The $5 Buffet is Back: Gold Club’s Legendary Lunch Returns with a Bang!
March 7, 2025
Hey, San Francisco—guess what? Your favorite lunchtime deal is making a grand comeback! After years of patiently waiting (and drooling over the memories), we at Gold Club are thrilled to announce the return of our iconic $5 buffet. That’s right—starting April 2025, the all-you-can-eat spread that put us on the map is back at 650 Howard Street, ready to satisfy your hunger and your soul. We’ve missed seeing your faces piling plates high with fried chicken, and we know you’ve missed us too. With the city buzzing again and the Giants gearing up for their home opener, there’s no better time to bring back this SoMa staple. Here’s the scoop on why this return is a big deal for us—and for you!
A Comeback Five Years in the Making
We’ve been counting the days—1,826 of them, to be exact—since our beloved buffet shut down in 2020. As Axel Sang, our marketing director, told The San Francisco Standard, “It’s been 1,826 days since Gold Club in SoMa shut down its popular daytime buffet.” The pandemic hit us hard, emptying downtown and forcing us to pause our daytime shift. But we never stopped dreaming of the day we’d fire up the fryers again. “We’ve been contemplating this for almost a year now,” Axel added, and after hearing your pleas on social media—“When’s the buffet coming back?”—we made it official last week. Check our events page for all the latest on this epic revival!
Word is already getting around that the buffet is making a return! With the recent announcement, this news has even gone viral on reddit, as people are gearing up with anticipation.
Timing It Right: Giants’ Opener and Thursday Feasts
We couldn’t have picked a better moment to bring back the $5 buffet. As The Standard puts it, “The return of the buffet hits at an energetic moment for the city, when government workers and more and more tech employees have been called back into the office. Gold Club will open the buffet April 3 and 4 (just before the Giants’ home opener at Oracle Park), then every Thursday thereafter, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.” Mark your calendars for April 3 and 4, 2025—it’s the perfect kickoff, just days before the Giants take the field at Oracle Park, a stone’s throw from our doors. After that, we’re making it a weekly tradition every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Whether you’re a techie on lunch break or a baseball fan fueling up, we’ve got you covered. Planning a game-day outing? Pair it with our VIP packages for the ultimate SF experience.
A Blast from the Past: What Made It Legendary
If you’ve been with us since the pre-2020 days, you know the $5 buffet was more than just a meal—it was a phenomenon. Back then, we’d see lines out the door, with everyone from construction workers to tech bros piling in. “We would sell out probably within the first hour,” Axel recalled to The Standard, and it’s no wonder why. For just five bucks (cover included), you got crispy fried chicken, rice pilaf, and fruit salad—a deal that turned heads and filled bellies. A Forbes feature from 2015 crowned us “Tech’s Hottest Lunch Spot,” spotlighting how startups like Yelp and Salesforce, just blocks away, made us their go-to. It was affordable, delicious, and uniquely Gold Club—check out our food and dinner menu to see how we’ve always gone big on flavor.
Why We Shelved It—and Why We Couldn’t Keep It Away
When work-from-home took over in 2020, SoMa turned into a ghost town, and our daytime crowd disappeared. We had to close the lunch shift, and with it, the buffet went on hiatus. “When work from home became the norm, Gold Club shut down its daytime shift, including the buffet,” The Standard notes. But San Francisco’s spirit never quits, and neither do we. As offices refill and the city’s energy surges, your calls to bring back the buffet grew louder. We heard you loud and clear on social media, and after a year of planning, we’re delivering. This isn’t just a meal—it’s a homecoming, and we’re pumped to welcome you back to 650 Howard Street.
What’s on the Plate in 2025?
So, what’s cooking for this $5 comeback? We’re keeping it classic with the dishes that made us famous. Expect golden fried chicken—crisp, juicy, and dubbed “the best bucket of fried chicken” in SF by SFGATE—alongside rice pilaf and a refreshing fruit salad. These staples sold out fast in the old days, and we’re betting they’ll fly off the trays again.
Served by Chef Chris Hui, it’s all-you-can-eat for $5, cover included, served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 3 and 4, then every Thursday moving forward. Hungry for more? Our menu page hints at other goodies like the $15.95 prime rib special—because we’re more than just a buffet spot.
Defying the Odds: $5 in an Inflation World
Let’s be real—$5 doesn’t buy much in 2025 San Francisco. Coffee’s pushing $6, and a sandwich can hit $15. But here at Gold Club, we’re sticking to our guns: the buffet is $5, cover included, no gimmicks.
It’s a throwback price that laughs in the face of inflation, giving you a full plate and a full wallet. Whether you’re a Giants fan prepping for the home opener or an office worker sneaking a midday break, this deal is unbeatable. Want to make it a party? Add a drink from our bottle service and kick things up a notch.
The Gold Club Experience: More Than a Meal
The buffet might get you through the door, but Gold Club is a whole vibe. As SoMa’s only strip club—thanks to a rare permit from the early 2000s—we’ve got the beats, the beauties, and the buzz. Picture this: you’re digging into fried chicken while Nicki Minaj blasts and our performers light up the stage. It’s where downtown’s suits and tech’s sneakers collide, where lunch turns into an event. Bringing a crew? Our VIP packages offer reserved spots and premium perks to make your buffet day unforgettable.
San Francisco’s Comeback, Gold Club Style
This buffet’s return isn’t just about us—it’s about San Francisco reclaiming its groove. With government workers and tech employees back in the office, and the Giants’ home opener lighting up Oracle Park, the city’s alive again.
A great testament to this was the success of NBA All-Star Weekend. “The return of the buffet hits at an energetic moment for the city,” The Standard says, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s a nod to the days when downtown pulsed with life, and Gold Club was at its heart. Want to explore more of SF’s revival? SF Travel’s 2025 guide pairs perfectly with your buffet plans.
How to Feast Like a Pro
Ready to join us? Swing by 650 Howard Street on April 3 and 4, or any Thursday after, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get here early—those trays don’t last long. Bring cash for the $5 cover (ATMs are available but cost extra), and pace yourself—there’s plenty to go around. Tie it to a Giants game, a lunch break, or just a craving for something awesome. New to Gold Club? We’ve got your back—our team’s here to make you feel right at home. Stay updated on goldclubsf.com for all the details.
Welcome Back to the Buffet Life
The $5 buffet is back, and we’re over the moon to share it with you. After 1,826 days, it’s time to pile those plates high again—starting April 3 and 4, then every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whether you’re here for the Giants’ home opener, a cheap lunch, or the Gold Club vibe, this is your spot. Come hungry, leave happy, and let’s make some new memories at 650 Howard Street. See you at the buffet!
HOURS
Sun - Wed: 7pm - 2am
Thurs: 11:30am - 2am
Fri - Sat: 7pm - 4am