Buffet Ratings - July 2014

My wife, brother, and a friend ate at the following buffets (mostly thanks to myVegas) on our trip from 07/28 – 08/01/2014:

Silverton
Bellagio
Mandalay Bay
Mirage
MGM
Monte Carlo

It was interesting to see that several of these have gone to the self-serve drink model (like a McDonald’s), but that didn’t bother me at all, in fact, it was more efficient than waiting on a server. Usually I take the drink orders for our table and then wait for the server while everyone else goes up to get started. I have seen at least one place back home ask you what you want to drink while you are paying at the counter.

Here are my RANKINGS/COMMENTS
=======================

#1 Tie) Silverton Weekend Brunch

We ate here twice. The Saturday brunch was surprisingly nice and included mimosas. We were planning on using the LVA coupon book, but we saved those coupons for another time by earning 50 points as new slot club sign-ups, which was really easy because it was a bonus points day too. The sushi selection was the best we saw all week and included sashimi.

Definitely also the best value.

There were a lot of people eating there because a buffet came with a time-share presentation THEY were doing. On a side note, I was surprised to see another timeshare project underway in the Silverton parking lot. Aren’t there already a zillion unsold units in LV ?

#1 Tie) Bellagio Lunch

The nice thing about the myVegas voucher is that it also counted as a line pass to go to the short line. Way to go Bellagio/M-Life ! The food here was good, as expected. I was surprised that they did not have a better selection of sushi, but was impressed when the lady made a hand rolled spicy tuna wrap for me.

#3 ) Mandalay Bay Dinner

Very good food and the nicest atmosphere. We ate early because we had to drive up to Mirage to see the 7:00 Beatles Love show, so it was not crowded when we ate dinner. I would definitely go back here on our next trip. Dinner included beer and wine.

#4) Mirage Breakfast/Lunch

Also good overall.

#5) MGM Dinner

Just OK. We would go back if we had a good deal.

#6) Monte Carlo Dinner

Very average in all regards. I had high hopes for it, since I always had the impression that the Monte Carlo was a nice property. And it may be, I have never stayed there. But the Buffet was not very nice. We would NOT go back there, I would prefer to eat (perhaps just temporarily) a bucket of McNuggets.

I am using a myVegas reward for 2 free buffet dinners at Mirage. I hope it is good.

Quote: VCUSkyhawk

I am using a myVegas reward for 2 free buffet dinners at Mirage. I hope it is good.

I like the buffet at the Mirage. Perfect price point to food ratio. Of course I never pay for it since I use myvegas but it seems to be the all around best bang for the buck place.

Sounds good. I always liked the Silverton buffet. Seems like it has gotten better. I don't remember sushi/sashimi.

The Mandalay Bay buffet has a high reputation among those in the know.

Quote: teddys

I always liked the Silverton buffet. Seems like it has gotten better. I don't remember sushi/sashimi.

Just to clarify, if anyone went to Silverton specifically for sashimi, that was at the fancy Saturday Brunch, and not there on a regular weekday Lunch.

Aria is on Myvegas and was really good actually.

Quote: FinsRule

Aria is on Myvegas and was really good actually.

I was also going to mention Aria. Weekday lunch, Aria rules. Short line, excellent food, good price for what you get.

Quote: FinsRule

Aria is on Myvegas and was really good actually.

We did have a very nice meal at ARIA last year thanks to myVegas. We just didn't go there this year.

I haven't used all the various myVegas redemptions for the ARIA buffet yet, so it would definitely be on my list for next year.

Quote: Ahigh

I was also going to mention Aria. Weekday lunch, Aria rules. Short line, excellent food, good price for what you get.

Agreed the food is good, but both times I was there I had an absentee server. Drink refills? Heck I didn't get a drink for 15 minutes and that was from asking a server for a different section. I will not be returning.

In my sorted order:

Luxor buffet: bleh
Palace: basic and cheap, but I've only been there for breakfast, which is hard to eff up.
Red Rock: basic and cheap, tho if I'm in Vegas I'd rather hit one of the places below
Paris: some nice out-of-the-ordinary
Mandalay: good, but nothing out of the ordinary
Bellagio: great service; I've been very happy with it every time
Wynn: not any awesomer than anything else, but I've been very happy with it every time

I was somewhat impressed with the sushi and cheese spread at Mandalay Bay. They had about eight different cheeses there, one or two of which I couldn't identify, though I think one of those may have just been mozzarella with ground up salami in it. The sushi selection was better (and fresher) than any of the other Vegas buffets I've been too, though I don't think I've been to any that are supposed to be the top-end buffets, unless Golden Nugget counts.

