Poll : 22 April - 05 May 2009

Analysis

Wow! Guess we really touched a nerve with this one (figured we might...). This was one of the biggest responses we ever had, not just in terms of the volume of votes but also with regard to email feedback -- approaching 150 of them in our mailbox! Thank you.

As you'll see, there wasn't a single option that didn't receive at least a generous handful of votes, while those who voted for "Other" communicated some great alternatives. In fact, there are too many interesting responses with sentiments that we're sure many of you would like to read to include in the space available here and so, as we sometimes do, we'll post a few here and now and then do a follow-up QoD with the best of the rest. For the time being, here's a taster:

• "Why did you limit us to just one vote? I'd vote for every one of yours. Another one that I can think of is Nickel Nick's coffee. And how about getting down the Strip in a vehicle in less than a half-hour?" (D. VanLone) [Ed: You can do it in a half-hour?! Wow, what's your secret lol.]


• "A good question indeed and, since it calls for singling out just one, it has to be the Stardust ,since that's where my wife and I stayed on our first trip to LV in '96 and where we caught our first stage show...wonderful memories." (N.L. Yonker)


• "I voted other, because I really miss the original Sands. Along with a few other of the older casinos, it actually had a bar/lounge on the casino floor with TVs that were constantly showing sports. I guess the newer casinos don't want you to take a break from gambling to catch the scores or a few minutes of your favorite team (Cubs). I never really bet on sports, so I felt like an outsider having to wander into a sports book (I also miss the Stardust for that reason) to catch a few minutes of action." (Mark F.)


• "I miss Bugsy's in the Flamingo where they had the BEST hamburgers!" (Pcwrobel)


• "I miss the days when Las Vegas was for gamblers...not tourists. I come to Las Vegas for one reason only...to gamble! I visit at least 3 times a year and although all the new casinos may be beautiful, I NEVER go out on the Strip anymore. I am not the least bit interested in seeing any of the new casinos and have not been on the Strip in years. In fact, we rent a car and spend at least 1/2 of our trip in Laughlin and the other half downtown. We've been doing this for about 5 years now. I HATE the big casinos. They have downgraded so many of the games (I play video poker), charge way too much for everything, and I detest the fact that if I leave my husband at a machine to go to the ladies room, I need to leave a trail of bread crumbs to find my way back to him. Give me the smaller casinos with good paying video poker!" (Norma N.)


• "I miss the whole Westward Ho, period!" (Dale G.)


• "A pedestrian-friendly Strip. $5 minimum bets at table games" (S. Ethier) [Ed: Anthony and Jessica say, "Hello!" to our esteemed QoD contributor and friend.]


• "Stage Deli, Stage Deli, Stage Deli, Stage Deli, Stage Deli, Stage Deli, Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli,Stage Deli." (Sally L.) [Ed: Umm, what is it again that you miss?!! No worries, this means we only had to post once for all the people who share your sentiment :-) ]


• "Once upon a time, during the winter month, I was referred to as a 'Snow Bird' in Las Vegas. Signs hung from motels and apartment complexes that read 'Snow Birds Welcome' and I could rent a furnished one-bedroom apartment for three months. That changed. Now you can only rent an apartment for 6 months. I rented an apartment for 6 months only once, but that's too long of a time. Too bad, so sad." (Jack D.)
• "I miss Virtual World. The Battletech simulators used to be in the shopping center on the Strip across from the Stardust. It was the nicest of the Virtual World locations in the country, with a coffee bar and a separate game room, along with the simulators." (Alan G.)
• "The Center Stage restaurant at the Plaza. It had a real old time classic feel, great view of Fremont St., and great food. The French onion soup was the best." (Carl W.)
• "I miss the Boardwalk. Great location, decent prices, decent rooms, great desk service with no lines." (Samantha T.)
• "When I read the poll in the e-mail, I immediately thought my answer had to be the Stardust. Then when I saw single-deck blackjack, I decided to go with that. But to expand, one of my favorite memories from the 'Dust is playing single-deck blackjack." (Ray)