This California All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Has Something For Everyone
Trying to agree on dinner in Southern California can feel like negotiating a peace treaty. One person wants seafood, another is craving pasta, someone insists on steak, and there’s always that friend heading straight for dessert.
That’s exactly where Serrano Buffet at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland shines. Inside its expansive dining room, you’ll find carved meats, chilled seafood, global stations, and a dessert selection that could pass for its own bakery.
It’s the kind of place where everyone builds their own perfect plate, without compromise.
It’s One Of Southern California’s Largest Casino Buffets
Walking into Serrano Buffet feels less like entering a typical casino dining hall and more like stepping into a full-scale culinary operation. The sheer size of the space is immediately apparent.
Rows of booths stretch across the room, each section thoughtfully lit and arranged to accommodate both intimate dinners and larger group gatherings.
The layout is designed to handle volume without feeling cramped. Multiple food stations are spread throughout the space, reducing bottlenecks and giving diners room to move freely.
Even on busy nights, the flow remains manageable, which is no small feat for a buffet of this scale.
This is not a place that corners you into a single aisle or forces you to navigate tight spaces with a full plate. The design respects both the diner and the food, offering enough square footage to make the experience feel open rather than overwhelming.
The Global Spread Covers Multiple Cuisines In One Room
Serrano Buffet does not commit to a single culinary identity, and that decision works strongly in its favor. The stations span a wide range of traditions, from Asian stir-fries and sushi rolls to Mexican offerings and classic American comfort food.
Each section is clearly labeled and maintained with care, making it easy to navigate without confusion.
What stands out is the balance between variety and execution. Rather than spreading resources too thin, the buffet focuses on preparing each cuisine with attention to flavor and presentation.
The Asian section includes fresh vegetables and well-seasoned proteins, while the Mexican station offers warm tortillas and properly spiced fillings.
For groups with differing preferences, this setup eliminates the usual compromise. One person can load up on seafood while another builds a plate around Italian pasta, and both leave satisfied without having to settle for something they did not want.
The Carving Station Is A Major Draw
Prime rib anchors the carving station, and it tends to draw a crowd for good reason. The meat is cooked to a tender medium-rare by default, though diners can request adjustments if they prefer their slices more thoroughly cooked.
The beef is well-marbled, flavorful, and served with au jus and horseradish on the side.
Service at this station moves quickly, even during peak hours. The staff behind the counter are efficient and courteous, slicing portions to order without unnecessary delays.
Some guests have noted that the default preparation leans toward the rarer side, which can be adjusted upon request.
Lamb also makes an appearance here, though reviews are mixed. While some enjoy the option, others have found it less consistent in texture.
The prime rib, however, remains the reliable centerpiece, and for many guests, it is worth returning to the station more than once during the meal.
There’s A Dedicated Seafood Selection
Seafood nights at Serrano Buffet are a recurring event, with lobster available on Wednesdays and Thursdays and an expanded selection on weekends. The lobster is served whole, cooked to a firm but tender consistency, and accompanied by drawn butter.
Guests frequently mention the generous portions and the freshness of the seafood.
Crab legs, shrimp, clams, and oysters round out the selection, each prepared with minimal interference to let the natural flavors come through. The seafood station is positioned centrally, making it easy to access without navigating the entire buffet layout.
Lines can form during peak hours, but the kitchen keeps the trays replenished regularly.
For those who prioritize seafood, the pricing on these nights reflects the premium offerings. The quality justifies the cost for most diners, particularly those who take full advantage of the all-you-can-eat format.
It is one of the standout features that distinguishes Serrano from more generic buffet operations.
Pasta And Made-To-Order Stations Keep It Fresh
Made-to-order stations add a layer of customization that elevates the buffet experience beyond standard steam trays. At Serrano, the pasta station allows diners to select their noodles, sauces, and mix-ins, which are then prepared fresh in front of them.
This approach ensures that each plate is served hot and tailored to individual preferences.
The omelet station operates on a similar principle, particularly popular during breakfast and brunch hours. Guests choose their fillings, and the chef cooks the eggs to order.
The wait time is minimal, and the quality surpasses anything that could sit under a heat lamp for extended periods.
These stations break up the monotony that can sometimes accompany buffet dining. Rather than simply filling a plate from pre-prepared options, diners have the opportunity to engage with the food preparation process, resulting in a fresher and more satisfying meal.
