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Best Southern California Casino Buffet

 
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California casinos are not what they seem. If you are new to California and have previously only experienced Atlantic City or Las Vegas style casinos, you will be surprised to learn about all of the new rules and formats at the majority of casinos here. Harrah’s Resort Southern California is in the minority when it comes to CA casinos, since it is almost the same as all major Las Vegas destinations. Other than a few small game differences, your general experience will be just about the same.

  1. Best Southern California Casino Buffets
  2. Best Southern California Casino Buffet Bay St Louis
  3. Best Indian Casino Buffet In Southern California
  4. Best Southern California Casino Buffet Prices
  5. Best Southern California Casino Buffet Menu
  6. Best Casino Buffet In Southern California

Southern California's Largest Indian Casinos Top Ten Indian Casinos in Southern California. The following are the largest Indian casinos in Southern California based on the total number of slot machines, table games, and square footage. The video poker games here do not pay particularly well, with 98% payback generally being the best that is available in the non-high limit sections. Poker Room at Harrah’s Rincon. A poker room is also in operation at Harrah’s Southern California, but it is rare that more than a few games are running, and when they do, they will be low limits. Best Buffets in Los Angeles. Duke's Malibu is the quintessential Southern California restaurant, a huge place perched right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Named after Duke Kahanamoku, the.

The resort itself is located in a somewhat desolate area that you will arrive at by driving up 12 miles of windy roads. Surprisingly, there are several other casinos in the nearby area, including Pala Casino, Pauma Casino, Valley View Casino, and Pechanga Casino. Each of these properties are located several miles from one another, but they are all within a roughly 20 minute drive. The area is able to sustain such a large casino industry because of its proximity to San Diego. Needless to say, Rincon is among the most popular in this area.

Casino at Harrah’s Southern California

The casino at Harrah’s SoCal is very modern and refined. When compared to just about any other Caesars Entertainment property, this one stands out in a very positive way. Unfortunately, over the years the majority of CET properties have steadily declined in just about every way possible. Harrah’s Southern California, however, is both newer and was also recently remodeled. When you walk in, you will feel like it is a brand new resort, and for all intents and purposes, it just about is.

Craps and Roulette at Harrah’s Rincon

The games available at Harrah’s Rincon are not limited, and include everything you would find at any major casino. With that said, there are some caveats worth mentioning. Even on Indian land as is the case with this casino, California laws prohibit the use of balls and dice in their games. For this reason, craps and roulette have significant tweaks. The craps tables allow dice to be thrown, but the result is then used to correlate with playing cards that are placed on the numbers to determine winners and losers. For a craps player, this is likely to become quite boring and annoying. You will not usually hear loud ruckus coming from Harrah’s Southern California craps tables like you would expect from other casinos.

Roulette works with a similar workaround to that of craps in order to circumvent the very odd California laws in place. Instead of a ball being rolled and landing on a number, the roulette wheel is spun and slaps playing cards one by one. You place your bet according to which one you think will be the final “slapped” card rather than where a ball will land. The roulette games is effectively the same thing as what you would find in other casinos, but if you are used to traditional roulette, it could certainly come off as very odd, because, well, it is.

Slot Machines at Harrah’s Rincon

There is an ample supply of slot machines at this casino and they make up the majority of the floor. The repeat clientele seems to primarily frequent these machines, and they cover around 80% of the floor as a whole. Even with this large number of games to choose from, on busy weekends, you may find it tough to get on a game. There is a video poker section that is located in the north east section of the casino (if you are entering from the front). The video poker games here do not pay particularly well, with 98% payback generally being the best that is available in the non-high limit sections.

Poker Room at Harrah’s Rincon

A poker room is also in operation at Harrah’s Southern California, but it is rare that more than a few games are running, and when they do, they will be low limits. For the most part, the games running are going to be $1/$2 NLHE and $2/$4 LHE. If you are looking to play higher stakes games in the nearby area, Pechanga will be your best option.

Bars and Dining at Harrah’s Southern California

For the size of the resort, there is a lot to choose from when it comes to bars and dining at Harrah’s SoCal. Everything from low end, late night food like Pink’s Hot Dogs to Fiore Steakhouse and Seafood are available. There is also a buffet that is frequently full, and is located in the dead middle of the casino action to the west side. In addition to these options, there is also a noodle bar named Fortunes and a street taco style restaurant that is named ‘Ritas Cantina. No matter the hour of the day or the type of food you are after, you will be able to find it at Harrah’s Resort Southern California.

