I am spending 24 hours at the Cal & MSS in Nov. What are my must dos?

I finally got the lady friend to agree to a night downtown with NO pushback! I have a night booked at the Cal to start the trip before moving over to Cosmo for 4 nights. She is only convinced because of all downtown properties she actually enjoys the Cal and MSS because they are away from the freakshow, connected via walkway, can get a good bloody from Jose, and the overall feel of the two places is just quaint. You all already know this.. so I wanted to poll the experts on some of your must do's at the two properties. We will get in early evening on a Friday after work and travel from Chicago so settling down at the Cal/MSS for the first night will be a perfect kick off to the trip. It is our 4th trip of the year, so I dont need the strip deathcrawl..

Do they still have the good Stella/Corona/Vodka Red Bull specials for recent visitors? I already know about the great video poker at Boars Head, any other favorite areas to gamble, play slots, drink, eat? You don't hear much about the bar downstairs or upstairs at the Cal. Any personal recommendations on staying at Cal vs MSS (I know this just comes down to personal preference).

Looking forward to it. Pretend like I will not go off property for a full day (have done everything I need to do on the FSE, so I will enjoy this).

Look forward to your opinions, and good luck to all with trips nearing.

 

If either of you like ice cream, I recommend Lappert's. It's on the mezzanine between Cal and MSS. It'll be open until 11pm (or maybe even midnight?) on Friday.

If you like to play craps, the tables at MSS are $5 and feature 20x odds.

I think the Brewmaster's Special beer at 777 right now is a Belgian Double IPA.

 

Late night snack of oxtail soup at the Cal?

 

Yes. Kauai Pie ice cream (Kona coffee ice cream with coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, and chocolate fudge swirls). We split a cup, just over $3. Plus, there's an inexpensive store near the ice cream shop that my wife loves to visit for clothing accessories (discount with Boyd card).

Garlic fires at 777 Brew Pub.

Find the Pool Tables at MSS Joe told us about.

Extra Spicy Virgin Bloody Mary in the morning at MSS in the casino.
Jennifer makes the "World's Best Iced Coffee", she works 10am to 6pm (cocktail waitress, not bartender). I don't drink these, wife does.

Buffet at MSS, free via Player's Club, if you have some decent coin-in.

Boyd has good prices on their bottled liquor in the gift shop (10% off with Boyd card).

When I'm ;playing VP I hear a lot of hooping and hollering from the craps area. However, when I'm playing craps it's usually pretty quiet.

 

When we play at the bar at Cal, it is usually at the Main Street Bar at the bottom of the escalator. At dollar level there is 9/6 DDB & JOB. Say hello to Barb the bartender who is there days, Tue -Sat. Very nice.

My only complaint with Cal is no drinks in glasses, it's all plastic.

Try Redwood or Pasta Pirate for a nice dinner.

 

If your significant other is particularly above average in height, get ready to stoop during the showering process. It was my only observation which was negative (and not too negative as if you hit the hot water on your backside it is somewhat not discomforting to stand fully again). Have a great time and Joe's right about the drinks in plastic cups (but hey bring glass from elsewhere and pour!) Good luck!

 

I brought a few of the MSS plastic logo cups home with me. Its cool to sit on the back porch and have a beverage in my MSS cup.

 

get a natural 4 of a kind at MSS and get a scratch card for $ . http://www.mainstreetcasino.com/play/casino-news-and-promotions
When there last, I'd seen lots of ppl getting them . More fun.

 

Play the multi-line All Star slant tops at MSS.

 

Rub the stomach of the Buddha statue near the elevator near the front desk. It's supposed to be for good luck.

Friday night seafood buffet at MSS.

If your lady friend hasn't seen it, visit the 2nd floor pool room overlooking the casino floor at the MSS. The elevator is near the entrance by the intersection of Main St. and Stewart Ave. For that matter, let her visit the Berlin Wall in the men's bathroom by the Buffet.

Get a good laugh, go to the 2nd floor of the Cal west tower and visit the (small) swimming pool. Talk about sparse with no amenities.

As others mentioned, have the oxtail soup late at night at the Market St. Café. Have the prime rib dinner special at the Market St. Cafe, for $10 you get a prime rib, all you can eat salad bar (or soup) and cherries jubilee for dessert.

If you are into "Hawaiian" food, eat at the Aloha Specialties café across the ice cream parlour on the 2nd floor mezzanine. Either that or have some of the food at the California Club lanai, located near the entrance facing Binions and the LVC.

Also as someone else mentioned, have the garlic fries at the 777, ice cream at the parlour on the 2nd floor mezzanine.

Have a drink at Dave's bar, located on the 2nd floor of the Cal. Make a football bet at their sports book.

