Peter Greenberg: Eating in Las Vegas

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-01-22

I'm looking for cheap, but good places to eat in Las Vegas.
–Joanne, Middlebury, Conn.

Las Vegas has long been known for its cheap eats, whether in the form of buffets or shrimp cocktails, and that tradition continues today.

One option is Roxy’s Diner at the Stratosphere Hotel, for a ‘50s-style diner experience. Included in its all-American menu are hot-fudge sundaes, large burgers, sandwiches, frothy milkshakes, and other diner classics, all for under $10 (except for the rib-eye steak).

Another option is to try one of the many buffets offered in Las Vegas. The Plaza’s Lucky 7’s Buffet (1 Main Street; Telephone, 702-386-2110) allows you to try an array of dishes all day, every day, at the single, lucky price of $7.77.

Too, just about every big casino on the Strip has an inexpensive food court. Village Eateries at New York, New York (3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, South Strip; Telephone, 702-740-6969) provides many dining options all at relatively low prices. The average check is around $8 or $9, and you can gorge on pizzas, burgers, fish-and-chips, ice cream, and plenty of other "delicacies."

Feel like having sushi? Try Ra Sushi at the Fashion Show Mall (3200 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 1132; Telephone, 702-696-0008). For lunch, go ahead and grab one of the restaurant’s bento boxes for under $10. It usually comes with miso soup, uchi no salad, rice, a spinach gyoza, a vegetable spring roll, and your choice of tempura or teriyaki.

Another place to try is the San Francisco Shrimp Bar at the Golden Gate Hotel (1 Fremont Street, Downtown; Telephone, 702-382-6300). Serving sandwiches, hot dogs, ice cream, and salads, the bar is mostly known for its 99-cent shrimp cocktails. They're available any time of the day or night, and they come served in large parfait glasses with spoonfuls of cocktail sauce.