Wizard
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December 21st, 2023 at 4:44:49 PM permalink
Somebody asked on my Live Stream which casinos still have buffets. Based on a little research, it looks like the follow properties still have them. To make the list, the property must offer table games too. Places in "temporarily closed" status (like the Palace Station and Santa Fe Station) do not count.

  1. Bellagio
  2. Caesars Palace
  3. Circus Circus
  4. Cosmopolitan
  5. Excalibur
  6. Main Street Station
  7. MGM Grand
  8. Palms
  9. Rampart
  10. South Point
  11. Westgate
  12. Wynn



Any I'm missing? Any you argue are incorrectly on my list?
Last edited by: Wizard on Dec 23, 2023
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
GeoducknCrab
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December 21st, 2023 at 4:50:37 PM permalink
I would like to add the South Point buffet. They have a Friday seafood menu and weekend Brunch menu.
Wizard
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December 21st, 2023 at 5:10:14 PM permalink
Quote: GeoducknCrab

I would like to add the South Point buffet. They have a Friday seafood menu and weekend Brunch menu.
link to original post



Thanks! I can confirm.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
vegas
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December 21st, 2023 at 5:55:44 PM permalink
Excalibur has a buffet.
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TomG
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December 21st, 2023 at 6:31:09 PM permalink
Westgate.
100xOdds
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December 21st, 2023 at 7:12:16 PM permalink
Why are casinos getting rid of the buffets?
Thought it was to draw people into the casino?
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ThatDonGuy
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December 21st, 2023 at 8:19:00 PM permalink
Quote: 100xOdds

Why are casinos getting rid of the buffets?
Thought it was to draw people into the casino?
link to original post


There are a couple of theories that I have heard:

1. When most of the buffets were closed because of COVID-19, the casinos noticed that their numbers weren't dropping.

2. Casinos aren't the main driving force any more, and if you want to draw people in for food, put a celebrity's name on the restaurant. Which would you think Joe Lunchpail and Sally Soapopera would want to go to on vacation - Planet Hollywood Burger, or Gordon Ramsay Burger?
(Plan B: replace the buffet with an overpriced "food hall")
MDawg
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December 21st, 2023 at 8:49:35 PM permalink
Wynn is the buffet we prefer, but Caesars buffet has a lot of seafood. Unless you have a high tier player card you might be stuck in a long line, especially at Caesars.

Cosmo's Wicked Spoon is good too.

Palms has a good buffet on lobster nights (Wed - Thurs).

Keep in mind that we're not paying for the buffet, so that figures in too. I don't even know how much the cost is these days I don't really look at the receipt. If we had to pay, and stand in a long line, might not rank any buffet as particularly good.


Rio buffet used to be good, closed for a few years now. How much of the Rio is open these days? Signs were dark last time I drove by. They're in the middle of some kind of renovation.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
Wizard
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December 22nd, 2023 at 5:28:59 AM permalink
Quote: vegas

Excalibur has a buffet.
link to original post



Confirmed
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 22nd, 2023 at 5:30:47 AM permalink
Quote: TomG

Westgate.
link to original post



Confirmed
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 22nd, 2023 at 5:34:24 AM permalink
Quote: MDawg

Cosmo's Wicked Spoon is good too.



Confirmed

Quote:

Palms has a good buffet on lobster nights (Wed - Thurs).
link to original post



Confirmed
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
calwatch
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December 22nd, 2023 at 11:20:54 PM permalink
Quote: MDawg


Rio buffet used to be good, closed for a few years now. How much of the Rio is open these days? Signs were dark last time I drove by. They're in the middle of some kind of renovation.



