For years and years, Anthony Curtis selected the best buffet based on a strict value-to-price ratio. In other words, he looked for a combination of the largest selection, the highest quality, and the lowest price. Thus, Las Vegas' best buffet tended to be the bargain superbuffets, such as the ones at Texas Station, Gold Coast, Orleans, even the Las Vegas Hilton for a while.
But then, with the advent of the gourmet superbuffets, LVA began receiving more and more feedback about the unbeatable quantity and quality of the buffets at Bellagio, Paris, and Aladdin, plus both the regular and seafood buffets at the Rio. LVA subscribers and non-subscribers who took the time to write in seemed to favor the better buffets, even though it meant paying the much higher prices.
Finally, in 2004, we ran a survey to determine people's buffet preferences. The results were eye-opening: Overwhelmingly, respondents voted for the gourmet buffets.
Of course, Anthony still applies the bargain-buffet criteria to the gourmet buffets: the best value for the money. This is why the Aladdin, up till recently, got the nod: The quality and variety of this buffet were equal, if not superior, to the other gourmet buffets, while the price of admission was a few dollars less. It’s the same for the Mirage's Cravings buffet, which is the least expensive of the gourmet buffets.
Still, we figure it's time for another poll. Please, weigh in on your favorite buffet and let us know your reasons. We'll publish the results in an upcoming QoD.