In terms of bars, you will find two different primary destinations. The first bar is located just to the right of the beginning of the main casino floor. This is primarily a video poker bar with a few tables for seating. The video poker tables actually pay fairly since the drinks cannot be comped at this casino due to California laws. This goes for the Diamond Lounge also. Drinks are charged while the food is free. This is unlike Diamond Lounges in the majority of states where unlimited alcohol is included for free.

The other bar is located in the north area of the casino floor and is sports bar oriented. It too is loaded with the same video poker machines. Food can also be ordered at this bar. The bars are about equal in terms of general feel and experience, with no real differences between the two.

Hotel at Harrah’s Southern California

There are 1,065 total rooms at Harrah’s SoCal Resort. These rooms are split into two different towers, north and south, similar to the layout of another Caesars property, Planet Hollywood. In general the rooms are very nice, especially when compared to what you would find at your typical Caesars property. Renovations over the past few years have upgraded the rooms to be higher quality than you would even find in most Las Vegas casinos.

There are a number of upgraded rooms available, though they can be tough to secure since they are not in high supply. If you are a big player and/or reserve your room well in advance, you will have a better chance at landing a suite. These offer balcony’s and other amenities that standard rooms do not have.

Room rates, especially during the week and off season, are very reasonable. If you are visiting during the summer months, however, expect to pay a significant amount for a weekend visit. Since the San Diego weather is perfect for vacationing, the resort is typically jam packed throughout the summer weekends. There is a fitness center located in the lobby area of the hotel, right next to the entrance to the pool. A room key is required for entrance to the gym, and a number of different machines and equipment are available.

Pool at Harrah’s Southern California

The pool and swim up bar at this resort is one of its best selling features, especially during the warmer months of the year. Since Valley Center is located up in the mountains and desert, you will get all of the sun and heat that you can handle. This makes for perfect pool weather, and Harrah’s built a long, windy, lazy river style pool to accommodate. Kids and adults alike will fill the pool areas to the point where it can sometimes be hard to find an open seat.

Best Southern California Casino Buffets

The pool also offers a swim up bar right across from the lazy river section. During the summer, this is the most popular bar to visit, and they offer a number of unique drinks that you will not find at the bars inside the casino itself. If you are visiting and it is hot outside, we highly recommend checking out the pool, as its usage is included with your stay. If you would like, you can pay an extra charge for a cabana. Food and drinks can also be ordered from servers who are working around the pool area.

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Playa Del Rey

Best Southern California Casino Buffet Bay St Louis

Tandoor-A-India is the go-to spot for great Indian food near the beach. Located up on the bluff in Playa del Rey, this homey restaurant has an atmosphere that is quiet, quaint and inviting. The place is justifiably famous for their Chicken Tikka Masala; other winners include their Samosa appetizers and numerous variations of Naan cooked in the Tandoor oven. Note that Naan costs extra, but is well worth the spend. Vegetarians will find plenty of tasty choices, with the Channa Masala and Aloo Gobi two popular favorites. For the best deal on the Westside, check out Tandoor-A-India's offering of a lunch buffet for about $10, that includes most of their most popular dishes.

Recommended for Buffet because: This classic eatery by the beach has been serving up delicious Indian fare for decades.

Jenny's expert tip: Ask for your favorite level of heat, otherwise, dishes are served mild.

You might know Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from their 'Too Hot Tamales' cooking show, which aired back in the 1990s, right about the time they opened their first Border Grill in Santa Monica. If not, then you're in for a treat. Border Grill's menu of lighter, authentic Mexican cuisine suits even the most finicky palates. After many years at the beach, the dynamic duo closed that location and opened in Downtown Los Angeles (as well as at LAX and in Las Vegas). Their take on Mexican is fantastic, full of complex flavors and fresh vegetables and fruits. Alongside meaty tacos and burritos, you'll find an assortment of vegetarian and seafood options. The 'Border Brunch' buffet is chockablock with small plates, ranging from a guava empanada to fried chicken and churro waffles; have as many or few as you desire, for a $30 price. They also do a 'Vegan Brunch' for the same price; both include bottomless Mimosas for an extra $15.

