Reasonable Restaurants in Las Vegas?

[Cindala]

We just exchanged into Marriott's Grand Chateau for next June, so we are excited about planning our trip! We know there are tons of dining venues in Vegas, but we are looking for good food at reasonable prices. Any good buffets or other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[ScoopKona]

I know this has come up before, but I couldn't find it through the search function.


In no particular order:


1) Pizza at Spago (Caesar's Palace Forum Shops)

2) The In-N-Out Burger at Tropicana and Dean Martin.

3) Binion's Ranch Steakhouse (quintessential old Vegas menu and prices).

4) The 24-hour $5 chicken-fried steak special at Longhorn Casino, Harmon and Boulder Highway.

5) The 777 Microbrewery at Main Street Station, Fremont.

6) The $2 shrimp cocktail at Golden Gate, Fremont.

7) Any Roberto's for their Mexican food. (They're all over the place.)

8) Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Paradise and Flamingo

9) Studio B Buffet at M Resort (way way South Las Vegas Blvd.)

10) Spend the $80 per person for Sterling Brunch at Bally's (The Strip, Sunday only)

11) Stock up on "in-room noshes" at International Market, Tropicana and Decatur (best foodie market in the valley).

12) Amazing pizza at Settebello, "The District", Green Valley. (Certified by the Naples Pizza Cartel -- I don't know the name of the group. But only a dozen or so pizzerias in the US have this certification.)

 

[dougp26364]

I know this has come up before, but I couldn't find it through the search function.


In no particular order:


1) Pizza at Spago (Caesar's Palace Forum Shops)

2) The In-N-Out Burger at Tropicana and Dean Martin.

3) Binion's Ranch Steakhouse (quintessential old Vegas menu and prices).

4) The 24-hour $5 chicken-fried steak special at Longhorn Casino, Harmon and Boulder Highway.

5) The 777 Microbrewery at Main Street Station, Fremont.

6) The $2 shrimp cocktail at Golden Gate, Fremont.

7) Any Roberto's for their Mexican food. (They're all over the place.)

8) Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Paradise and Flamingo

9) Studio B Buffet at M Resort (way way South Las Vegas Blvd.)

10) Spend the $80 per person for Sterling Brunch at Bally's (The Strip, Sunday only)

11) Stock up on "in-room noshes" at International Market, Tropicana and Decatur (best foodie market in the valley).

12) Amazing pizza at Settebello, "The District", Green Valley. (Certified by the Naples Pizza Cartel -- I don't know the name of the group. But only a dozen or so pizzerias in the US have this certification.)

Not a bad list assuming the OP has a car.

On the strip, there isn't a lot of great deals anymore. That is unless things have changed with the tanking economy.

Planet Hollywoods shopping mall (easy walking distance) use to have a decent selection of reasonably priced places to eat. NYNY's good court area has some surprisingly decent places that aren't to expensive. You might check the casino coffee shops for specials. The last time we were there they were underwhelming but, things could have change in the 16 months since our last visit.

If you can get up north to the Stratosphere, they use to have a decent selection of restaurants reasonably priced. We rarely go that far north anymore so I'm not certain on their current status.

Chin Chin's in NYNY use to be a reasonable a good Chinese restaurant. America in NYNY use to serve a decent breakfast but, last time we where there I wasn't overly impressed. The menu had been cut back, prices were higher and the service wasn't all that great. The Cafe in the Monte Carlo use to serve a decent breakfast at a reasonable price.

If money is a concern, I'd stay away from MGM. Everything from their coffee shop to their Mexican restaurant is WAY overpriced.

I am not a big buffet fan but, Bellagio and Paris had very good buffet's the last time we ate at them. Pricey but they were good. Tropicana use to have a reasonably priced buffet that wasn't all bad. It wasn't great but they did have a variety of choices and a decent price.

