The Buffet

Everything was amazing. We had the lobster, snow crab legs, shrimp, prime rib, and a few other sides. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The service was great we never had an empty drink or a dirty table. I would absolutely recommend going here.

I dont normally do buffets but the casino gave us free passes for gambling so we thought we would give it a try. Not a lot of choices but the food was good except the lobster was a little dry & they ran out of clam chowder by 6:15. Good buffet & even better since it was free!

For the price food was good!
Love the crab legs… down 5 plates of crab legs…
We were first timers, so we signed up for the member club, after spending less than 15 bux each on the slot machines we got enough points for buffet (20 points required)

Lousy selection. WAYover priced. Food was marginal at best.

We went on a Saturday night and really enjoyed it. We saw that Ameristar was no longer offering all you can eat crab so we ended up at Monarch. We each started with a lobster and then started on the crab with a few other items mixed in. All the items were fresh and hot, we had no complaints. I imagine the hot, fresh food was caused by the larger Saturday night crowd.
Our waitress ended up bringing over a couple more lobster coupons for us that another table didn’t use. Followed by a few more a little later. All in all we finished the night with an absurd seven lobsters and a couple of full stomachs.

Upon arrival I was glad to see the dining room has been nicely updated. We used our player’s cards to get a small discount on the meal. As usual, the line gets long around dinner time (unless you are a VIP).
This buffet provides a ticket to get one whole lobster or two tails with your visit. While the lobster was average, the crab was great, and the dessert selection was solid. Besides dessert, this buffet does not have the largest spread to choose from, but you do get the basic seafood, beef roast, pork roast, taco bar etc.
If the food they have was executed a little better (lobster not overcooked, lemon bar with very little lemon taste, fried chicken, etc), this place could easily be a four out of five as the prices are good and the service is great.

Not kid friendly. My wife and I decided to go here for their lobster/​seafood buffet with our son his wife and two grandsons, 14 & 12. We parked and went in. We almost made it to the restaurant when the cashiers started literally yelling at us. They were demanding to see the childrens ID’s. I heard someone yell for security. Next thing I know this security person was in my face. I stepped back from him and told him the ages of the kids. He told us to immediately leave the casino. I said we are only going to the restaurant. He stated that kids were not allowed anywhere in the casino. I said we were not aware of that. All he would say was «get out of the casino». We left. Very rude employees! A simple explanation would have sufficed but, yelling was inappropriate. Will NEVER go to this place again. They probably have better seafood at the Isle which will allow kids into the restaurant.

Went to the Monarch after receiving free buffet vouchers for earning 20 points in the casino on the players card. I am not a fan of buffets to begin with — they creep me. It was packed and we waited about 10 minutes in line to get in. The staff was pleasant and seated us while explaining the lobster ticket to us. Our waiter was working very hard with multiple tables and requests being made of him. In between he was busing tables and even vacuumed with a push vacuum at one point.
The typical price is $ 18.99 and includes one, whole Maine lobster or one lobster tail if you don’t feel like doing the work. The price goes up on the weekends by 3 or 4 dollars. The lobster was not good — the shells were super soft and the meat was rubbery and did not smell fresh. Most likely they were previously cooked and frozen and then steamed or warmed by some other form of reheating. I wound up not eating mine. The crab legs were a good size and tasted fresher — The meat came out of the shell easily and in one piece. Tiny forks would have then helpful. This was the only thing I wound up eating. There were cold seafood options, a meat carving station and a phở station. Also a large dessert section. As I looked around the dining room plates were piled high with the remnants of crab legs which seemed to be the most popular item.
You get what you pay for and this was free. I would not go back but it was an interesting experience.

As I’ve been a bit on the disappointed side with the Monarch as a whole (see separate review,) I can say that I did finally get a free voucher for The Buffet in the mail recently, so I gave it a go. As the buffet at the Atlantis in Reno, NV (the Monarch’s sister property) was its only saving grace, I was at least hoping for some comparable quality and service here.
I unfortunately didn’t get it.
I was blown away at how small the food selection and stations were. There was only prime rib on the evening I visited, and although it was pretty tasty, there were easily only a few offerings in the salad bar and side dish areas that were palatable. Gotta admit that the dessert selection was massive, although lacking flavor, as I checked a couple of times to ensure I didn’t grab any sugar free items by mistake. Based on some other reviews, I think this buffet might have a bit more to offer in the seafood department, which I’m allergic to, so I guess I just didn’t quite fit the profile of this place.
It appeared to have been recently renovated in a style similar to the mainstream casino. Gotta admit that they did a good job on the carpeting, but that’s about it.
No complaints if something is free, but I definitely wouldn’t blow any money or comp dollars here.

