Experience our Maine Lobster Buffet where we bring all your favorites right to your table. Take the San Diego dining experience up a notch with Maine Lobster every night of the week along with shrimp cocktail, prime rib, crab legs, authentic world specialties and so much more.
Service is always slow. Not sure why they don't make it into a traditional buffet, would be so much better if you could get your own food. The food itself is mediocre at best. Also, they say you need to pay a $7 "tip" ahead of time before you eat. Newsflash, that is a service charge. Not a tip. And it gives no incentive for the servers to give good service.
ML
Maria L
Apr 20, 2026
1.0
We checked in at the Buffet Host at 4 pm. We were informed the wait to get the text to stand in line will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. At around 7:30 pm we got the text to stand in line. We all had to be present to stand get in line, which took 1.5 hours. At 9 pm (5 hours later), we finally sat down to eat. You can only order 4 items at a time. At 9:20 the water and sodas arrived. At 9:45 the first order of lobsters and steak arrived. They were room temperature. I ordered sides of mash potatoes and mushrooms, which arrived around 10 pm after I already finished eating the main course. Maybe they are not so quick to deliver food right away because we already paid the mandatory tip collected when we paid for dinner. They also forgot some of the food we ordered and forgot to refill our drinks, which we had to keep asking someone to bring to us. Needless to say, this was the worst experience I ever had.
KH
Kristine Hanks
Apr 20, 2026
2.0
We like most of the food, but a couple of the servers have been terrible. Notably, most recently, Lulu. She catered to the Spanish speaking tables and skipped over our table multiple times, even after we would ask her if we could order our next round. She would tell us she would be back, and then we would have to find another server because she wouldn’t return. She forgot to put in our main course order, so we had to ask someone if it would ever arrive (we waited almost 30 mins, and the tables around us got their orders one after the other just fine). She was all over the place, kept forgetting everything, and would rarely make eye contact. It’s a shame you have to pay for the tip up front as I would love to receive service where the servers are working for the tip and not just getting to you when they feel like it.
LA
Lupis Arias
Apr 18, 2026
5.0
This buffet is one of my favorites, the food is so delicious, great portions. We always went in a huge group so we need to wait a little bit. The service is almost perfect, they treated us so well except for one person, seems like she doesn’t like us and even speak to us when she had to attend us, all the other personal came and attend us, her name is Teresa, we hope a change just in that situation, but everything else is so great👌🏻
What type of cuisine does The Buffet in Valley Center, CA specialize in?
The Buffet specializes in seafood, featuring a Maine Lobster Buffet every night along with shrimp cocktail, prime rib, crab legs, and authentic world specialties.
What are the operating hours of The Buffet?
The Buffet is open Monday to Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Does The Buffet offer pickup or delivery services?
No, The Buffet does not offer pickup or delivery services.
Is a proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to dine at The Buffet?
No, proof of vaccination is not required to dine at The Buffet.
What payment methods are accepted at The Buffet?
The Buffet accepts American Express, Cash, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, debit cards, credit cards, and mobile NFC payments.
Does The Buffet serve alcoholic beverages?
Yes, The Buffet serves liquor, cocktails, beer, and wine.
Are children welcome at The Buffet?
No, The Buffet does not welcome children and does not have a children's menu.
What nearby dining options are available around The Buffet?
Nearby dining options include BLD's Breakfast Lunch Dinner, Scoops & Sweets, Black and Blue Steakhouse, Patties & Pints, Snax, Stix, The Café, and Sweets for various cuisines and desserts.
How can customers use nearby locations to complement their visit to The Buffet?
Customers can enjoy nearby entertainment and amenities such as The Main Stage Bar for cocktails, Valley View Casino & Hotel for gaming and lodging, and the Valley View Hotel Gift Shop for souvenirs before or after dining at The Buffet.
Are there any nearby accommodations for visitors dining at The Buffet?
Yes, the Vvch Hotel and Valley View Casino & Hotel are nearby options for visitors looking for accommodations near The Buffet.
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