The Buffet at Ameristar Casino

3.3
214 reviews

About

Buffet Restaurant
We're excited to bring you some of your favorites from the past along with new recipes from our talented culinary team. Featuring our amazing Asian Cuisine, comfort food favorites along with freshly carved meats, seafood and poultry. The Buffet will offer plenty of delicious options for you to choose from.

Details

  • Dine-inAvailable
  • DeliveryNot available
  • Requires reservationsNot available
  • Credit cardAvailable

Location

The Buffet at Ameristar Casino
2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA
51501, United States

Hours

Reviews

3.3
214 reviews
5 stars
83
4 stars
30
3 stars
24
2 stars
20
1 star
57

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Food Quality

Many customers reported that the food was bland, cold, and poorly prepared, with several items described as inedible.

Service

While some reviews praised the staff for being friendly and attentive, others noted issues with inattentive service and rude behavior from certain employees.

Value for Money

Numerous customers felt that the buffet was overpriced for the quality of food offered, with many suggesting better alternatives for the same price.

Cleanliness

Several reviews mentioned unsanitary conditions, including dirty dishes and unclean areas, which detracted from the overall dining experience.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere received mixed reviews, with some enjoying the ambiance while others found it lacking, especially during busy times.
  • TC
    Timothy Carter
    Nov 21, 2025
    1.0
    The security here doesn't watch cars. Mine was hit. Luckily I got a ram guard.
  • EK
    Erin Kinney
    Oct 21, 2025
    2.0
    Everyone at Ameristar Buffet was so kind and attentive — the service was genuinely wonderful, and the atmosphere was clean and inviting. It really should have been a great experience… but the food just wasn’t edible. My partner and I tried a bite of nearly everything available, and the best we could describe anything as was “okay.” The mashed potatoes were gummy, the mac and cheese had no flavor at all, and the fried chicken was dry and bland. It honestly felt like hospital food. I had gone specifically for the prime rib, but it was the toughest, most flavorless rib I’ve ever been served. The au jus was watery and nearly tasteless — thank goodness for the salt and pepper shakers on the table, though even those couldn’t save it. The only thing that was passable were the potstickers — clearly frozen from a bag, but at least they came with sauce. The staff didn’t even blink as they cleared our untouched plates and continued to be friendly and professional. Unfortunately, the food was so bad that we left genuinely shell-shocked. I don’t think I’d eat here again, even if it were free.
  • SH
    Savannah Heithus
    Oct 10, 2025
    5.0
    These reviews are wild. We had a great experience. They staff was so friendly and helpful. We had two 2 year olds and the staff was very accommodating and nice. The food was pretty good there were a couple items that could have been better like the corn was pretty over cooked and not edible and the ice cream very melty but the crab legs, orange chicken and pho were all great. Oh and the rolls were delicious! Overall had a great experience
  • MH
    Mandy Haines
    Sep 21, 2025
    1.0
    Went for the BBQ and it was just okay. Ribs were NOT ribs which was disappointing! Why all the food just barely warm? No matter what you ate! Why were the rolls so wrinkly they looked days old? Plus, for $40 per person I expect better options for dessert. I dont want to spend $40 for a cookie. Plus, lots of meat options were chicken, chicken is cheap. Very low par considering the price. I was with 2 others and NONE of us have any intentions of going back!
  • JB
    Julie Brandt
    Sep 20, 2025
    1.0
    I was so disappointed. A friend wanted a BBQ buffet for her birthday, so we came here. We spent $40.00 each and it was the worst food ever. Most everything was just luke warm. The chicken had a hint of pink to it, the cornbread was hard, and the macaroni and cheese had very little cheese in it and tasted like it came from a bag. I thought I would try a baked potato and when I unwrapped it, it was shriveled up like it had been sitting all day. The dessert selection was laughable. I will say the carrots were good and the green beans were amazing, but not worth $40.00.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Buffet at Ameristar Casino

What type of cuisine does The Buffet at Ameristar Casino offer?

The Buffet at Ameristar Casino features Asian cuisine, comfort food favorites, freshly carved meats, seafood, and poultry with a variety of delicious options.

What are the operating hours of The Buffet at Ameristar Casino?

The Buffet operates Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It is closed Monday through Thursday.