Recommended for Buffet because: With a beautiful Pasadena setting combined with flowing Bloody Marys and Mimosas, this is a perfect spot to enjoy a Sunday brunch buffet.

Jenny's expert tip: Self-park in the Union Bank building (the restaurant is on the ground floor) and don't forget to validate for a substantial discount.

Famed chef José Andrés brings a unique sense of dining to his weekend brunch offering at Tres in the SLS Hotel. On Sundays, patrons will find a wide selection of fantastic food offerings at the 'Brunch Table' there, starting with croissants and pain au chocolat and rolling on through carved meats, charcuterie and cheese, greek yogurts and gazpacho all the way to displays of American caviar and smoked salmon, each served with all the appropriate accompaniments. Priced at $65 per person, or add $25 more to indulge in the 'Bottomless Bubbles Bar,' or simply grab one of Andrés' signature Aguas Frescas for a non-alcoholic alternative.

Recommended for Buffet because: The wildly wacky setting of Tres combined with a weekend buffet that includes everything from caviar to charcuterie makes this a wonderful spot for brunch.

Jenny's expert tip: If caviar is one of your favorite things to have during weekend brunch, then Tres is the place.

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Fogo de Chao is an authentic Brazilian steakhouse (known as a churrascaria) that offers 15 different cuts of simmering Brazilian meats delivered right to your table, served by gaucho chefs. Meats include top sirloin, filet mignon, beef ribs, lamb, chicken and sausage. At the nearby Market Table Buffet and Feijoada Bar, you'll find a large buffet of tasty delights, from classic Hearts of Palm salad to imported cheeses, fresh vegetables and regional hot-food specialties (like Feijoada) to German and Italian offerings gleaned by the founding chefs via immigrants who came to Brazil generations ago. Desserts include Fogo de Chao's signature papaya cream or a South American flan – go ahead, try both! Dinner, which includes meats, side dishes, the Market Table Buffet and desserts, is $63.95, half price for children 7 to 12.

Recommended for Buffet because: With 29 restaurants across Brazil, Mexico and the United States, Fogo de Chao as offered consistently excellent fare since 1975.

Jenny's expert tip: Try the 'Gaucho Lunch' deal – for $15 you can partake of the Market Table Buffet and Feijoada Bar, which is a real steal.

Playa Del Rey

Whiskey Red's has one of the nicest patios in all of Los Angeles, situated right on the sailing channel in Marina del Rey. So on a gorgeous afternoon or balmy evening, guests can watch boats of all sizes move majestically in and out of the harbor whilst sipping and supping. This pretty place has a terrific Happy Hour from Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., just in time to watch the sunset. The Sunday Champagne Buffet brunch is a big winner, too, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes breakfast and lunch dishes ranging from made-to-order omelets and pasta, fresh seafood, carving stations and desserts. And the champagne and mimosas are included in the price, too.

Recommended for Buffet because: Plenty of food options â€' try the crab legs! â€' and a pretty setting in the marina make this a perennial winner at Sunday brunch.

Jenny's expert tip: Bring a jacket or sweater, for it can get chilly on the water when the wind starts to blow (and after the sun sets).

Manhattan Beach

For all-you-can-eat fresh, spicy Indian food, there's no better place for lunch than India's Tandoori. With a number of different locations around the Southland (Brentwood, Burbank, Manhattan Beach, West L.A., etc.), this halal-certified restaurant puts on a huge spread of assorted favorites during both its weekday lunch and weekend champagne brunch buffets. Everything from Tandoori chicken (of course!) to garlic naan, vegetable masala, lamb curry and more, is served up in a comfortable atmosphere with attentive servers. And for those who like a more mild version of Indian food, the folks at India's Tandoori also offer some less fiery versions of their flavorful dishes.

Recommended for Buffet because: Fresh, plentiful and spicy Indian dishes at this and the other India's Tandoori locations across the Southland make this lunch buffet a top choice.

Jenny's expert tip: To partake in the all-you-can-eat buffet at India's Tandoori, be sure to go for lunch or weekend brunch. Evenings are a la carte only.

