1849 Buffet

Govind Sah

Before diving into the details, let’s take a moment to appreciate the unique setting of this restaurant. Nestled amidst the stark, arid expanse of Death Valley National Park, its location feels almost surreal. The interior is spacious, offering ample seating to accommodate guests comfortably. In addition to their regular menu, the restaurant also offers a buffet. While the $25.00 price tag might seem steep at first, it’s entirely justified considering the remote location and the variety of food available. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch—it was a satisfying and much-needed refuel.

The food is exceeded my expectations. The other customers are expecting too much from a buffet inside a national park. They need to chill out. This is not Vegas. And $29 is very affordable for a buffet with prime rib and chicken.

I didn’t mind my experience at this buffet. The breakfast was fine and dinner was pretty good and friendly staff. The issue I think a lot of people have with the bad reviews is they are showing up at the end of the night expecting a fresh buffet. Maybe the place could do a little better but people are expecting 5 star quality buffet in the middle of a remote desert and then show up right before close to try eating. It’s also probably hard to get a lot of workers to work out here, I only saw a few staff the whole time I was there. Overall it was a fine experience and I really liked the pizza

We had breakfast and dinner here for two days. Price wise for what you get this place is fine. Don't forget to tip at the till, as I did! The staff work hard and will help you in any way they can. I feel they are worth the five stars, the food quality was good enough.

Verónica Gutiérrez Henríquez

Food was good. It’s a buffet in the middle of the desert, so it’s exactly what you’d expect. For the price, it was fair. Staff was friendly and the place was clean. Overall, a solid stop if you’re nearby.

Andrew Burton

We had breakfast and dinner here for two days. Price wise for what you get this place is fine. Don't forget to tip at the till, as I did! The staff work hard and will help you in any way they can. I feel they are worth the five stars, the food quality was good enough.

Jay Chang

The food is exceeded my expectations. The other customers are expecting too much from a buffet inside a national park. They need to chill out. This is not Vegas. And $29 is very affordable for a buffet with prime rib and chicken.

Lori

Noticed a lot of low reviews! Can't comment on the buffet as I didn't try it, but the sit down restaurant was perfect. Attentive staff, tasty food and delicious alcohol and cocktails. I had the pasta and garlic bread and I can't recommend enough!

Totally fine! I feel compelled to write a review as this is the worst-rated restaurant I’ve ever been to, but the food was nice, some of it (tomato Basil soup) was even delicious. Our whole party of 4 had a pleasant time and enjoyed the dishes we tried. Others in my party raved about the mashed potatoes. We enjoyed the free unlimited drinks and coffee. Regarding the prior reviews… It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, in the middle of the desert. None of us went in expecting a superb quality Michelin experience. And the high prices make sense when you consider that this is the middle of absolute nowhere and all this food needs to be shipped in. For those who complain, remember, it’s $7 for a scoop of ice cream in Death Valley, $12 for a packet of sliced cheese at the general store. $23 for a hot lunch with lots of options seems like a fine deal to me.

Annie H

Totally fine! I feel compelled to write a review as this is the worst-rated restaurant I’ve ever been to, but the food was nice, some of it (tomato Basil soup) was even delicious. Our whole party of 4 had a pleasant time and enjoyed the dishes we tried. Others in my party raved about the mashed potatoes. We enjoyed the free unlimited drinks and coffee. Regarding the prior reviews… It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, in the middle of the desert. None of us went in expecting a superb quality Michelin experience. And the high prices make sense when you consider that this is the middle of absolute nowhere and all this food needs to be shipped in. For those who complain, remember, it’s $7 for a scoop of ice cream in Death Valley, $12 for a packet of sliced cheese at the general store. $23 for a hot lunch with lots of options seems like a fine deal to me.

Surprisingly good. We were able to eat 3 courses and, most importantly, load up on salad from the salad bar and veggies and fruit after a road trip of endless burgers, steaks and French fries. It's not fancy but it's relaxed and food is okay and, overall, surprisingly good value. Suitable for families or those who simply want a simple meal without fuss and to serve themselves.