Quote: Mission146

I was somewhat impressed with the sushi and cheese spread at Mandalay Bay. They had about eight different cheeses there, one or two of which I couldn't identify, though I think one of those may have just been mozzarella with ground up salami in it. The sushi selection was better (and fresher) than any of the other Vegas buffets I've been too, though I don't think I've been to any that are supposed to be the top-end buffets, unless Golden Nugget counts.

I liked MGM, they don't have a huge spread but the quality of what they do have is good IMO.

Most people are impressed with the Wynn. I've been there so many times It's hard for me to evaluate. Its changed slightly they have less selections of exotic meat and other offerings and a slightly lower overall quality.

Has anyone tried SLS? Apparently its only open on weekends.

Quote: Mission146

unless Golden Nugget counts.

I think GN is as good as most Strip buffets
and it's half the price. I like the Paradise
Buffet in the Fremont, it's a refurbished
60's restaurant. The atmosphere is great
and so is the food, for $16.95 at dinner.

Quote: EvenBob

I think GN is as good as most Strip buffets
and it's half the price. I like the Paradise
Buffet in the Fremont, it's a refurbished
60's restaurant. The atmosphere is great
and so is the food, for $16.95 at dinner.

What I like about the Freemont is the dining/sitting area.
Circular Booths with a big table with a bit of privacy. A lot of leafy plants for decoration.
May not be the best buffet, but definitely best seating area for a buffet in Vegas.
Take high end Bachanal, no privacy, no real booths, A bunch of tables and chairs in a big room. I know exactly what the couple next to me is eating.
If eating at the Golden Nugget buffet, can get a seat overlooking the pool :-) I like that, eating with some nice views.

Biggest gripe at a buffet, not greeted by a server getting your drink order when 1st sitting down.
Sometimes I am on my 2nd plate when a sever notices me and gets my drink order.

Axelwolf,

I'll have to remember to try out the Wynn next time I'm in town.

EvenBob,

I would say that I agree with that, other than giving Bayside Buffet a slight edge over Golden Nugget. If we assume that I had to pay the same amount of money for it (buy one get one, or whatever) I would probably eat at Golden Nugget's buffet before I'd eat at Luxor's, though Luxor was pretty good.

Overall, I think the best buffet for value (of those I tried) was Eastside Cannery. Assuming that one has to pay for at least one buffet, that's where I would probably go, if one is going to be out that way, anyway. I know that I will one day on my next trip, I want to play the double-after-hit Blackjack at that little place across the street from Eastside, Bighorn or Longhorn or whatever kind of horn it is.

I don't think the (similarly priced) buffet at Cannery is all that great. I was pretty much stranded there (though I did well on the gambling) because I was doing a Review last time. I might take the shuttle up from Eastside to visit Cannery for a few hours next time I'm there, but I'll probably just grab a slice at Cebo's or maybe even try out the seafood at the steakhouse, or something.

My problem with the GN buffet is the same one I encountered at Harrah's Biloxi last week. They leave old food out too long, you take it because it looks good, and it's gone off in taste, and is sometimes completely dried out under the sauce. I don't know how to spot the old from the fresh in some cases just by looks, but GN was the worst this year for it. I strongly believe in taking only what you will eat, and had to throw away almost the whole plate. Unfortunately, the food from that plate I did taste ended up making me sick for the entire rest of the day (it was the meatloaf).

Quote: beachbumbabs

My problem with the GN buffet is the same one I encountered at Harrah's Biloxi last week. They leave old food out too long, .

Never seen that at GN, in fact they have a
small amount out there and replace it
often. I guess if you ate lunch late in the
afternoon when the crowd is gone, it
could be out there longer than usual.

Food should always be freshest at the beginning of lunch and dinner, so I optimally shoot for those times.

Can someone confirm what's I've heard from 2 buddies now? They've both said the dinner buffet at the Belagio has all you can eat King Crab and is like $50-$60. Is this accurate?

Quote: Romes

Can someone confirm what's I've heard from 2 buddies now? They've both said the dinner buffet at the Belagio has all you can eat King Crab and is like $50-$60. Is this accurate?

I dont know about that but I can let you in on a line skipping secret.
The line is for regular tables.
If you dont mind eating at the bar and there are empty seats at the bar, you can just walk in and sit at the bar avoiding the line for regular tables.

Quote: Romes

Can someone confirm what's I've heard from 2 buddies now? They've both said the dinner buffet at the Belagio has all you can eat King Crab and is like $50-$60. Is this accurate?

The last time I was there they didn't appear to be King Crab. The Wynn was the last regular buffet that I would consistently get King crab at. The last couple of times at the Wynn they weren't King Crab.

