Vegas dining

[disneyvisit]

Originally Posted by ju_itfc

I've got into some heated (well sort of) arguments with people who have compared eating out in Orlando to Vegas and complained that Vegas is much more expensive. It doesn't have to be...

Buffets as suggested are a good way of keeping costs down but you certainly won't find the cheap buffets like you do in Orlando (which is probably a good thing). Vegas buffets are in a different class to the likes of Ponderosa and Golden Corral, with so much more choice and more importantly tastier food. How about having a breakfast buffet and therefore avoiding the need to budget costs for lunchtime? Thats what we tend to do. Or even turning up at the crossover point between breakfast and lunch (making sure you pay for breakfast though) and having the best of both worlds. That should keep you going all day. Factor in some costs for drinks during the day though. Water off bridges for $1 a pop, or the cheap nasty looking tourist shops that sell 2 x cans or 2 x bottles for $1. Try and avoid buying drinks from inside casinos which can be expensive.

You will find outlets of the same restaurants you have probably discovered in Florida in Vegas. Prices might be $1 more at most. The likes of Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, Outback, Cheesecake Factory and off strip Applebees, Chillis etc will all provide a decent meal.
If Ribs are a must, head Downtown and go to Tony Roma's. Often imitated, never beaten in my opinion.

Other suggestions:-
Burger Bar in Mandalay Place. Love this place, build your own burgers and choose your type of fries. The Zuchinni fries are to die for. Not as cheap as some of the places listed above but still worth a visit. Service can be hit or miss and expect a wait. Very popular.

Alternative to Burger Bar and close to the Mirage is Stripburger. I've heard great things but never been yet, although will be sampling it in November. Also, if you go on restaurant you can get a $25 gift certificate to use here for just $2 at the moment (PM or just google for the discount code). Min spend is $35. Restaurant.com is also good for other Vegas restaurants, especially in Mandalay Bay. Border Grill would be a more upmarket choice for Mexican. $50 min spend.

Harley Davidson Cafe. Another example of Vegas value with a great atmosphere. You will find Orlando prices here, although alcoholic drinks will push the price up as it will anywhere in Vegas, which is only to be expected.

America in NYNY. Good for breakfast or a cheap lunch/dinner. Lovely setting (check out the US State map on the ceiling) and a menu designed to take in specialities from each US state.

A particular fave of mine on our trip last August was Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrahs. Even if you don't like country music (I don't) it is well worth a visit. The music is background mainly although they do have nightly live music, and the food is to die for. Typical American fare but served with a smile and relatively cheap. I particularly like the soft drinks being served in a mason jar.

There are so many choices you will be spoilt for choice. I hope this has helped anyway.

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Thanks for a few good tips there, personally we dont like buffets and like to have a very light breakfast and then lunch and somewhere good at night.

But I have saved the link for the voucher offer.

How easy is Tony Romas to find downtown, we just love their ribs We were going to go to red white and blue in Mandalay Bay for ribs, friends of ours love it there and make this their 1st point of call every visit.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by disneyvisit

How easy is Tony Romas to find downtown, we just love their ribs We were going to go to red white and blue in Mandalay Bay for ribs, friends of ours love it there and make this their 1st point of call every visit.

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Easy to find in the Fremont Hotel on Fremont Street. I've been to countless restaurants throughout the USA and I have still yet to find ribs that beat Tony Roma's.

[Guest]

Wow! Thanks for going to so much trouble posting all the info. I'm with you on Orlando buffets, went once, never again! I think having the car is definitely the way to go and have our tom tom so we can have a look in the surrounding areas if we're there for a week i like to have a look around and about. I found a website which is useful for restaurant choice and is great for Las Vegas and Orlando allmenus lists restaurants in the general area so we might try a couple and report back. I've heard the breakfast at south point is worth a visit and at $6.95 it's worth a go. I noticed Tony Romas too and will be visiting as we always go in Orlando. Thanks again, Lisax

[tracyh]

Originally Posted by ju_itfc

A particular fave of mine on our trip last August was Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Harrahs. Even if you don't like country music (I don't) it is well worth a visit. The music is background mainly although they do have nightly live music, and the food is to die for. Typical American fare but served with a smile and relatively cheap. I particularly like the soft drinks being served in a mason jar.