Early in the morning or ..... We were staying in Furnace Creek for a few days, and if you are familiar with the area, you know that there are few eating options. You only have two or three options, and 1849 Buffet is one of them. We had breakfast at 1849 Buffet three times during our stay. They had an extensive breakfast buffet, but the quality of the hot food was more to be desired. You see, the buffet was set up early in the morning, and if you got there late, say after 9:00 am, the items like scrambled eggs or bacon would be dry due to sitting on the hot water beneath for too long. Of the three days we were there, only on one occasion did we get there early; that was the only morning when we had a good hot meal. The cold options, such as fruits, yogurts, and coffee, were fine. The dining area is big, comfortable, clean, and enjoyable. Many interesting items are hanging on the walls, and you could spend half an hour walking around looking at them! The staff is very friendly and helpful. But remember, this is a buffet, so there is no table service. So, if you go there, make sure you get up early. Hiking around Death Valley, you'll need a belly full of good breakfast to last you all day!

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

Early in the morning or ..... We were staying in Furnace Creek for a few days, and if you are familiar with the area, you know that there are few eating options. You only have two or three options, and 1849 Buffet is one of them. We had breakfast at 1849 Buffet three times during our stay. They had an extensive breakfast buffet, but the quality of the hot food was more to be desired. You see, the buffet was set up early in the morning, and if you got there late, say after 9:00 am, the items like scrambled eggs or bacon would be dry due to sitting on the hot water beneath for too long. Of the three days we were there, only on one occasion did we get there early; that was the only morning when we had a good hot meal. The cold options, such as fruits, yogurts, and coffee, were fine. The dining area is big, comfortable, clean, and enjoyable. Many interesting items are hanging on the walls, and you could spend half an hour walking around looking at them! The staff is very friendly and helpful. But remember, this is a buffet, so there is no table service. So, if you go there, make sure you get up early. Hiking around Death Valley, you'll need a belly full of good breakfast to last you all day!

We ended up here because all the other nearby restaurants were fully booked or had long waits. It's an okay choice if you are starving and have no other options, but don't expect much. The cleanliness is a concern. They use patterned plates, which makes it hard to tell if they are clean at first glance, but upon closer inspection, some plates were definitely dirty. As for the food, most of it was quite mediocre. The only highlights were the fried chicken cutlets, drumsticks, and the drink selection—everything else felt very average and lacked flavor. It’s the kind of place you go to as a last resort when you're about to faint from hunger.

Amber Zhang

We ended up here because all the other nearby restaurants were fully booked or had long waits. It's an okay choice if you are starving and have no other options, but don't expect much. The cleanliness is a concern. They use patterned plates, which makes it hard to tell if they are clean at first glance, but upon closer inspection, some plates were definitely dirty. As for the food, most of it was quite mediocre. The only highlights were the fried chicken cutlets, drumsticks, and the drink selection—everything else felt very average and lacked flavor. It’s the kind of place you go to as a last resort when you're about to faint from hunger.

Both the dinner and the breakfast buffets are overpriced. Not much choice, appearance of buffet not attractive, and food was so-so. The other restaurant (Kind Last Words) seems very nice, but their main dishes are priced at $50 and above, so this is no alternative for normal people. The shop is also very expensive, so self-catering is also no real option. Overall, you are at Death Valley and need to take what's there. And apparently the owners of this restaurant know it too. ;-)

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the restaurant The Ranch 1849 at south entrance of Death Valley. We had the buffet breakfast there while staying at the sister hotel Inn at Death Valley. The food was honestly blend and soso. Thus as there is not much option to eat in the park, I would recommend to buy food items before reaching the park area and have a pic nice rather while enjoying park views.

Jens Olejak

Both the dinner and the breakfast buffets are overpriced. Not much choice, appearance of buffet not attractive, and food was so-so. The other restaurant (Kind Last Words) seems very nice, but their main dishes are priced at $50 and above, so this is no alternative for normal people. The shop is also very expensive, so self-catering is also no real option. Overall, you are at Death Valley and need to take what's there. And apparently the owners of this restaurant know it too. ;-)

Eric D

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the restaurant The Ranch 1849 at south entrance of Death Valley. We had the buffet breakfast there while staying at the sister hotel Inn at Death Valley. The food was honestly blend and soso. Thus as there is not much option to eat in the park, I would recommend to buy food items before reaching the park area and have a pic nice rather while enjoying park views.

