Pechanga Buffet

Reviews

• Jeff J.

  star star star star star 1 July 2026

  I'm not sure how this buffet has earned a 3-star review. Maybe they used to be bad. Anywho, we went for the first time today and the food was spectacular. This was one of the best buffets I've been to in my life, and I'm a HUGE buffet & ayce guy. I'm always looking for good buffets - Indian, Asian, Vegas-style, et al. This buffet has a pretty awesome dessert section, very high-quality crab legs, pretty good prime rib. That's a great start for any Vegas-style buffet. I didn't get to try the lobster but they looking beautiful as well. The dishes that I tried were all pretty solid - Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, salmon poke - some of the usual items.
  
  This is without a doubt a very good buffet with a good variety and good quality items. I'd like them to add a fresh custom-made burger and hot dog station, but that's just me. Good stuff. I'm coming back.

• Caleb T.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 14 June 2026

  M'eh.
  
  I know buffets aren't easy.  In fact, it's safe to bet that it takes a great deal of time, effort, and money just rise to the level of average.  But when any such restaurant is obviously below that most basic of ranks, it can really show.  With fried food that had begun to stale under heat lamps, meat cooked to the point where it had started to dry out, and seafood (from salmon to sushi to paella) that always felt a bit off in taste and texture, it was difficult to find something that impressed.
  
  I should probably note that this was one of the first restaurants we ate at during our few days at the resort.  We came hungry, left stuffed, and my six year old son promptly threw up his spaghetti (sprinkled with what I think was coconut shrimp).  This was likely caused by overeating, but there's a fair chance the chewy meat balls were to blame.
  
  Anyway, we came on a fairly busy night, middle of summer with many visiting Pechanga to escape the heat at their water slides, so there was a good sized line with what felt like a good amount of turnover at the food trays.  Normally this is a good thing, helping to keep everything fresh.  And yet, all the problems noted before remain.  Heated trays are crowded together, causing some dishes to easily mix.  Cold entrees are served loosely on ice beds, making slushy messes of lemon wedges and oyster juice.  And tubs of salsas and ceviches sprinkle out as patron after patron, not knowing what they want, scoop and spill bits all across the buffet tables that goes uncleaned for hours at a stretch.
  
  All in all, the food is pleasantly salty and filling, but it never feels like the taste lives up to the cost of the meal.  You might find a dish or two that satisfies the craving you look for, but the taste won't rival even the most basic of chain restaurants.  At the very least, there are a good amount of options available, and you can't really go wrong with some of the desserts.  But, the flavors are still muted, the quality substandard, and, in the end, Pechanga Buffet just doesn't measure up to so many other buffets available at any other nearby casino.

• Steve W.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 10 June 2026

  Horrible food. Might as well eat at McDonald's
  
  Everything was cold and for the price a shit sandwich would be better

• Hong T.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 June 2026

  First time here for a Saturday dinner at 6pm~
  About ~$31 including taxes after $8 discount ($3 from silver membership + $5 first timer wheel discount) -- pretty pricy
  
  Selections are actually smaller than I expected for the price range. Asian cuisines like fried shrimp were overcooked and old. Salmon and tuna pokes were bland, just seasoned with some oil (still fresh). Prime rib was decent. Spicy crabs weren't spicy and left out too long. Should prep smaller batch. For desserts, I only liked creme brulee, fresh fruits, n Halo Halo ube condense milk slush.
  
  +3 stars for service, drinks option, warm crabs, and minature desserts.
  
  Overall, I would stick to my local casino for cheaper seafood fixing for a reasonable price plus crabs are pre-cut. :) Gambling wise, I would come here to see the thousands of slots they have- Pechanga has Las Vegas slots vibe ~

• Suzanna L.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  Sunday buffet (lunch and dinner) includes prime rib and snow crab legs for about $31 including tax. Bonus points for serving hot crab legs; they taste so much better warm. The selection is large and everything tastes quite good. There are options for everyone, Italian (pizza and pasta), Mexican, sushi, Chinese food, and a large dessert selection.
  
  Per usual, I ate mounds of snow crab and had the prime rib. They cook the prime rib a perfect medium rare; however, the meat was not well marbled. Much of the crab was on the smaller side but still meaty.
  
  To break up the crab monotony, I tried the crawfish, California roll, hot clams and mussels, deep fried dumpling, spicy chicken wing, chicharron, and mac n cheese. Most were satisfactory, but the clams and mussels were over cooked.
  
  I'm not a huge sweets fan, but I was impressed with the variety and aesthetics of their dessert display. I can certainly spot fake dairy a mile away, so I'm happy to report that real cream was used for their tasty tres leches  cake in a cup and topped with fruit.
  
  Afterward, we took a poll. If Pechanga was physically located next to Hundreds in San Diego proper, where would you go? Assuming it is a lobster night for Hundreds and no lobster for Pechanga. One of us was adamantly in favor of Pechanga due to the quality of food and variety. My other friend and I couldn't decide; it's hard to trump lobster but the selection at Pechanga was indeed of higher quality than Hundreds.