Some of the best meals in California hide in places you would drive right past without a second look. Picture a busy road, a packed parking lot, and a door that opens onto mountains of snow crab legs, chilled oysters, and sushi as far as you can see.
One visit turns into a monthly habit for a lot of families, and it is easy to understand why once your first plate is full. If your stomach is already growling, keep reading, because this buffet has a lot to talk about.
A Seafood Buffet Tucked Along Camino del Rio South
Mission Valley is known for freeways, shopping, and hotels, but food lovers have another reason to exit here. At 2828 Camino del Rio S in San Diego sits 100’s Seafood Grill Buffet, a roomy all-you-can-eat spot built around Asian seafood.
The concept is simple and generous. You pay one price, grab a plate, and wander through stations loaded with sushi, hibachi fare, cold seafood, hot Chinese dishes, carved meats, and desserts.
Crab legs and oysters are the headline acts, but the supporting cast is huge.
Regulars describe it as one of the top buffets in San Diego, and many say they return every month or more. Some visitors even admit they come here when nobody in the group can agree on dinner, since everyone finds something to love.
That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident, and the reasons become clear the moment you walk inside and see the spread.
Hotel-Style Dining Room Glamour
Walking in feels a bit like stepping into the restaurant of a fancy hotel. Visitors often mention the pretty interior, with chandeliers hanging over booths and plenty of space between tables.
The room is big, and that matters on busy nights. Guests point out that there are lots of seats, which helps keep waits shorter than at many other buffets in town.
One diner celebrating a new job asked for a quieter corner away from the food stations, and the staff happily helped.
A small tip from a frequent guest is worth passing along. Parts of the dining room can feel quite dark, so asking for a booth under a chandelier makes it easier to see your plate, and your crab.
Lighting aside, the overall vibe is clean, polished, and welcoming. It feels like a place for a special night out, even though you are wearing your comfy stretchy pants.
Snow Crab Legs Worth the Trip
Crack, pull, repeat. That rhythm defines most visits here, because the crab legs are the star of the show for many guests.
Diners keep praising the same qualities again and again. The snow crab comes out fresh, sweet, and not too salty, which sets it apart from other buffets where crab can taste like a mouthful of seawater.
One seafood fan said these were among the freshest crab legs they had ever eaten, even better than a pricey Las Vegas buffet. Another family flat out said the crab legs alone justify the visit.
Honesty helps here, though. A longtime regular noticed that sometimes the legs come out overcooked or saltier than usual, making them harder to crack.
Most visitors still report sweet, satisfying crab, and some mention king crab legs showing up too. Bring patience, grab extra napkins, and plan on more than one plate.
Oysters, Shrimp, and the Cold Seafood Bar
Here is where seafood fans slow down and start stacking. The cold bar features fresh oysters, cooked snow crab, shrimp, and mussels, all kept chilled and ready to grab.
Guests describe the oysters as fresh and clean tasting. One regular wished for more variety, saying they prefer smaller oyster types, but most diners seem happy filling up on what is offered.
Shrimp gets plenty of love too, from simple chilled pieces to the Cajun and salt and pepper versions found elsewhere in the buffet.
Nearby, you will spot salads and Chinese cold appetizers, including a cucumber salad that one celebrating family called especially tasty. Someone who avoids raw food noted the raw bar still looked fresh, even though they stuck to cooked dishes.
Either way, this corner of the room sets the tone. It is crisp, briny, and a great place to begin before heading toward the hot stations.
Sushi, Sashimi, and a Secret Menu
Did you know there might be uni hiding behind the sushi counter? According to one diner, sea urchin is a secret menu item, and the staff will also make a fresh tuna hand roll if you simply ask.
That same guest noted these special items are limited to once per visit.
Sushi is actually the most talked-about part of the buffet. Visitors praise the rolls and the super fresh sashimi, including salmon, hamachi, and tuna.
One guest loved that the tuna and white tuna get a little Latin-inspired twist, while the salmon and hamachi stay pure and simple.
All-you-can-eat salmon sashimi earns special excitement from fans of raw fish. There is also a DIY poke bowl station, where you build your own bowl just the way you like it.
Between rolls, sashimi, and poke, a sushi lover could honestly spend the whole meal right here.
Prime Rib That Steals the Spotlight
Nobody expects a seafood buffet to wow them with beef. Yet over and over, guests call the prime rib a total surprise.
The carving station serves it rare and juicy, with condiments like horseradish sauce, au jus, and even sweet and sour sauce on the side. One diner said it was cooked perfectly and became the best part of the whole meal.
Another got genuinely excited just to find au jus offered at all.
Meat lovers also mention a tender peppered beef dish, plus a beef stew with red and green bell peppers and onions in gravy that one guest said melted in the mouth. For groups that include folks who are not wild about seafood, this station is a lifesaver.
They can load up on carved beef while everyone else goes back for crab. Everybody leaves happy, and nobody feels left out of the feast.
Made-to-Order Stir-Fry and Hibachi Grill
Want something cooked just for you? Head to the stir-fry section, where you pick a base and your proteins, then watch the cooks prepare it fresh on the spot.
