Atlantic City Casinos Get A New Player With A Buffet

There was a time when almost every Atlantic City casino offered a buffet, and most had good reputations for the food and the deal.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and things changed out of necessity. For most of the Atlantic City casinos, the pandemic ended, but the buffets never returned.

Casino buffets were generally considered only marginally profitable and are known for producing a lot of food waste.

And these days, it seems trendier and probably more profitable for the casinos to focus on ‘famous chef’ restaurants, or faster, smaller portioned dining options, and the Atlantic City casinos have some wonderful choices of both types.

But not many buffets.

AC still has two (almost) full-time casino buffets, and they both do a good job.

The Fresh Harvest Buffet at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Borgata Casino and Spa’s Borgata Buffet both have their fans, and we will talk more about them in a minute.

First, let’s get to the new kid in town.

Golden Nugget Returns to the Buffet Table

Every Friday, beginning this Friday, May 2, Golden Nugget will dip its toe into the buffet business again. The Golden Nugget is introducing its seafood buffet every Friday from 3 pm to 9 pm for $49.99 per person. 

The name is the seafood buffet, but you will find many opinions in addition to seafood.

I counted well over 20 entree choices, including chicken and meatloaf, along with carving stations serving black angus sirloin, roasted turkey breast, and BBQ pork spare ribs.

And, of course, several fish options, including a fresh fish, stuffed crabs, clams in white sauce, and snow crab legs at an extra cost.

The Golden Nugget buffet also has a cold food station with salads, fruit, u-peel-em shrimp, and more. Plus a dessert station.

Hard Rock’s Harvest Buffet

Hard Rock’s buffet is split between its regular menu for $42.99 per person on Sunday from noon to 9 pm and Monday from 3 pm to 9 pm, and seafood nights on Thursday and Friday from 3 pm to 9 pm and Saturday from noon ’til 9 pm for 59.99.

Hard Rock has a large menu with some more upscale items and a higher price point.

Borgata’s Buffet Offers Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Borgata Buffet breakfast is $21.99; lunch is $25.99; and dinner for $39.99. Weekends have a brunch option for $30.99 and dinner for $39.9

Breakfast: Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 11:15 am.

Lunch: Monday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 2 pm.

Dinner: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm.

Breakfast is $21.99; lunch is $25.99; and dinner for $39.99. Weekends have a brunch option for $30.99 and dinner for $39.99.

Borgata doesn’t list its entire buffet menu on its website, but TripAdvisor reviews mention tuna tartare, steak, grilled chicken, oysters on the half shell, espresso cake, and more. 

The Borgata Buffet is closed on Wednesday and Thursday.