4420 N. Stone Ave.

The Arizona-based all-you-can-eat Asian restaurant specializes in Chinese and Japanese cuisine as well as seafood. 

Work on the buildout of the 7,720-square-foot building is underway. The restaurant is expected to open early next year.

Lin’s Grand Buffet includes a sushi bar, Mongolian grill and steaks served from live cooking stations. The Chinese menu includes fan favorites orange chicken, beef and broccoli and sesame chicken alongside with more unique dishes that include Cajun seafood boil, bourbon chicken and salt and pepper shrimp.

The Stone Avenue location can seat 235 people in a 3,505-square-foot dining area, with the buffet area set up in the center.

“We wanted our Tucson Mall location to feel both sophisticated and inviting. With the buffet as the centerpiece and minimalist design, we've created a space for guests to enjoy our signature experience,� Lin's CEO Frank Lam said in a news release; he was traveling this week and could not be reached for additional comment. 

Lin's opened its first Tucson restaurant in 2016 in a sprawling 12,800-square-foot building at 1068 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd., off South Park Avenue and Interstate 10 in Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges.

Since opening its flagship restaurant in McAllen, Texas, in 2002, Lin's has grown to 16 locations in Texas, California and Arizona, which has eight, including the Tucson Mall restaurant.

The company in the next few months also is opening a location in Houston, and has plans to add three more in the Southwest in 2026 and 2027.

The Tucson Mall  location was among 97 of the company's salad bars to close in spring 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

In April 2024, the company, under new owners, reopened the Sweet Tomatoes at 6202 E. Broadway. 

The Tucson restaurant is the only Sweet Tomatoes in the country.