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Closest thing to Classic Buffet in Vegas

Discussion in 'Restaurants & Buffets' started by Kellyjo7, Apr 6, 2014.

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  1. Kellyjo7

    Kellyjo7 Newbie

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    I'm heading to Vegas this upcoming weekend with my dad, it will be his first time in Vegas since the early 80's.

    He alway reminisces about when he used to go with my grandparents and hit up these marvelous buffets that had crablegs (although ironically he is allergic but my mom loved them) and prime-rib etc...

    He also talks about like .75 cent breakfast buffets.

    Any ideas on a classic vegas buffet that won't break the bank too much and a cheap breakfast buffet that has decent quality food?

    Thanks in an advance. Longtime reader first time poster.
     
  2. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    Where are you staying or will you have a car? Many seem to rave about the buffet at M Casino (we stay on the strip & don't venture other places). Inexpensive but good could be found at Main Street Station downtown or Gold Coast. (those may be considered - classic) Could also do the Buffet of Buffets with CET so they could try several in the 24 hour period....start with dinner - that way you could get another dinner in the next night. All of the CET buffets have shrimp & crab legs for dinner...

    He sure is in for some surprises.....long gone are the $5.99 buffets on the strip...& never heard of $0.75 breakfast buffets....lol
     
  3. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Wife and I had a great lunch buffet at Main Street Station last November. Good price and variety.
     
  4. Mamabear0222

    Mamabear0222 Tourist

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    No advise but enjoy. I'm heading to Vegas this weekend with my Mom who has not been since the same time frame... how cool!
     
  5. Kellyjo7

    Kellyjo7 Newbie

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    We are staying at MGM but will have a rental car.
     
  6. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Breakfast
    The Orleans has a nice breakfast buffet with all the standards. Liked the quality, it's just down the street.

    Green Valley Ranch (I'd hit Green Valley Ranch from MGM) if you want to try another buffet later in the trip. Station casinos have a great deal on breakfast buffets, and I enjoyed the quality and of course the prices. It gets very crowded on weekends, as many locals take the family, but you should be OK M-F.

    Blueberry Hill Not a buffet, but a great breakfast place to hit up. A couple miles from MGM. Excellent quality and service open 24/7.

    Lunch/Dinner

    Bellagio - I always try to hit this buffet at least once during a trip. Head over around 3-3:15PM and pay lunch price for dinner ($24 weekdays). One of the premier buffets in Vegas, your father will enjoy the excellent variety and quality offered, and if you like crab legs, they come pre split and they will heat them for you if you prefer.

    Ellis Island - Just behind Bally's (a 3 minute drive from MGM), you can get the steak special or other great meals at their restaurant. They also have a nice BBQ restaurant. Entries are $8 (steak) - $14 dollars, and typically come with a homemade beer (or root beer) and soup or salad. If you never been here, it's a locals casino but it has a solid and loyal following of people looking for a decent meal at an excellent price.

    Don't bother with the MGM buffet, as it is not very good and definitely not worth the price they charge. Mandalay Bay and PHo are your best options near MGM on the Strip besides Bellagio.
     
  7. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I'm not a real Vegas Vet like some people here, but I've read about Vegas of old and re-call the Buffets back then had the intent of feeding the gambler quickly so he can get back to the tables. The idea was to keep him in the casino so the prices were dirt cheap, if not free.

    The food was simple, everyday comfort foods, unlike the extravagant spread that is now offered everywhere (with extravagant prices I may add, lol!)

    The buffets nowadays are destination buffets, an event upon itself. Each one is trying to outdo the other, sparing no indulgence to the public.

    So in that sense, "classic" buffets might not satisfy the palate of those adventurous people who see buffets as an extravaganza.

    But if you still do want classic Vegas buffets, try outlying casinos like the ones on Boulder Hwy. Or Palace Station. Never been to their buffet but heard its cheap, simple, and good.
     
  8. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    For a decent, but inexpensive breakfast buffet, stay away from the Strip and do a place like Orleans, Gold Coast, Fremont, MSS or any of the Stations casinos.
    Viva has a good plan in regard to the Bellagio.
     
  9. Kellyjo7

    Kellyjo7 Newbie

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    Great advice everyone thanks so much!

    My Dad talks about both the super cheap buffets ment to keep the gambler in the casino and also the big spreads.

    I will probably try Orleans for breakfast and take Viva's advice on dinner at Bellagio.
     
  10. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    The buffets at the Station Casinos has been on the Las Vegas Advisor Top 10 Bargains list for a long time. I would think that some of the outliers (Texas Station, Boulder Station, etc) would be as "classic" as you could get, at a pretty bargain price.
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
  11. Mamabear0222

    Mamabear0222 Tourist

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    Do they not catch onto this? Our local buffets will say if you stay past the turnover they will charge you the buffet price that it actually is when you leave.

    Therefore if you get there just before lunch but are there to enjoy dinner, the dinner price is charged ...
     
  12. mgill1974

    mgill1974 Low-Roller

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    you pay first, that is what price you are charged
     
  13. Mamabear0222

    Mamabear0222 Tourist

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    Ahhh now that makes sense, thanks for the tip!
     
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