How to Eat Well in Vegas--DIRT CHEAP-and Some Places to AVOID!
Sep 06 '08
The Bottom Line Follow this guide, and you will never overspend for a great meal in Vegas!
Before the arrival of our daughter, my wife and I visited Vegas about every 6 weeks. Things are tighter now, and we don't have the leisure time or energy that we used to, but we've experienced enough of "Sin City" to know where the deals are, and how to score them. Read on for the secrets we've garnered...
Usually, our first stop in Vegas is Ellis Island (4178 Koval Lane--make a right off of Flamingo Road, east of the Strip), but don't judge this "book" by its cover. It's about a block from the strip, and right up the street from Terrible's Casino & Hotel, and although it's not as glamorous as the strip hotels, it is down-to-earth friendly, and their (main) restaurant's food is consistently very good and cheap! And That's why there's usually a wait to get into this popular venue (up to an hour or so on weekends, which you can pass on nearby slots, table games, or the bar--locals love it).
Ellis Island has a $4.99 steak dinner special that is not on the menu--you have to ask for it by name! You get a generous portion of steak, a choice of fresh sides, and bread. The drinks are extra, but they are reasonably-priced. For a little more (up to $7.99), you could enjoy salmon, grilled chicken and pasta, and quite a number of other, American dishes--all delicious, and the coffee has never been "bad" (I'm pretty picky about coffee)! The salads are also fresh, and the servers have their name, and a "country-of-origin" on their tags, which I believe is fictitious, but just adds to the "Ellis Island" atmosphere. Don't miss the pile of onion rings, though we haven't experienced any objectionable food here. There is a popular karaoke bar right next door, which swooners may occasionally endear you with. The atmosphere is lively and festive-though never boisterous-and there is a rear area that is more quiet and private, if you prefer that. This establishment also has a brewery and a pizzeria.
Terrible's Buffet
Right up the street is the Terrible's (Herbst Brothers') Hotel & Casino (continue east on Flamingo Road, at 4100 Paradise Road). They are well-known for their racing, and this respectable establishment is very popular among locals--for bingo, card and slot games, the sports book bar, and, of course, the food. I believe they now own the 2 major casinos in Primm (one of which is mentioned, above).
The Terrible's buffet is upstairs, right next to an Italian-themed cafe. If you join the Player's Club, you can usually get a 2-for-1 special the same day (not available to local residents, usually, but you could earn comps and monthly specials). We are from California, and have enjoyed free meals there multiple times, on the same club membership. We usually have leftovers from Ellis Island for breakfast (yes, the portions are that big), and go to Terrible's for their lunch buffet, which, if memory serves, is about $11.99 unless they are having a champagne brunch, seafood, or other special, which might be once a week or so, and inexpensive enough (a few dollars more) that we still sprung for it.
The menu has stayed pretty consistent over the years. Traditional American food is the mainstay of this medium-sized buffet, but it has always garnered compliments when we've taken friends, and we've never been disappointed. We've hung out there for almost 2 hours, at times (I think those were champagne times!), making sure that we were satiated, and we were never rushed out. The only downside is the dessert is not always as fresh as one may like--although I've never had a problem with the selection of fruit pies, puddings, and other venerable delicacies--especially with some ice cream! You will also find Chinese and Mexican food, at times, and it's always fresh, delicious, and affordable!
There is ample seating at Terrible's Buffet, and the Italian theme of the adjacent cafe is somewhat mirrored here. The seating consists of comfortable booths, as well as smaller round tables interspersed, and the lighting is a little subdued and relaxing.
Texas Station Hotel & Casino (Buffet)
The food here is about as good as it gets-very tasty, a large selection-even fresh desserts-and it's spacious seating and friendly employees make it that much more enjoyable. I don't remember the exact price, but we got a 2-for-1 for joining the player's club--and it's cheap enough to be on this list! It has a nice, subdued-almost intimate-environment. I have heard others say that, generally, all of the Vegas-area "Station" hotel buffets are good, but this is the only one we've tried.
CHINESE FOOD
Other than P.F. Chang's (we've never been), it seems difficult to find authentic Chinese food in Vegas--however, the New China Buffet, at 1510 East Flamingo Road, is a place we've never come away from disappointed. The food is good, the price is reasonable, and the staff, friendly. It is just down the street from the Strip, and we usually take in the lunch buffet if we are in town long enough.
SUNCOAST BUFFET
This is a newer resort-off the strip (Hwy 15 to Charleston Blvd (the "159," west; right on South Rampart, left on Alta Dr., to 9090)-and the food is consistently "fantabulous." Everything from the broad assortment is very good, and (in all cases), try to catch the considerably cheaper lunch buffet (especially the last 1-2 hours, which may enable you to stick around and enjoy some dinner entrees). The price is a few dollars more-similar to Texas Station-but it's worth it. You'll want to sample everything, and the desserts are always fresh.
