Las Vegas Top Ten Values

1. Room Rates - Golden Gate et al. - - $19 and up

For the 12th month in a row, room rates occupy the top
spot in the Top Ten. We’ve come full calendar and we’re
only now gearing up (down?) for the traditional December
doldrums; it looks like room rates will remain on top awhile longer. Our research, the research of others, and reports from readers continue to point to super bargains in lodging across the board, and more than 8,000 new rooms are about to burst onto the scene, spread out among the Golden Nugget, CityCenter, and PH Towers.

2. Steak Dinner - Ellis Island - 24 - $6.95

The complete steak dinner at Ellis Island is the best-value meal deal in a city full of good-value meal deals. It’s a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, which comes with salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer, all for $6.95.

3. Dollar Days - Sahara - Daily - $1

Dollar Days continue at the Sahara: dollar beer, shots (with souvenir glass), hot dogs, and blackjack, all in the rear of the casino near the NASCAR Café.

4. Prime Rib - South Point - 24 hours - $12.95

The prime rib deal at South Point is a stunner. It's advertised as 10 ounces, but that’s underestimating it by about half. Plus, it’s served 24 hours a day in the coffee shop, with your choice of soup or salad, potato, and rolls if you ask. If you have a hankerin' for a prime rib special, it's worth the trip down to South Point.

5. Shrimp Cocktail - Golden Gate - 11 am-2 pm - 99¢

A tiny tweak in the Golden Gate’s deal for getting the 99¢ price for the shrimp cocktail means you must earn a minimum of one point on your GG players card to get the deal. Previously, you got the dollar discount simply by showing a players card.  What does that mean? Not much. It’s a one-time requirement and $1 earns 1 point, so all you have to do is play a dollar in any machine with your card inserted and you’re good for life (or until the deal changes again). It’s a mathematical change akin to a $1.95 special being raised to $1.99.

6. Buffet - M Resort - Daily - $14.95-$25.95

M Resort has tweaked its buffet slightly: It no longer serves a full-scale spread for breakfast (a mini-smorgy is available in the coffee shop). Our Top Ten ranking didn’t account for breakfast anyway; it was based on a lunch audit and many raves about dinner. Nor were the prices raised. So we’re dropping it a few notches, but it’s still our choice for the best buffet in town.

7. Lunch Comp - Crown & Anchor - Daily - $20 Buy-in

Rooms might be priced at rock bottom, but games and comps seem to be tightening. Bucking the trend is the long-time lunch comp at the Crown & Anchor pubs. The free lunch with a $20 video poker buy-in, available 11 am to 3 pm, is still going strong. Plus, if you miss lunch, the $20 buy-in entitles you to a free appetizer (including the great chicken fingers) from 3 p.m. to midnight. And all the while, you’re also drinking comped premium draft beers from around the world. It’s ironic that the best comp in Comp City is now available outside the casinos (locations are at 1350 E. Tropicana and 4775 Spring Mountain).

8. MNF Parties - Stoneys, et al. - Mondays - Free

It’s the time of year for Monday Night Football mania, with multiple dozens of parties all over town. There are some excellent options this year, but the best is at Stoney's at Santa Fe Station, which has free all-you-can-eat hot dogs and a wristband good for unlimited beer during the game for $5. And don’t forget about the two other Top Ten-quality parties at Sam’s Town and Suncoast, where your first dog and brew are gratis.

9. Steak & Eggs - Arizona Charlie's Decatur - Daily - $3.99

The Arizona Charlie’s Decatur steak-and-eggs breakfast special is served 24/7 and costs $3.99, but you have to show a player’s club card to get that price (four people can get the deal on one card). You can also get the steak (or ham) and eggs at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder for $3.29, but it’s a bit more difficult to travel there and the coffee shop isn’t open around the clock.

10. Beer - Casino Royale - Daily - $1

The $1 beer special at Casino Royale is back. You can find a lot of dollar beer deals around town, but Casino Royale serves bottled Michelob around the clock right in the heart of center Strip. Or you can opt for $1 margaritas (traditional or strawberry served in 12-ounce plastic glasses).