Traveling Mamas

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Las Vegas Cheap Eats and Drinks

Posted by DesertMama on April 7, 2008

When I was a kid, long before my first trip to Las Vegas, I heard about the cheap buffets and 99-cent shrimp cocktail Vegas offered. But years later my first trip there was a sore disappointment. Not only did I lose a few bucks, but the buffets were pricey and I didn’t see any 99-cent shrimp cocktail. (Hey when you’re in your early twenties a dollar is a dollar.) It ends up, I was just in the wrong areas. 

Today, I can’t even guess how many times I’ve been to Las Vegas. Between road trips, vacations, weddings, girlfriend getaways, visits to see family (my husband’s), and of course overnights with the airline I worked for, it’s well over 50.

After a little research on the ‘net recently I did find that the “cheap eats” are still in Vegas, you just have to know where to look.

The Super 8 Motel Ellis Island casino (located on Koval near East Flamingo) has a 10 oz steak, baked potato, vegetable, bread and get this - a microbrew (or an EO rootbeer) of you choice all for $7. It’s served 24 hours a day, but it’s not on the menu, so just ask. Think I’m kidding? I’m not.

Terrible Herbst Hotel and Casino (located on Paradise and Flamingo) has a cheap buffet, last I heard it was $5 for the breakfast buffet and $9 for the dinner buffet and on Sunday evenings the main course is prime rib and shrimp ($15). I stayed here many nights while serving peanuts and Cokes as a flight attendant. The multi-flavored fries (jalapeno, garlic, and cajun) in the bar on the main casino floor are pretty good for a late night fried-treat with a pint and the breakfast crepes were quite tasty.

Sadly, it looks like Chapter 11 for Terrible Herbst. Yikes! So get give ‘em some support and throw a few nickels and quarters in the slots while you’re there.

I know you’re wondering - What about the shrimp? The famous 99-cent shrimp cocktail is still in existence at the Golden Gate Casino downtown on Fremont Street or you can go big with the “Big Shrimp” for $2.99.

And yes, free drinks are normally offered to gambling patrons. To keep the cocktail waitress coming your way always tip at least $1-3 a drink if you tip more you are guaranteed to never go empty.

Now, go throw the money you just saved into the slot machines, just don’t let the money you brought to Vegas stay in Vegas.

6 Responses to “Las Vegas Cheap Eats and Drinks”

  1. Winning Wednesday - SmartyPig « Traveling Mamas Says:

    [...] Posts Financing a Vacation - Contest GiveawayAnthologyLas Vegas Cheap Eats and DrinksFunny “Do Not Disturb” Hotel Door HangersTop 10 Travel Destinations List « Where to Eat a [...]

  2. Carnival of Cities for 09 April 2008 » TravelBlog Archive » Family Travel Says:

    [...] Vegas, Nevada, USA Beth Blair helps you save your money with Las Vegas Cheap Eats and Drinks; she’s the Desert Mama at the Traveling Mamas [...]

  3. Another Carnival of Cities Says:

    [...] at traveling Mamas tell us about some places for Cheap Eats in Las [...]

  4. Fox Says:

    Hi Mamas

    We’ve just posted an update on our story about the possible bankruptcy of Herbst Gaming.

    You can read it at
    http://1031netex.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/more-terrible-news-for-terrible-herbst-bonds-ratings-lowered-and-still-no-deal-with-creditors/

    Thanks!

  5. DesertMama Says:

    Thanks for the update.

  6. Carnival of Cities for 09 April 2008 | Free Travel Agent Says:

    [...] Vegas, Nevada, USA Beth Blair helps you save your money with Las Vegas Cheap Eats and Drinks; she’s the Desert Mama at the Traveling Mamas [...]

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