This use to be a nice option for a solid buffet every time but it's slipping as Derby Lane prepares to close the end of 2020. Sitting downstairs outside is still a good time though.
Danielle M.
Derby Lane has been a staple of my childhood and a valued nostalgic trip every time I return home. I was so excited to relive childhood memories going with my best friend to Derby Lane last night. Unfortunately, it was the worst dinner experience I have ever had there. The crab legs and shrimp are legendary. However, last night the snow crab and peel and eat shrimp were not present. Instead, some "Chilean crab" with a fuzzy exterior and slimy/gooey insides were. So disappointed and dismayed by this travesty. No peel and eat shrimp. Had to settle on rudimentary ice cream scoop to substantiate the 30$ price tag. Save your money and your memories....don't come back.
Heather R.
WOW, this place has gone down hill!!!! I'm not big into betting on the dogs but my best friend is and this is has been our yearly tradition. In the past this buffet was incredible! They had delicious snow crab claws, peel and eat shrimp, prime rib and any other thing you could think of, however, that is NO LONGER the case. The Blue Crab and Chilean Snow Crab, where hands-down the most disgusting things I've ever seen and trust me I definitely know my crab. The Snow Crab was so dry and over cooked. The Blue Crab, I honestly don't know what they did to make them so gross, the bodies were slimy and when you cracked a claw it was filled with some kind of random liquid and had no meat in them. Also, don't get me started on how dirty the place was! Unfortunately, we didn't notice at first or there would have been no way I would have even started eating. The TV's not only we're completely covered in dust but they literally had crab or whatever kind of food dripping off of them . The staff was nice and that's the only reason I have 2 stars. I will definitely not ever be going back!!
Arlene_Mimi
Have been coming for the matinee buffet for quite some time. Nice buffet and a beautiful view of the track. Very relaxing and enjoyable day. We request John as our server. He takes very good care of his customers. We came for the crab buffet in November and was disappointed with the crab. It seemed as if it had been cooked, refrozen and then cooked again. It seemed very mushy. I will stay with the Matinee buffet, always happy with that.
John P.
Once a great a great place to eat & enjoy the evening, but for $ 36.95, all four of us agreed that we would not return, please don't waste your money , I was embarrassed to take my guest here. however, the service was good..
Mike P
Saw the ad in the paper for the buy one get one free buffet for $37. Also saw where they have blue crab on the buffet. I LOVE blue crab!!! This is in the dog track and the setting is overlooking the track so you can see the dog races. Opened at 6 PM and we left at 9, takes a while to pick crabs. The crabs were HUGE!!! I have never eaten crab that big or that good and I am from NJ and been to the best in three states. This exceeded all expectations. Buffet available at half price only on Friday evening through October. Its a good deal
Ally A.
My uncle hosted a small family birthday bash here on 9/27. The service was incredible - our waitress took excellent care of us and we were pretty demanding so I'm hoping my uncle compensated everyone lol. I can't put my finger on what it was that made this 3-star quality, but I'm a big eater and I only went up to the buffet once so that may two you something. Also not a fan of seafood and there was plenty of it. Enjoyed the steak tips and roast beef. The staff continued to replenish the food - again kudos to the attentive and friendly employees. I just wasn't feeliin' this place. It's dated but that's part of the charm. This just wasn't my scene. Oddly enough I loved the coconut cake - something I would never think to have but so sweet and delicious. Tip - valet park! Wish we had.
Susan Marie Wenner
Great track view. Buffet was terrible for $37 a person.
Andrew D.
This restaurant has always been a good value, however in the past few months they have changed their hours to only the weekends. Afternoon brunch, and the dinner buffet. I've been to both, and both are excellent with perfect views of the track. Unbeknownst to some, the track will close at the end of 2020 not 2019. This will be 94 years of history in the Tampa Bay area. If you haven't been here before put it on your list. It's a great experience!
Pascal D.
Everything in the buffet is nasty don't loss your money.No more carving meat for 36.95 a person is very expensive. Go to the chinese buffet for 11.00$ the best for your money
No kids under 10. Place is a dump. Burn in hell...
Carlos Denny C.
Not impressed! Very disappointing. No shrimp cocktail? Or prime rib? Seriously? They still advertise the old menu that is non existent. Smaller buffet. Huge downgrade in quality of food. Desert bar is monitored by staff and small variety. I see why the buffet is Bogo 1/2 price. Not worth the money. This place is on its way to permanent closure.
Robert R.
OMG. This place change so much. No more carving meats like prime rib, ham,turkey all gone in it's place they put a dessert bar with pound cake, brownies, jello, ice cream.For 36.95 a person go somewhere else.
Wanda M.
Where else can you enjoy a delicious buffet, complete bar service, and racing all in one. Great for groups, birthdays, co-workers get together, friends, any special occasion or for no occasion at all! Derby Lanes has something for everyone. Tonight we dined with Circa 1925 for the seafood buffet and enjoyed our meal, the service, the quiet sophistication of the theater style seating, and the friendly staff that served us. The buffet attendants pictured, as well as Chef Jason, were friendly and hospitable, people enjoying what they do. The staff was accommodating and happy to help with whatever we needed. The view over the racing area was serene and peaceful, relaxing, but as the greyhounds came out the crowd began to buzz! We picked some random numbers in the first race and Guess What? Paid for dinner and drinks! Now that's a deal right there. So if you haven't tried it give it a taste. Every Friday in May you can dine with a friend(or random stranger) for the price of 1 dinner! BOGO Buffets-call for reservations or use YELP to book your visit now.
