June 6 - June 13, 2011
I was supposed to be attending a history education conference that week, but as I told the woman from the school district office, "I'm not spending my 40th birthday at the County museum." So off to Vegas it was.
Most of my Vegas visits are solo, but I used my airline miles to get my brother a ticket to join me for the celebration. He's a professional student, so he could not join me until mid-trip. So this trip report is mix of solo adventures and the Rabon brothers escapades. Also, I'd thought I'd break it down into categories instead of a day-to-day report.
A. Transportation:
1. Plane
I'm taking the red eye out of Atlanta. After flying into Vegas at night a couple of years ago, I've decided this is the only way to arrive. It's just awesome seeing the ciy lights from the air and it seems to be easier to get transportation and bags arrive quicker. At least, it seems that way to me. Plus, did I mention how cool the city looks as your landing.
The flight itself was uneventful. This was my first flight on a plane that had those individual entertainment screens instead of the big screen in the aisle. It was neat choosing your own movies and shows; however, the screen is the size of am Iphone. I like Tron:Legacy, so I got over the Dude's head being an inch big.
The pilot tells us that we are going to arrive 30 minutes early- cool! Problem is that we arrive so early, another plane is still at the gate. We end up sitting there for .........wait for it..............30 minutes. So much for getting there early! Sitting on the tarmac and having to look at the Strip......that's just torture.
2. Cabs:
We get off the plane, I get my bags and text Andy to come get me. Andy's a cab driver in Vegas who tweets about his job on twitter @LVCabChronicles and has his own blog. This was my first time taking a cab from the airport, because of the longhaulers. Andy'll take you the shortest route everytime. He's an all-American guy from Iowa and other than reminding me about Iowa destroying South Carolina in a bowl game a few years ago, was a pretty cool guy to chat with. Several times during the week, I'd text Andy and he'd be available to come to wherever I was for a pickup.
3. The Duece
A few times while staying downtown at the El Cortez, I decided to take the Duece bus and stretch my transportation dollars. While a 24 hour pass does save money on cab fare (sorry, Andy), it does take forever to get from Fremont to the other end of the strip. Plus, I couldn't decided which homeless guy unnerved me more; the shoeless, silent guy who kept bobbing or the hip-rocker guy who wouldn't stop talking and wanted to play "Name that tune." I did meet a neat group of teachers from Texas on a girls-trip to Vegas.
4. Rental Car
For the first time on a Vegas trip. I rented a car. I got it at the Enterprise desk at the Fitz. El Cortez told me they would arrange for a rental, but ti was too late. Brother and I used it to leave the El Cortez Cabana Suites, go the Pawn Stars shop, a comic book store, UNLV student center, In-N-Out and then on to check in at the Orleans. We only had it for 24 hours and returned it the next morning. I was worried about having a wreck the entire time. Plus, driving cuts down on my drinking.
Hotels:
This was my second time staying at the El Cortez Cabana Suites. If you can stand the green, it's a pretty nice room.
There's a person working the desk inside and a security guard outside. I felt safe walking to and from the El Cortez main building at all hours day and night.
My brother and I in the lobby at the Cabana Suites. My t-shirt was a deliberate attempt to embarrass him at the airport. : )
The only bad thing about the Cabana Suites is that they don't have twin beds, so the day after my brother arrived, we went to the Orleans. I've stayed at the Orleans for at least part of my trip seven times now. It's a good all-inclusive kind of place. Movie theater, bowling, arcade, variety of resturants, etc...
Plus, we hit the pool one afternoon. A hurricane, a mojito and the hot tub makes for one well-boiled prabon71.
Dining/Bars:
I had been following several of the Las Vegas gourmet food trucks on twitter and was anxious to attend the Vegas Streets festival. That wasn't until satruday, but HaulingBalls parked itself outside the El on Wednesday & I got to sample their meatball & pulled pork sandwiches. Both were awesome. As a Southerner, I felt guilty enjoying pulled pork made outside of Dixie.
I had breakfast a couple of times at the El's Cafe. Turned out to be a lot better..... and a LOT faster than the Orleans' Courtyard Cafe. Nothing fancy, but their bacon and eggs were worth the time and money.
