Mystic Lake Casino Buffet - Prior Lake, MN

I'm laying down a challenge. Prove me wrong: Mystic Lake is the BEST BUFFET in the Twin Cities metro. Prove me wrong, please! I would be so thrilled to know there's even better in the area.

In no particular order is a list of foods I tried.

1. Roast beef - decent and about the same as found at the competition.
   
2. Broccoli rabe - a nice change of pace with a nice kick.
   
3. Sea bass - it was so good I went back for thirds.
   
4. Grouper - it too was so good I went back for thirds.
   
5. Coquille St. Jacques Au Gratin - the scallops were huge, plentiful, and cooked to perfection, thirds also.
   
6. Smoked/grilled salmon - too dry, overcooked.
   
7. Mahi-mahi - rough and flavorless
   
8. Chinese spare ribs - for me cloying and with the flavor only on the surface.
   
9. Vietnamese meatball - ok, nothing special
   
10. Vegetarian lo-mein - unexpected but surprisingly flavorful
11. Pork spring/egg roll - decent, comparable to what's usually offered in the TC
    
12. Wild rice soup - I still think Panera's serves the best but this was just about as good
13. Curry chicken wild rice salad - very enjoyable, if I hadn't eaten so much by this point, I would have had more.
    
14. Artichoke hearts - good and not so tart
    
15. Wood fired buffalo pizza - Punch's has nothing to worry about
    
16. Rigatoni Alla Norma - very nice flavor
    
17. Pork loin - dry
    

Just so you don't think I'm a pig (nothing wrong with that though), I did hold back. This list is probably about 15% of their offerings.

Desserts. Lemon mouse cheesecake and chocolate cream roulade are pictured. We also tried the seasonal berry and pineapple passion cakes. These were split so we all had little nibbles. Usually I find desserts too sweet. These were all made to perfection in sweetness. The cheesecake wasn't world class but I would be more than happy to be able to make it this good. The roulade was equally excellent, with just the right amount of sweetness and cream. I could have had a lot more to eat but at this point I was trying to contain myself. I was content and not overly stuffed.

Bottom Line: Lunch buffet, $9.95. Many of the foods were just plain good! THE BEST DEAL in the TC. THE BEST BUFFET in the TC. The worst part: Two things. Too many smokers. Too far of a drive.

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd
Prior Lake MN