Restaurant looks very nice but that’s it. You’ll like the atmosphere when you walk in. Arrived at the restaurant at 5:20pm left at 8:20pm. One hour to be seated and 1:30 for the food to be served. Terrible. Very expensive for what they serve you and the service. Labeled home made chocolate cake was probably coming frozen from china. Had a New York strip for dinner that was not worth it.

Such a let down. Bad enough the hotel is insanely overpriced, but this is the only dining option aside from pre-made sandwiches at the general store or a 60 dollar steak at the saloon. We were told they open at 5, came in and they said they open at 5:30. Came back and they said actually, 5:45. The items they prepared were not as listed on the menu for Saturday, posted at the counter. Dirty silverware, oversalted inedible food. The market fridge sandwich would have been the way to go.

If I could give zero, I would to it. Dont go here, its a rip off. Go eat at the ice cream parlor if you have too. We ask the person at the front if we can check the buffet before commiting to it and we did, it all looked pretty decent and there was a carving station for a steak. We came it at around 0530pm. We happily went in and did one rotatiom. The carving station gave us 2 smal piece of steak which was fine since we can always come back if we have too. The rest of the selection was ok. It was all american food. By the second round, there was no longer meat carving atation and we ask when it will be out again and he keep saying I dont know. We waited and waited and they never release anything new even when a large group of people came in. I feel like this was a rip off as they never really supplied the food that they promise. I wanted to dispute since the service was also bad. No one picked up our dirty plates. The only guy that I saw cleaning tables was taking his sweet time sipping his soda and was really very slow in cleaning tables.

A. Mutya

If I could give zero, I would to it. Dont go here, its a rip off. Go eat at the ice cream parlor if you have too. We ask the person at the front if we can check the buffet before commiting to it and we did, it all looked pretty decent and there was a carving station for a steak. We came it at around 0530pm. We happily went in and did one rotatiom. The carving station gave us 2 smal piece of steak which was fine since we can always come back if we have too. The rest of the selection was ok. It was all american food. By the second round, there was no longer meat carving atation and we ask when it will be out again and he keep saying I dont know. We waited and waited and they never release anything new even when a large group of people came in. I feel like this was a rip off as they never really supplied the food that they promise. I wanted to dispute since the service was also bad. No one picked up our dirty plates. The only guy that I saw cleaning tables was taking his sweet time sipping his soda and was really very slow in cleaning tables.

Alex (Alco_86)

Restaurant looks very nice but that’s it. You’ll like the atmosphere when you walk in. Arrived at the restaurant at 5:20pm left at 8:20pm. One hour to be seated and 1:30 for the food to be served. Terrible. Very expensive for what they serve you and the service. Labeled home made chocolate cake was probably coming frozen from china. Had a New York strip for dinner that was not worth it.

John Crawley

Such a let down. Bad enough the hotel is insanely overpriced, but this is the only dining option aside from pre-made sandwiches at the general store or a 60 dollar steak at the saloon. We were told they open at 5, came in and they said they open at 5:30. Came back and they said actually, 5:45. The items they prepared were not as listed on the menu for Saturday, posted at the counter. Dirty silverware, oversalted inedible food. The market fridge sandwich would have been the way to go.

Absolutely the worst and overpriced buffet we’ve ever experienced. Shredded chicken or pork, both bone dry, cold rubbery Mac & cheese, corn on the cob was boiled into a mush and served cold, beans were the bargain brand canned variety, Brussels sprouts were cold, fishy, dried out, and just plain nasty and inedible. Lemonade tasted like Kaboom cleaner. The one edible selection was barbecued chicken, and three small pieces cost me $30. And, no views of the valley! What a shame, because the valley is so beautiful and deserves better. The ranch is great otherwise. The saloon has way better food and views of the valley. Avoid this place at all costs.

