Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center — Attraction in California

I say nothing better than a recent update: 9/2024

I still visit Golden Acorn Casino frequently. I enjoy this casino more than any of the others in town. No crowding which is a big plus and the employees are always friendly and helpful. Their gas station is also open 24 hours and has the best gas prices I have found in San Diego. The gas station also has a convenience store that carries EVERYTHING (It doubles as a truck stop but you would never know - again, no crowding!) They sell fresh made chicken along with lots of snacks and a wide variety of drinks including fountain drinks, many coffee flavors and types, frozen type drinks, hot chocolate, and others. They sell souvenirs, jewelry, hard liquor, fresh donuts - you name it.

Unfortunately the casino's restaurant is still sub-par. The service could not be any slower and the food isn't good. I test them every now and again hoping for improvement - nothing so far. They do have a snack bar that is fair/hit and miss. Never open when you are hungry though. The hours are short. I find the menu a bit strange but it does most likely have something everyone would like. They have a stone pizza oven that is wood fired, I believe, and the pizza is good. The pizza prices are good too very affordable. They have different sizes to choose from and you can get it to go or eat it there. They have carne fries I like also.

The casino has all the latest machines and fun games and prizes for Club Card holders along with free play each week. They have tons of parking and I find the Security in the Casino to be attentive and friendly also. They are always right there if you need something or have a question.

2023 I am amending my review and updating it. The casino has removed machines to adjust for social distancing. Although there are less machines it's still easy to play and I have not experienced crowding. Open 24 hours, clean. The restaurant has reopened and they have added plexiglass between booths and removed tables. The staff is friendly and helpful. I have been looking forward to the restaurant reopening because I have been craving the Fettuccine Alfredo. Sorry to report I will no longer be craving it. The sauce was runny and tasteless and the chicken was tough - what a let down! My roommate had his favorite the carne asada plate and it was bad also. The meat was too tough to chew and was tasteless. Did someone steal all the spices? We live in the area and used to go there just to eat on occasion. Find the former cook and rehire him or her. So eat before you go and the casino is my favorite...

Well this is a truck stop and small casino please support the tribal members and there family's it cost alot for these days to run this casino overhead cost are high intesterst and hope y stop by or traveling through great place to stop and eat one stop get some gas . Sunday they added a market place where they sell handmade things have venders it on left side of the casino by the convention center . Cool place to stop out the hot w we weather 😎 they have AC and winter time they have snow up there and warm in there . Good place to hang out and meet y friends 🧡. The truckers like it also . The present moments the casino has changed know y can get Starbucks coffee and ice cream and Krispy chicken meal . Alot variety foods plus see candies even . Prime rib or lobster steak dinner is added , taco Tuesdays or breakfast 777 7 to 11 at the restaurant 🤔. I had indian taco they only thing is the cook they have hope they change the cook they have know needs to stop put chili peppers in the food it possible to hire a new staff there are not from Mexico. This casino 30 years ago was to support the community and there family's and travelers enjoy a nice place . My experience from 35 years ago when it opened is that we have go away from what is is designed for hire locals community people to support the family's and friends in the native american community, wish think about that it important also bring the tribal members back some how the lost the original goal support . Just saying this was designed for tribal members and family's in the community to enjoy good food and support there family's, know my options are there hire outsiders in imperial county that dont care about this place it just another job to them . Young kids all different nationalities not just for the community anymore so sad. And that's be changed important important Bring back the fun times hire the community and a good cook that does make Mexico food is and the restaurant and speaks english. Don't need to be racial.Just telling you from an elder's pedetective.And I'm higher back to humanity.Make a good effort to support your community.That's what this was...

On 3/29/24 my wife and I travel to SD to go visit my sister that it’s terrible sick. On or way back we decided to stop at Golden Acorn casino and travel on I-8 about 50 miles East of S.D. To get some gas, coffee use the restroom’s stretch our legs.. when I went to pay for a bottle of water and some candy the cashier mentioned it’s $3.80 I handed a 5.00 bill and reach in pocket while as was letting her know that I had the 0.80 that way she would have to give me more coins. As she received my 5.00 dollar bill she immediately looked at the bill against the ceiling light and asked me to wait there, as she walked away to a door that seemed like be the back office. A a couple minutes later she returned without the bill and asked me to step to the side she needed to get her supervisor 10-15 minutes passed. Finally the supervisor arrived and said the 5.00 bill was counterfeit and asked for my information, at that point I was already confused and irritated and asked her to call the police because I didn’t understand what was going?. she excused her self and mentioned that she would be back. A few more minutes later she came back and mentioned that the protocol when ever that happened they keep the money and get the persons name and that’s it!. I told her that was not acceptable and asked her if she had call the police ? She said no. We are not calling the police because we are not pressing charges against me. I was tempted to call the cops but this was already 3/30 at 3:00am and I just wanted to get home in Phoenix. I asked her why did she made me believe that she was calling the police then? At that point she got more aggressive and asked my wife and I to leave the promise I even show her all my cash that I had in my wallet I had almost 1k. Most of the bills were 100.00 plus all my bank cards. And told I wasn’t even ask to pay with a bank card. Or maybe a different bill?. We where just rudely asked to leave their promises and yes they KEEP my 5.00 bill. If you absolutely have to stop there pay with card. NO CASH avoid...