I'm giving five stars to average out some of the absolute dog sh!t reasons these yelpers give for one star reviews.
First, if you are thinking of visiting this buffet you have to keep some things in mind. This establishment sits at the corner of 42nd and International Blvd. This is the HEART of urban Oakland, and if you're scared of homeless people and dirty streets, why are you even here? (Looking at you, Joy H.) Second, if you are a vegetarian seeking food that will accommodate your dietary needs....go somewhere else, why are you looking at buffets? The whole idea of a buffet is that it's open air food cross contaminating everything else (Wtf? Are you being freal, Sammy G.?) Seriously, some of these reviews are absolutely crazy lol
Folks, this place charges $24, and you will be getting your money's worth for the price point. If you're looking for a fine dining experience, go shell out $100+ at some other buffet and I'm sure you'll get that luxury experience you're looking for. P.S. These establishments don't exist anymore FYI lol It's all a part of watching a once grand industry on its last legs and on its way out.
Now, there are only two types of people who visit buffets regularly:
1) You're a fat a$$, and buffets are one of very few options you have to meet your desired caloric intake and stay within your financial means.
2) You're still a fat a$$, but like to occasionally engorge yourself on copious amounts of crab without racking up $300 at a normal restaurant.
(Sorry, there's probably a third type like some folks just trying to provide food for their family, but for the sake of jokes we'll keep it to just the two)
I happen to be type 2, and the fried crab here (sorry, no snow crab legs) are decent for the price you pay. It certainly feels like they use regular Dungeness, but I could be wrong. Who knows? And hey, are they fresh? Probably not. Can you crack open and wolf down several pounds of crab legs and claws without worrying about breaking the bank while shamelessly sitting in a corner of the restaurant covered in crab juice and marinade? Hell the fu#$ yes! And that is exactly what I did. Add in the occasional spoonful of mediocre fried rice and you, my friend, have what I call a king's ransom for dinner.
"Look at our descendent, he is plump, and does not need to work to procure his food, nor does he have to clean up after himself and is catered to by the help. We have done well.", my ancestors would probably say.
All joking aside though, the non-crab food is pretty meh. Again, don't expect 5 star deliciousness from the plates here, and if you're not one of the two types I listed before what are you even doing with your life and how did you end up at a buffet?
What the reviews say about the bathrooms is fairly accurate, but not AS bad as they paint it -- just don't expect hotel level cleanliness. I would put it somewhere in between a public facility in Oakland and a normal bathroom you might find in your home (Look, it doesn't have shit stains on the walls, and you can relieve yourself and wash your hands. That's it.). The place itself is your usual dimly lit, casino-like atmosphere, and minimum required cleaning. No, there is no food littering the floor everywhere like one review claims.
Lastly, it's been about 3 hours since I finished eating at this place and so far no signs of food poisoning, so if you're wondering if you should risk it and try this place, ask yourself these questions first, and if any of your answers are no -- don't come here:
1) Are your expectations in line with what buffets are widely known to deliver?
2) Are you capable of washing your hands and relieving yourself in a poorly maintained bathroom?
3) Are you aware this place is in the middle of f^cking Oakland and that the neighboring sites and images are not going to be picture perfect?
4) Are you on a non-date situation? (Why the hell would anyone bring a date here?)
5) Are you capable of parking and maneuvering around a normal-ass sized city parking lot?
6) Are you a type 1 or type 2?
If you answered no to any of these, then don't even bother with the drive over. If you're still with me after answering these questions, then I welcome you to the family of buffet diners still roaming the world's streets as of 2022. You, my friend, are amongst the elite, and I salute you. read more