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Is Ellis Island special?

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by Backagain1, Jan 24, 2016.

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  1. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    A friend said Ellis Island is a must do. We went once and if I remember it is one stand alone place and a hotel.

    Is that correct?

    Do you like it?
     
  2. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    I wouldn't say it is a must do. Nothing stood out to me. Their root beer is good and yeah the steak special is cheap it isn't something to make me go out of my way
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 24, 2016
  3. touche22

    touche22 Low-Roller

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    For the first time in 8 trips a friend and I dropped by Ellis for a few hours. It's an interesting place. We were befriended by a guy named rusty and a counterpart of his. Rusty was attracted to what he said was the largest tito he had ever seen in a slot at Ellis - $300. He wanted to take a video of it for YouTube. Rusty told us he was from out east somewhere and had come to chase poker dreams. I don't think it had gone his way though. The place has character(s) and everyone raves about their 7$ steak special but we never ate there. I'm probably never going back. Unless Rusty invites me.
     
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  4. Criminole

    Criminole Low-Roller

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    Love the beer and offers many coupons for drinks, gambling and food. Haven't eaten there except for a slice of pizza but want to try the bbq or cafe this trip.
     
  5. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Thanks for the great responses. I think - I know we will pass.
     
  6. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    Its ok but not a must go to place for me and i love low rent places.

    i mean, I have to really consider walking all the way across the street to go there. if it hot out, no way, not going.
     
  7. flysrb

    flysrb Hey Now!

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    Hey Now!
    Great root beer.
    I will go to use the coupons, especially the free T Shirt one this year.
    I like it early in the morning, and it's on the way to Terrible's...I mean Silver Sevens.
    Which is my choice for a low rent locals casino in that area of town.
    Plus Ziggy works at S.S.
     
  8. DowntownDiva

    DowntownDiva Tourist

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    Ellis is a local's joint. It's not fancy. It's not fancy at all. Think of the local bar that's been in your town for 30 years. Make a casino out of that and that's Ellis. Even though it's a local's joint, they're very friendly to tourists. I've never had a bad time there.

    It is small. One craps tub, 8 or so BJ tables, 1 or 2 Roulette wheels. I'm not sure they offer any other type of games. They sweat action and angle shooting - 8 deck BJ, but they re-shuffle halfway through. They don't even spin the ball until all bets are down. But, every game is usually a $5 minimum. They have some decent video poker tables, including at 5c denomination, but nothing epic.

    They do their own in-house brewery with about 6 beers and a root beer. The beer isn't extraordinary, but it's good. Free if you're playing, or just buy them outright for $2.75/20 oz. There's a bar in the middle of the joint and a second one that does karaoke every night. The karaoke can get pretty fun. Think of all the entertainers of Vegas just letting loose.

    They've got a pizza joint, BBQ joint and cafe (coffee shop, diner, whatever you want to call it). They are all very casual and reasonably priced. Parents bring their kids to eat.

    You can grab 2 slices and a 20 oz beer for under $10. Damn near $5 on BOGO slice Thursdays.

    Is it beautiful? No. Is it glamorous? No way. But if you want to sit at a table, drink some beer and chat up some local folks, eat some food and do some gambling on $100-$200 or less, it's worth checking out. If you're a bigger player and expect the poshness that those stakes afford you, this isn't going to be the place for you.

    The 'hotel' is a standalone Super 8. No idea on the pricing. I can get a strip or downtown hotel room free enough most trips that I've never had any reason to stay there.
     
  9. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    Great feed back and not a bigger player at all. I am even going with my husband this round so I will play even smaller since he will be complaining about all the money I am losing...
     
  10. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Special is the wrong word. But its walking distance from Bally's, and there is cheap fair gambling and cheap decent food. Its also far nicer inside than you would expect seeing the outside. Not a must do, but a fun diversion for bargain hunting.
     
  11. Ty Webb Jr.

    Ty Webb Jr. Tourist

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    Count me as one who goes at least once a trip and I will recommend it to anyone who asks. I like $5 blackjack and craps, I like the decent video poker offering, and I especially like the food. The BBQ is surprisingly good and plentiful for a very reasonable price. The steak special in the Restaurant is a great value - it's not a great steak, but it's pretty good and with salad, potato, green beans and beer for less than $10, that's a great value.

    I've never had anyone tell me I gave them bad advice when I recommended going to Ellis Island. But if you're someone who only stays at the top hotels, only eats at the best restaurants and only plays in the high limit rooms, Ellis Island isn't for you.
     
  12. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    It's a good choice for a cheap gamble and good, cheap food. Don't care for the jaunt over there though.
     
  13. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Just a note that the steak special no longer includes a beer.
     
  14. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    I went once, in 1994. Back then, it was a dump which made most places in downtown Reno look like the Mirage. Apparently today it is fantastic for draft beer and cheap food LOL.

    No.

    No.
     
  15. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    We often stay at Platinum or Tuscany, so Ellis Island is close to us. We like it, feel comfortable there, and like the food choices. Will it be for everyone? No, but we are happy there.
     
  16. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    I went there on a previous trip with my wife for karaoke night. You haven't lived until you've seen a drunk 80 year old Elvis impersonator slur his way through "Viva Las Vegas". The beer was really good though and super cheap. $2.50/pint that night.
     
  17. gswoff

    gswoff Tourist

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    I've seen on some older posts that the IP Dealertainers moved to EI, can anyone confirm if they're still around? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread!
     
  18. Ty Webb Jr.

    Ty Webb Jr. Tourist

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    That's a shame, I was there in October and it was still included. My first ever visit the steak special was $4.95 (no beer included), but I guess like everything else, prices go up. What's next, they'll start charging for parking?! I'll still go for the BBQ.

    And the Dealertainers were there in October.
     
  19. Franken Dean

    Franken Dean Newbie

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    This is a change of pace place I have been their 3 times. Typically to enjoy a cheap meal, and some bargain beer, when slumping on the strip wagering.

    No young ladies here, but usually fun locals and fun staff. Best times is 10pm to midnight. They start closing BJ after 12:30.
     
  20. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I have to give 2 thumbs up for the drunken karaoke. It is pretty great for people watching. The steak special is surprisingly good, even though it's not as good a deal as it once was without the beer. The hotel is a nope for me, and it can be really difficult to get a taxi, late in the evening. But I've had a good time and eaten myself sick on steak and a giant potato every time I've been there.

    Is it worth the trip? Maybe not, but if you've got some time to kill, it's not the worst thing you can do in Vegas. :haha:
     
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