There is a Cheesecake Factory in the Forum Shops at Ceasers Palace and a Grand Lux Cafe in the Ventitian that provide reasonably priced good food. Chain restaurants yes but, it's consistantly good food at reasonable prices.

Downtown has better deals than on the strip but, you have to get there and it can be a little seedy. It's not our favorite place to just hang out. Many of the off strip casino's offer good value for restaurants. South Point (5 miles south of Mandalay Bay) has a nice selection of reasonably priced restaurants and good gaming odds. There's a little outdoor shopping district just south of Mandalay Bay (can't recall the name off the top of my head) that has a Claim Jumper restaurant that I really like (again, a chain restaurant but still very good). If you can get down to the outlet mall south of the airport there is a decent Italian restaurant called Bootleggers that's pretty good and was easy on the wallet last time we were there.

There is also the Peppermill restaurant up on the north end of the strip by the Riviera many people swear by. Prices are good and it has the old Vegas feel to it but I've never really cared for the food quality myself. It's still worth a shot if you work your way that far north.

 

[stevedmatt]

Ellis Island has some decent food at great prices. Full rack of rib BBQ dinner with sides for around $11. 8 oz sirloin steak with sides and salad for $5.99?.

About 2 blocks off the strip.

 

[Karen G]

I just want to second the recommendations on Scoop's list for #9 and #12.

I hope you'll have a car so that you can try some of the places away from the Strip. Studio B Buffet at the M is our favorite buffet. Go at lunch time for the best price. If you sign up for a players card you get $2 off so that makes it $12.99. In addition to every kind of delicious food imaginable, there is complementary wine. There are marvelous desserts, gelato, & cappucino & lattes, too.

My daughter mentioned Settebello's for pizza at the Green Valley District location just last week. Her team at work had gone there for lunch and she said it was absolutely the best pizza she had ever eaten. I hope to try it soon.

 

[ScoopKona]

I
I hope you'll have a car so that you can try some of the places away from the Strip. Studio B Buffet at the M is our favorite buffet. Go at lunch time for the best price. If you sign up for a players card you get $2 off so that makes it $12.99.

I didn't like the free wine -- AT ALL. Undrinkable, I thought. Free beer was OK, if you don't mind Pabst or Coors.

But the beer/wine IS free -- the only one in Las Vegas, unless I'm mistaken.

The quality of the food is second to none. I think dinner is actually a better "deal" than lunch (at twice the price) because of the sushi selection.

Karen, I'm surprised you're not raving about the chicken fried steak at Longhorn! Best breakfast deal in the valley. Try it anytime you're hungry and on Boulder Highway.

 

[Karen G]

But the beer/wine IS free -- the only one in Las Vegas, unless I'm mistaken.

Last time we ate at the LV Hilton buffet, I think they had free wine.


I've never been hungry and on Boulder Highway at the same time! So, I've never eaten at the Longhorn. But, I may try it sometime.

 

[Cindala]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! We do plan to rent a car for the week, but since we have heard horror stories of navigating the traffic of the strip, we probably will want to walk to most places to eat.

Here are a few more questions hopefully someone can answer:

1. Would you recommend having a reservation for dinner, and what would be the peak dinner time?

2. Or are there so many places to choose from that waiting is not an issue?

3. Is there a nice place to have a simple breakfast nearby the Marriott?

4. How is the buffet at the Mirage? A friend just returned and said they have a weekend only buffet that was very good.

5. Are the restaurants all non-smoking or will we have to request the non-smoking area? (NJ state law...all restaurants non-smoking, even the AC casino's now too.)

Thanks!

 

[Karen G]

5. Are the restaurants all non-smoking or will we have to request the non-smoking area?

All restaurants are non-smoking.

 

[ricoba]

I'd like to put in a little plug for a favorite of mine, and that's the Second Street Grill at the Fremont Hotel on Fremont St downtown.

I also recommend 777 Microbrewery at the Main Street Station, but it's on Main Street just off Fremont St.

