Wouldnt even eat here if someone paid for me. The only thing edible was the chicken, mac n cheese, corn, and cornbread. The dishes and utensils were dirty and the place was digusting, like literally food on the floor not being swept up. I honestly could barely eat.
Kathy H.
Place rating: 1 Hayward, CA
1 star for service. The cashier was friendly along with the manager and the bus-lady. I wished I Unilocaled this particular place before entering, but because it was late and we were hungry, we decided to give it a shot in this area. For the two of us it was $ 29 less a $ 1(coupon) totaling to $ 28. This was for 2 adults one with a water and one with a soda drink. I’m sad to say that the food isn’t like how it use to look or taste(I miss the 1990s). It was disappointing… blah food… either too bland or over salted. I had the stuffing and mashed potatoes and it tasted nasty. like the pot it was mixed in left a sponge/smell taste. Some of the food is not fresh. The top is crusted(left out too long and too dry to call it food) from the really mashed up eggs at the salad bar, the sour chicken noodle soup to the what ever is left of the Mac-n-cheese. This leaves us with really nothing to eat. The bathroom is dirty! Over flowed trash can and toilet paper everywhere. The place itself, SMELLS – too many bodies and not enough circulation or vent. I don’t think we will be returning to this restaurant chain. We keeping telling ourselves that maybe Home Town will get better, but from this experience, it will be our last.
Andrea A.
Place rating: 1 San Leandro, CA
Seems like this place is falling apart! I have been coming here since 2001! The food is okay, not a lot to choose from. Their deserts used to be off the hook as well as their icecream… Not anymore. The place is dirty, smells and look pretty unsanitary. I see plenty of workers here and not 1 can take out a mop or towel and clean up a spill! I always have my doubts that its going to be dirty when i walk in but it hasn’t improved!
Tai C.
Place rating: 5 Oakland, CA
this place is the bomb all the food in the world. if you like all types of food and like to eat a lot than you just go here. Prices are beyond amazing, and you get to eat free on your birthday. My favorite restaurant!!!
Ricardo Kyla D.
Place rating: 5 Hayward, CA
Came to eat at hometown buffet because I had no choice, I was like 10. After realizing anything with the word buffet means bloated, food coma, and numerous visits to the restroom afterwards just sucks. It’s pretty much the«les go to hometown breh after church on Sunday» spot… Now that I’m 33 I try not to eat msg saturated buffet chains. ugghhh… I’m getting bloated just thinking about it… Hats off to fresh choice from back in the day, a buffet joint that’s half way decent… now if you wanna hit a gooooood breakfast buffet try any el toritos on Sunday from 10 – 2!!! Woot woot! Gave this place 5 stars for the el toritos shout out!
Catherine C.
Place rating: 1 Brooklyn, NY
HORRIBLE!!! Food is nasty, not much choices. Pay before eating. Only thing I liked from there was the mash potato and gravy. First and last time coming here.
Dan D.
Place rating: 1 San Leandro, CA
Even with a free dinner– The bill for the two of us was almost $ 19. All the beverage machines except coffee, milk, or raspberry tea were broke. Most everything needed filling, the roast they were carving was OVER well done, dry, and tasteless. I can understand why the place was almost empty around dinner time. I agree with other commits. «Yelp needs a feature to allow us to give zero«PLEASE– DON’T WASTEYOURMONEYHERE.
Michelle G.
Place rating: 1 San Leandro, CA
Lucky they get 1 star! Sofie the fat Indian girl is VERY rude! First she was being very unprofessional eating the food with her own spoon when I walked up! Then when my son said eww to their food she had the nerve to tell him«don’t eat it then». I’m so pissed right now I’ll tell everyone I know not to come here
Terrico S.
Place rating: 1 Union City, CA
Unilocal needs a feature to allow us to give zero stars. I know that it’s hometown buffet and the expectation should be low but I don’t know how you absolutely shatter a low expectation and not in a good way. To say it was trash is me being generous. No silverware or no food and when they both came they were dirty and disgusting. When we spoke with mr. Webb(the manager) he told us they couldn’t refund us while raising his voice at my mother. But out the goodness of his heart he offered us two return cards(keep in mind our party is 5) which we turned down. I wouldn’t eat at this place again if my life depended on it.
Alvin M.
Place rating: 1 Civic Center, San Francisco, CA
Got sick eating here. Beef roast overcooked. Some foods lokked old. Dessert did not look appetizing. Like it’s been sitting out. Avoid at all cost.
Lawrence G.
Place rating: 1 Hayward, CA
Hometown buffet used to be my favorite spot but I went there yesterday and it was pretty bad. There was like 10 people in there total and yet they were out of bowls. There meatloaf tasted a little funny maybe undercooked and now 24 hours later my stomach is still turning. Never going to this one again.
Tootsy T.
