Forest Buffet Harrahs Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe 15 Highway 50 Stateline, NV 89449 800-427-7247 Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe Website

Alas the Forest Buffet has closed during the Pandemic. It was replaced by Sapori Italian Kitchen.

The closest buffet is in Reno – Toucan Charlie’s Buffet at the Atlantis.

• Love eating at lavish buffets like us? Be sure to read Best Buffet in the World Rankings for a list of the top buffets world wide

Foodnut has a thing for high end buffets.. The Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe has been in existence for decades and is practically a Lake Tahoe institution. We remember coming here as kids and have returned to see how this buffet compares to the best around, especially after a long day of biking. Our last visit was in the summer of 2018.

• Check out the best buffet Foodnut has been to so far.
• San Francisco to Lake Tahoe Road Trip Food Guide

Located on the 18th floor, this restaurant features an amazing view.

• Tip: Try to get seated by the Western or Eastern facing windows.
• Former archrival and now a sister property, Harvey’s across the street, no longer has a buffet. Mont Bleu next-door has a small “un-buffet”.

Decor, Vibe – Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe has upgraded decor with modern looking stations, nice wooden chairs and tables, and colorful accents and sayings. The restaurant was fairly full early on a Saturday night. They do not take reservations, so lines can arise during peak times with all the tourists in town.

Forest Buffet Menu

They feature more items for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Primarily seafood like  oysters, fish, king crab. Kids prices are for those 11 and younger.

Forest Buffet Price in 2018 was $38.99 Adults, $26.99 Children.  You can add a 8-10oz Canadian lobster tail for $18. Show your Total Rewards card to receive a discount. If you are not a member, sign up for free at the Total Rewards Booth downstairs.

Forest Buffet Entrees

• Grilled Ribeye Steak with steak butter sauce
• Roast Prime Rib Au Jus
• Roast Turkey
• Rotisserie Chicken
• Chilled Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
• Breaded Salmon with Mediterranean Salsa
• BBQ Pork Ribs
• Mac and Cheese
• Corn on the Cob
• Grilled Vegetables
• Steamed Crab Legs

Special Events

• Wednesday- Italian Night
• Thursday – Tex-Mex Night
• Friday- Seafood Night
• Saturday- Seafood and Steak Night
• Saturday and Sunday- Champagne Brunch (up to 3 glasses of champagne).

Signature Dishes – King crab legs, filet mignon, prime rib, lots of desserts.

Full image set

Forest Buffet Food Picks:

Good items included: Grilled Rib Eye Steak with steak butter sauce, Corn on the cob, Grilled Zuccini, steamed crab legs.

Pizza and garlic stick quality was surprisingly strong, as was the roast pork loin.

King crab quality was decent with lots of legs available. A bit salty.

Sushi roll quality was good but selection was lacking.

Baked potato bar and soup selection, and quality were passable.

Desserts are their strong suit with a huge selection of tarts, puffs, cakes, pies, made to order crepes, warm bread pudding, confections, and soft serve.  Gluten free cakes too!

OK:

Bacon wrapped filet mignon and prime rib was average. On another occasion the turkey was passable.

Salads were average as were most of the Asian dishes. Red Bean dessert buns were surprisingly solid. Another time the lotus wrapped rice was over steamed.

Pans:
Ribs, fajitas, fried chicken, onion rings were forgettable. Ham was too salty.

Service – Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe’s service is pretty much taking your drink order, refilling drinks, and taking plates away. Service was adequate but not as good as the best buffets.

Value – Prices are typical for a buffet of this caliber, gone are the days of $9.95 buffets. At this price, it is hard to beat. Think of it as a good dessert buffet on your vacation.

Verdict – Forest Buffet at Harrahs Lake Tahoe is the main buffet in town and surpassed our low expectations. The buffet does get pretty low marks on Yelp.

• This is an average buffet with a great view, good selection, that is outclassed by the big boys in Vegas like the Wynn Buffet. Moonstar in Daly City costs about the same and has better quality food.  Conrad in Hong Kong is one of our ultimate buffets.

 

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