Honestly, people are still walking into Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, looking for the old Season’s Harvest sign. They remember the endless rows of sneeze guards and the mountain of shrimp on ice. But that era is over. The traditional casino buffet at Turning Stone didn’t just get a facelift; it was completely demolished and replaced by something called 76 Kitchen.
If you’re heading to Central New York expecting a $25 all-you-can-eat trough, you need to recalibrate.
The shift away from the classic buffet model wasn't just a Turning Stone quirk. It was a calculated move by the Oneida Indian Nation to pivot toward "food hall" culture. They saw the writing on the wall during the 2020 lockdowns and decided that the old-school buffet was a relic. Now, 76 Kitchen sits where the buffet used to live, right off the main gaming floor. It’s huge. It’s loud. It’s bright.
What Actually Happened to the Buffet?
Let’s be real: people loved the old buffet because it was predictable. You knew you could get a prime rib slice, some questionable lo mein, and a sundae in one sitting. But 76 Kitchen operates differently. It’s an à la carte experience that mimics the variety of a buffet without the "buffet" price or service style.
The name "76" is a nod to the year 1776, honoring the Oneida Indian Nation's role as the first allies to the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. It’s a bit of history tucked into a place where most people are just trying to decide between a burger and a bowl of ramen.
The layout is sprawling. You’ve got different stations—an Asian station, a comfort food station, a deli, and a massive dessert area. It feels like a high-end food court, but with table service. It’s weird at first if you’re used to the old self-serve chaos. You sit down, you order from a menu, and the food comes out fresh. No more heat lamps drying out the mac and cheese.
The Food: Is It Actually Better?
Most regulars will tell you the quality went up when the "all-you-can-eat" went away. That’s usually the trade-off.
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The Asian station is surprisingly legit. We’re talking about Pork Belly Ramen and General Tso’s that doesn't taste like it’s been sitting in a vat for three hours. The noodles have a bite to them. The broth has depth. It’s a far cry from the watery soups of the old buffet days.
Then there's the "76 Burger." It’s become a bit of a cult favorite at the resort. They use a custom blend of beef, and it’s consistently juicy. If you’re a traditionalist, the Turkey Dinner is the bridge to the past. It’s a massive plate of roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. It’s basically Thanksgiving on a random Tuesday in February.
But here’s the kicker: the prices.
Without the flat-rate buffet fee, things can get pricey if you aren't careful. You’re looking at $15 to $25 for most entrees. If you add a drink and a dessert, you’re easily clearing the price of what the old buffet used to cost. However, the portions are massive. Most people end up taking a box back to their hotel room in the TS Rewards Tower or the Sandstone Hollow Inn.
Why the "Buffet" Crowd Still Grumbles
You can't please everyone. A large segment of the casino-going population views the loss of the buffet as a loss of value. There’s something psychological about "unlimited."
I’ve talked to floor regulars who miss the ritual of the buffet. They miss the ability to graze. At 76 Kitchen, you’re committing to a dish. You can't just try a spoonful of five different things. Well, you could, but your bill would be $100.
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Another sticking point is the wait times. Because it’s a sit-down restaurant now, the turnover isn't as fast as a self-serve line. On a Friday night when a big show is letting out at the Event Center or there’s a boxing match, the line for 76 Kitchen can wrap around the corner. If you’re starving and just lost fifty bucks on the slots, waiting forty minutes for a table feels like an eternity.
The Dessert Station: The One Buffet Remnant
The only thing that feels like the old casino buffet at Turning Stone is the dessert situation. It is still a spectacle.
They have a massive rotating display of cakes, pies, and pastries. The cheesecakes are dense and actually taste like cream cheese, not flavored air. The "Oneida Gold" cupcakes are a local staple. Even if you don't eat your main meal here, people often stop by just to grab a box of sweets before heading back to the poker room.
Navigation and Strategy for Diners
If you’re planning a trip, don't just wing it. Turning Stone is a massive complex with over 20 different places to eat, and 76 Kitchen is the gravitational center for casual dining.
- Timing is everything: Avoid the 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM rush. If you can eat a late lunch or a very early dinner (around 4:00 PM), you’ll walk right in.
- The Rewards Card: If you have a TS Rewards card, use it. You can pay for your meal with points. This is the closest you'll get to that "free buffet" feeling.
- The "Secret" Options: Don't sleep on the daily specials. Because 76 Kitchen operates like a standard restaurant, the chefs have more freedom to do seasonal rotations than they did with the old buffet menu.
The Broader Dining Landscape at Turning Stone
It's important to realize that 76 Kitchen exists in a vacuum. Turning Stone has been aggressively moving toward "destination dining."
If you want the high-end experience, you go to TS Steakhouse on the top floor of the Tower. The views of the Mohawk Valley are incredible, especially at sunset. If you want Italian, you hit Pino Bianco.
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But 76 Kitchen is the workhorse. It’s the place where families take their kids, where the late-night gamblers refuel, and where the locals come because they know exactly what they’re getting. It’s a middle-ground. It’s not "fine dining," but it’s a significant step up from the "Food Hall" (which is more like a traditional mall food court with Nathan’s Famous and Sbarro).
The Reality of Modern Casino Dining
The era of the "loss leader" buffet is dying across the country, not just in Verona. Casinos used to use cheap, all-you-can-eat food to keep people in the building. Now, they realize people are willing to pay for better quality if the environment is right.
76 Kitchen is the embodiment of this shift. It’s cleaner, the food is fresher, and the staff isn't just constantly refilling stainless steel bins. Is it as "fun" as a buffet? Probably not for the kids who loved the chocolate fountain. Is the food better? Absolutely.
You also have to consider the sheer scale of the operation. Turning Stone is a massive employer in the region. The logistics of moving from a self-serve model to a full-service kitchen required a total overhaul of their back-of-house operations. It was a massive investment, and it shows in the decor—industrial chic, lots of wood, and very comfortable seating.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you are set on a buffet-style experience, you’re basically out of luck at the major casinos in New York. From Resorts World to Tioga Downs, the trend is moving toward food halls and curated menus.
When you head to Turning Stone:
- Check the TS Rewards App: Sometimes they have "Dining Dollars" promotions that specifically apply to 76 Kitchen.
- Dress Code: It’s casual. You’ll see people in suits next to people in cargo shorts. It’s the casino floor; anything goes within reason.
- Portion Control: Seriously, don't over-order. The "Comfort" plates are designed to fill you up for the rest of the night.
The casino buffet at Turning Stone may be a ghost of the past, but the new reality isn't half bad. You just have to be willing to trade the "unlimited" quantity for a plate of food that was actually cooked to order.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning your visit this weekend, your first move should be to download the Turning Stone app to check current wait times for 76 Kitchen. If the wait is over thirty minutes, consider grabbing a drink at the Leopard Lounge first. For those who are strictly budget-conscious, stick to the Asian noodle bowls—they offer the best "fullness per dollar" ratio on the menu. If you’re there for a special occasion, skip the kitchen entirely and make a reservation at TS Steakhouse at least two weeks in advance, as it fills up significantly faster than the casual spots. Finally, make sure your TS Rewards card is active before you sit down; even if you aren't a high roller, the points from a single family dinner can often net you a discount on your next visit or a free play on the floor.