This was one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to. I hesitated because the Google rating was low, but since it’s inside a popular lodging area, I thought it would at least be average. That was a mistake. I’m writing this because I hope it helps others—and because I’m honestly annoyed. 1. Front counter staff: We arrived at 11:20 AM. Google says they open at 11, but the staff member told us they weren’t open yet, and the way he said it was uninterested. The lights were on inside, but he said they weren’t ready. He pointed across the street and suggested we go get burgers or something else there (I should have listened). When I asked when they would open, he said he didn’t know. I asked if they would be open for dinner, and he also said he didn’t know. The attitude just wasn’t great. About five minutes later, another family member asked again and was told they’d open in about 15 minutes. I suggested we leave, but we ultimately decided to wait since we had already come all the way. Looking back, that unfriendly gentleman was actually doing us a favor by hinting we should go somewhere else. 2. Food: Overall, the food was not fresh and didn’t taste good . Even the pre-packaged butter somehow tasted bland. To mention more objective details: there was only one type of bread available, many of the serving containers weren’t even open, and the coffee wasn’t hot—just lukewarm. 3. Other customers: Several people who came in after us looked around and left to find another restaurant. A tour group eventually showed up later, and a few other scattered customers came in, but the food selection didn’t improve. When we left, we noticed a burger stand outdoors right in front of the Borax Museum. There were plenty of customers there, and I realized that was the place the staff member had mentioned earlier. That’s where we should have gone. I blame myself for not noticing. Conclusion: There’s a reason the Google rating is low, and I learned the hard way that I should trust it. I now take Google reviews more seriously.

Pizza Quixote

In the 1970s there were a lot of uninspired dining options at toll road rest stops and school cafeterias. This place reminded me of those days of low expectations. Nothing was inedible, but this was the worst meal I have bought in decades.

soo hyung han

This was one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to. I hesitated because the Google rating was low, but since it’s inside a popular lodging area, I thought it would at least be average. That was a mistake. I’m writing this because I hope it helps others—and because I’m honestly annoyed. 1. Front counter staff: We arrived at 11:20 AM. Google says they open at 11, but the staff member told us they weren’t open yet, and the way he said it was uninterested. The lights were on inside, but he said they weren’t ready. He pointed across the street and suggested we go get burgers or something else there (I should have listened). When I asked when they would open, he said he didn’t know. I asked if they would be open for dinner, and he also said he didn’t know. The attitude just wasn’t great. About five minutes later, another family member asked again and was told they’d open in about 15 minutes. I suggested we leave, but we ultimately decided to wait since we had already come all the way. Looking back, that unfriendly gentleman was actually doing us a favor by hinting we should go somewhere else. 2. Food: Overall, the food was not fresh and didn’t taste good . Even the pre-packaged butter somehow tasted bland. To mention more objective details: there was only one type of bread available, many of the serving containers weren’t even open, and the coffee wasn’t hot—just lukewarm. 3. Other customers: Several people who came in after us looked around and left to find another restaurant. A tour group eventually showed up later, and a few other scattered customers came in, but the food selection didn’t improve. When we left, we noticed a burger stand outdoors right in front of the Borax Museum. There were plenty of customers there, and I realized that was the place the staff member had mentioned earlier. That’s where we should have gone. I blame myself for not noticing. Conclusion: There’s a reason the Google rating is low, and I learned the hard way that I should trust it. I now take Google reviews more seriously.

Benjamin Zone

Absolutely the worst and overpriced buffet we’ve ever experienced. Shredded chicken or pork, both bone dry, cold rubbery Mac & cheese, corn on the cob was boiled into a mush and served cold, beans were the bargain brand canned variety, Brussels sprouts were cold, fishy, dried out, and just plain nasty and inedible. Lemonade tasted like Kaboom cleaner. The one edible selection was barbecued chicken, and three small pieces cost me $30. And, no views of the valley! What a shame, because the valley is so beautiful and deserves better. The ranch is great otherwise. The saloon has way better food and views of the valley. Avoid this place at all costs.