There are so many choices you will be spoilt for choice. I hope this has helped anyway.

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This place sounds interesting,do you know if they have live Country and Western music? If they have line dancing were definately going! We love to sit and watch the line dancers.

[Heather1957]

There is soooo much choice for mid price dining, every hotel has numerous eateries.

We've only had 2 evening buffet's one at the Ballagio and one at the Excalibur (free) and while there was plenty of choice AND I'm far from small I don't get my money's worth TBH.

For something nice and relatively cheap we like 'America' inside New York New York.

There is also a very nice Italian in the Excalibur.

You could stay for a month and not eat at the same place twice.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by disneyvisit

How easy is Tony Romas to find downtown, we just love their ribs We were going to go to red white and blue in Mandalay Bay for ribs, friends of ours love it there and make this their 1st point of call every visit.

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Don't bother we made a special trip to Fremont Street to do TRs and had the worse meal we have had anywhere in the states - it made us feel ill

[bluesky30]

Margaritaville outside flamingo ~ try the volcano nachos

Spago inside forum shops at caesars ~ lovely ribs ~ eat off the cafe menu

Nine fine irishmen ~ NYNY

Mon Ami Gabi ~ paris ~great steak and the best mussels I have ever had ~ opposite bellagio fountains

Grand lux venetian ~ same chain as cheesecake factory

In and Out burger ~ on s. maryland just past junction with Tropicana

Salsa cantina ~ various locations

greenburg and son deli NYNY

The Cafe Gelato in Bellagio does the best ice cream in the world ~ the peanut butter one is heavenly

You can google all the above or look on Trip Adviser for reviews and some food pics

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

Don't bother we made a special trip to Fremont Street to do TRs and had the worse meal we have had anywhere in the states - it made us feel ill

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How strange? I've always had excellent food and service there, as I have had at all the Tony Roma's I have visited throughout the USA.

I think it just sums up that recommendations and reviews can only be viewed as a guide and it is up to the individual to make the decision on whether to go to a particular restaurant or not. A dining experience is very much an "on the day" thing and circumstances could dictate how your experience goes.

We had a great meal with excellent service at Diego in the MGM in 2007 yet the reviews on TA are very hit and miss (more miss to be honest) and a fellow contributor on another forum consistently mentions how bad his experience was.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by bluesky30

La Salsa cantina ~ various locations

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Probably worth mentioning you can get an extremely cheap breakfast at the La Salsa Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by tracyh

This place sounds interesting,do you know if they have live Country and Western music? If they have line dancing were definately going! We love to sit and watch the line dancers.

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I'm pretty sure there is live music every night at 9pm. Unfortunately we were heading to the Sheryl Crow concert at Planet Hollywood that night so we ate earlier than normal and were on our way before the music started up.
I've yet to find that many Brits who have eaten there to be honest but when you exit from the Monorail station at Harrah's you walk right past it and we often commented on the size of the menu and more importantly the prices. After asking a few peoples opinions on the TA forum we decided we'd give it a go and were very glad we did. Don't get me wrong, if you are looking for an upscale eatery this isn't the place, but for big portioned American food it is tough to beat in Vegas IMHO.

There is a stage in the restaurant which is quite large, so I can envisage the band playing and people getting up and dancing along. It might not be line dancing but I'm sure it would be a good experience. Apparently, beers are reasonably priced as well and I'm sure someone mentioned happy hour when I asked last year also.

Whilst Country music is not my number one choice, it is difficult to sit in a restaurant with videos playing on the numerous TV's and not be tapping your feet