Options mentioned by guests include rib-eye, shrimp, and scallops, along with fresh vegetables. One visitor liked that there were not a million sauce choices, which made deciding much easier.
The meat came out tender and juicy, and they called this station a must.
Others simply describe the hibachi as delicious, often placing it near the top of their favorites list. Several diners also enjoy seeing staff prepare many ingredients right in front of them, which adds a little show to the meal.
If the hot trays ever feel too heavy, a made-to-order plate gives you control over flavor and freshness. It is a smart move for picky eaters, too, since nothing goes on the grill that they did not choose.
Hot Chinese Dishes, Duck, and Dim Sum
Cantonese dim sum, roast duck with steamed buns, Chinese seafood soup, and shrimp chow mein all live in the hot section. Variety is the big draw, and it keeps families coming back.
Fans of Peking duck say you must try it, while others love the Cajun boiled crawfish, clams, and shrimp, which one diner liked enough to grab a second plate. Baked crab and cooked gratin mussels get shout-outs as favorites.
There is even red snapper, plus soups like miso seafood tofu and clam chowder.
Feedback is more mixed here, which is fair for any buffet. One guest found the duck a bit rubbery and the batter on the orange chicken too thick, yet another diner loved that same orange chicken so much they wanted to take some home.
Taste is personal. Try small portions first, then return for whatever wins you over.
The Lobster Thursday Debate
Lobster is the most mentioned topic after sushi, and opinions split sharply. Thursday is lobster night, and the buzz brings plenty of curious diners through the doors.
Some guests have heard great things and plan to come specifically for it. Others came away disappointed.
One frequent visitor said the lobsters come out slowly, run short for the crowd, and arrive as halves, so even a lucky grab yields only a handful of meat. Another diner found the halves overcooked and thin, though they said the lobster claws and crab legs were a good size and tasted good, if served cold.
Lobster night also costs more, with one guest reporting around $49. So what is the takeaway?
If lobster is your only goal, manage expectations. If you mainly want crab, oysters, and sushi, a regular night may give you better value and a calmer room to enjoy them.
Gelato, Sorbet, and Sweet Endings
Save a little room. Seriously, the dessert station mixes authentic Asian sweets with American favorites, and some items get rave reviews.
Gelato is the dessert guests talk about most. One family enjoyed the hand-churned ice cream, while another diner insisted you must try the grapefruit sorbet and the coconut milk with tapioca and mango, calling them a perfect finish.
Cakes, cookies, and fruit fill out the spread.
The creme brulee surprises people too. A visitor who was not usually thrilled by the desserts still called it the best sweet on offer, and another put it in their top tier alongside the sushi.
Not everyone is wowed, though, and a few regulars say the desserts and ice cream could be better. Think of this section as a pleasant bonus rather than the main event.
A light, fruity sorbet after all that crab feels just right.
Attentive Staff and Spotless Tables
Empty plates do not sit around long here. Guests keep noticing how often staff swing by to clear dishes and offer refills, keeping tables neat even when the room is full.
Many describe the service as attentive, courteous, and quick with a smile. One diner said the team made them feel genuinely welcome, and a Valentine’s Day guest raved about their server.
Cleanliness also comes up a lot, with visitors calling the space clean and well kept.
Experiences can vary by person, and one regular felt some servers were cooler in manner than others. Another heads-up from guests involves drinks.
Sodas and other beverages are not included in the buffet price, so if someone asks what you would like to drink, know that it will be added to the bill. Water is an easy way to keep costs down.
Overall, though, most diners leave feeling well taken care of.
Hours, Prices, Discounts, and Parking
Planning ahead pays off. The buffet opens at 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday and at 4 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, closing at 9 PM each of those days.
Tuesday is the day off.
Guests report prices around $44 to $45 per adult, with slightly higher weekend pricing and lobster night costing more. Military and senior discounts are available, and one veteran noted bringing a valid ID for active duty or veteran status.
Weekends get crowded, so expect a wait for a table and a parking spot. Diners mention waits of about 20 minutes, though some say the line moves faster than at other buffets.
Arriving just before opening is a popular trick, since parking is easy then, even if a small line is already forming. Reservations are recommended by some guests.
Call +1 619-906-4886 or visit 100sbuffet.com before you go.
Why This Buffet Keeps Earning Repeat Visits
Picture a promotion dinner, a new job celebration, and a regular monthly family night, all happening in one room. That mix says a lot about who this place serves.
Families with picky eaters find fries, chicken nuggets, and a few vegetarian options like veggie spring rolls and tofu. Couples enjoy the polished setting, and seafood fans get endless crab, oysters, and sashimi.
Diners consistently say the value is outstanding for the variety and quality, especially with today’s dining prices.
Is it perfect? No buffet is.
Some hot dishes miss, lobster night divides opinions, and desserts are hit or miss. Still, the sweet crab legs, surprising prime rib, fresh sushi, and caring service keep people returning again and again.
If you find yourself in San Diego with a big appetite and a group that cannot decide where to eat, this is a very easy choice to make.
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