I came here after spending $ 20 on slots at the attached casino for a complementary seafood buffet. I waited in line for three or four minutes and was greeted warmly by the cashier. She gave me no attitude about my free meal voucher and promptly took my voucher and sent me to the hostess. I was seated promptly. After waiting for a minute or so for a waiter/​waitress for drinks and seeing none, I went to the buffet to get my Maine lobster. It was decently sized and since the claws had come off, the server gave me three. A nice touch. There was also snow crab, oysters rockefeller and tilapia served hot. They had cold shrimp, snow crab legs and lots of salads, taco bar, Chinese food line and dessert bar with soft-​serve.
The food: The lobster was good. it was served out of a chafing dish, but was warm. You can’t expect buffet lobster to live up to individually prepared lobster but it was decent. The clusters of snow crab were also good and were of average size. The oysters rockefeller were not good. Can’t really put my finger on why, but one was enough. I did not try most of the other items (did I mention they had lobster and snow crab?). I did try the tiramisu (very good) and the blueberry cobbler (average).
Service: The serving staff is basically there to serve drinks, bus tables and generally clean the restaurant. I did get a diet coke shortly after sitting down with my food, but then my drink ran out and the server didn’t return until I had finished eating. I did see him racing around bussing tables a lot, but customer needs should be first. This is a management issue that should be addressed.
All in all, a good meal. I would return.

Wow the service here really blew me away the pit boss was so friendly, he made me feel very welcome. I was really liking the décor and vibe of this place as well. After playing 3 card poker for a while I ventured up to the buffet which was awesome that you got a whole main lobster. The food was really good and I went back to playing some more. The entire time I was treated basically like royalty and that treatment will have me coming back for more win or lose it was a great time!

The sceneary of the restaurant was amazing. Very spacious and very welcoming. The hostess was a bit rude when I handed her my card so I can get my free dinner and quickly just swiped it and threw it back at me. Kind of upsetting but decided whatever and the food would be worth it. I was amazed at the amount of food that was offered and quickly hit the salad bar. Everything was fresh and tasted quite good. After thy warm up I hit the tables a courier around the differential cultural cuisines and hit the Hispanic first. Freshly cooked taco shells and the whole shabang. Tasted amazing! Next hit the American section ‘Murrricaa’ loaded potatoes and gravy with fried chicken and mac and cheese. ⁸⁄₁₀ I gotta give it up.
Now onto the main course.
Prime rib and lobster tail.
Gotta day I was a bit disappointed…
Prime rib was flavorless and just laid out on my plate with no love. the lobster however was amazing! Screaming to just be eaten and a little butter dipping sauce provided.
Overall ³⁄₅ server was rude and the hostess ruined a perfect score.
Try seasoning the prime next time :)

Not many good things to say. Small buffet with not a lot of selection. Small crab legs. You can get it discounted or free with the different promotions for the players club there.
There are many other better buffets in town, but if you can get it cheap, go for it.

I’ve been to buffets all over vegas and I’ve been to the one at Ameristar in Blackhawk This buffet was a huge letdown. Someone next to us said there was ice inside the cold crab legs … so I don’t think that they heat those up before cooling them down to be served. The warm crab legs were fine, but the lobster was the worst maine lobster I’ve ever had. The big question is whether or not they are true main lobsters or lobsters caught north of main or south of main in NH or in Canada. The lobster was dry and chewy, not succulent and moist like I’ve had, in Maine. Honestly, I couldn’t even eat it. The lobster raviolis and risotto both had odd flavors to them as well.
The prime rib was decent, the beef wellington had no crust on it, but the meat was good, they had barely any vegetables at the salad bar … and it wasn’t as large of a selection as I would have imagined.
The biggest thing that stuck out to me was the cleanliness. The dining area was an absolute mess. There were crumbs everywhere, shells from the crab on the floor, napkins, etc — the bus boys and wait staff don’t seem to clean under the tables or the floor when guests leave. The way I see it is if they let the dining area be a mess, the part that people see when they eat, then what does the kitchen look like? If what we can see is dirty then what is it like where we can’t see?
I wouldn’t go back to it again … i had a bogo for the buffet, so it was a great deal and probably only what it was worth, $ 32 with tip for 2 people … definitely don’t recommend it.

