Jimbo and Frugal Fun #2

Part 2:

I walked to the NYNY side of LV Blvd. and read the permanent tribute to 9-11. Last year the impromptu tribute left by visitors was a tear jerker. the permanent tribute still brings emotion when you think back. I walked up to the bus stop and caught the next bus west on Trop. I guess they run every 20 minutes during the day and every half hour at night. Looking out the window I noticed an In and Out Burger place. I guess they are a chain out west and mentions on the board here have got me curious. I have never had a Fat Burger either so both are now official things to do. We next drove by Wild Wild West Hotel and Gambling Hall and on to the Orleans. I walked up to the hotel from the street and found the inside quite nice, clean, new, and a nice size. I hate small and smokey and I hate megasize too. There is quite the bowling center on the 2nd floor for those avid bowler types. I thought that if might be a fun thing to do with my son if time permitted in our april trip. I sat down near the check out area for a bit to rest and then walked to the front to wait for the free shuttle to the Gold Coast. There must be 3 or 4 shuttles that run from the Coast Properties. I caught one that just runs between Orleans and the GC. The trip was quick and easy. Although the American Casino Guide has 2 for 1 buffet coupons that can be used at 50% off a single for Orleans and one for GC, I saved them for my april trip with my son. I got my new Coast Slot card and walked around a bit. I found the box office and checked out the times for Honky Tonk Angels. I like the layout of the Gold Coast just the right size, new, clean and nice. I tried their buffet last year with my son and it was excellent. The shutle service here to Orleans and the Barbary Coast are excellent. I think officially it is every 20 minutes but there seemed to be a shuttle no more than every 15 minutes.

I had never visited the Rio so I walked out and crossed the street and entered the side entrance. There were lots of pretty girls dealing at the tables wearing outfits that left one to wonder how and what kept those breasts from falling out. Must be difficult to watch the game, I thought. I watched an entertainer start the music , climb on a mini stage and do a number or two. I found my way to the box office and check out the theater for Ron Lucas and the Scintas. Both were shows that I have read much about here and wanted to see. I checked on times and contemplated whether or not to do a show. However, I am on East Coast time, had slept 5.5 hours in 2 nights and was starting to drag. I returned to the GC and hopped a shuttle back to the Barbury Coast. I found my way into the Food Court at O'Shea's and had a Whopper. I walked up to the IP and to Betty's Diner where I decided that a banana split was in order. They didn't use walnuts (peanuts, yuk!) so I did without and they were out of whip cream so I got my three scoop ice cream with just strawberries on top and the banana. I found it ironic that prime rib dinner had cost me 5.95 and dessert later was $4.50 for 3 scoops of ice cream. Isn't LV a land of contrasts! I caught a bus north to the Stardust, picked up some Nyquil and walked to my room. My throat was killing me and sleep deprevation was apparent so I took my medicine and went to bed waking up feeling much better 11 hours later. This is almost twice my usual sleeptime and I felt great. I watched a bit of the morning news and walked to Westward Ho for coffee and a couple of donoughts. I returned to formulate a plan.

I headed out to see what all the fuss was about Ellis Island. I walked down Flamingo, by the new Westin and couldn't remember seeing that before. I found Ellis Island and the restauraunt. I waited about 20 minutes for a table. I ordered the now famous 4.95 steak dinner. When they came out with a large tossed salad, I fell in love with the place. Then came the meal.....must be a 13 inch plate with a large serving of fresh green beans, I had steak fries (excellent) and a nice cut of sirloin. Service was good and I enjoyed the meal. I usually order med rare, and found the steak a little dry for me so next time I ordered rare and it was perfect. Satisfied I left and hopped a shuttle to GC and walked over
to the Rio. I had Admit 2 ticket (free with purchase of one drink at 6.95) from billhere.com for the Ron Lucas show. I asked if I could use the 2 for one and did so. The line was huge but we entered and it was a seat yourself situation and I got a good seat toward the front. the show was very good......something you could bring the whole family to and everyone could enjoy. Ron played the audience well. It's amazing that you can find such good entertainment so reasonably. When I got out, I walked over to the box office where I heard a gentleman ask if they had tickets for Scintas for that evening. She responded that she did and with the seating chart showed him what was available. He bought tickets. I thought that I would have the choice of th e house if I bought tickets for April 27 and asked if they were selling tickets for that night yet. she said yes and I said that I had a POV tichet 2 for 1. I paid her and expected her to show me the seating chart for me to choose a seat and she handed me my tickets. A look at the seating chart had us in the back but I didn't object cause the theater is small enough that all seats are fine. I thought that it would be wise to check on seating first and paying with coupon later.