I know Fremont Street and Downtown Vegas are not for everyone, but if you want to see and get a feel for "old" Vegas, then you have to leave the Strip and head downtown.

For a fun place to eat and get messy, try Hot n Juicy Crawfish on Spring Mountain.

 

[timeos2]

A couple yes's

Second In-N-Out Burger as a must do great deal. Also look for Battista's Hole In The Wall behind Ballys - great little local dive with good value prices. Also Ellis Island is in the same area and is a reasonable price with "old Vegas" feel.

 

[ScoopKona]

Last time we ate at the LV Hilton buffet, I think they had free wine.


I've never been hungry and on Boulder Highway at the same time! So, I've never eaten at the Longhorn. But, I may try it sometime.

All the food at the Longhorn is horrible, EXCEPT the chicken fried steak, which is AMAZINGLY GOOD. Worth driving across town good. A chicken fried steak, two eggs over easy, camp spuds, a biscuit, mad amounts of sawmill gravy and several $1 Modelos is my favorite "after a late night" breakfast.

 

[ScoopKona]

1. Would you recommend having a reservation for dinner, and what would be the peak dinner time?

2. Or are there so many places to choose from that waiting is not an issue?

3. Is there a nice place to have a simple breakfast nearby the Marriott?

4. How is the buffet at the Mirage? A friend just returned and said they have a weekend only buffet that was very good.

5. Are the restaurants all non-smoking or will we have to request the non-smoking area? (NJ state law...all restaurants non-smoking, even the AC casino's now too.)

1) Depends. L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon? Yes. Jasmine? Yes. Michael Mina? Yes. Most other places? Reserve if you want. It's unlikely you'll be turned away. Peak dinner time swings wildly depending on the price-point of the restaurant/buffet. In general, the less it costs, the busier it's going to be with the 5 p.m. blue-haired dinner crowd. Peak for the "trendy" places is 7-9:30 p.m.

2) Generally, yes. But the entire world can decide to go to the same restaurant one day, meaning agonizingly slow lines. I've had this happen at Bellagio and M Resorts.

3) No idea. I like Longhorn and four bloody marys for breakfast. Or Paris Village Market Buffet and three bloody marys and three mimosas.

4) I've heard good things about the Cravings weekend brunch at the Mirage. But I've never gone, because the Sterling Brunch at Bally's (at $85 per person) is the best deal on planet Earth. There are a lot of people who disagree -- they say the waiters are snooty. I've never had such problems. Then again, I put on a jacket for this brunch. They pour Mumm champagne, and serve all-you-can-eat Maine Lobster, Washington Oysters, Key West Shrimp and fresh sushi and caviar. Sterling Brunch has never made a penny on us, and we eat there at least six times each year.

5) The restaurants are always non-smoking. But the stench can waft in from the emphysemic, chain-smoking morons at the slot machines. Depends on the layout of the casino.

 

[ScoopKona]

Second In-N-Out Burger as a must do great deal. Also look for Battista's Hole In The Wall behind Ballys - great little local dive with good value prices. Also Ellis Island is in the same area and is a reasonable price with "old Vegas" feel.

Ellis Island makes good microbrewed beer. As a local, I also like the location -- off strip, but close enough if you want to go there.

Battistas "Hole in the Wall" is aptly named. You couldn't pay me to eat there again. I swear my pasta was par-boiled and microwaved. Never again. I prefer Carluccio's Tivoli Garden in the Liberace plaza on Tropicana. Go on a Wednesday and say hi to Wes for me.

I was a huge fan of In-N-Out, until a friend from California took me to Tommy's Original Hamburger Shack.

His exact words, "You've got two Tommy's in Las Vegas? And you're eating at In-N-Out? What the [censored] is wrong with you?"

BEST DAMNED BURGER I HAVE EVER EATEN. REPEAT -- A TOMMY'S DOUBLE CHILI CHEESEBURGER WITH CHILI FRIES IS MY NEW "DEATH ROW" MEAL. East Coasters have no idea what they're missing.