What a let down. Not only do I feel this place is a jazzed up retirement village but I do honestly feel un welcomed. I felt out of place and awkward, basically felt like the people were rude to me. I only had plans to eat at the buffet but I know to get my players card, not overly friendly but still not what I would expect from a «new» casino. I did get great service from the waiter but pretty much was let down with the available options at the buffet. I love having hot crab legs and hot butter but it doesn’t make up for not having other great things to go with it.
*In addition *
My boyfriend wanted to get some hot crab and lobster, and he wanted to take his little one. I made sure to call the Casino and ask about minors eating with us, I know the Lodge and Ameristar allows children accompanied by adults. I called and spoke with a lady and she told me as long as the minor is not alone and with an adult the entire time it shouldn’t be a problem. Well what do you know, I went with my boyfriend and his kid and we started walking to the buffet and we were stopped. We’re told children couldn’t be on the property. When I was talking to the security, I told him I specifically asked someone from this casino if children were ok with adults to eat at the buffet, and that it was fine. The only thing he had to say” Did you call the 800 number?’ Yes that makes perfect sense, I live in Denver and have local numbers to call but I will call the 800 number instead. We were immediately «escorted «outside with security, and I was irritated to say the least. I have no idea why I would be told one thing only to be told another once I got there. I was already not that fond of the Monarch, and after my last adventure I absolutely will not go back.

signed up for a players card, put 20 in the high limit slots (won 70) and got comped for the buffet.
the buffet is my favorite in colorado. big alaskan snow crab legs, one whole lobster included. they have servers who will deconstruct your lobster for you but really it’s not that hard. they’re steamed and kept heated so they’re pretty soft by the time you get it.
prime rib — mine was a bit dry, fried chicken — pretty good. they have other standard stuff such as italian and asian and shrimp but the reason to go is the crab legs.
nice room, projectors playing espn. good way to get away from it all and enjoy a nice meal.

The Buffet at the Monarch Casino just… Blew me away!
Whole Maine Lobster? Prime Rib? Snow Crab Legs both Chilled and Steamed? Chilled, Peeled Shrimp? And a bunch of other stuff that’s just… Shall we say, the icing on the cake?
Yes. Please.
Oh, and it’s $ 19. Yup. Nineteen. Dollars.
Pro Tip: On the day you join the Monarch Casino’s loyalty rewards program, if you spend $ 20 on slots (Which, let’s face it, you will)… You get a free buffet.
Yeah, so I’m in.
The buffet itself was sparkling clean and well-​tended. The entrees were fresh, the carving station attendant was present… and, get this… FRIENDLY! (Guy from Hawaii, I’m talking to you! Hope you and your Girlfriend have a great time in Honolulu!) The service was fantastic. Obviously, I made friends with the Prime-​Rib-​Carver-​Lobster-​Server Guy… But then there was the table service. Very sweet girl who was checking in often enough to be useful to refill drinks, but not obnoxious.
As for the quality of the foods… because, you know… Buffets can be scary… My lobster was about a pound and a quarter (see photos) and fresh, sweet, buttery, plain awesome. Prime Rib was well-​seasoned and tender (though to my tastes, could be offered a little more Rare… But I’ve learned in Colorado that the masses aren’t so fond of the bleeding cow meats. So I made do with pinkish.) But it was so tender… Yum!
The crab legs were just fantastic. I had the hot ones, and they were fresh and meaty. Cold is your thing? I had the cold, peeled shrimp… they somehow managed to be not-​mushy and not-​slimy and darn good.
I went back for seconds.
And thirds.
And dessert.
You may not eat the next day (I sure didn’t)… And that makes the reasonable $ 19 price tag even more reasonable.
I can’t wait to go up again!

A group of us drove from Frisco to enjoy their buffet. We had a two week old infant with us. We were refused because a minor was in our group. At first they tried to tell us that it was state law, which of course is false. After speaking with two managers and having an array of security come by, we left. Policies are in place for good reasons, to give the ability to enforce rules when necessary. Managers should have the skill set to know when that is. This establishment didn’t make a good impression, that’s for certain.

The last time we were here a few years ago, I thought this place was a ghost town. There were not a lot of folks in the casino. I heard the buffet wasn’t very good, so we never went to it. We got a voucher for a free buffet for two at an event in Denver, so we decided to try the all new buffet with prime rib and lobster. Wow, it was very good. Yes, it was free, but they give you a whole lobster and any size piece a very good prime rib if you prefer. We have been to most of the buffets up in Black Hawk, and this is now my first favorite because of the quality of main courses, and because of the newly remodeled restaurant. It was quite nice. I understand the casino will be changing its name at the end of October, so that may be why they are upgrading the casino. Also, we played some slots and won a little bit, which was an added bonus. The casino had a large number of gamblers as well this time. We will go back.

don’t eat here.
Me and my husband and our friend, all ate here tonight. First off, you only get one lobster and it is relatively tiny. We ate our lobster and then went to eat the crab, the crab was soo dry and it had a weird burnt taste to it. We didn’t even finish what was on our plate because it was soo bad. The prime rib, along with almost everything, was very dry. Unless you just want to eat a small lobster and salad, don’t eat here. Also the waittress completely ignored our empty cups, we left thirsty.