Is Ellis Island special?

The karaoke bar is great fun, especially if you have a group. Mainly a lot of very drunk and very friendly locals doing some wonderfully bad covers. It's all in good fun though. I murdered a Duran Duran song one night and got a round of applause and a free shot.

 

three letters...BBQ....on the cheap...three more letters...IPA.....on the cheap....

 

Try to sit down at the bar at 5pm and these guys are not tourists This is a legitimate locals scene with a value buy for tourists. Best steak and eggs breakfast in Vegas, barbecue night is more than you can eat. Good pizza too, but the casino is a bit of a carny show. Often they will say there is a wait at the restaurant to encourage you to play at the casino, usually a lie.

 

the secret to the BBQ restaurant wait line is to signup on the wait list at the regular restaurant for the BBQ place...also, if your room is close enough, over order at the BBQ place and wrap up the leftovers for a late night snack. You can't order BBQ to go otherwise.

 

I agree that their micros are pretty good and their diner has good food in the $15 or less price range (including the steak special).

I used to go there at least once a year to take advantage of the 4 free beer coupon that ACG used to have. I would eat a good meal there before tackling the 80 ounces of beer...

There are better choices for gambling nearby.

 

I've been there about 5 times. Sometimes it's the coolest place with great tasting cheap food and fun gambling and fun kooks. Other times the cheap food tastes a little off and the kooks are a little scary. People wait in line a long time for the BBQ. I walked up the front to read the sign, past all the people waiting line, and they all looked like they were ready to shiv me for line cutting.

 

Went there on a weekday afternoon last year to play craps but sign on the table stated that the table opens at 5 PM. Didn't stay log after that.

 

I agree 100% with Ty! For the guy who plays in the high limit salon at Ceasars, this ain't your kind of spot. However for good food at a good price with drink and food specials ( I.e. during sporting events 24 oz drafts and hit digs for a $1.00, 10 wings for $5.00...etc), then this is your place. Did Ellis Island last October with wife and 2 cousins (all of us 40/50 something's). Used our LVA coupons for 3 drinks for 2 people( had to coups) and ate some wings and thins while sitting at the bar watching football. I ventured over to their VP machines which as various full pay games...in nickels nonetheless!

We eventually ventured over to the karaoke area and ordered some finger foods and drinks and then we proceeded to have the time of our lives! Never knew my cousin Renada could sing like that. Probably the friendliest bar related atmosphere in Vegas. Everyday folks, many whom were tourists, out having a good time. Only difference was that this locals bar wasn't OUR locals bar. It just felt like it!

 

I think for a Vegas regular, it's a must. You have a qualified opinion of the place to take a side. But for a first trip, it's not necessary. I don't like gambling there much but the food is a good and it's a budget saver, especially if you are staying on the strip and dealing with the overpriced coffee shops.

 

I picture it as a smoky, dirty dump and don't want to take a long walk to find out I'm right.

 

The Dealertainers are still there. I believe they start at 5pm.

 

You've got it right, but I still love the place and look at the walk as just a little exercise. (I've never smoked, but can tolerate it.) I particularly like their microbrews and BBQ ribs, but mostly enjoy spending quality time at the bar. I could sit for hours at any of the mega resort bars with hardly more than a one sentence exchange with the bartender (or hooker); but at Ellis Island, you're bound to make new "friends" in only several minutes ... whether you want to or not! I'll be there later this week.

 

They are often poor, tired and huddled! My kind of people. I stop there every trip. $20 Free Play from LVA & ACG. 3 Rounds for 2 People from LVA. 1/2 off in the Café from LVA. $10 Match Play. What's not to like?

 

I freaking love it. They know who they are and just rock it out. They renovated the inside without ruining the vibe. I love that. I've met so many "only in Vegas" characters, people are just friendly in there. I've had a few of the breakfast specials, always good. My brother was thrilled that they offer baked beans as a side with breakfast. The steak special of course. And don't think it's a terrible steak, it isn't. My husband is a butcher, I am qualified to comment on the steak. It's a good steak. Not the best ever, but, it's a good solid steak. I keep trying to get there for ribs but it never seems to work out. It's an excellent place to learn table games too. The dealers really take the time with you. Even the other players are happy to teach you. And that walk from the strip to EI isn't as bad as it used to be either. They fixed up all that broken sidewalk and fencing along the rear of Bally's.

 

Less so than you'd think. Its been redone inside since the last time I was there.

But probably not enough of a departure from this that you should check it out. In other words, it is likely better than your mental picture, but not so much better that you should go if those are your thoughts going in.

 

As with most everything else here you will have those who deem it a festering sore and those who think it nirvana. The only way to find out is to check it out.

 

IMO Ellis Island is a dump aspiring to be a dive. There is nothing outstanding about it in any way. There is better beer, BBQ and food in general elsewhere. Much better.

 

It's not dirty, not a dump at all and not that smoky. That being said it's probably not for you.

TomTWI

 

The centre bar at the EI is the only place that hasn't comped all my beer when I've been playing VP. Both times I had 2 beers but they only comped one, I was playing constantly as I normally do. It's only a couple of bucks a glass so not much more than I would have tipped anyway, plus I walked away ahead both times (perhaps that is the real reason I was charged!).

Last time I was in there you have to run a certain amount of Coin-In through a machine to get a voucher from the kiosk to be allowed to order the steak special.

The steak served for the special is listed as a 'filet cut' which is indeed filet shaped but is a tougher textured meat. Nothing an extra dash of A1 Sauce doesn't fix.

There's also a cheap'n'cheerful pizza joint that sells slices.

Pro Tip: Don't play on the craps table after your dinner as it turns the cheapest steak dinner in town to the most expensive steak dinner in town :-(

 

You can order the special regardless (for 12.99).

You can print a voucher if you have a players card (to get it for 9.99)

And if you do $5 coin-in, you can print another voucher for another $2 off.

The steak is filet-cut sirloin if I recall. So size of a large filet, but different meat. Had it recently and it was not as good as I remembered, although still a good value at the price.