
“PB's budget buffet — Mongolian grill, passable sushi, post-beach families loading plates for $23.”
Buffet format at $23 per person with Asian, American, sushi, and dessert stations.
Reviewers specifically mention 'family outting' and 'great family atmosphere' — expect kids and group gatherings.
One reviewer notes 'sushi rolls and fruits was fresh' with good variety on the buffet line.
Reviewer mentions 'real ice cream that you hand scoop' as part of dessert selection.
Multiple reviews praise the hibachi/Mongolian stir-fry station with customizable vegetables and meats.
“Great Plaza Buffet runs a Mongolian grill station, sushi bar, and steam-tray lineup under one roof on Garnet Avenue, letting groups split six ways on what they want for dinner.”
While Rocky's commits to burgers and La Huasteca doubles down on birria, Great Plaza spreads wide instead of deep — you can build a stir-fry at the Mongolian station, grab a California roll from the sushi bar, and still have room for soft-serve, all on one $23 ticket. It's the kind of sprawl that makes sense when you're feeding a family with conflicting appetites or a post-surf crew that can't agree on cuisine.
The **Mongolian grill** is the anchor: you load a bowl with raw proteins, vegetables, noodles, and sauce, then hand it to the cook who stir-fries it on a massive circular griddle. Reviews flag the garlic sauce as the move. The sushi rolls are fine — not omakase, but fresh enough for buffet context. Steam trays run the expected circuit: stir-fried vegetables, orange chicken, fried rice, wontons. Dessert spans soft-serve, fruit, and a rotating selection of cakes.
It's a clean operation with friendly staff, though one hostess draws consistent complaints for attitude that cuts against the otherwise low-key vibe. The space is large and brightly lit, built for volume, not ambiance. Beer and wine are available, which is unusual for buffets at this price point.
Come during off-peak hours if you want fresh trays and elbow room. Lunch runs cheaper than dinner. Takeout is an option, though weighing your own box defeats some of the value proposition. Parking on Garnet can be a hassle — the lot behind the building fills fast on weekends.
This isn't a place you come to for one perfect dish. It's where you come when the group can't decide, when the kids want chicken nuggets and you want sushi, when variety matters more than refinement. PB doesn't have many buffets left, and this one fills that niche reliably.
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1840 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
7 months ago