Question of the Day - 19 June 2021

If Stations and Boyd Casinos take a hard line against reopening their buffets, we likely won't be going back to visit them, and I suspect a lot of locals feel the same way. We primarily went there to take advantage of their buffets, and gambling was something that we did while there. With the buffets remaining closed, South Point is where we've been going, other than Ellis Island to take advantage of their still fantastic food deals. Our current plans are to sample the higher end buffets at Caesars, Wynn, and possiby MGM & Cosmo, but South Point has become our go to Casino because of their buffet.

Surely the casinos realize that buffets may not make money, but they get people in the door? That many people stay and gamble (and blow their paychecks) after they eat, and wouldn't have been in the building in the first place if not for the buffet?

This is, unfortunately, so typical of Vegas in recent years. The casinos make changes (for the worse) that superficially enhance the bottom line, but have a long-term harmful effect on business. I guess that's what happens when you have a bunch of bright-eyed, eager young MBAs trying to run things, replacing those who actually understand how the casino industry works.

Also...isn't it obvious to both Boyd and Stations that either one could CRUSH the other by reopening its buffets? The fact that they both haven't strongly reinforces my contention that the two collude rather than compete. The timing of the two companies' many, many cutbacks has just been too damn coincidental.

Buffets used to be great low cost back in the 70 & 80's, but the past 10+ years most (all on the Strip) charge triple what a buffet charges in other cities. The only way they could have been loosing money (which I do not believe), is if they way over hired workers and if their workers constantly prepared too much food and then had to throw it away. I can't believe both LVA and local stations perpetuate that Strip casinos lost money on buffets when the buffets charged such enormous prices per person. 

If they lose money….Someone needs to engage with Golden Corral or at least study their business model.

The ever disappearing list of attractions that made Vegas what it was. I know, it sounds like a broken record but, economic buffets, along with paid parking, resort fees, and now higher room prices, dwindling free or inexpensive shows, de - theming, less and less comps, well, too bad. I know, it's great news for shareholders, right now they are raking in the dough, but that's in the short term, but in the long run, I don't think it's going to be good for vegas, they are taking out the middle class, the regular customer, and they are just focusing on Whales and the party crowd, and they are going to regret this latter on, as I said Too Bad.

Just got back yesterday and got a wake-up call as to how ill-prepared hotels are for customers in the AM without buffets.  Long lines for coffee and no reasonably priced breakfast options sent us out to restaurants with long lines at Blue Berry Hill and IHOP.  Much less time for gaming!  

Boyd not reopening Main Street and then stating they're not opening any of the buffets is going to chase a lot of loyal customers away. Lots of them really enjoyed the Main Street buffet and for good reason, it was a good value for some pretty good food. I think they're corporate motto is "Let's see how many customers we can lose."

for both financial and weight considerations. I'm too old to spend a lot of time standing in line; and even if you have a comp or a coupon, there's still the line. And the same comp points are probably good at one or more of the restaurants, where you can walk right in and they'll pack your leftovers up for you.
And I'm still trying to wrap my mind around Caesars Bacchanal: let's see--pay to park, hike a mile in from the deck, stand in line, and then pay $65 plus tax and tips for all you can eat? Not today, thanks.
Orleans and Gold Coast were more reasonable, but they usually had long lines, too.
And while I'm not much on conspiracy theories, Kevin is spot-on about the MBA bean-counters. Sooner or later they will do to Las Vegas what they did to Sears Roebuck. But at least the top execs will have their golden parachutes.

I find it interesting that of the four Strip buffets currently open, two represent the pinnacle of Vegas buffets (Bacchanal and Wicked Spoon, both excellent and priced accordingly) and two represent the absolute worst (MGM Grand -- if you've eaten there, you know -- and the notoriously inedible Circus Circus offering). Hopefully, as things progress, something will return to the value/quality middle.

I see the decision by management to close many buffets as a continuation of the corporate idea that every dept in the casino-hotel resort has to make a profit on its own. The dining area takes up a lot of floor space, if it isn't bringing in enough money per sq foot then it's gone, doesn't matter how many customers it attracts into the building. This kind of thinking is why we've lost a lot of table games that have been replaced by machines. These non-geniuses in management don't grasp that buffets, free attractions, free parking etc bring bring in people. Makes me wonder when things like the Mirage Volcano, Bellagio Fountains and Conservatory, Palazzo Atrium Waterfall, the Silverton Aquarium, Circus-Circus circus acts, Treasure Island pirate battle, etc will be shut down. Wait!, that last one is already gone.....

Love him or hate him, Steve Wynn knew how to attract a crowd. The buffets at Bellagio, Mirage and TI when it was his were all good and Bellagio excellent. He brought them in with the Fountains, Volcano & Pirate show. Doubt that he was hurting for money (profits)  with his marketing. With the lack of buffets, difference between the casinos, my 3-4 trips a year will be down to one as there are casinos all over the country vying for our dollar(s).

glad some of the buffets are returning and am pretty sure there will be a handful more to follow. buffets were always a major leader to get 'em in the building and maybe they'll spread some of their cash around. kevin lewis has mentioned this in earlier comments and again in today's regarding collusion and lack of competition amongst the casino operators. you would think that one (or more) of these operators would break from the mold and really offer some attractive, customer friendly deals. we all know competition is usually good for the consumer and that's what vegas needs. maybe the new palms operator (a Native American group) will come into the market with guns blazing and upset the status quo. one can hope. 

Kevin's right on the money on this. Dorothy as well, with the exception I will not put out that kind of money for a so called higher end buffet. Being a Canadian who "loses" a good chunk on dollar exchange before it even comes out of the pocket and into "theirs"....means the meal part of the vacation has to be reasonable (without the 25 or 30% exchange on dollar)...have always been fine with Boyd or Stations buffets along with the LVA coupons as well, for decades now (twice a yr til covid)....envisioning big "holiday changes" in the future if this is how it is...too bad 'cause I really always looked fwd to coming on the next visit.....have generally always had good experiences there!!....hopefully some BOYD and STATION  "bigshots" for lack of a better term read these things!....and understand the "consequences" of alienating a wide customer base in the "average customer....who knows, maybe it will "be brought home" so to speak by the locals spending power as well as vacationers.