What’s the story on the Circus Steakhouse?

I know that people rave about it and I’m strongly thinking about going there on my next trip in April.

But how the heck does such a widely-regarded restaurant exist in a dump of a property? I had to be picked up at Circus by a tour operator on my last trip and spent a little time there due to being early for the pickup. In a word - ugh.

My only real hangup is that this next trip is also my wife’s first trip ever and she’s likely to think I’ve lost my mind if we pull up at that dump for dinner.

Anyway, back to the original question, I really was curious if anyone knows how such a good steakhouse thrives in a lower end property.

 

The original owner of CC wanted a high end restaurant where he could entertain.

 

Circus Circus wasn't always "a dump of a property".

 

A quick history of that man.
https://gaming.unlv.edu/hof/1990_bennett.html

 

Jay Sarno opened CC. The same man that opened Caesars Palace. It was a bright shiny, themed casino. Over the years, the casino may have gone downhill, but not the steakhouse.

 

I get that it was once one of the nicer properties. I just think it is a crazy odddity that the restaurant within the property stayed at one level, while the rest of the property didn’t. That’s virtually unheard of.

I was wondering how it got to that situation with that disparity.

In any event, it’s definitely on my list. This next trip is all about my wife’s choices because it’s her first time and will be a birthday trip for her. I did manage to negotiate one choice of my own so we’re doing steak night.

I’ve had beef all over town but have it narrowed down to 3 I haven’t been to: Circus, Golden Steer, Gordon Ramsey.

 

Of those three, I would pick Circus, then Golden Steer, and GR at a distant third.

Caveat: I do not eat beef. But I love steakhouses.

I think it's that they have very specific branding strategies. The resort itself has embraced the idea of being a cheap, crappy, family-friendly property, and they do fantastic business. The steakhouse, meanwhile, has cultivated a reputation as one of the best in Vegas, which they're proud of and try to maintain. I don't think I've set foot in Circus-Circus since I went with my family decades ago (and how that didn't turn me off of Vegas, I have no idea), but I have a lot of respect for their management.

 

It's thát good.

 

I had the same thought when I first heard about how good it was, and avoided it for a couple years because of that. I regret that, it's truly a diamond in the rough. I have had better meals in Vegas, but the atmosphere, prices and experience is unrivaled. You will not be disappointed you went.

 

It’s one of those ironies that’s true, and it reminds me of restaurants staying in one location after the neighborhood has turned for the worse.

 

You'll know as soon as you walk through the door into the Steakhouse. It's like day and night compared to the casino.

 

Pompsie recently had dinner there. The Steakhouse starts at around the 7 minute mark.



CircusCircus is as close as you're going to get to a Vegas time capsule. My parents took my sisters and I there when we were kids in the '70s to play games. In the '80s a friend and I went to Vegas and had an incredible dinner at the Steakhouse. In the '90s I had a girlfriend in Vegas and we would take her kid there for a few hours when I was in town. And now the last few years I take my daughter there(she's currently 7)to play games and see circus acts. And throughout all the decades, it really hasn't changed at all. Looks almost exactly the same. Same things in the same place for over 50 years.

The dome at Caesars Palace and CircusCircus are probably the two most iconic remnants of '70s Vegas that still exist almost completely unchanged. Both built by Jay Sarno.

I've never stayed at CircusCircus and can't seem to bring myself to do so, even tho I'd like to just for the experience for a night. But it's a place that everyone with an interest in older Vegas history should go check out and walk around inside.

Oh, and eat at The Steakhouse.

 

It is my go to restaurant when entertaining my top vendor and his crew; he’s from Canada, so when he’s in the USA, I buy.

The Steakhouse at Circus Circus is dark paneling and green vinyl booths with a touch of mesquite smoke, oasis within a casino that’s certainly seen better days. They make a great Manhattan and entrees come complete with bread, salad, vegetable of the day and a starch. You can even find Jordan Cabernet on the wine list.

After dinner, we take over a 6:5 BJ table and have some beers and lots of laughs.

 

Gordon Ramsey doesn't below on that list with CC and Golden Steer. Anyway, park, walk through the casino and have a great meal in a fantastic atmosphere.

 

The Steak House is probably the only reason to visit that property. That being said, I'd put Golden Steer first due to the Old-School Vegas atmosphere, The Steak House second, as I've been there and it's really good. It is also one of the better values you are going to find on the Strip, as it is not a la carte. I'd remove Gordon Ramsay altogether. My Dad had a prime rib there and said it "sucked".

 

I get it that GR gets mixed reviews. I probably won’t blow my one steak night on it this trip. But I do love checking off the various beef/steak places around town, so I’m sure I’ll go at some point.

I’ve been to: Old Homestead, Binion’s, Emeril’s, BLT, Andiamo, Craftsteak, Oscar’s, Lawry’s and Fogo de Chao. It’s just kind of a hobby.

Sounds like THE Steakhouse is definitely going to be next!!

 

Don't forget Bazaar Meats at the Sahara!!!!

 

I have not been (dines) there in years (decades?) but it used to be a very decent restaurant in what once was a nice respectable but family-oriented complex.

IIRC (mighta changed?) they did the complete meal thing, as in salad and side (and, LOL, bread) included with none of this nickel-dime (nickel-dime? more like Hamilton-Jackson!) extra for side, salad, bread, salt, pepper, napkins whatever.

 

I must have caught them on an off night because I was completely underwhelmed with my meal there, undercooked steak that I had to send back, cold sides, I just don't see what all the fuss is all about

 

I realize the place gets good reviews, and I have always wondered about this. Some people like familiar 1950s style menus, some people like low(ish) prices but I have seen pictures of the food and the dining room. It doesn't look appealing, it looks like what I would expect to get at an old school faux fancy steakhouse in a lower end hotel. The service staff may well be good/highly experienced, and there is clearly a fan base out there, but I seriously doubt I'll ever set foot in the place.