The Grand Buffet — Restaurant in Reno

This place definitely attempts to make you believe it is high class dining. Prices are very reasonable. Food quality is a little below moderate. Service can use some improvements.

The remodel of the restaurant is quite impressive but everything else stayed the same. This is my first time coming here since they remodeled. I went straight to the front where they collect your money before you go In. Immediately greeted and told me the price. Person told me 14.71 (I got a discount also) I pulled out a 20 and a 5. After seeing that her attitude seemed to change (very abrupt and opinionated) and responded with "I said it's 14.71." Taken aback I responded with "oh yes ma'am, I understand. I was hoping for a 10 back." She then understood and gave me my change. That's how my experience started.

I was sat towards the back where not many people were at. Definitely quite a ways from the buffet. (This didn't bother me). My servicer came up to me not too long after and asked for my drink order. After, I went to get food.

As I doubt the buffet line the food does look quite impressive. Some dishes are in their own tiny skillet and the dessert line looks elegant with many varieties. I picked my selections. As I got back with my food my drinks were right there waiting for me.

As I started to taste the food, I got a little disappointed because the aesthetics are great but the taste can use some work, some dishes were bland and others were too sweet or too salty. Despite the fact, food was tolerable and some items were good. I did like the desserts, they were prolly the best part of the food.

Now my service. My server not only looked bored but showed in the way he interacted with me and some his guests. Although, he would show some enthusiasm with Other guests that arrived later. My drinks couldve been filled up sooner as there was one point that i was waiting for my water refill and he would stand there on the side and just waych us. I'm not saying my service was bad, just saying that it could use some work. I would at least like him to be more aware with what we want/need as customers.

Overall I gave a 3 star because it's just below standard. The only thing going for them is the Aesthetics and desserts. Fix that and I'll fix my...

Awful. Worst meal we have had in years. The wait was exceptionally long for a late Saturday morning. After several instances of thinking we should bail, we persevered and immediately regretted our decision to stick it out once we saw the food selection. It is a supposed to be a “brunch” but it was a glorified breakfast spread that was only better than a Hampton Inn in variety, but candidly, not quality.

The food selection was dried out flavorless quiche Lorene, overcooked dried roasted beef, tasty looking fish that was breaded fish jerky, a very sad looking cheese pizza, hockey pucks of beef sliders, chicken fried steak that was chucked fried beef jerky, and just awful.

The Mexican station had two tragic looking pieces of cheese quesadilla that were there the whole time we were there and taquitos that make me yearn for Costco’s frozen home cooked delights. The taco bar - well, there was never anyone there the entire time of our visit and the meat vessels left empty with pathetic crumbles of whatever was intended to be served. I sat down with a second plate (mediocre salad), and as I sat down he said the pasta salad was the worst he’s ever had. He even spit out the broccoli (he likes broccoli) and looking at the pale green excuse for boiled broccoli, I can’t blame him.

You know it’s a really bad deal with the best thing we ate were the cheese blintzes. But don’t try any of the compote. That was terrible too.

And not only do you feel shafted by the selection, or lack thereof, which was not made up for by quality, but we paid over $30 each for this disaster. I mean it when I say we have not had a meal I wanted to demand a refund for more ever.

Oh, service? What service. We got our drinks. By the way, the iced tea was terrible too. Only thing I can say was at least it wasn’t that fountain tea ick. But, I’ve had stronger tea from my husband’s grandma’s twice used teabag (she had Great Depression frugality).

In summary, just no. Actually not only no, but hell no. Don’t...

We came at 1 pm for Sunday Brunch. Lots of breakfast options (cheese blintzes were great!) but not much in the way of lunch options. Burgers, sausages, prime rib, turkey, and the excellent dessert bar/gelato were the highlights. Many made to order stations but nothing really caught the eye, except the pho station looked excellent, but always seemed busy, so we skipped it. They had stated made to order pasta was available but it was clearly for just omelettes, asian cuisine, italian (mainly pizza), a pho station that looked good, and a taco bar. Had some raw oysters which tasted very fishy and tons of sand right in sight on the shell...how did the station attendants not clean these correctly? We were about to leave just before 2 and all employees were seated in the back dining area we were seated as well. Totally understand employees needing to eat, but it was awkward for us being seated there...and I'm sure the employees, too. There was an hour left before the place closed and it felt closed already.... However, our server was very attentive...all servers did seem to be on top of it!!

There was barely any guests in the dining room when we came in which was strange since we always go to Toucan Charlie's and usually have a wait at this time. Just seemed awkward...like we were not welcome and in the way. Tried this place to switch it up, but we won't be returning. Very very basic fare for a ridiculous price.

Update...think I got sick from the food here. :( Think it was Vibrio from the raw oysters. Put them in mouth but they tasted disgusting so I spat them out. Must have been enough to cause extreme swelling of face (lips, chin, tongue), stomach cramping, itching, and hives. I've had raw oysters many times, and never had this problem. Ended up at Urgent Care later that night. To say we're not ever coming back is an...