Ellis Island?

Is EI on the strip and could we get there walking?
What makes it special and is there a place there to eat.
I keep seeing the name pop up but not much else.

 

I can answer part of your question, it is not on the strip. It is one street behind Bally's. I would say it walkable.
The draw seems to be the steak dinner. We plan to visit during our next trip.

 

They have their own brewery which is a draw for me. Cheap gambling and food compared to the strip. BBQ is supposed to be good although all I have eaten there is pizza.

 

It's a block or so off the strip, behind Ballys. Easily walkable.

The appeal is in-house brewed beers, off menu steak special, and the BBQ menu. I've also heard that the karaoke can be 'entertaining' but haven't witnessed it firsthand.

We make sure to stop by every trip, grab some beers, and have some BBQ or the steak special, depending on the time of day. I've only done a minimal amount of gambling, but the one time I did, I had on of the friendlies pit bosses I've ever encountered. The dealers seemed genuinely happy to have your business, and were appreciative of any bets on their behalf, even if it's only a buck.

There is something kinda fun about taking your car from the Belagio valet lot, and driving 5 minutes to a dive with concrete floors and an endless supply of characters.

 

The main draw is the good affordable food. I can't even remember the last time I got the steak special. It's one of my favorite breakfast joints. There is gaming but its just a smattering of this and that. It is walkable from the strip. It's about one strip block behind Bally's.

 

Most people's first impression of Ellis Island is that it is a real "dive". It has a small casino, and there are usable coupons in the ACG and LVA books, but don't look for anything fancy. The real draw for a lot of people is the diner cafe. It's worth a visit ... you might just like it ....

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Very walkable, taking Flamingo (between Bally's and The Cromwell) one "Vegas block" to Koval. Along the way you can stop in the Stage Door, which also gets a mention here for cheap shots and beer. You'll also see the Westin Casuarina on the way, and Tuscany Hotel/Casino and Silver Sevens (former Terrible's Casino) are a little further East on Flamingo.

Ellis Island brews it's own beer and a 12 oz glass is about $2. The BBQ is great, but I haven't tried the steak special. Small, locals casino, but we hit it up every trip. You should try it at least once.

 

Be sure to dress down so you can try to fit in there. I've been there about 8 times. Half the time it's this dive with great food and fun, crazy people. The other half it's a dive with a bunch of weirdos and it's scary and dirty. Hopefully, you catch it on a good day.

 

It is basically the same distance as walking Flamingo to Paris.

Great food deals, great beer. A real locals place. Don't expect anything fancy.

 

We've been there a few times. Haven't eaten there. I don't mind a dive but this dive has been unlucky for us. Hard to get a seat the bar and we haven't had any luck playing VP there.

 

I'll second this. Very diverse crowd, I personally wouldn't walk(take a taxi!).

 

Yes you can get there by walking.
They have their own niche. It is simply a matter if its for you worth going.
They also have a few meals that people rave about.
Personally we tried the place out due to all the talk on the boards. We ate there once for breakfast. The casino is very small, that craps table about the size of a bath tube. The breakfast was terrible and thats an understatement.
We never returned. There isn't anything there "for us" to pull us away from the strip.
Its close enough for everyone to give it a try and determine for themselves if its for them.

 

I love Ellis Island. Ribs can't be beat and the steak dinner comes with all accompaniments ( including a micro brew!). Our group generally walks over for the steak and eggs breakfast (another off menu special)

The gaming is cheap and others have said... You see all walks and crawls of life. For a real treat time breakfast to the weekday morning 9:00 am bingo.

 

Ellis Island is always a must stop for me, the restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat, and I think it's a fun place to gamble, none of the stuffy rat bastards you'll find in some other joints.

 

We're planning on hitting up EI for karaoke on our next trip. Can anyone give a review of the karaoke?

 

Don't worry about walking. There are some characters on the streets. Just be sensible.

Mostly the steak special has been good. Last time there, it wasn't so good. Decided there are too many places to eat in Vegas so E.I. Is now off our list.If you like ribs, I believe this has even more raves. Definitely worth checking out. I think this place is mentioned in some travel reviews. There are are lots of Brits who are only there for the meals.

 

They do have a full size crap table now. but doesn't open till 7pm. If your a dollar player or higher player don't go. Not much there. Cheap eats and ok VP. That about sums it up. No bbq room till 4 . Hungryman breakfast & steak dinner my favs.

 

The BBQ restaurant has always opened at 4 PM, which is around the time I ate there three weeks ago. Are you saying it's changed to 7?

 

Their web site still says 4PM "Open daily Sunday thru Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm and 11 pm on Friday’s and Saturday’s"

http://ellisislandcasino.com/dining/bbq/