I love most asian fare, and Chinese is no exception. What you want to avoid in most cases is unfortunately just what you are looking for: The Buffet.
If you are looking for a good restaurant, you should be ordering off the menu in any case - No one expects a primo steak at Barnhill's do they? I mean a buffet is OK, but you shouldn't expect excellent fare from one. Sadly, I have yet to find a Chinese place I really like in Knoxville. I ordered mu shu pork from one place and they served it with tortillas

- Philistines. I judge a Chinese restaurant by their hot and sour soup and potstickers. If those suck, I don't go back.
One place I have had a lot of success with here is Taste of Thai, located near the Best Buy off of Kinston Pike. I've had several appetizers and entrees, and the tom ka gai is some of the best I have ever had. You can regulate the spice as you like it - I've found a medium "3" has enough of a kick for me. It is a bit more expensive than typical Chinese, but Thai generally is. You are also getting a much better meal than the swill served at pricey places like Giant Panda and PF Chang, who both serve bland americanized Chinese.