las vegas buffets

Las Vegas BuffetsGambling, big-name entertainers, superior restaurants and over-the-top casinos have always lured visitors to Las Vegas. But for those with hearty appetites there is no bigger attraction than the buffets. They’re a Vegas tradition, the gustatory pillars of a “City That Never Sleeps” and apparently can never get enough to eat. Mountains of shrimp. Piles of golden fried chicken. Monster prime rib. Row after row of sushi rolls. An avalanche of crab legs. Desserts in every color of the rainbow. Just one meal at a Vegas buffet has the potential to put new stretch marks on your stomach, the ultimate souvenir for your upcoming vacation.

The father of the Vegas “all you can eat” affair was Herb McDonald, a casino publicist who reasoned that if you felt like you got a bargain meal, the more willing you’d be to part with money in the casino. The Strip’s first buffet was the El Rancho Vegas hotel’s Chuck Wagon. When it opened in 1946, dinner cost a dollar. Today there are more than 60 hotel buffets in the greater Vegas area, from perfunctory spreads to the new breed of super buffet. That’s a lot of bloated bellies.

There was a time when the low-priced buffet was the only game in town. Not today. Food quality has improved, the selection is wider, and of course prices have shot higher. You can still find dirt-cheap smorgasbords (mostly in the off-Strip casinos frequented by locals), but at the megaresorts dinner prices average around $35 per adult and climb as high as $55 for the gourmet chow at current hot spot, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. Keep in mind that breakfast (excluding Sunday brunches) and lunch prices at all buffets are always a few dollars cheaper.

Penny-pinchers looking to gorge themselves for under $20 will need to head off-Strip. Gold Coast, (702) 367-7111, has a decent supper spread, plus classic carving stations (prime rib and turkey) just like its pricier brethren. Downtown, try the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station, (702) 387-1896.

In the $25 to $30 range quality gets better, and at this price tier you’ll usually find all-you-can-eat shrimp. The buffet at the Westgate (formerly the LVH), (800) 732-7117, offers a made-to-order pasta station and beats most of the mid-range offerings over on the Strip. Visit the Buffet at Luxor, (702) 262-4000, for a casual Las Vegas dining experience complete with brunch items, a carving station, homemade pizza station, a 30-foot salad bar and scrumptious dessert selections.

North of $30 you find the good stuff. Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood, (702) 785-5555, has nine food stations (including an excellent Middle Eastern counter) that dish up grub a cut above your typical steam table fare. The Cravings buffet at Mirage, (702) 791-7111, lays out something for every taste, including bloat-worthy Mexican and Asian stations. The Cosmopolitan's Wicked Spoon buffet, (702) 698-7000, does a nice daily brunch. The MGM Grand Buffet, (702) 891-6373, offers an array of cuisine that is sure to satisfy any type of hunger. Rio’s Carnival World & Seafood Buffet, (702) 777-7777, whips up a huge international feast that devotees swear is the best in town.

Bellagio, (702) 693-7111, and Caesars Palace, (702) 731-7110, are the top of the line both in taste and price. These are bounteous spreads with an array of quality meats, plenty of made-to-order stations and outrageous dessert selections.

Want to worship at multiple temples of gluttony for a single, discounted price? Look into the Buffet of Buffets deal. For a 24-hour period, a wristband grants you unlimited access to six buffets at Vegas hotels owned by Caesars Entertainment. If your stomach can handle it, phone (702) 862-3530 for details.

Vegas buffets are hugely popular and don’t accept reservations. For dinner, arrive before 6:00 or after 9:00 to avoid long lines.