Used my LVA coupon at the Flame. Had 5 large prawn for an app. Good steak, lots of very good cream corn and warm bread. No dessert, but I did finish off the meal with a Cabana Suites martini since they were out of mint leaves and couldn't make a mojito.
No trip to Vegas is complete for me without a trip to the Village Seafood buffet at the Rio. I've seen heated debates over this place in other threads, but I like it. Sure, the lobster tails are small, but you can get as much as you want. Plus, they have hot & cold crab legs of at least three kinds. Even the fried shrimp and scallops were better than anything I can get back home (unless I drive 2 hours to Charleston). I even have a couple of pretzel rolls before rolling myself out the door.
Last trip, I went on a search for the best burger in Las Vegas and discovered BLT Burger in the Mirage. While the burgers are good, they offer fewer toppings than The Burger Bar at MB. That being said, the best thinngs at BLT are the shakes. Grandma's Treat is my favorite. It's vanillla icre cream & milk (duh!), carmel and a shot of Marker's Mark. Plus, they put wip cream and these caramel chips on top.
Sit at the bar so you can watch them cook your burger and you get your food quicker.
The Wynn Buffet has also become another regular stop for me. Lunch is not bad and cost less than $28. There's no shortage of selections and the desserts are the best of any buffet in Vegas.
After my brother arrived, we quickly got him checked in and went to the 777 Brew Pub at Main Street Staton for a members meet. Can't beleive I've never been to this place. While my Philly Cheesesteak was almost average, the beer was pretty good. I got a red ale that reminded me of my favorite Killians Red. My brother John's a beer snob and got the sampler. The boy knows more about beer than I ever could. He gave the place his seal of approval.
Myself, lasvegasgambler, mckenztf, and my brother (@JohnMRabon on twitter)
777 Brew Pub
On the way to the 777 Brew Pub. I had to take a leak. I went inside and quickly told me brother to get in here. He looked at me funny, but I told him he needed to take a leak on history. The Berlin Wall in the MSS men's room:
I treated my brother to his first In-N-Out Experience. We passed up on the on next to UNLV for some stupid reason and waited till we got to the one on Dean Martin Drive. Of course, it was ten times as crowded. But the line went well. John had studied up on the secret menu and got a double-double animal style, fries normal style and a soda.
I got a four by two with sause and pickles only, fries well done , a soda and a neopolitan shake.
Before the Paul McCartney concert, we used a coupon the Orleans gave us for 20% at the Mexican place (used to be called Don Miguel's). Good salsa and chips before the meal. Borther got some chicken dish and I had some nice taquitos and enchiladas. Plus, we both had some very sweet mango frozen margaritas.
After the concert, it was a late fourth meal back at the BLT Burger. Kobe burger for myself and sliders for John. I had another Grandma's Treat and John got a Fuzzy the Bear; vanilla ice cream, milk, peaches and peach schnapps.
Saturday morning was a so-so brunch at the Orleans buffet. This buffet's just not as good as it was a few years ago.
Later in the day, we tried out the Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmopolitan. While the food was very good, it lacked the variety of the Wynn. Plus, the little containers took up room. If you want to fill up your plate and avoid additional trips to the buffet, they are a hassle. The place still gets a good grade from me because what we did eat was very good.
While walking around Cosmo, we did go to the Chandelier Bar for drinks. Their mojito wasn't the best in Vegas. Even the Orleans made a better one.
Now the Parasol Down bar at the Wynn made a great mojito. Course for $15, it had better be good.
Before seeing Penn & Teller, we ate at the Belliagio Buffet. I hadn't eaten there in years. Not because I didn't like it, but the Wynn was so good I didn't see the need to go back. Well, the Belliagio does have one nice advantage; their crab legs are spilt open. I know some posters said they wer dry because of that, but I didn't taste it. Good selection and good quality. I would still place the Wynn's buffet slightly ahead due to the dessert selection.
After Penn & Teller, we called Andy and made a bee-line for the Vegas Streets Festival. It's big food truck and music event held next the El Cortez once a month. The techno music and very yound crowd really made me feel forty.