A staple in Burbank since 1946, The SmokeHouse is located right next door to Warner Bros. Studios. They've been serving steaks, seafood, BBQ and their 'The World's Greatest Garlic Bread' to locals, tourists and celebrities since Bob Hope used to stop in for a bite. The restaurant's Sunday brunch buffet is famous for a good reason, as they offer traditional breakfast items like crepes, eggs Benedict and omelets as well as seafood delicacies including crab legs, marinated mussels, poached salmon, oysters and more. There are carving stations, tables filled with Mexican delights, plenty of that garlic bread and lots of mouth-watering desserts. Champagne and Mimosas are included in the price of the brunch, too.

Best Southern California Casino Buffet

Best Indian Casino Buffet In Southern California

Recommended for Buffet because: The SmokeHouse has been serving up a famous Sunday brunch buffet in Burbank for decades, watch for celebs in line for the crab legs!

Jenny's expert tip: Be sure to save room for their 'The World's Greatest Garlic Bread'; it's been a staple since The SmokeHouse opened in 1946.

At M Grill on Wilshire near Western Avenue in Koreatown, climb up the stairs to the second floor and you'll discover one of the best Brazilian churrascarias in town. Enter the cavernous room with a warm golden glow and be ready to do some serious eating. Pay a set per-person price (lunch is a less-expensive choice) and you'll get all the lusciously char-grilled meat you can possibly consume (think filet mignon, ribeye, ribs, chicken, lamb, sausages), brought to the table on skewers and sliced right onto your plate. There's also a massive buffet bar, in case all those mounds of meat aren't enough to fill you up, which includes everything from salads, cheeses and vegetables to hot Brazilian favorites like Feijoada and Farofa. Whatever you choose, add authentic Caipirinha cocktails to your order and finish your M Grill experience with a sweet-tart toast to the good life.

Recommended for Buffet because: Top cuts of meat and a massive buffet bar make M Grill one of L.A.'s best Brazilian churrascarias, where meat is served tableside rodizio style.

Jenny's expert tip: Happy Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday; you'll find discounts on drinks and select items at M Grill's convivial bar then.

Malibu

Duke's Malibu is the quintessential Southern California restaurant, a huge place perched right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Named after Duke Kahanamoku, the famed swimmer and surfer and the Hawaiian Olympic gold medalist who introduced surfing to the world in the 1920s, Duke's Malibu offers upscale American comfort food with Hawaiian island twists and gorgeous views of the water. And on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Duke's presents an incredible brunch buffet. Like coconut French toast? You'll find those here. Prefer tuna poke or Hawaiian-style ceviche? That's on the menu, too. Go for baked fresh fish, a bagel and lox or a thick slice of tri-tip beef, then cap off the meal with macadamia-nut cookies, coconut macaroons or fudge brownies. After this incredible buffet, you'll probably want to hit the water yourself, to work off some of those delicious calories.

Best Southern California Casino Buffet Prices

Recommended for Buffet because: Perched right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Duke's Malibu is a magical place with fantastic views and a massive Sunday brunch.

Jenny's expert tip: Save room for dessert, as Duke's is the place that serves the famed Kimo's Original Hula Pie, that mouth-wateringly good macadamia nut ice cream cake.

Best Southern California Casino Buffet Menu

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Every Sunday, Culina at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills transforms from a cutting-edge Italian eatery into the home of the best brunch buffet in town. Guests can sit inside or out on the terrace in Southern California's almost-always sunny weather. The brunch offerings fill numerous rooms and range from classic made-to-order breakfasts including Belgian waffles, omelets and eggs Benedict. And if the lunch side of brunch is more suited to your mood, look for groaning tables of hand-rolled sushi selections, a huge choice of dim sum delicacies, house-made quesadillas and more. There's even a nod to Culina's fare, with an Italian spread of cured meats and tasty cheeses. Doughnut lovers will find the Four Seasons' freshly made tidbits hard to resist – try dipping them in the flowing chocolate fountain for a decadent end to an unforgettable buffet brunch.

Recommended for Buffet because: The gorgeous spread put on by the Four Seasons every Sunday is the ultimate decadent L.A. buffet experience.

Best Casino Buffet In Southern California

Jenny's expert tip: Avoid the always crowded valet by parking for free on the street nearby.