Food for Thought
I am going to hijack the saying “Man can not live by bread alone” and revise it for the subject of this blog: “You can not gamble in a casino 24 hours a day; you have to stop and eat once in a while!”
It’s not that I haven’t talked about food in previous writings. I have given many frugal hints for getting good value for casino eats, like scheduling late buffet lunches, with their lower prices, that often spill into the availability of higher-level dinner selections. But in this blog, I am going to talk about Brad’s and my personal eating habits, mainly because I get so many questions about this subject and realize many people have false ideas about our Vegas life. They often compare it to their routine when they come to town for a vacation and stay in a casino for several days.
Most Vegas locals eat about the same way they would if they lived in a non-casino town. They do not eat in a casino every day but regularly cook meals at home. However, like people everywhere, they do eat out frequently and, especially if they gamble at all, they often choose a casino restaurant where they play. And even non-gamblers often look to casino eateries because of the wide choice of high-end and famous choices. The picture changes a bit if you look at those local gamblers who are earning comps. Obviously, those people will be eating at the casino more often – how often depending on their comp level.
Brad and I did eat in casinos a lot after we moved to Vegas 20 years ago – even almost every day – because we were playing frequently and heavily and earning more comps than we could eat up! We made a big effort to find friends and relatives to help us with this “task.” But we were never foodies and, even then, much preferred buffets, delis, and coffee shops over gourmet restaurants. For years we would have hosts who would beg us to let them write us a comp for their top-level epicurean offerings – and they would just shake their head in disbelief when we turned it down.
Things are so much different these days. First, all casinos have made significant cuts to their comp benefits. This is true at every level – from the fanciest Strip properties down to the smallest local joints – hitting both visitors and locals. And, for us personally, we do not have the energy to play as much as we used to. We go to a casino 3 or 4 days a week and are usually able to play only two-or-three-hour sessions. Therefore, we do not have the flood of comps as in former days. Believe it or not, my cleaning lady doesn’t just have to dust my stove; my return to some cooking after 35 years gives her some grease to remove!
But all that said, you will still see us eating in a casino fairly often. You would never catch us eating one of these giant stacked-high-with-whatever “gourmet” hamburgers that seem so popular these days. We aren’t big beef eaters in the first place, but we would always prefer a single-patty with cheese; Brad wants nothing added but pickle and onion and I would add just lettuce and tomato. We like those at Steak’n Shake at South Point, combined with half-price milkshakes between 2-4 p.m. We do hit other casino fast-food places occasionally. Love the hot dogs at South Point and sometimes stop at the hot-dog cart or Subway at Gold Coast. We like the sugar-free butter pecan ice cream at Java Vegas Coffee at the Gold Coast or at Kate’s Corner at South Point. And we can grab a pizza slice at Little Tony’s near the sports book at Palace Station or have a great spaghetti meal to eat there or carry home. (Stations run a senior special on Wednesdays with discounts on restaurants that vary from month to month. Check these out on their website and watch for 50% off your favorite place to eat.)
We are a bit picky about buffets. When we have comps, we take our out-of-town visitors to the widely publicized Caesars Palace Bacchanal over-the-top buffet, but we never choose that just for the two of us even if we have comps. We aren’t big eaters and just don’t need so many “exotic” choices. We like comfort food. The Orleans and Gold Coast are good choices for us, especially their special weekend brunches. We have mixed emotions about the new buffets at Palace Station and the Palms. They both usually have sugar-free brownies and good soup selections so that keeps Brad from complaining too much about “weird food.”
Recently we have found a new meal idea that appeals to us even though it involves gourmet restaurants which we eschew. Going to the Cornerstone lounge at the Gold Coast during happy hour – 4-6 p.m. – has become one of our favorite activities. We like the idea of sharing small plates which gives us variety even though we are light eaters. Many steak houses and other upscale restaurants run these with very reasonable prices on both food and drinks in a relaxing comfortable but still “gourmet” atmosphere. Check out this frugal option at your favorite casino’s fine restaurants!
Obviously, we eat in other places than casinos. We always eat breakfast at home – and always the same menu for many years: Hot oats, with walnuts and flavored with dark chocolate mix, a daily coco extract supplement that has proven to reduce inflammation in the body. We drink green tea and V8 juice – low sodium – and add fresh fruit, like bananas, oranges, or berries.
Lunch is light – sandwiches or soup. If we are out and about, we might stop at a fast-food place. Our favorites include Wendy burgers or chili, Mexican pizzas at Taco Bell, and hot pretzel sticks and sugar-free Dilly Bars at the Dairy Queen.
If we are having dinner at home, it is often left-overs brought home from a casino or a Nutrisystem selection. If I am cooking, it is usually a one-dish meal like stir-fry.
We try to eat healthy as much as possible wherever we are. More fruits and vegetables. Less sodium. Very little red meat – more chicken. We take some vitamins and supplements. Nothing different than if we lived in a non-casino atmosphere. Brad doesn’t gain weight, but I am always trying to watch mine. And that is a problem in Vegas – buffets can jeopardize any healthy diet unless you have strong self control!