Nothing, as far as we know, has happened to the steak dinner special at Ellis Island, which still comprises a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer. Nothing's changed, that is, other than a $1 price hike to $7.95 and, according to the law by which we govern the famed list of Las Vegas Advisor Top Ten Values, an item must leave the shortlist for at least one month, if the price increases, even if it's still a relatively good deal.
The EI steak special is not the only venerable member of the list to find itself axed in recent history: When the Golden Gate's shrimp cocktail, a long-time staple of the Top Ten, was no longer available under any circumstances for 99 cents, we didn't hesitate to drop that from the list, from which it remained absent for a few months (see LVA newsletter Feb., 2010). However, having conducted a tasting survey of the 99-cent shrimp competition around town, we concluded that the Golden Gate's was still the best value, even at $1.99. Hence, it's now back in the Top Ten.
With football season, with its MNF parties and contests, coming to an end and all the great happy hours springing up around town (and then sometimes disappearing again), there's been some jostling of late in the Top Ten Values. A price hike at the Palm happy hour saw that dropped from the list last month, ditto the nickel-beer night at Todd English P.U.B., which cut its hours. The Hard Rock, which hadn't graced our Top Ten since 2008, has now made the list a couple of times in recent months, first for its Monday half-off night at Rare120° steakhouse, and currently for the all-you-can-eat small-plates deal at Johnny Smalls for $19.99.
Tune in soon for the February Top Ten list, the contents of which we won't know until going to press...
