Altoona has a new lunch and dinner plan, and it involves a very long buffet line. A fresh spot near the casino now serves sushi, snow crab legs, made-to-order pho, and a hibachi grill all under one roof.
Lunch here costs not much more than a fast food meal these days. Keep reading to learn when to go, what to try, and how to make the most of every plate.
A New Anchor on Adventureland Drive
Metro diners gained a fresh reason to head east of Des Moines when Red Anchor Sushi & Seafood Buffet opened its doors. The restaurant sits at 2421 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009, in the United States.
Its spot right in front of the casino makes it easy to find. It also turns a casino trip or a family errand run into a handy meal stop.
At its core, the place is a large all-you-can-eat buffet. Traditional Chinese dishes share space with a sushi bar, a seafood section, a pho station, and a hibachi grill.
That mix gives the restaurant a wider reach than a typical buffet. Families, couples, and groups of friends can each find a corner that fits their plans.
Many locals welcomed it as a nice addition to Altoona. Some even hope it stays in town for a long, long time, which says plenty about its early start.
Opening Weekend Lines and Early Buzz
Crowds showed up fast. On its second day open, a line stretched out the door, yet some parties still got seated in about 10 minutes.
People drove in from nearby towns like West Des Moines to see what the fuss was about. The friendly hosts, servers, and upbeat hibachi chefs helped set a cheerful tone during those hectic first days.
Not every early moment went smoothly, though. The front desk waitlist system caused some mix-ups, with a few parties missing their call after waiting outside.
High chairs also seemed hard to track down at first, even though staff eventually found one. These are the kinds of growing pains that often come with a brand new restaurant.
The takeaway is simple. Excitement runs high, and the team is still learning its rhythm, so a little patience at the door goes a long way.
Snow Crab Nights and the Seafood Spread
Crab legs are the headliner for many diners, but timing matters. Snow crab appears at dinner and on weekends, when the buffet shifts into its fuller lineup.
Weekends get busy, so some people who come for crab end up trying a weeknight instead. Plan around that and the odds improve.
The seafood section goes beyond crab. A seafood boil offers whole shrimp and crawfish, while mussels, salt and pepper shrimp, and coconut shrimp also show up.
Salt and pepper frog legs are a surprise pick for the curious eater. Crispy black pepper chicken earns plenty of praise too.
One fair warning belongs here. Some expected an upscale seafood-only buffet because of the name, and it is closer to a large Chinese buffet with a strong seafood corner.
Go in with that picture, and the shellfish selection feels like a fine catch.
Rolls, Nigiri, and a Busy Sushi Bar
Sushi fans, grab a small plate first. The sushi bar offers nigiri and a range of rolls, plus more sashimi choices than some nearby buffets.
Many diners call the nigiri and rolls fresh and well prepared. A few put it just short of a dedicated sushi restaurant, which is a pretty high bar for an all-you-can-eat line.
Consistency still varies by visit. Some trips find a full display, while others find limited trays, rolls that fall apart, or pieces that seem less fresh.
That variety of experiences suggests the kitchen is still finding its pace. Earlier visits during steady service hours seem to bring better odds of a stocked bar.
A smart move is a quick scan of the sushi trays before loading up elsewhere. Rolling with the day’s selection, pun fully intended, keeps things fun.
Pho and Hibachi Cooked to Order
Few buffets bother with a pho station, and that detail sets this one apart. Diners can get a bowl of Vietnamese pho made to order, a feature that comes up again and again.
Plenty of people call it a highlight of the meal. Others find it basic, and the station could use clearer signs showing the available options.
Right nearby, the hibachi grill cooks plates to order. The chefs stay friendly and upbeat, and the results earn solid marks.
Big crowds may slow the grill down, so going at a calmer hour helps. Some diners also mention a Mongolian-style grill missing a few classic sauces and vegetables.
Both stations run at dinner and on weekends. Anyone set on a custom bowl or grill plate should time the visit with that schedule in mind.
Bright Rooms and Close Quarters
First impressions lean positive here. The dining room is new, bright, clean, and modern, with decor that many describe as fancy and unique.
The noise level stays comfortable enough for normal conversation. That makes it a solid pick for family dinners or a relaxed lunch with coworkers.
Space is the main trade-off. Tables sit close together, and a few diners find the layout a bit cramped during peak hours.
Servers tend to check in often without hovering. Multiple staff members also keep an eye on the buffet trays, though some evening trays have run empty for stretches.
The overall setting suits groups who want lots of choice in one sitting. Picky eaters and adventurous ones can share a table without anyone going hungry.
It is less suited to anyone seeking a quiet, roomy, fine dining style evening.
Lunch Clock, Dinner Menu, and Weekly Hours
Hours are easy to remember. The buffet opens at 11 am daily and closes at 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, staying open until 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Lunch is where the value shines. It costs not much more than fast food, and many call the price unbeatable for the variety.
Dinner costs more but adds items like crab legs, pho, and hibachi. One pair spent about $56.69 with two drinks, so budget accordingly.
Watch the clock around the switch. Signs note lunch runs until 3:30 pm, but certain dinner-only items carry dinner pricing, which has confused some diners.
Weekday evenings around 5 pm can mean immediate seating. Sunday lunch gets busy but usually involves only a short wait, while late evenings may bring thinner trays.
A Verdict Worth Setting Sail For
So, is it worth the trip? For most people chasing variety and value, the answer leans toward yes.
Few places in the Des Moines area pair sushi, snow crab, made-to-order pho, and a hibachi grill with a full Chinese buffet. Add steamed custard buns and sugar donuts, and the dessert fans get a small nod too, even if some wish for more sweets.
The restaurant is still young. Uneven tray refills, sushi consistency, and seating hiccups have come up, and management responds to feedback and promises improvements.
Best results come from smart timing. Go at lunch for savings, or aim for a weekday dinner to get the crab and custom stations without the weekend rush.
Set expectations for a big, modern buffet rather than a luxury seafood hall. With that mindset, Red Anchor makes a strong case for dropping anchor in Altoona.
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