If you are going to the Boars Head bar, visit the Downtown Grand and give them some business (they need it).

Room requests, I like the rooms in the west tower at the Cal, facing west and a high floor. Unfortunately sometimes you can hear the trains (not that loud IMHO but some people are bothered by them) and the traffic on Main St. If noise is a problem then request a room in the east tower, facing east. Traffic noise not as much of a problem although you may hear the FSE music at times. I like the West tower rooms better, the bathrooms are much bigger and have the tub/shower, toilet and vanity all in one room. The east tower bathrooms have the tub/shower and toilet in one room and the vanity outside of the "bathroom".

 

The train cars outside MSS or peek into the old Pullmans Grill

 

Check out the Antiques at MSS -- over by check-in.
Peek into the old Pullman Grille if the door is open.
The woodworking + bar is beautiful in there....so is the train car.
Craps at MSS can be fun.20x odds !
I do VP at Boar bar......w/ Jose tending.
Prime Rib at 777 was THEE best !
Steak + eggs special in there late nite, as well.
Cal Pool..........yes, there is a "Cement Pond" on the roof !

 

Thank you all for some great suggestions!

Which bar is more fun to sit at? Dave's or the 1st floor bar the Cal? There are only 2 from what I recall correct? Anyone been recently and can recall current drink specials? I know they have had the cheap Stella/Skyy Red Bulls for some time

How is the security at the Cal at night? I usually visit during the day. That corner entrance across from the remains of LVC and surrounding street up to Plaza has introduced me to a few.. well interesting characters. I noticed they normally have some security inside those entrances. Any bad experiences or do they keep the peddlers out?

Any preference on staying at Cal vs MSS? Seems like Cal has smaller windows which would definitely be a plus because I am a very light sleeper and the wooden shades have kept me from booking the Boyd's in the past. Probably would request a west facing west tower room. No big deal either way though One night.

Cant wait to give the Oxtail Soup a try. Have been meaning to for years. Any tips to avoid the slow service? Sit at the counter (if there is one?)

Thanks all!

 

Loco Moco at Aloha Specialties in the California.
Slant top 10/7 DB at MSS
Berlin Wall in MSS

 

"Which bar is more fun to sit at? Dave's or the 1st floor bar the Cal? There are only 2 from what I recall correct?"

I am pretty sure that there is a third bar at the Cal. It is on the east side of the casino called the San Francisco Pub Bar. I can't help you with any drink specials. I usually stick with microbrews or shots.

 

Did I miss the Shrimp Cocktail at the GG? Not only a must do but a Vegas staple, like buying rice, flour, bread and milk at the supermarket!!

 

I’m guessing it didn’t come up since wishman35 is looking for comments specifically on MSS/Cal.

 

Yes, they have a counter and we like eating at the counter.

 

IMHO, the bar on the first floor, east side, near the craps tables (san fran bar?) might be fun to sit at, you can watch all the table players and people coming into the casino. Dave's is a nice bar to sit and hang out if you are watching the game. There is also another bar on the west side of the 1st floor, near the Market St. café but I never noticed if people sit there much but then you can also see people coming and going and watch the lines at the Market St. Café from that bar.


I prefer staying at the Cal because I don't feel as far away as when I'm at MSS. I keep thinking when I'm tired, at MSS I have to walk all the way back through the casino, then past the hotel front desk to the elevators, then up the elevators and down the hall all the way back to my room. Plus I like the bathrooms in the Cal west tower.


Security at the Cal should be all right, yes, there sometimes are panhandlers standing at the corner asking for handouts but usually security tries to catch them quickly and shoo them off. I sometimes see a guard near the door facing binions/lvc or roaming the grounds at night. Once I did see a panhandler trying to enter the casino but security quickly ushered him out the door and away. I think most of the panhandlers are relatively docile but there is a lot of foot traffic throughout the evening and day. I never felt threatened (but I'm a guy so not much of a problem) but there are many entrances, if that corner entrance looks scary you can walk down to the main st entrance or even the entrance by the parking valets.

As for the Market St. Café, you might get seated faster sitting at the counter but not sure if you will get served your meal any faster (just that you don't have to wait in the line). Avoid visiting the café late Sunday and Friday nights. Those nights the Hawaii charters arrive around 10:30 pm and so the groups head for the café after they arrive.

If you will be bringing a car, tell the lot attendant that you are checking in (to hopefully avoid paying for parking). When checking in, ask the clerk for a parking pass so you can park for free in the Cal parking lot.

 

I agree about the downstairs bar. I got on a VP roll there two trips ago, and it was great fun. Walked right into the Pasta Pirate and had the steak and lobster special for $19.99, wine included.

I love the vibe at the Cal (and MSS) also.