But I was there for the food. Getting there around 10pm, a lot of the food trucks had sold out. We got some burgers at the Slidinthru truck and a great shaved ice at SnOwONOShaveIce truck.
My brother also had to get a cup of coffee at his namesake truck:
Another bar I need to heep some praise on is InsertCoins (InsertCoinsLV on twitterhey also have controllers at the bar. My brother had a great time kicking my butt on Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
We did hit The Burger Bar before leaving town. Their burgers get the top grade on this trip because of taste and choice of toppings. I got Wagu beef and grilled shrimp and lobster on mine.
Turns out the Burger Bar makes a mean milkshake themselves. You order the flavor, toppings, sauces, liquor and whipped cream. I got a chocolate shake, with caramel and CHOCOLATE whipped cream. No booze this time, but it was awesome!
I did not eat here, but the mere fact that htere is such a thing as a Burger King Bar was worth a look-see.
Gambling:
For the first time in my 8 trips to Las Vegas, I didn't hit the craps table. It wasn't intentional. I wound up doing really well at the blackjack tables & once my brother hit town, we did more sightseeing than gambling. I threw away a couple of dollars in slot machines, but those were dollars that coworkers gave me to gamble with. I took cell phone video to prove that their dollars were lost.
Since the NBA finals were going on, I did make to Mandalay Bay's sportsbook for Game 4. I put money on the Mavs to win the first half(they lost), the game (they won, but by the exact spread, so that was a push) and for Dirk to score more points than LeBron ( a win, 21-8). I eneded up netting a profit of $1. Go Dallas! I had more fun watching the game and listening to the bandwagoner Heat fans get upset. That is nice place to watch a game though. Huge screen and nice snack bar.
They were showing the Yankees & the Red Saux before the NBA finals. An added bonus was listening to the NY fans whine. : )
Like I said, the Lion's share of my gambling bankroll was spent on Blackjack. I played it all at the El Cortez. For the second straight trip, I finished ahead. In fact, I was 3/4 of the way through my bankroll before I had a losing session. The first night I played red chip at table with some El Cortez regulars very late at night. I thought I was good enough to play and not piss off the locals, but I made a couple of mistakes and got them annoyed at me. I have basic strategy and doubling down strategy memorized but not soft-hand strategy. I did the wrong thing on a soft 16 and I was no longer their friend.
After that session, I decided to man up and start playing with green chips. My luck held on for another few sessions, before I lost on my last two sessions. However, like I said, I did finish ahead for the week...thanks to those earlier sessions. I did get a lump in my throat the first time I sat down at the $25 dollar table.
My brother had never gambled before. After winning his first hand at Binions. We wound up at the El Cortez. As I had my worst session of the trip, this lucky beginner finished ahead. I was helping him out, the dealer offered suggesstions.....he even had other players helping him out.
Entertainment:
Used my LVA coupon for Carrot Top. This guy is funny. Plus, he updates his act. He had jokes about the former Gov. Arnold S. and Rep. Weiner. I only heard a couple of jokes from when I saw him a couple of years ago.
Highlight of the trip was the Paul McCartney concert on my 40th birthday. This was my brother's call (I was being cheap and suggesting Bill Engvall). He was right. Glad we went. Two encores and all the VIPs from the LOVE show were in attendance. See Yoko Ono on the side screen.
We also went to see Penn & Teller. I've seen these guys several times in a few cities. They also change and update their act. Plus, they hang out afterwards, signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Myself & Penn
Teller
Before the show, you can go onstage and sign a piece of paper and examine a box used in the show.
Before the Penn & Teller show, we wandered back to the WSOP just to see the large crowds.
On our last full day, we went on the Gun Store on Tropicana. This place was a blast.
I got the World War II package for $120. It includes a 1911 automatic pistol, a German MP-40, and a Tommy gun (aka the Chicago typewriter).
My brother got the Zombie package ($140 I think). It included a shotgun, a submachine gun (a MK4 I think) and an Uzi.
I've got a few more things I could add, but it's late. I'll post them later.