There was an announcement that the Mascarade in the Sky was about to start. It was cool. I'd like to bring my son to see it but the schedule is getting tighter and tighter for April. I walked over to the GC and to the box office where I had a 2 for 1 or 50% off show tickets for Honky Tonk Angels. This time I asked if she had seating and was shown 2 tables, one at stage and one about 20 feet away. I chose the table at the edge of the stage and then told her I had a coupon. There was nothing said, so I guess this is the way to use coupons to save AND get a good seat. The show was very good for cheap, and if yo like country music. I had interesting table mates and I had fun. Ticket price gives you a drink at the show and a drink at any bar after the show. I had a drink at the show but didn't bother afterward and leaving noticed that there were dozens of coupons for the second drink just left at the tables. If you were to gather them up you could drink all night! I caught a shuttle to BC and a bus north stopping at Slots A Lot. I didn't feel like playing but thougtht it was a bit early to head in. I bought some rolls of quarters and nickels and proceeded to lose in a rapid fashion. I should have followed my instincts and just gone back to my room. My throat was pretty sore and I watched tv and retired. Up bright and early it was off to San Remo to try out the steak and eggs for $5.95 the other 24/7 special. Service was same as last time, mediocre. Meal was just ok, not a very good piece of steak. I'll stick to the prime rib if I go back.

I headed up the strip and stopped into the IP to see the auto museum. There was a lot of construction where the monorail is to stop. I knew that no way was the monorail going to open in march or even april. How could you open it when the stations were not even close to completion, not only at the IP but at the convention center. I walked around enjoying the cars and made my way up to Harrah's to see MacKing. Didn't need to change tickets, the ticket from billhere.com was all you needed paying for your drink as you entered and picking it up at the bar. You were seated. The guy next to me just bitched and bitched about the seat but the theater is small and all seats are actually pretty good. He is an outstanding performer as has been attested to here many times. Don't miss this show at 1 or 3 PM at Harrah's. It is also an acceptible show for all ages. Leaving I made my way to Ellis Island, opting the bus this time, where I enjoyed the 4.95 steak special again and a glass of their homemade root bear. I am not a great root beer fan but it was delicious. Service was good and I ordered the steak rare and it was excellent! I asked about the special that they used to do where wednesdays anyting on the menu was 3.95. She stated that they did away with that special a couple of months ago. They sill have the 16 oz. Porterhouse steak dinner for 3.95 on thursdays. She said that they start lining up at 3:30 for a 4:00 start and after that lines grew to a 2 hour wait until it ends at 10PM. I would have liked to try it but just couldn't fit it on my schedule (this time).

