Lobster & Seafood Extravaganza at Pechanga Resort & Casino - Temecula, CA

Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Casinos are well known for their extensive buffets. Pechanga Resort & Casino just stepped it up another notch with their Lobster & Seafood Extravaganza on Thursday nights. The main draw is the one-and-one-quarter pound whole Maine lobster done in an East Coast lobster bake style with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob. The limit is ONE at a time, but once you finish, you can grab yourself another!

lobster seafood buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

We were invited to enjoy this new buffet menu and knew our first stop had to be the advertised lobster station. The staff pulled the individually packaged lobster and sides out of a steaming hot pot.

lobster seafood buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

At the table, we removed the netting and went to town on that gorgeous lobster. It was cooked just right and the meat was so easy to pull from the shell. I excitely told Dennis that these were pre-cracked, and he slyly replied "Yes, by me!" Haha thanks sweetheart!

We also met Franco, the food/beverage chef who happens to run two kitchens at Pechanga! He informed us that they served 2200 lobstser the previous thursday and the number was only increasing with the buffet's popularity!

snow crab at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

crab legs and shellfish at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Snow crab legs, dungeness crab legs, shrimp, oysters, and mussels were next. Now THIS is the kind of food I'd expect my mom and aunties to repeat throughout the night! They truly love everything seafood! I imagined their approval as I ate everything on this plate! 

Atlantic Salmon at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

This fish dish looked so amazing. A whole Atlantic Salmon cooked and ready to eat! The staff peeled back the skin to give access to the baked flesh.

Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Another seafood-inspired buffet plate contained prepared seafood items such as fried fish (to be paired with chips), lasagna and fried crab leg, and my favorites of lobster ravioli and baked oysters.

hot meat at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

There was a carving station where you could pick up roasted turkey, prime rib, etc. Here's where Dennis's meat expertise comes to play. He found the prime rib very tender and perfectly cooked. A little salt bae action made it perfect to our liking. The beef ribs had good char flavor but he found several areas to be a bit too chewy. The pork ribs were also tender but the thick coating of strong BBQ sauce had to be scraped off before eating. The turkey white meat was very tasty and soft.

meats and cheeses at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

meats and cheeses at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

I loved the presentation of the cold cut meats and cheeses! Dennis crafted bruschetta with crostini and tomatoes and we both enjoyed the unique pizza. The sandwich (muffuletta style?) was great but it was cut into a hefty sample size!

Chinese food at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Chinese plate at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

There were two sections providing a taste of Asia so these were next on the list to consume.

mexican food at lobster seafood buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Cuisine from Mexico was another option. Our server Brian recommended the Al pastor tacos which was his favorite and reminded him of home. Dennis saw the sign but no actual food out. Apparently you have to ask for them and theyll get a plate for you. Al pastor tacos were very juicy and were our favorite from this section.

dessert at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

We already knew the night would end well because we attended the Chocolate Decadence Festival two years ago, which showcased dessert from Pechanga. The pistachio mousse was fluffy and not too sweet. The decadent lemoncello cup had a slightly sweet top and some tart cream at the bottom. The yummy raspberry bar had a bottom layer with nuts in there. The tiramisu was light on the coffee flavor so worked out pretty well. And here's a secret... you're able to request a custom milkshake at the Banana Fosters and Milkshake station but apparently you can also get it to go!

whole lobster at Lobster Seafood Buffet at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Big thanks to this anonymous guy who happily posed for us. You can be grinning like him too! Go get your lobster buffet on! 

Buffet details: Lobster & Seafood Extravaganza is on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to close at 10 p.m., beginning January 11, 2018. Adults and children three to 11 are $44.99 and kids two and under are free. Pechanga Club members receive discounts at the Pechanga Buffet including on Lobster & Seafood Extravaganza Thursdays. Silver members receive $3 off, Gold members receive $6, Platinum members receive $9 off and Red card members receive $12 off.

Hotel Expansion

When we were here two years ago, the hotel was undergoing some major construction. The new section is now complete and looks very beautiful!

the hotel expansion is beautiful at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Hallway to the newest hotel rooms.

waterfall of shimmering leaves at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

I especially love this waterfall of leaves by the escalators. They are so shimmery at night!

the hotel expansion is beautiful at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

the hotel expansion is beautiful at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Brand new buildings plus a large outdoor patio.

corner suite hotel room in the newest expansion of Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

We stayed overnight in a corner suite in the newly constructed part of the hotel.

corner suite hotel room in the newest expansion of Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

molton brown bath products at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Spacious bathroom with both a shower and a tub. We found bathrobes in the closet. I also appreciate the great bath products by Molton Brown, made in London which we recently visited.

corner suite hotel room in the newest expansion of Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Daytime view of the sitting room.

celebrate lunar new year at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Pechanga Resort & Casino is also welcoming visitors to celebrate the year of the dog!

beautiful decorations to celebrate lunar new year at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

There are dog statues too!

beautiful decorations to celebrate lunar new year at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula

Happy Lunar New Year everyone!

Disclaimer: We were provided buffet and accommodations at the hotel. We were not otherwise compensated and all opinions stated are our own

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Comments

Fran @ G'day Souffle''s picture
Submitted by Fran @ G'day So... (not verified) on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 2:36pm

Holy Mackerel! How could you eat all that! Looks delicious though. We recently did a wine tour to Temecula and had to withstand loud music in the van on the way back to San Diego. All that lobster for only $45? Must now sign up to go there!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 9:23am

I don't do casino buffets often but I'd definitely pick this lobster one if I did! We shared one bag so we could try other foods but next time I would get 2+ for myself! Too bad about the loud music on your trip home. Hopefully you gave them some feedback at the end!

Lysa's picture
Submitted by Lysa (not verified) on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 3:47pm

Oh my goodness, this all looks so good! We lived in Southern California and never went there! Might have to go next time we visit family in the area! Thanks for sharing.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 9:33am

I feel that way about Texas. Missed many food spots (especially BBQ) because I was still a student at the time. Luckily mom was a great cook!

soo @hungryones.com's picture
Submitted by soo @hungryones.com (not verified) on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 5:32pm

Lucky! That's great looking food and hotel you stayed in for free!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 9:38am

This buffet would be a great splurge meal if you were into seafood with options! I also like the occasional slot play so extra plus for me. =p

mandy's picture
Submitted by mandy (not verified) on Fri, 02/16/2018 - 6:54pm

Looks like a nice place. So much food - just from the pictures
i don't need to eat for a week now!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 9:39am

If only that statement were true... We were starving again the next morning and ran off to find lunch!

Rebecca's picture
Submitted by Rebecca (not verified) on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 4:36pm

Great post with some great photos. I'm not a huge seafood fan but this was a nice article!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 03/01/2018 - 8:48am

There's a great dessert bar here! A little something for everyone!

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table's picture
Submitted by Laura @ Sprint ... (not verified) on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 5:10pm

I always wonder how the casino buffets here stack up to Vegas. Looks legit! I could live off of seafood.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 03/01/2018 - 8:51am

The local casinos do a decent job without needing the multi-hour drive! Dennis and I can only handle a few buffets in one year haha!

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