It is a small detail that makes a noticeable difference.
The Dessert Bar Feels Like A Standalone Bakery
Dessert at Serrano Buffet is not an afterthought. The dessert bar stretches along one side of the room, offering a selection that rivals dedicated bakeries.
Cakes, pies, pastries, and gelato are arranged with care, each option clearly labeled and visually appealing. Sugar-free cheesecake is available for those managing dietary restrictions, and the gelato selection rotates regularly.
What sets this section apart is the freshness. Pastries are flaky, cakes are moist, and the gelato maintains a smooth, creamy texture without the icy graininess that sometimes plagues buffet desserts.
Guests often mention the dessert bar as a highlight, with many returning for multiple rounds after finishing their main courses.
The placement of the dessert bar near the entrance can create some congestion during busy periods, as guests waiting in line for seating are positioned close to those selecting sweets. Despite this minor layout quirk, the quality and variety make it a worthwhile stop before leaving.
Weekend Service Brings Expanded Offerings
Weekends at Serrano Buffet bring an expanded menu that goes beyond the standard weekday offerings. Additional seafood items, specialty dishes, and premium proteins make their way onto the stations, giving regular visitors something new to anticipate.
The weekend pricing reflects these additions, but for those seeking the full experience, the upgrade is often considered worthwhile.
Brunch service on weekends introduces breakfast items alongside the regular lunch and dinner selections, creating a hybrid menu that appeals to a broader audience. Omelets, fresh fruit, pastries, and breakfast meats share space with the usual carving station and seafood displays, allowing diners to build plates that mix sweet and savory elements.
The increased traffic on weekends does mean longer wait times, even with reservations. However, the expanded menu and lively atmosphere compensate for the extra time spent in line.
For those who prefer a quieter experience, weekday visits offer a more relaxed pace without sacrificing quality.
The Setting Feels Polished, Not Chaotic
Serrano Buffet maintains a level of polish that distinguishes it from the more utilitarian buffet spaces found in some casino environments. The navy blue booths in the central seating area feel intentional, offering a more refined backdrop than the standard plastic chairs and laminate tables.
Lighting in this section is bright but not harsh, creating a comfortable dining environment.
Other sections of the buffet feature slightly different lighting, with some areas leaning toward warmer, yellowish tones. While this creates a bit of visual inconsistency, it does not detract significantly from the overall experience.
The space is kept clean throughout service, with staff regularly clearing tables and wiping down surfaces.
Noise levels are higher than a traditional restaurant, which is expected given the open layout and high guest volume. However, conversations at individual tables remain audible without shouting.
The setting strikes a balance between casual and polished, making it suitable for both everyday dining and special occasions.
It’s Located Inside A Major Resort Destination
Serrano Buffet operates within Yaamava Resort & Casino, a sprawling entertainment complex in Highland that draws visitors from across Southern California. The resort offers hotel accommodations, gaming, live entertainment, and multiple dining options, making the buffet one piece of a larger destination.
For those already visiting the casino, the buffet provides a convenient dining option without leaving the property.
The location at 777 San Manuel Blvd S places the resort just off the I-10 freeway, making it accessible for day trips from Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Ample parking is available, and the resort layout is easy to navigate once inside.
Signage directs guests toward the buffet entrance, which is located near the main casino floor.
For out-of-town visitors, the resort offers overnight accommodations, allowing guests to enjoy the buffet as part of a longer stay. The combination of dining, gaming, and entertainment creates a self-contained experience that appeals to a wide demographic.
It Works For Mixed Groups With Different Tastes
One of the most practical advantages of Serrano Buffet is its ability to accommodate groups with divergent preferences. Families with picky eaters, friend groups with dietary restrictions, and couples with mismatched cravings can all find something that works without compromise.
The breadth of the menu ensures that no one leaves hungry or dissatisfied.
Vegetarians and vegans have options, though the selection is understandably more limited compared to the seafood and meat-heavy offerings. Salads, roasted vegetables, pasta, and rice dishes provide workable alternatives, and some staff members are reportedly helpful in identifying or preparing plant-based options upon request.
The buffet is not specifically designed for restrictive diets, but it does offer enough flexibility to make it viable.
For celebrations or gatherings where preferences vary widely, Serrano Buffet removes the guesswork. Everyone orders from the same place, but everyone eats something different.
That simplicity, combined with the quality and variety, makes it a reliable choice for group dining.