Quote: terapined

What I like about the Freemont is the dining/sitting area.
Circular Booths with a big table with a bit of privacy. A lot of leafy plants for decoration.
May not be the best buffet, but definitely best seating area for a buffet in Vegas.
Take high end Bachanal, no privacy, no real booths, A bunch of tables and chairs in a big room. I know exactly what the couple next to me is eating.
If eating at the Golden Nugget buffet, can get a seat overlooking the pool :-) I like that, eating with some nice views.

Biggest gripe at a buffet, not greeted by a server getting your drink order when 1st sitting down.
Sometimes I am on my 2nd plate when a sever notices me and gets my drink order.

Is it the server's fault or is the room understaffed?

My biggest buffet complaint is people in line eating off their plates, licking their fingers like an animal and then handling the serving utensils with those filthy fingers. It's beyond gross. The price of the meal is irrelevant as well as the classiness of the place. Slobs are slobs.

If anyone here does that stop it! If anyone here would like to admit doing this, I'd love for you to post it.

Just a thought, would there be value in having a way to input and summarize members' ratings within this site for the buffets in LV ?

It could have a rating for cost (value) and one for overall quality. I think it would be a good reference sheet to have. Maybe also a section for concise overall comments. And/or where to find discount coupons.

SLS Buffet closing.
Never had a chance to check it out.
Opened at 7 days a week.
Cut back to weekends.
Now closing.
Sad.
Now I have absolutely no reason to stop by.
sigh.
May reopen next year, probably just in time for that music festival.

Quote: terapined

SLS Buffet closing.
Never had a chance to check it out.
Opened at 7 days a week.
Cut back to weekends.
Now closing.
Sad.
Now I have absolutely no reason to stop by.
sigh.
May reopen next year, probably just in time for that music festival.

Wow, business must be bad there. Hope the place whole operation isn't doing that bad.

I officially RESCIND my recommendation of the Mandalay Bay Buffet ( $ 33 for dinner ).

Pros:

- It is still available through myVegas

- I haven't ever seen much of a line to get in.

- Beer and Wine is included.

- Crab legs were OK.

Cons:

- Getting all the way down to Mandalay Bay from most Strip locations is a hassle. RTC Bus, tram, or taxi, it's all time consuming. ( Mrs. Q isn't going to let me forget that ).

- Knowing that, MB should maintain a nice high quality buffet to attract people.

- The lady in front of me asked for a Cabernet. Nope, they don't have that. Why not ? It can't cost any more than the Merlot they did have.

- The selection of entrees is not that great.

- The sushi area didn't have much variety, and I didn't see it re-stocked for a good 45 minutes. Eventually, there were a few small pieces of sashimi put out.

- The dessert selections did not look that good. But I did like the "mocha" flavored pudding in the tiny plastic cup.

Quote: JohnnyQ

I officially RESCIND my recommendation of the Mandalay Bay Buffet ( $ 33 for dinner ).

Pros:

- It is still available through myVegas

- I haven't ever seen much of a line to get in.

- Beer and Wine is included.

- Crab legs were OK.

Cons:

- Getting all the way down to Mandalay Bay from most Strip locations is a hassle. RTC Bus, tram, or taxi, it's all time consuming. ( Mrs. Q isn't going to let me forget that ).

- Knowing that, MB should maintain a nice high quality buffet to attract people.

- The lady in front of me asked for a Cabernet. Nope, they don't have that. Why not ? It can't cost any more than the Merlot they did have.

- The selection of entrees is not that great.

- The sushi area didn't have much variety, and I didn't see it re-stocked for a good 45 minutes. Eventually, there were a few small pieces of sashimi put out.

- The dessert selections did not look that good. But I did like the "mocha" flavored pudding in the tiny plastic cup.

One trick I did learn in staying at Mandalay Bay before. Instead of going into MB's lot (if traveling by car) or going to the large line for cabs at Mandalay Bay, use the cab stand at what was THEHotel but is now Delano, just walk down the hallway past the sports book. The lot is more convenient and the line for cabs is generally much shorter. The walk to the restaurants is not any longer if memory serves me correctly.

Quote: Gabes22

One trick I did learn in staying at Mandalay Bay before. Instead of going into MB's lot (if traveling by car) or going to the large line for cabs at Mandalay Bay, use the cab stand at what was THEHotel but is now Delano, just walk down the hallway past the sports book. The lot is more convenient and the line for cabs is generally much shorter. The walk to the restaurants is not any longer if memory serves me correctly.

I usually valet park at Four Seasons when going to Mandalay Bay. The service is superior and there usually isn't a wait.