Winning dish: Carbo-phobes beware: The vast array of homemade breads and rolls rival the best in town. But we’re particularly impressed with the creations from the casino’s team of nearly two dozen bakers and pastry chefs - all on display on a 100-foot dessert bar. Offerings: Endless Maine lobster night at Valley View’s 560-seat buffet might get all the attention, for a reason: They serve 350,000 pounds of it a year. Winning dish: Our top pick from Paipa’s 100-item line-up are the made-to-order milkshakes, especially the chocolate, peanut butter, salted caramel and pretzel version. The build-your-own burger bar, burrito and street taco stations ensure your dish is just to your liking.

Offerings: The only buffet located entirely within a casino’s non-smoking area, Sycuan’s 350-seat Paipa’s venue is all about customization.

(Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) Sycuan Casino Winning dish: The wide selection of Asian dishes is notable and the tapas and street tacos taste straight from your favorite hipster hangout. Offerings: Since taking over the buffet kitchen last year, head chef Franco Duarte-Piza has upped the gourmet game at Pechanga’s 460-seat venue with such unexpected choices as polenta cake with olive-tomato tapenade. More details: /dining/choices-the-buffet Pechanga Resort & Casino Winning dish: Pastry chef Albert Cruz’s creations are irresistible with the made-to-order strawberry shortcake topping our our list as one of the tastiest. Tuesdays feature 1-pound lobsters while Thursday is all-you-can-eat-lobster night. Offerings: Called Choices for a reason, Pala’s giant, 625-seat buffet serves 200 daily food selections and 80 desserts to choose from. More details: /taste/the-buffet Pala Casino Spa & Resort Winning dish: The carving station is a meat-lover’s paradise, with grilled tri-tip, tender prime rib, smoked meats, bone-in ham and pork loin. Offerings: With nine stations, the 452-seat buffet at Harrah’s serves 264 different items, including everything from made-to-order Vietnamese pho bowls to crispy wood-fired pizza, homemade gelato and freshly spun cotton candy. More details: /dine/seasons-fresh-buffet Harrah’s Resort Southern California And the creamy good mac ’n’ cheese is not to be missed. Winning dish: The top-notch American BBQ station features brisket, ribs and pulled pork cooked low and slow in Barona’s in-house smoker. Offerings: The massive 850-seat Seasons Fresh Buffet features more than 200 items prepared in open kitchens at 13 different stations, including pho, Mexican, rotisserie, Italian, omelets and crepes.

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