Poll - 2014-04-23 | Las Vegas Advisor

Lately, several hotels have cut breakfast (LVH, Rio, M), or even axed their buffet altogether (Riv); others introduced group passes. There are still deals aplenty but at the high end, "gourmet" venues have upped the ante with everything from unlimited caviar to seating reservations, free booze, and even a chef's tasting table! Our question is: "How do you "buffet" these days?"

4734 Total Votes

The whole point of Vegas buffets has always been to refuel on the cheap; I’ll do that, but I WILL NOT pay through the nose for these fancy spreads with $40+ price tags.

16% (777)

I might eat breakfast at my hotel buffet, because it’s convenient when I roll out of bed and is usually a decent deal, but for other meals I’d rather investigate more interesting options around town, where there’s so much more to choose from these days.

15% (702)

I only eat at ANY buffet if I have a comp or coupon.

14% (655)

The main meal I tend to eat at buffets is dinner.

12% (554)

I will splurge on one of the gourmet buffets and consider places like Bacchanal, Bellagio, Wicked Spoon, or Wynn to be "dining destinations" on a par with good restaurants, except with so much more choice, so they’re worth the big-ticket price.

10% (473)

The meal I eat most often at buffets is lunch.

8% (370)

I eat pretty much all my meals at the hotel buffet where I’m staying, or at other casino buffets if I travel.

6% (269)

I tend to target the specialty-dinner nights, like seafood or prime rib, and will make a special trip to patronize a good example.

5% (239)

I regularly partake of a weekend champagne brunch buffet.

3% (158)

I don’t eat at buffets because I don’t like that set-up or ambiance, with the feeling I’m in a herd of cattle and too much food being handled by strangers.

2% (106)

I avoid buffets simply because they are not at all good for my waistline!

2% (103)

I use the CET Buffet of Buffets pass.

2% (95)

I tend to choose those buffets where unlimited alcohol is included in the price, or else available for a very reasonable upgrade.

2% (87)

OTHER - use link on landing page to send us other feedback.

1% (71)

I tend not to eat at buffets because they end breakfast and dinner too early to cater to my typical Vegas schedule, where I’m out late into the night and then sleep in.

1% (55)

I use the Excalibur/Luxor pass.

0% (10)

I don’t eat at buffets because they don’t cater adequately to my special dietary needs (kosher? vegan? diabetic? please email us details).

0% (10)

Analysis

Thanks to everyone who took part in this survey, which yielded some interesting results. Here's some of your email feedback:

"I enjoy the upscale buffets, but not the gourmet buffets at places like Wynn and Caesars. They aren't worth the money for me. They have good food, but if I'm going to pay that much I'd rather get exactly what I want and have it brought to me. That is especially true when it comes to dinner. Buffets like Cravings at the Mirage and The Buffet at Aria are as high end as I want to go when it comes to buffets and even then, I'm not going to go for dinner. I think my virtual line in the sand is about $25, unless it is comped up front. I also tend to see buffets as a way to save time and money when it comes to breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, I can usually find what I would order at a regular restaurant and pay less for it at the buffet (especially off-Strip). I have higher-tier status at most casinos, so I can save time by skipping the line. I detest the "Champagne" Brunches. If I want champagne, I'll order it separately. I don't want to be charged extra for the option (kind of like resort fees ...)" [Ed: Plus, now that the Sterling Brunch at Bally's is gone, to our knowledge there is not a single buffet in Las Vegas that serves actual Champagne for its "champagne brunch."
"My wife and I like the buffets because there are so many choices--she eats salads, steak, shrimp, etc, and I don't eat meat."
"I normally stay at a downtown hotel/casino that does not have a buffet, but there are two breakfast buffets that a frequently will go to start the day, namely Fremont and Main Street Station. Good value-for-money, plus both have LVA coupons to make the cost even better. I usually do not go to a buffet later in the day."
"I usually eat at one buffet per day, that buffet being either late lunch or early dinner. I usually stay up late and sleep in so I miss breakfast buffets. I prefer brunch buffets because they usually have breakfast items to choose from. One suggestion to the servers and wait staff: Check on your tables more frequently, especially those with single women. I usually travel alone to Vegas and find that tables with men and groups tend to get better service than a single woman eating alone and I tip based upon the service, or lack of it, received."
"One buffet only EVERY time: Bellagio dinner. If any other 'gourmet' buffet ever lives up to this one, let us know. We've tried Paris and Aria, but always return to Bellagio."

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Poll : 23 April - 06 May 2014

Analysis

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