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 Eating in Vegas on a Budget is easier than one might think. The bargain deals of yesterday are all but lost in Vegas now. There are the occasional specials, however they usually take place very late at night/early in the morning (depending on your opinion). Not that you are likely to be asleep at those times, I mean...this is Sin City! Still, you might feel a need to eat other than at 2am. So, what are your options? Actually, there are many. You just have to know where to look for them. First of all, when money is an issue, it's easy to see where the deals are. Luckily the restaurants are kind enough to post their menus outside of the business. This way, you know if it's a place that fits into your budget. There are fast food options all over. Unfortunately, this usually doesn't equal cheap. Many of the fast food places have prices that equal those one would expect to find in the airport where the buyer is a captive. Although, I did find myself able to eat off of the dollar menu at the Excalibur which was surprisingly cheap. If the idea is getting more bang for the buck, my advice would be to consider the buffet options. Although the cheap buffets of yesterday have all but disappeared, there are exceptions if a person is careful and goes to Las Vegas with many of the 2 for 1 buffet coupons that can be found. These coupons are everywhere, you just need to know where to look! Some of the casinos offer funbooks if you sign up for their rewards program. Some, like the Orleans, offer a free buffet coupon within this program simply for racking up some initial points. It is worth inquiring at each casino what kind of perks come with obtaining their card. Completely outside of this are coupons to be had. To obtain most of these coupons one must purchase a book. However, considering the price of the book usually equals about one buffet, it's still worth the price. American Casino Guide--which offers 2 for 1 purchases including buffets at Arizona Charlie’s, Fiesta, and the Orleans. See their list for current coupon deals. There are also many free gift coupons along with 2 for 1 room deals. Included in this is a coupon to get more coupons at the Freemont Street Experience which brings with it additional 2 for 1 buffet deals. Las Vegas Advisor Pocket Full of Values. Purchase of this requires a membership which currentl runs $50 a year. It includes other inside information which may or may not be worth it. It offers lots of 2 for 1 deals, but many of those deals (such as tickets at the Riviera) are easy to find elsewhere. If you want the extra information, this one is probably worth it. If you are looking only for coupons, probably not. The forums are excellent, although to get full access one must have a membership. Some of the deals I've found were through the free portion of their forums and I personally find them wonderful. Entertainment.com Coupon Book--This year in April the coupon book went half price. If you are going to buy this one, wait until as long as you can to assure you receive it in time but that you aren't paying more than you half to. Lots of great coupons in this one, including the only 2 for 1 offer to the Atomic Testing Museum. This one includes lots of free fast food deals, 2 for 1 buffet deals include The Greens Buffet (Primm, where the outlet mall is) and Terrible's. Most of the deals in this one is for money off, rather than one free. Still, at half price of 13.50, it's not a bad score. Terrible Herbst's--Offers a buy one get one free printable coupon on their website. This coupon excludes their seafood buffet (see the fine print) but note that they have coupons out there that can be located (including entertainment.com) that allow using it for the seafood dinner. I'm a bit anal, so what I do is I make a list of where I intend to do buffets at and look at the prices. I've found many prices on the internet for various buffets, they are almost always out dated. Most of them have the current prices listed on their websites. This of course works best if you have an idea of where you intend to go. It also doesn't hurt to look at reviews. Some buffets, such as Circus Circus, receive bad reviews and are suggested as one to skip no matter how alluring the price is. My favorite buffet is expensive on Seafood night ($16.95 if I remember correctly) on Tuesday night at the Orleans. For what you get, however, this is a wonderful deal. They accept their 2 for 1 coupons for their Seafood buffet. There is a Seafood buffet at Terrible's on Thursday night for around $14.99. HOWEVER, only some of their 2 for 1 coupons work for the seafood buffet. Currently their is a coupon in the entertainment.com book that is accepted for this buffet. The 2 for 1 coupon in the American Casino Guide and Terrible's own website excludes that particular buffet. Look closely at the coupon if you are planning ahead. Another way to get deals is comps. For instance, you can get $2 in comps per hour that you pay poker at Binion's which can amount to a free breakfast. Just be sure you log in your casino play, you have to tell them you want them when you get their and tell them when you leave from playing. You must also belong to their player's club. |
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