Last updated on March 25th, 2024 at 07:02 pm
Are you curious about what to expect at the Morongo Casino buffet? I’ve got the full scoop in this honest review!
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is located just outside Palm Springs, California, adjacent to the Cabazon Outlets. Morongo is one of the largest casinos in California, and recently opened a reimagined buffet experience called The Marketplace by Fabio Viviani.
I call the Morongo Casino buffet an “experience” because it is an elegant departure from the typical casino buffets you find at other places in California and Las Vegas. We live nearby and visit Morongo often. I have sampled just about all the offerings at the buffet and can say from experience it truly is a step above!
The Marketplace by Fabio Viviani
What makes The Marketplace so different from other casino buffets is its approach.
Rather than a traditional buffet where food is on display in big piles at various stations for you to help yourself, The Marketplace is a high-end food hall with seven unique stations featuring a variety of cuisines and flavors from all around the world.
All food items are freshly plated when you order (with the exception of some pre-plated salads) and handed to you on a beautiful dish. Itās still all-you-can-eat, but at an elevated level, and the closest thing to fine dining you can experience at a buffet.
The Marketplace is the brainchild of celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, from the Bravo network show āTop Chef.ā And the food at the Morongo Casino buffet definitely reflects that is was created by a top chef.
So letās get into it.
Food at The Marketplace
When the original Morongo buffet, Potrero Canyon Buffet, closed during the pandemic, it never reopened. Instead, Casino Morongo took the opportunity to reimagine and redesign the space, bringing in Fabio Viviani and opening The Marketplace in 2022.
Hereās a brief rundown at what you will find at each of the seven stations, though keep in mind exact offerings may change.
Al Comal
Cuisine: Mexican
Al Comal serves three types of tacos ā shrimp, grilled chicken and pork ā plus chips, salsa, guacamole, and other fun sides. Tortillas are all hand made and everything is fresh and super flavorful.
Pescato
Cuisine: Seafood
Pescato offers a fresh array of seafood, Southern-style boils, fishermanās stew, scallops, shrimp and chips, lobster roll, and an oyster bar. If you want crab legs (extra charge) you can also pick them up here.
Sukiru
Cuisine: Pan Asian
Sukiru offers Pan-Asian dishes from Korean BBQ to Chinese dumplings to Vietnamese Pho and Japanese noodles. Their orange chicken is very popular and is served on a small plate with steamed rice and veggies. Be warned, it is spicy!
Mercato Centrale
Cuisine: Italian
Mercato Centrale brings the cuisine of 20 Italian regions under one roof, with pizza, salads, and hand-crafted pasta.
I have had the spaghetti and meatballs and the chicken and broccoli fettucine. Both were good; they sautƩ the pasta and veggies in the sauce when you order, so it is fresh and hot. I also had the Caesar salad, which was not as good, as the croutons were a bit soggy in my opinion. Worth noting that the salads are pre-made, so it may have been sitting out for a bit.
Pork & Waffles
Cuisine: Southern
If you like Southern comfort food, Pork & Waffles is for you! They have a great array of fried food and smoked bbq brisket, plus lots of sides including mac and cheese and potato salad.
Prime Cuts
Cuisine: American Steakhouse
Prime Cuts features classic steakhouse favorites like corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, garden salad, and a carving board of prime rib. It was all very tasty, though we did find the prime rib salty. They also serve salmon which we thought tasted tender and delicious.
Sweet Things
If you have room for dessert after visiting all the food stations, the Morongo Casino buffet will not disappoint. Sweet Things has a huge selection of cakes, cookies, donuts, and more.
You are only allowed to take five dessert items at a time, but you can always come back for more. You can also order a latte or expresso here to enjoy with your treats,
Beverages & Cocktails
The Morongo Casino buffet also has a full bar if you want to purchase a beer or cocktail. There are also two beverage stations where you can help yourself to unlimited soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee.
Morongo Casino Buffet Price
The Marketplace is open for dinner nightly and also brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Discounts apply if you are a Casino Morongo rewards member, and you can also earn points on slots to apply toward your meal.
Weekdays – $46.99 per adult and $23.99 for kids (9 and Under)
Saturday and Sunday – $48.99 per adult and $25.99 for kids (9 and Under)
You can also add steamed crab legs to your meal for $19.99.
Visit the kiosks in front of the buffet entrance to make your reservation, and they will text you when your table is ready. You pay one set price in advance for the Casino Morongo buffet, but you can redeem any coupons or slot points for a discount.
You also have the option to add the tip when you make your reservation, but I prefer to leave cash on the table after we eat. Frankly, I never like to pre-tip without knowing what the service will be like. And while I am generally an excellent tipper at traditional restaurants, I donāt support the idea of giving a 20% tip to buffet staff since they donāt take orders or bring food or drinks.
That said, we have always had a good experience and our servers are super friendly and attentive, even if their main task is clearing away dirty dishes before we go back for more.
I also appreciate that the crab legs are an add-on, so if you donāt want them you donāt have to pay. While it makes for a pricey meal if you opt to add on the crab legs, this is unique and I have never experienced this option at any other buffet.
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
Owned by the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is one of the nicest (and largest) casinos in Southern California. Its 27-story hotel tower has 310 rooms and suites, plus six luxurious casitas featuring private pools, separate living areas, and verandas.
But Morongoās greatest amenity is its pool area. This is one of the nicest pools I have been to in the Palm Springs area, and it is always a treat to spend an afternoon lounging outside. The Oasis Pool features a sandy beach, two hot tubs and a long lazy river. It is one of the best Palm Springs resorts with lazy rivers.
In addition to The Marketplace, other dining options at Morongo include Cielo, an unscale restaurant located on the 27th floor of the tower with sweeping views of the mountains, Wahlburgers, Pink Coffee, Sunset Bar & Grill, Mozen Asian Kitchen, Good Times CafƩ, and a food court.
Final Thoughts: The Marketplace at Morongo
Is the Morongo buffet worth the price?
Absolutely!
Gone are the days where you can find a nice all-you-can-eat buffet for under thirty bucks, even in Las Vegas! Though the price tops $50 per person when you add in taxes and gratuity, the quality of the food is top notch and you can eat as much as you want, and stay as long as you want. Totally worth it if you are looking for a unique and satisfying dining experience. The Marketplace by Fabio Viviani near Palm Springs is truly a case of quality and quantity living hand-in-hand.
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