I have been a weekly customer for many years. It's always been hard to eat at San Manuel, but now it's crazy. The Buffet give-away keeps the buffet lines too long and the buffet is too crowded. Now you have closed the Sports Watch, the only quiet place to sit and enjoy a meal under $150.00 They opened a rock and roll restaurant that you cannot stay in more than a few minutes without ear damage from the mind blasting music. The servers have to wear ear plugs! Hospitallity has never been their strong suit but this new deboggle, is beyound belief. I am a Diamond player and I talk to a lot of regulars who go there and spend the day. They have no where to sit and have a comfortable meal that's under $150.00. It's a real shame. I hate the new changes and I'm going to make some gambling changes of my own.
My love affair with San Manuel started back in 2002 when San Manuel became the Hero in an awesome story with a co-worker - we'll call him Steve. Steve and I worked together in Anaheim and commuted from the IE right after I graduated from College. One day we hit up a happy hour when I was the driver for the day...we had a few pops...he had a few too many and I was trying to drive him home...he flat out refused. I dropped him at his car at our meeting point thinking he was going to chill for a while....he did not I would find out later. I went home and went to bed. I woke up to 25 voicemails starting at 11p. The First was Steve's wife: 'Hey Checking in if you guys are working late or went out for a few...haven't seen Steve yet.' A half hour later - Steve's wife again - 'starting to get worried.' Then a few from co-workers - 'Hey just heard from Steve's wife, she's looking for you and Steve are you okay?' To eventually the boss: 'Guys it's 2am where are you? We are all starting to get worried about you...we are calling hospitals...please call us.' Steve's wife again this time in tears...'where are you?' You get the point. The last call was Steve: 'Hey its 5am I'm home. Sorry everyone was worried." Turns out he drove to San Manuel and won like 5K at the tables. He was in the doghouse...but got himself out of it by winning...Crazy. I was asleep the whole time. Still a story that is told in certain circles to this day. The names are changed to protect the not-so-innocent, but what a wild night
Naturally, I had to check the place out the next day and went for the first time. Had fun playing slots, ate at the buffet and had a few cocktails watching some playoff hockey on the TVs. I think I may have broke even, but had a good 5-6 hours of entertainment on a random Saturday in May.
Then I hadn't been here for about 10 years or so until they started doing the special nights at the Pines with Dodgers, like Steve Garvey, Tommy Lasorda etc. I started going to those when I was with FOX and Monica of course has a relationship with the Dodgers and I was hooked. A good steak, good wine menu, good cocktails - world class entertainment and that is not even including the gaming.
I always have a blast whenever I go and now that I am back in the IE - I am there regularly. Love the place.
I've been visiting this casino since the 90s when it was a tent and you used to win on slots and table games. Now you're lucky to leave this dump breaking even. I currently am a diamond VIP member and have been for the past 3 years. I have nearly 1,000,000 tier points. Yes one million points on my players card and I not once do I ever get comped for any hotels, have to beg for tickets to go anywhere and still get rejected, I get harrassed by staff to kick me off machines when I'm winning for "maintenance." My free slot play is never increased, I have no privileges like they promise you once you reach diamond. In fact, I was winning more when I wasn't diamond or when I dont use my players card. So if you have money to throw away, and want to get harrassed by hookers, crackheads, drug dealers and the staff then this place is perfect for you. Oh they do offer free hot dogs and tap water. Avoid this place, I highly recommend driving 30 more mins and going to another casino. Do not try to get diamond VIP level. They will just screw you over. Casinos are regulated to payout 85-95% on slots. But this Indian casino has no regulations and the gaming commission is run by the tribal leaders.
Buffet is small and not a good variety compared to other casinos in surrounding area. Clientele is trash mostly crack heads and people spending their welfare checks. Slots are a joke, can't win shit!!! Bonus rounds are slim to none. Doesn't serve alcohol until 5pm what a joke, no hotel!!! These damn engines are making a killing of us . what do you think pays for all the new "upgrades"