Rio was one of the better buffets in Vegas, and I would argue the seafood buffet was one of the best values for quantity, quality, and variety. But the new management will not bring back the buffet because they think it is a money loser, never mind the Palms catty corner always has a line dozens deep waiting for it to open.
Torghatten
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December 22nd, 2023 at 11:58:02 PM permalink
MGM Grand
Mukke
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December 23rd, 2023 at 4:11:28 PM permalink
For completeness, if trying to build something for people to reference later, it may be worth noting hours of operation or at least meals of operation. Most obvious point of note is Cosmopolitan's Wicked spoon, which is only open for Breakfast/brunch/lunch but not dinner. I think some of the others also have "limited" hours.
ThatDonGuy
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December 23rd, 2023 at 5:35:19 PM permalink
Quote: Mukke

For completeness, if trying to build something for people to reference later, it may be worth noting hours of operation or at least meals of operation. Most obvious point of note is Cosmopolitan's Wicked spoon, which is only open for Breakfast/brunch/lunch but not dinner. I think some of the others also have "limited" hours.
link to original post


My thoughts exactly.
From the links in this thread:

Excalibur: 7 AM - 2 PM daily
Westgate: 7 AM - 2 PM daily
Wicked Spoon: "All-Day Brunch" 8 AM - 3 PM weekdays, 9 AM - 4 PM weekends (seating closes 30 minutes earlier)
Palms:
4 - 9 PM Mondays & Tuesdays
2 - 9 PM Wednesdays & Thursdays (Lobster nights - much more expensive)
4 - 10 PM Fridays (Prime Rib & Snow Crab)
9 AM - 4 PM (brunch), 5 - 10 PM (dinner) Saturdays
9 AM - 4 PM (brunch), 5 - 9 PM (dinner) Sundays
Wynn: 8 AM - 1 PM (brunch), 1 - 9 PM (dinner) daily

Also, South Point has one:
7 - 10 AM (breakfast), 11 AM - 3 PM (lunch), 4 - 9 PM (dinner) Mondays-Thursdays
7 - 10 AM (breakfast), 11 AM - 3 PM (lunch), 3 - 9 PM (dinner) Fridays (seafood)
8 AM - 3 PM (brunch), 4 - 9 PM (dinner) weekends
Wizard
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December 23rd, 2023 at 10:39:08 PM permalink
Quote: Torghatten

MGM Grand
link to original post



confirmed
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Wizard
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December 23rd, 2023 at 10:40:42 PM permalink
Quote: Mukke

For completeness, if trying to build something for people to reference later, it may be worth noting hours of operation or at least meals of operation. Most obvious point of note is Cosmopolitan's Wicked spoon, which is only open for Breakfast/brunch/lunch but not dinner. I think some of the others also have "limited" hours.
link to original post



Good point. I see the MGM Grand buffet is open only Fri to Sun from 8AM to 3PM (source).
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
AZDuffman
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December 24th, 2023 at 4:05:16 PM permalink
Quote: 100xOdds

Why are casinos getting rid of the buffets?
Thought it was to draw people into the casino?
link to original post



They are mostly money losers. The people they attract are not those the casinos want. (See thread Does Vegas Have a Disney Problem)

Same reasons they pulled the coffee and fountain bev stations. The virus was just the excuse.
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MDawg
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December 24th, 2023 at 4:18:21 PM permalink
Many gamblers lose their appetite when they lose at the tables, which most gamblers do lose. So what person with a lost appetite wants a buffet?

I win most of the time, winning gives me a voracious appetite and when I go to those buffets rack plate after plate such that if everyone ate like me they'd have to reevaluate the whole deal.

And my guests love those buffets - if they're willing to hang around the two hours while I keep eating. Or I just give them my player card to get them to bypass the line, and send a slip comp with them.
Now, I take very small portions of each dish but I go through almost everything but the dessert (and, no red meat for almost a year now). An average of twelve plates per buffet for me.

Here are pics of most (not all) of my plates from a recent solo trip to a buffet, taking a break from a session.



This time I did sample a few desserts:

Luckily I have a tendency to lose not gain weight, and hit the gym very regularly.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
Dieter
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December 24th, 2023 at 4:32:16 PM permalink
I believe John Pinette said that when he went to the buffet, the house had lost its advantage.

https://youtu.be/jcTAgMaw4Hs

I think I would prefer a fast made to order stir fry (Hu Hot style?) to the traditional buffet. I try to be an understanding fellow, but once I need to stand in line for more than 20 minutes, "buffet" loses its allure.
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MDawg
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December 24th, 2023 at 4:38:44 PM permalink
Definitely. The line would be a show stopper, well the line for most anything. These people who stand in line for an hour or more to get into a club, wouldn't do that either.