And seriously, if you're coming from the East Coast, make a point to find a Roberto's and eat anything on their menu. It's not the best Mexican in Las Vegas, but it's REALLY GOOD, and REALLY CHEAP. It's cheaper to eat here than it is to buy food and cook it. We take out from Roberto's every week.

 

[Karen G]

I was a huge fan of In-N-Out, until a friend from California took me to Tommy's Original Hamburger Shack.

To each his own--I never could figure out what the big deal is with Tommy's. It wasn't that great or any different from many other burgers, IMHO. In-and-Out, on the other hand, is the best burger I've ever had.

But, from your other posts I know that we enjoy very different foods. I would never eat sushi and one beer or another means nothing to me--I don't like beer.

So, restaurant recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt!

 

[ScoopKona]

To each his own--I never could figure out what the big deal is with Tommy's. It wasn't that great or any different from many other burgers, IMHO. In-and-Out, on the other hand, is the best burger I've ever had.

The big deal is the chili. Without it, Tommy's isn't quite as good as In-N-Out's "animal style." With the chili, it's the Sistine Chapel/Mozart/Venus d'Milo of cheeseburgers.

They'll sell a heaping tub of chili for $6.50 -- that and Bouchon's $5 french fries have to be the most under-appreciated deals in the West.

 

[Karen G]

The big deal is the chili.

I think it was the texture and consistency of the chili that turned me off.
It reminded me of something very unpleasant.

 

[jamstew]

4) I've heard good things about the Cravings weekend brunch at the Mirage. But I've never gone, because the Sterling Brunch at Bally's (at $85 per person) is the best deal on planet Earth. There are a lot of people who disagree -- they say the waiters are snooty. I've never had such problems. Then again, I put on a jacket for this brunch. They pour Mumm champagne, and serve all-you-can-eat Maine Lobster, Washington Oysters, Key West Shrimp and fresh sushi and caviar. Sterling Brunch has never made a penny on us, and we eat there at least six times each year.

Oh My God! That sounds like it might be worth my entire food budget for the week It is only on weekends? Would I need to wear a dress? I wasn't planning on taking one.

 

[ScoopKona]

Oh My God! That sounds like it might be worth my entire food budget for the week It is only on weekends? Would I need to wear a dress? I wasn't planning on taking one.

It's only on Sundays. And yes, dress up. You will get a better table and better service if you dress up. Reserve at least several days in advance.

Bring the dress anyway (basic black, preferably), because Las Vegas still has a dress code, even if it isn't advertised. You will have a better time here if you're well dressed -- at the buffet, at the restaurants, in the casino, everywhere.

EDIT -- Basically, you cannot overdress for this town. If you both go everywhere "black tie" with Cartier watches and diamond cufflinks, the service and quality will blow you away. If you're in a mobility scooter with an oxygen tank, wearing double-knit polyester, not so much.

 

[jamstew]

It's only on Sundays. And yes, dress up. You will get a better table and better service if you dress up. Reserve at least several days in advance.

Bring the dress anyway (basic black, preferably), because Las Vegas still has a dress code, even if it isn't advertised. You will have a better time here if you're well dressed -- at the buffet, at the restaurants, in the casino, everywhere.

EDIT -- Basically, you cannot overdress for this town. If you both go everywhere "black tie" with Cartier watches and diamond cufflinks, the service and quality will blow you away. If you're in a mobility scooter with an oxygen tank, wearing double-knit polyester, not so much.

I may be too late since I'm leaving Friday. I had thought about taking a dress for the shows if nothing else, but I generally hate to dress up--ever--for anything. I did it for too many years, and since I retired 7 years ago, I've only worn dresses for weddings and funerals. I only own three That said, I don't own any double-knit polyester and prefer linen in the heat.