I was supposed to be attending a history education conference that week, but as I told the woman from the school district office, "I'm not spending my 40th birthday at the County museum." So off to Vegas it was.
Most of my Vegas visits are solo, but I used my airline miles to get my brother a ticket to join me for the celebration. He's a professional student, so he could not join me until mid-trip. So this trip report is mix of solo adventures and the Rabon brothers escapades. Also, I'd thought I'd break it down into categories instead of a day-to-day report.
A. Transportation:
1. Plane
I'm taking the red eye out of Atlanta. After flying into Vegas at night a couple of years ago, I've decided this is the only way to arrive. It's just awesome seeing the ciy lights from the air and it seems to be easier to get transportation and bags arrive quicker. At least, it seems that way to me. Plus, did I mention how cool the city looks as your landing.
The flight itself was uneventful. This was my first flight on a plane that had those individual entertainment screens instead of the big screen in the aisle. It was neat choosing your own movies and shows; however, the screen is the size of am Iphone. I like Tron:Legacy, so I got over the Dude's head being an inch big.
The pilot tells us that we are going to arrive 30 minutes early- cool! Problem is that we arrive so early, another plane is still at the gate. We end up sitting there for .........wait for it..............30 minutes. So much for getting there early! Sitting on the tarmac and having to look at the Strip......that's just torture.
2. Cabs:
We get off the plane, I get my bags and text Andy to come get me. Andy's a cab driver in Vegas who tweets about his job on twitter @LVCabChronicles and has his own blog. This was my first time taking a cab from the airport, because of the longhaulers. Andy'll take you the shortest route everytime. He's an all-American guy from Iowa and other than reminding me about Iowa destroying South Carolina in a bowl game a few years ago, was a pretty cool guy to chat with. Several times during the week, I'd text Andy and he'd be available to come to wherever I was for a pickup.
3. The Duece
A few times while staying downtown at the El Cortez, I decided to take the Duece bus and stretch my transportation dollars. While a 24 hour pass does save money on cab fare (sorry, Andy), it does take forever to get from Fremont to the other end of the strip. Plus, I couldn't decided which homeless guy unnerved me more; the shoeless, silent guy who kept bobbing or the hip-rocker guy who wouldn't stop talking and wanted to play "Name that tune." I did meet a neat group of teachers from Texas on a girls-trip to Vegas.
4. Rental Car
For the first time on a Vegas trip. I rented a car. I got it at the Enterprise desk at the Fitz. El Cortez told me they would arrange for a rental, but ti was too late. Brother and I used it to leave the El Cortez Cabana Suites, go the Pawn Stars shop, a comic book store, UNLV student center, In-N-Out and then on to check in at the Orleans. We only had it for 24 hours and returned it the next morning. I was worried about having a wreck the entire time. Plus, driving cuts down on my drinking.
Hotels:
This was my second time staying at the El Cortez Cabana Suites. If you can stand the green, it's a pretty nice room.
There's a person working the desk inside and a security guard outside. I felt safe walking to and from the El Cortez main building at all hours day and night.
My brother and I in the lobby at the Cabana Suites. My t-shirt was a deliberate attempt to embarrass him at the airport. : )
The only bad thing about the Cabana Suites is that they don't have twin beds, so the day after my brother arrived, we went to the Orleans. I've stayed at the Orleans for at least part of my trip seven times now. It's a good all-inclusive kind of place. Movie theater, bowling, arcade, variety of resturants, etc...
Plus, we hit the pool one afternoon. A hurricane, a mojito and the hot tub makes for one well-boiled prabon71.
Dining/Bars:
I had been following several of the Las Vegas gourmet food trucks on twitter and was anxious to attend the Vegas Streets festival. That wasn't until satruday, but HaulingBalls parked itself outside the El on Wednesday & I got to sample their meatball & pulled pork sandwiches. Both were awesome. As a Southerner, I felt guilty enjoying pulled pork made outside of Dixie.
I had breakfast a couple of times at the El's Cafe. Turned out to be a lot better..... and a LOT faster than the Orleans' Courtyard Cafe. Nothing fancy, but their bacon and eggs were worth the time and money.