The only lines I do suffer through lately are the lines at the bank, while some have a business line which is shorter some banks have gotten rid of that. In Vegas on a Friday, certain banks have lines that go right out the door - when they are like that I just leave and come back another day. Standing there you count the people and think about how many minutes per person....

Remember standing in line to get tickets to a concert on the day they went on sale? Now it's all online, I believe. That's another perk to Vegas, free concert tickets no wait effort or cost to get them.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
ThatDonGuy
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December 24th, 2023 at 4:47:55 PM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman

Quote: 100xOdds

Why are casinos getting rid of the buffets?
Thought it was to draw people into the casino?
link to original post



They are mostly money losers. The people they attract are not those the casinos want. (See thread Does Vegas Have a Disney Problem)

Same reasons they pulled the coffee and fountain bev stations. The virus was just the excuse.
link to original post


I thought the reason for getting rid of the fountain bev stations was, they attracted homeless people who came in just for free refills and then left.
TomG
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December 27th, 2023 at 12:43:24 PM permalink
speaking of Rio, I think they should still count. Also have ayce Korean barbecue, though not buffet style: https://www.riolasvegas.com/restaurants/royal-india-buffet
DRich
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December 27th, 2023 at 2:46:28 PM permalink
Quote: Dieter

I I try to be an understanding fellow, but once I need to stand in line for more than 20 minutes, "buffet" loses its allure.



I agree, I don't think I have ever stood in line for a buffet for more than 5 minutes.
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TigerWu
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December 28th, 2023 at 9:04:47 AM permalink
Did Flamingo get rid of theirs? I went not long before Covid and it was pretty decent.
Torghatten
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June 28th, 2024 at 8:48:25 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Quote: Mukke

For completeness, if trying to build something for people to reference later, it may be worth noting hours of operation or at least meals of operation. Most obvious point of note is Cosmopolitan's Wicked spoon, which is only open for Breakfast/brunch/lunch but not dinner. I think some of the others also have "limited" hours.
link to original post



Good point. I see the MGM Grand buffet is open only Fri to Sun from 8AM to 3PM (source).
link to original post



Its open 7 days/week now, but it may be cause of season. (?)
ThatDonGuy
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June 29th, 2024 at 8:18:47 AM permalink
Here is the updated hours and prices list, taken from the hotels' websites:

Bellagio - Weekdays, 8-3; Weekends, 8-8 (Brunch 8-1; Seafood Dinner, 1-8)

Caesars Palace (Bacchanal) - Tue-Wed 3:30-10; all other days, 9-10 (Crab Brunch: Mon & Thu, 1-3; Fri-Sun, 9-3)

Circus Circus - no information available

Cosmopolitan - Weekdays, 8-3 ($47); Weekends, 9-4 ($54)

Excalibur - Weekends only, 7-2 ($38)

Main Street Station - Brunch Daily, 8-2 ($24 weekdays, $27 weekends); "Limited Dinner" Fri-Sat, 4-9 ($33)

MGM Grand - Daily, 8-3 ($32 Mon-Thu; $38 Fri-Sun)

Palms - Mon, Tue 8-2 (Brunch) & 4-9 (Dinner)
Wed, Thu 8-1 (Brunch) & 2-9 (Lobster Dinner $65)
Fri 8-2 (Brunch) & 4-10 (Prime Rib & Snow Crab Dinner $43)
Sat 9-4 (Brunch) & 5-10 (Dinner)
Sun 9-4 (Brunch) & 5-9 (Dinner)
Brunch is $33; Dinner is $37 unless otherwise noted

Rampart - Mon, Tue, Fri 11-2 ($19) & 4-8 ($28); Tue, 4-8 ($28); Sat-Sun, 9-2 (Champagne Brunch $29) & 4-8 ($28)

South Point - Mon-Thu, 7-10 AM, 11-3, 4-9; Fri 7-10 AM, 11-2, 3-9 (Seafood Dinner); Weekends, 8-3 (Brunch) & 4-9
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