FLAAu
ValerieJ578, Thank you for coming! I hope we do get to see you again soon. -Alexis Winning
This use to be a nice option for a solid buffet every time but it's slipping as Derby Lane prepares to close the end of 2020. Sitting downstairs outside is still a good time though.
Derby Lane has been a staple of my childhood and a valued nostalgic trip every time I return home. I was so excited to relive childhood memories going with my best friend to Derby Lane last night. Unfortunately, it was the worst dinner experience I have ever had there. The crab legs and shrimp are legendary. However, last night the snow crab and peel and eat shrimp were not present. Instead, some "Chilean crab" with a fuzzy exterior and slimy/gooey insides were. So disappointed and dismayed by this travesty. No peel and eat shrimp. Had to settle on rudimentary ice cream scoop to substantiate the 30$ price tag. Save your money and your memories....don't come back.
WOW, this place has gone down hill!!!! I'm not big into betting on the dogs but my best friend is and this is has been our yearly tradition. In the past this buffet was incredible! They had delicious snow crab claws, peel and eat shrimp, prime rib and any other thing you could think of, however, that is NO LONGER the case. The Blue Crab and Chilean Snow Crab, where hands-down the most disgusting things I've ever seen and trust me I definitely know my crab. The Snow Crab was so dry and over cooked. The Blue Crab, I honestly don't know what they did to make them so gross, the bodies were slimy and when you cracked a claw it was filled with some kind of random liquid and had no meat in them. Also, don't get me started on how dirty the place was! Unfortunately, we didn't notice at first or there would have been no way I would have even started eating. The TV's not only we're completely covered in dust but they literally had crab or whatever kind of food dripping off of them . The staff was nice and that's the only reason I have 2 stars. I will definitely not ever be going back!!
Have been coming for the matinee buffet for quite some time. Nice buffet and a beautiful view of the track. Very relaxing and enjoyable day. We request John as our server. He takes very good care of his customers. We came for the crab buffet in November and was disappointed with the crab. It seemed as if it had been cooked, refrozen and then cooked again. It seemed very mushy. I will stay with the Matinee buffet, always happy with that.
Once a great a great place to eat & enjoy the evening, but for $ 36.95, all four of us agreed that we would not return, please don't waste your money , I was embarrassed to take my guest here. however, the service was good..
Saw the ad in the paper for the buy one get one free buffet for $37. Also saw where they have blue crab on the buffet. I LOVE blue crab!!! This is in the dog track and the setting is overlooking the track so you can see the dog races. Opened at 6 PM and we left at 9, takes a while to pick crabs. The crabs were HUGE!!! I have never eaten crab that big or that good and I am from NJ and been to the best in three states. This exceeded all expectations. Buffet available at half price only on Friday evening through October. Its a good deal
My uncle hosted a small family birthday bash here on 9/27. The service was incredible - our waitress took excellent care of us and we were pretty demanding so I'm hoping my uncle compensated everyone lol. I can't put my finger on what it was that made this 3-star quality, but I'm a big eater and I only went up to the buffet once so that may two you something. Also not a fan of seafood and there was plenty of it. Enjoyed the steak tips and roast beef. The staff continued to replenish the food - again kudos to the attentive and friendly employees. I just wasn't feeliin' this place. It's dated but that's part of the charm. This just wasn't my scene. Oddly enough I loved the coconut cake - something I would never think to have but so sweet and delicious. Tip - valet park! Wish we had.
Great track view. Buffet was terrible for $37 a person.
This restaurant has always been a good value, however in the past few months they have changed their hours to only the weekends. Afternoon brunch, and the dinner buffet. I've been to both, and both are excellent with perfect views of the track. Unbeknownst to some, the track will close at the end of 2020 not 2019. This will be 94 years of history in the Tampa Bay area. If you haven't been here before put it on your list. It's a great experience!
Everything in the buffet is nasty don't loss your money.No more carving meat for 36.95 a person is very expensive. Go to the chinese buffet for 11.00$ the best for your money
Restaurantji Recommends
No kids under 10. Place is a dump. Burn in hell...
Not impressed! Very disappointing. No shrimp cocktail? Or prime rib? Seriously? They still advertise the old menu that is non existent. Smaller buffet. Huge downgrade in quality of food. Desert bar is monitored by staff and small variety. I see why the buffet is Bogo 1/2 price. Not worth the money. This place is on its way to permanent closure.
OMG. This place change so much. No more carving meats like prime rib, ham,turkey all gone in it's place they put a dessert bar with pound cake, brownies, jello, ice cream.For 36.95 a person go somewhere else.
Where else can you enjoy a delicious buffet, complete bar service, and racing all in one. Great for groups, birthdays, co-workers get together, friends, any special occasion or for no occasion at all! Derby Lanes has something for everyone. Tonight we dined with Circa 1925 for the seafood buffet and enjoyed our meal, the service, the quiet sophistication of the theater style seating, and the friendly staff that served us. The buffet attendants pictured, as well as Chef Jason, were friendly and hospitable, people enjoying what they do. The staff was accommodating and happy to help with whatever we needed. The view over the racing area was serene and peaceful, relaxing, but as the greyhounds came out the crowd began to buzz! We picked some random numbers in the first race and Guess What? Paid for dinner and drinks! Now that's a deal right there. So if you haven't tried it give it a taste. Every Friday in May you can dine with a friend(or random stranger) for the price of 1 dinner! BOGO Buffets-call for reservations or use YELP to book your visit now.
ValerieJ578, Thank you for coming! I hope we do get to see you again soon. -Alexis Winning