"MIDDLING BUFFETS"--OK, but not worth a repeat visit unless it's free or highly-discounted.
Much has been said about the Flamingo Paradise Garden Buffet. All I remember about it is the colorful decor (I believe there was an aquarium, and a view of their famous pool), and that my wife fairly enjoyed their seafood (I only eat fish). However, even she hasn't requested a return visit. I believe the regular price is relatively expensive.
Bellagio's Buffet (exact name unknown)
One would think that a buffet in a resort ranked by some as the world's finest would have food worthy of that title--maybe in some of their other headliners, but not here. Again-my wife enjoyed the seafood, but I remember longing to visit one of the others on this list. However, we were "tagging along" with our high-minded relatives, who I think felt psychologically "brainwashed" to think that the food (and the room, incidentally, which was NOT worth what we paid--although we enjoyed the view of the fountains) must be good. What it was was expensive, and there was hardly a good selection for me-someone that doesn't eat non-fish seafood-and possessed of non-remarkable food.
Stardust Buffet
The Stardust buffet is better than Bellagio--but that's mostly because it's much cheaper. I remember nothing remarkable about the food, but I won't be returning unless I'm staying there and pressed for time, or have a coupon special.
On the Way In or Out from Southern California...
Whiskey Pete's Cafe at the State Line, in Primm, Nevada, is a popular last stop for us (and the mall on the other side of the freeway is a nice stroll for kids to unwind in, as well). They serve traditional American cafe food, have extremely friendly servers-typically with an international bent (I often wonder where they live around there)-the coffee is never objectionable, and we usually enjoy the turkey roast dinner or prime rib. A very good experience, and low-priced.
SOME PLACES to AVOID..!
Avoid the Circus-Circus Buffet. It is the "world's largest," but that's about the only thing is has going for it. Plasticy Asian food and pancakes. Generally not fresh. McDonald's is infinitely better than this, and I wouldn't eat it again if it was free! And, not surprisingly, it earned a 4.38 out of 10, at this ranking of Vegas buffets--http://www.ratelasvegas.com/buffets/buffetrank.html (obviously, I don't agree with the 44 who gave Terrible's a low rating).
Best Western Mardis Gras--near the Strip
Avoid the Best Western Mardis Gras altogether-the "free" breakfast buffet is quite possibly the worst food in North and South America-and the entire place is not worthy of the "Best Western" name at all. It is basically a glorified motel that still looks circa-1950s (not a good thing), and we prefer the local Motel 6 to this.
We booked it online-with 2 "free breakfast buffets." We had to argue to get "just one," and didn't even care that we were flatly denied the 2nd--even though it was plainly stated on our reservation record. The employees here carry on as if they were operating the Waldorf-Astoria--but it just ain't so! Most of the clientele appeared as if it was their very first time in Vegas--and didn't know to avoid this place.
My wife and I felt very out-of-place. In fact, when we stepped out for the evening, we caught a lot of stares--I don't know if they thought we were famous or what, but it was unnerving. The Best Western Mardis Gras should be avoided--no matter how cheap the price is!
Avoid the Paris Cafe. This seems like another one of those establishments that serves mediocre-even sub-par food-and expects to get away with charging ridiculously high prices due to brand association. I don't remember the exact name, but it's their version of an ordinary cafe. The decor was well-appointed, but we almost starved to death waiting for our food, which wasn't good (especially the coffee--isn't that the main draw of a cafe?), and left very disappointed. I believe this was on the same trip that we got dragged to the Bellagio buffet.
Avoid the Las Vegas Hilton altogether. We didn't stick around to eat there. The service was very snobbish--with absolutely no reason to be, other than brand association. We actually felt discriminated against (and a couple we know felt precisely the same). Their security personnel literally follows you around the floor, as if they are waiting for you to do something "wrong." I even stared down one humble-looking fellow (security guard), as if to say,"You KNOW this is wrong!" He couldn't even look at me straight in the face! On top of that, the room was icky. NEVER AGAIN-at ANY price-will we have anything to do with the Las Vegas Hilton.
This is my short list (all we need, really) for where to eat well in Vegas on the cheap. From $5 dinners, to 2-for-1 buffets, and $12 buffets that haven't missed--it's all there. And if it's great variety and an all-around great experience you want (and you don't mind spending a bit more)--then examine the buffets at Texas Station or SunCoast. As a bonus, the Los Angeles-area buffets that even begin to come close to this level of affordable, delicious food is the V.I.P. buffet (Asian-based, with American entrees) in Orange County (kids are very cheap), and the buffet at Pala Casino, in northern San Diego County (the food tastes just as good as it looks, and toddlers eat free)! If you've had a great experience in either place that we've missed, please drop a comment!
To see what I do to keep my digestive tract healthy, click HERE!
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Member: Kevin England
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