Place rating: 1 Alameda, CA
NEVERAGAINWILL I GOTOANYHOMETOWNBUFFET. First of all, if you’re going to raise the price up, you better include some seafood in there. Service sucks ball, other customers including myself had ask 4 times for ice because the ice machine was empty. Back in the days the drink was included with the meal. Now they are making people purchase the drink which cost additional two dollars and something cents. So you’re telling me that the whole meal cost fourteen dollars and something cent, plus tax. The food taste like school cafeteria food. The nerve of them to keep raising the price when their food taste like crap. Save your money people, stay away from this crappy place. I give one star for our server who was nice.
K L.
Place rating: 5 San Leandro, CA
On 11-26-2014 I wrote a scathing review of my HomeTown experience. Since then I’m happy to see things have changed. My friends and myself went there today because we heard they have a new manager, Sergio, and the place had been cleaned up. Well, it’s true. Our experience was pleasant and the food was fresh and good and hot. Mainly, the place was clean, especially the bathrooms. Sergio has done a great job turning the place around along with Warddell. Leilua, our server, was attentive, and courteous. Also, there were no broken machines, coffee, ice cream, etc. I’m writing this review to let everyone know, come back to your old favorite hang out, give it another chance. HomeTown has a prize in Sergio. Anthony Wedo, pay attention, Give the guy a raise, he’s saving your business. Good Luck, K L
Ivan B.
Place rating: 1 Azusa, CA
I «used to love» eating at hometown buffet but this is the worst experience I’ve ever had. No variety. I really mean, zero variety. Unless chicken is your thing. All I had was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and soda. That’s all. All for a wonderful 32.08 for my gf and I. There was no other appetizing option. They had a carving station with a piece dry beef with no one carving. I wondered if they wanted me to carve me a piece myself. Lol Really? Like, what the hell happened to having a lot of meal options as other places do. I mean, even Chinese buffets give you more for your money. Never coming back here again nor would I recommend it to any body. Good luck.
Shaneka S.
Place rating: 1 Emeryville, CA
PLEASEDONTWASTEYOURMONEYHERE! How the hell does this place stay open? I suggest the people cooking that bullshit called food get it together. Don’t they know we can tell they dont give a fuck about their jobs by how awful the food tastes? The bathroom was deplorable… I almost walked out and demanded a refund… floor was sticky… someone threw up in the trash can… shit on toilet seats… toilets not flushed… smh…no one was at the front desk and I hadn’t eaten since this morning… I regret wasting my money… fuuuucck!
Anthony J G.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
WENEEDMOREHOMETOWNBUFFETS iN THEBAYAREA! Excellent Food & Service ! I love this Place Been coming here since I Been In Middle School, Inface This Was the First Hometown Bufffet Ill Ever been to, So I always been a fan. Over the Years foods have gotten more nutritious & delicious. The services has gotten a lot friendlier. My Server«Rita» is the perfect example of friendly service here at Hometown Buffet. She had a Wonderful introduction, she checked on my Table at the right Times and just over all very cordial and Upbeat that Made my Hometown Buffet experience wonderful! Came For breakfast /lunch Had France Toast, Eggs, grits, sausage, Eggs Benedict Lunch i had mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese & meatloaf. The meatloaf was really really good. Food presentation(A+) Restrooms Can Be Touched Up And Remodeled But this Review Ain’t about the Restrooms its Truly About The Food & Service With Is an(A+) from this Unilocal User! 5 Outstanding Stars *****
Leslie Y.
Place rating: 1 San Francisco, CA
Sad to say that I have been house bound due to diarrhea… The only meal we had yesterday… within 2 – 3 hours… my body started getting shivers… hot fever and sitting on the toilet… Never visiting again…
Justice P.
Place rating: 1 San Leandro, CA
This place sucks. It’s over priced for the amount of food offered also, the plates are dirty and the dessert station is gross. The only thing I enjoyed was the chicken strips. Don’t eat here. Yuck. you can eat at Roundtable for half the amount you spend here for a family of 10. It’s disgusting. Never coming here again.
Krystal A.
Place rating: 1 Castro Valley, CA
Hometown Buffet in general is a hit or miss. I mean, you’ll always have the flavorless foods like the Mac & Cheese or pasta salad, or the over-fried fried chicken… But once in a while the carving station or dessert selections are all you need to gain back some respect for the chain. And then you go to the Greenhouse location and you are reminded why you’d rather have any grade C Asian buffet over the not-much-better-than-frozen-dinners Hometown buffet. Aside from the flavorless food and overcooked everything, the general upkeep of the establishment is a complete embarrassment! Does anybody in there have eyes? Do they have standards? At least 2 trays at each buffet table were empty and I’d say the over/under for refills was at 5.5 minutes. The salad bar looked days old, the silverware and plates had noticeable crust, and the staff walked around like zombies! Just check out my pics of the dessert section. Horrid.
Catherine L.
Place rating: 3 Palo Alto, CA
Nicely fried chicken? Check! Yummy Mac and Cheese? Check! Butter covered biscuits? Check! Buttery corn? Check! Canned green beans? Check! Fresh fruit? NO!!! My friends tried the fruit and were saddened how«old» it tasted. you know, too ripe. Jello? Check! Dont come here expecting Vegas quality buffet food. Do come with an appetite since their staples(mentioned above) are consistent.