 

[Karen G]

I may be too late since I'm leaving Friday. I had thought about taking a dress for the shows if nothing else, but I generally hate to dress up--ever--for anything. I did it for too many years, and since I retired 7 years ago, I've only worn dresses for weddings and funerals. I only own three That said, I don't own any double-knit polyester and prefer linen in the heat.

I think you should dress however makes you feel the most comfortable. Why try to please pretentious people who might give you better service because they think you're wealthy and might give them a bigger tip. Great customer service should be afforded to every customer--treat everyone as you would want to be treated, no matter what they look like or what disability they might have or how young or old they are.

A person's value and character is not dependent upon their outward appearance.

 

[Fern Modena]

Your Opinion May Differ

Scoop,
I'm using a mobility scooter, even in my own house for the next couple of months. Are the aged and infirm the last acceptable groups for you to put down (or maybe you have others I haven't noticed)?

In general, dress like you want to. I've seen men in shorts at very high end restaurants at night. Women, no, at least not locals. Women tend to wear capris or sun dresses.

Fern

 

[Fern Modena]

More Restaurants

I like In and Out. But if you like/insist on Mayo on your burger, you won't cause they don't have it. If you aren't a mayo freak their food is yummy and the prices low.

I like the original Tommy's at Beverly and Rampart in LA, but the one in Henderson not so much. I lioke their chili but understand why Karen doesn't. It is what Jerry calls "dogfood chili," no beans just thick and meaty sauce.

I like Settebello Pizza. They don't have pepperoni as that isn't true Italian. They are in "District 2" On Green Valley Parkway near Whole Foods (across Green Valley from the main District). There are a lot o f mid-priced restaurants there, Elephant Grill, Cheesecake Factory, etc.

Locals tend to go to taverns/pubs a lot. Village Pubs have good food with reasonable daily specials. They also have the "home brewed" Ellis Island Root Beer, as they are owned by the same company. There is one east of the strip. You could Google it. There are PT's Pubs as well, good for thin crust pizza, and this month they are half price during happy hour (normally a serves 0ne pizza is about $10.). The PT Gold has a much more extensive menu.

On The Strip there is a Chipoilte Grill just north of Harrah's. Good "Fresh Mex," they serve soft tacos, burritos, burrito bowls and salads. That's all, but they make them to order with the ingredients you specify.

More in a bit.

Fern

 

[ScoopKona]

Why try to please pretentious people who might give you better service because they think you're wealthy and might give them a bigger tip.

In general, dress like you want to. I've seen men in shorts at very high end restaurants at night. Women, no, at least not locals. Women tend to wear capris or sun dresses.

It may not be fair, but people who are well dressed and act like they are experienced with fine dining get better service. That's just how it is. You can wear what you want. Just don't expect to be treated like a Rothschild if you arrive for dinner in a sleeveless flannel shirt, baseball cap and shorts. (As I have seen on several occasions.)

People who dress well get more comps and upgrades at the casinos, better service in the bars and restaurants and more friendly service in the shops. You can wish for an egalitarian world all you want, but it's not going to change a thing.

 

[Fern Modena]

More Low Cost Restaurant Choices

As previously mentioned, South Point has well priced food. The buffet is not fancy, but it is good and absolutely the best in the lower tier, IMHO. The M is better, but at least 1/3 higher. The seafood buffet (Friday I think) at South Point is very good. Their coffee shop serves both regular coffee shop food and yummy Chinese made to order. The upstairs Mexican Restaurant, Baja Miguel's has good food, and some of the best taquitos I've ever had (they are also on the buffet).

There is a whole string of chain food places, IHOP, Chilis, Chipolte, Dunkin Donuts, Tropical Smoothie, Cane's and more in front of the Outlet Mall on South Las Vegas Bl. at Warm Springs (in frobnt of the mall, not in it). Cane's only serves chicken fingers, plates and sandwiches and sides, with their own special sauce (and beverages). Best darn chicken fingers I've ever eaten.

All for now.

Fern