I have seen American Superstars at the Strat 3 times now once by myself and twice with my kids. I have wondered if Legends in Concert was better. Never saw any coupons more than $3.00 off. So I want to tickets2nite by the Harley Davidson Cafe. As I got in line I noticed that the board listed tickets avaia\lable for the 10:30 show. I wondered if I could stay awake. When I got to the clerk and told her I wanted tickets for Legents In Concert she offered me 7:30 or 10:30 so I chose the earlier show. Seating was half hour before. The lines were huge. It is a good size showroom and they really pack people to the limit of uncomfortabiity. Seating is by matredi (sp?) and I thought I'd slip the guy $5.00 for a good seat. Then I thought I really didn't care and might want to do that if I return with my son. He brought me to a table 3 seats awayfrom the stage. The show was very good. They rotate performers so the show differs from night to night unlike Am. Superstars which is almost identicle from year to year. the permormers were more to my liking . Rheba, Ray Charled, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Elvis , of course, Aretha, and others, It was a good show. I hadn't been downtown yet so I took the CAT downtown. The light show is still going on and the new lights are about at 50% installed though they were working on them as the crowds milled around. I heard of the outbreak of te=he Norwalk flu at the California so I stayed clear but walked around in the Fremont, the Plaza, and Fitz where I will be staying in april. I stood and watched the Sunspots at the Plaza for a bit and figured that I would get my funbook with m coupon while I was there. This would save me time when I was with my son, and included 2 for one coupon, half off the restaurant and a bunch of things. When the guy handed it to me it was punched out in a machine that it expires in 2 weeks. So I had my trade show for the rest of the week and was going to return in 8 weeks. So I waked around and found someone without a jacket playing slots. I asked if she was ataying at the hotel. She was so I gave her the fun book which she appreciated. I headed back to my room. I didn't make my usual trip to El Cortez nor see the berlin wall in the men's bathroom at MSS.....bu there's always next time!

Enough for now

Jimbo

 

Enjoyed both reports Jimbo!

Am I reading this wrong, or did you actually eat TWO Ellis Island steaks in one sitting!?!? If so, you're a better man than I!!

 

great report!

i have seen legends a few times, but never american superstars... which would you say is a better show/production?

 

Falcon:

I did eat at Ellis Island 3 times this trip but on three separate days.

I should also mention that this is a dinky little casino and a good restaurant,....a favorite of the locals. They have lots of other offerings on their menu besides the steak dinner and just about the entire selection is under 10.00. It does tend to get busy and your best bet is to eat at off times.

Jimbo

 

"i have seen legends a few times, but never american superstars... which would you say is a better show/production?"


rje:

It's not exactly comparing apples to apples but if you enjoyed Legends then by all means see American Superstar.

Legends has really good stars and enough to rotate and make it interesting to return and return. American SS has added Ricky Martin, and ZZ top since I saw it the first time but other than that each performance was a carbon copy. On the positive note AMSS is more of a production with dancers and feathers, great sound and is more lively. I don't know if the singers lip synch but there seems to be more music there than 3 or 4 guys can make. I love the Strat theater. It is small enough that everyone has a good seat and can hear perfectly and is very comfortable with seating at tables for six, and with 2 for 1 tickets available, it will cost you about $16 per person for some great entertainment along with a stratoblaster or a couple of drinks. The Charlie Daniel imitator is supurb.

On the negative side, I go to see impersonators do that and like the format at Legends where they do about 3 songs and the next performers come on. There are enough girls with feathers; i think they should have more and better impersonators. I mentioned that Charlie Daniels is great, the Michael Jackson is good but I don't care for the Ricky Martin, Madonna, Gloria Estav. and though the Elvis is good, after hearing about how many contests he has won and his praise of himself, I was disappointed. He is an average Elvis(in my opinion).

Legends has a better format I thought (well to my liking anyway....that doesn't mean it is better); they had more stars, better quality, rotate the acts, and all did their own singing and music was all live. The ticket price was more...cost me twenty something at half price at tickets2nite. The theater was WAY TOO CROWDED. Be sure to wear your deodorant.....you'll wish everyone did!

They are both good shows and I think that you should see Am Super Stars if you haven't in the past.

Jimbo

 

I'm from NY so when I went to Reno, NV last year my brother too me to an IN-n-Out burger and I thought it very good and quick service to boot. Sorry you did not care for the steak and eggs at San Remo. Great trip reports.