Used my LVA coupon at the Flame. Had 5 large prawn for an app. Good steak, lots of very good cream corn and warm bread. No dessert, but I did finish off the meal with a Cabana Suites martini since they were out of mint leaves and couldn't make a mojito.
No trip to Vegas is complete for me without a trip to the Village Seafood buffet at the Rio. I've seen heated debates over this place in other threads, but I like it. Sure, the lobster tails are small, but you can get as much as you want. Plus, they have hot & cold crab legs of at least three kinds. Even the fried shrimp and scallops were better than anything I can get back home (unless I drive 2 hours to Charleston). I even have a couple of pretzel rolls before rolling myself out the door.
Last trip, I went on a search for the best burger in Las Vegas and discovered BLT Burger in the Mirage. While the burgers are good, they offer fewer toppings than The Burger Bar at MB. That being said, the best thinngs at BLT are the shakes. Grandma's Treat is my favorite. It's vanillla icre cream & milk (duh!), carmel and a shot of Marker's Mark. Plus, they put wip cream and these caramel chips on top.
Sit at the bar so you can watch them cook your burger and you get your food quicker.
The Wynn Buffet has also become another regular stop for me. Lunch is not bad and cost less than $28. There's no shortage of selections and the desserts are the best of any buffet in Vegas.
After my brother arrived, we quickly got him checked in and went to the 777 Brew Pub at Main Street Staton for a members meet. Can't beleive I've never been to this place. While my Philly Cheesesteak was almost average, the beer was pretty good. I got a red ale that reminded me of my favorite Killians Red. My brother John's a beer snob and got the sampler. The boy knows more about beer than I ever could. He gave the place his seal of approval.
Myself, lasvegasgambler, mckenztf, and my brother (@JohnMRabon on twitter)
777 Brew Pub
On the way to the 777 Brew Pub. I had to take a leak. I went inside and quickly told me brother to get in here. He looked at me funny, but I told him he needed to take a leak on history. The Berlin Wall in the MSS men's room:
I treated my brother to his first In-N-Out Experience. We passed up on the on next to UNLV for some stupid reason and waited till we got to the one on Dean Martin Drive. Of course, it was ten times as crowded. But the line went well. John had studied up on the secret menu and got a double-double animal style, fries normal style and a soda.
I got a four by two with sause and pickles only, fries well done , a soda and a neopolitan shake.
Before the Paul McCartney concert, we used a coupon the Orleans gave us for 20% at the Mexican place (used to be called Don Miguel's). Good salsa and chips before the meal. Borther got some chicken dish and I had some nice taquitos and enchiladas. Plus, we both had some very sweet mango frozen margaritas.
After the concert, it was a late fourth meal back at the BLT Burger. Kobe burger for myself and sliders for John. I had another Grandma's Treat and John got a Fuzzy the Bear; vanilla ice cream, milk, peaches and peach schnapps.
Saturday morning was a so-so brunch at the Orleans buffet. This buffet's just not as good as it was a few years ago.
Later in the day, we tried out the Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmopolitan. While the food was very good, it lacked the variety of the Wynn. Plus, the little containers took up room. If you want to fill up your plate and avoid additional trips to the buffet, they are a hassle. The place still gets a good grade from me because what we did eat was very good.
While walking around Cosmo, we did go to the Chandelier Bar for drinks. Their mojito wasn't the best in Vegas. Even the Orleans made a better one.
Now the Parasol Down bar at the Wynn made a great mojito. Course for $15, it had better be good.
Before seeing Penn & Teller, we ate at the Belliagio Buffet. I hadn't eaten there in years. Not because I didn't like it, but the Wynn was so good I didn't see the need to go back. Well, the Belliagio does have one nice advantage; their crab legs are spilt open. I know some posters said they wer dry because of that, but I didn't taste it. Good selection and good quality. I would still place the Wynn's buffet slightly ahead due to the dessert selection.
After Penn & Teller, we called Andy and made a bee-line for the Vegas Streets Festival. It's big food truck and music event held next the El Cortez once a month. The techno music and very yound crowd really made me feel forty.
But I was there for the food. Getting there around 10pm, a lot of the food trucks had sold out. We got some burgers at the Slidinthru truck and a great shaved ice at SnOwONOShaveIce truck.
My brother also had to get a cup of coffee at his namesake truck:
Another bar I need to heep some praise on is InsertCoins (InsertCoinsLV on twitterhey also have controllers at the bar. My brother had a great time kicking my butt on Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
We did hit The Burger Bar before leaving town. Their burgers get the top grade on this trip because of taste and choice of toppings. I got Wagu beef and grilled shrimp and lobster on mine.
Turns out the Burger Bar makes a mean milkshake themselves. You order the flavor, toppings, sauces, liquor and whipped cream. I got a chocolate shake, with caramel and CHOCOLATE whipped cream. No booze this time, but it was awesome!
I did not eat here, but the mere fact that htere is such a thing as a Burger King Bar was worth a look-see.
Gambling:
For the first time in my 8 trips to Las Vegas, I didn't hit the craps table. It wasn't intentional. I wound up doing really well at the blackjack tables & once my brother hit town, we did more sightseeing than gambling. I threw away a couple of dollars in slot machines, but those were dollars that coworkers gave me to gamble with. I took cell phone video to prove that their dollars were lost.
Since the NBA finals were going on, I did make to Mandalay Bay's sportsbook for Game 4. I put money on the Mavs to win the first half(they lost), the game (they won, but by the exact spread, so that was a push) and for Dirk to score more points than LeBron ( a win, 21-8). I eneded up netting a profit of $1. Go Dallas! I had more fun watching the game and listening to the bandwagoner Heat fans get upset. That is nice place to watch a game though. Huge screen and nice snack bar.
They were showing the Yankees & the Red Saux before the NBA finals. An added bonus was listening to the NY fans whine. : )
Like I said, the Lion's share of my gambling bankroll was spent on Blackjack. I played it all at the El Cortez. For the second straight trip, I finished ahead. In fact, I was 3/4 of the way through my bankroll before I had a losing session. The first night I played red chip at table with some El Cortez regulars very late at night. I thought I was good enough to play and not piss off the locals, but I made a couple of mistakes and got them annoyed at me. I have basic strategy and doubling down strategy memorized but not soft-hand strategy. I did the wrong thing on a soft 16 and I was no longer their friend.
After that session, I decided to man up and start playing with green chips. My luck held on for another few sessions, before I lost on my last two sessions. However, like I said, I did finish ahead for the week...thanks to those earlier sessions. I did get a lump in my throat the first time I sat down at the $25 dollar table.
My brother had never gambled before. After winning his first hand at Binions. We wound up at the El Cortez. As I had my worst session of the trip, this lucky beginner finished ahead. I was helping him out, the dealer offered suggesstions.....he even had other players helping him out.
Entertainment:
Used my LVA coupon for Carrot Top. This guy is funny. Plus, he updates his act. He had jokes about the former Gov. Arnold S. and Rep. Weiner. I only heard a couple of jokes from when I saw him a couple of years ago.
Highlight of the trip was the Paul McCartney concert on my 40th birthday. This was my brother's call (I was being cheap and suggesting Bill Engvall). He was right. Glad we went. Two encores and all the VIPs from the LOVE show were in attendance. See Yoko Ono on the side screen.
We also went to see Penn & Teller. I've seen these guys several times in a few cities. They also change and update their act. Plus, they hang out afterwards, signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Myself & Penn
Teller
Before the show, you can go onstage and sign a piece of paper and examine a box used in the show.
Before the Penn & Teller show, we wandered back to the WSOP just to see the large crowds.
On our last full day, we went on the Gun Store on Tropicana. This place was a blast.
I got the World War II package for $120. It includes a 1911 automatic pistol, a German MP-40, and a Tommy gun (aka the Chicago typewriter).
My brother got the Zombie package ($140 I think). It included a shotgun, a submachine gun (a MK4 I think) and an Uzi.
I've got a few more things I could add, but it's late. I'll post them later.
