Question of the Day - 07 January 2020

I think a big difference is it use to be they were everywhere and you did not have to work or plan. Now you have to spend some time looking for them it kind of takes the fun out of just saying I am hungry and right over there is a great deal.

(you'd recognize the name) has different rates at different places when redeeming player points. In a casino-owned restaurant, you get so many bucks per point; in a name-brand place, not so many.
The Ellis Island steak special may still be a good deal, but it's definitely slipped over the years. The base price keeps going up; you have to jump through more hoops; and it no longer includes the beverage. Tack on an hour or more wait to get seated, and you might decide it's not worth it. I did, last time I was there.
And we don't need to get into arguments about unions to agree that the Culinary union has affected the bottom line. It was the same with entertainment. In the 1970's, my cousin worked as a union advocate to "unionize" many of the big Las Vegas hotel shows--and from the stories he told, they needed it. It may have been a good thing for the performers, but it had major effects on the entire industry, and led to the situation we have today.
Cheers.

I think also the lack of meal deals reflects the realization that hotels are now full-fledged resorts, which make money through activities other than casino gambling, dining options among them. The deals of the past were to bring people in so they'd gamble. Now the atmosphere and excitement of gambling is one aspect promoted in order to bring people in so they spend money in all phases of the resort operation.

People sometimes forget when the government wants to tax business they are just taxing you indirectly because business just passes their cost on to you. The same with union gains and the rise in the minimum wage. It is the customers and tax paying citizens who pay the added cost. Think about it next time you vote or support a cause. Some are worth supporting some are not.

For many years Vegas was primarily a gambling destination, back when there were few other places in America with casinos. You went to Vegas to gamble- the shows, shopping and other activities were much less of a reason people went. With all that gambling going on the house-owned restaurants and buffets could pretty much give the food away, they wanted you to stay on property when you needed to eat. But now gambling profits are a lot smaller part of the casino earnings- night clubs, high-end shopping and $150+ show tickets bring in a huge amount of money. Along the way a few corporations took over and consolidated ownership of many casinos under one parent company. So there is less competition now, you can go to the Flamingo or Harrah's and the same company gets your dollars, no need for them to offer as many incentives like food bargains to get you to come in the place. Many people that visit Vegas decide that there are casinos closer to them that offer better vacation deals.

were offered mainly to lure people away from the big casinos to smaller or more isolated ones.  Simply put, there are a lot fewer of those casinos today than yesterday.  I remember the free coupon books handed out everywhere were more geared toward the smaller casinos but there was always one or two coupons for the big boys like a free spin on a monster size slot or match play ticket for a table game, on even gave a free roll of nickels.  The only decent coupon book today is LVA's.

Who else misses the $4.99 prime rib meal at Michelle's at the Frontier? What an amazing meal. And still some of the best prime rib I've ever had.

I can remember the days when I would be walking down the strip and see a 1.99 steak and egg breakfast, then you would come out and continue walking and you would be kicking yourself as the next place had it for 1.88..... 

...they usually nailed you for $1.20 for Orange Juice or 0.75 for Coffee....as my dad liked to say "thats how they get you"...and always drank water. LOL

I am not sure how a Coffee has become $2.25 for a drip and much more for an espresso based drink.....  all I know is that dear old dad would never have in his life paid that.

The coupon book is full of meal bargains. Since I always use a rental car when in Vegas, I am able to take advantage of the bargains. The book pays for itself with the use of the offerings and discounts therein found. Therefore, I am getting my new book on my next trip. As for the debate about whether or not to rent a car, one can still find reasonable rates if he or she does the homework beforehand. When in Vegas, I don't like to be restricted to a certain area. So a rental car allows me the opportunity to really 'experience'  Vegas like a local and find the bargain meal deals.

Appreciate your explanation of loss leader meals and their disappearance from the Las Vegas landscape.

The Fremont and the MSS buffets are loss leaders. 
Not great,but cheap. AYCE for $11.00+tip.

I am baffled how the "steak special" can now be classified as a loss leader when you must purchase gaming vouchers and play in order to get that price. 

Furthermore, the portion sizes have become smaller and smaller. Even the long time employees sometimes chuckle. The casino isn't losing any money at all on the steak special. It's not like it once was. But like anything, if you convince (fool) yourself into thinking you're getting a deal, you will lose that emotion of getting ripped off. It's much like going to the supermarket and seeing slightly higher prices for your favorite item but the weight and size is smaller. We're living in world of denial now, but that's ok, right?

I guess this question just shows the true value of the LVA MRB. I went on an MRB coupon run just around downtown last year and got a couple of good food deals along with the match plays, slot plays, etc. and now I get offers directly from the casinos to come back and enjoy more of the same. So this year's run I am hoping to be cashing in on the MRB deals and all the casino offers of more of the same, it's like double dipping.

Where can I find a list of eateries or buffets which offer plant-based diet options, particularly Downtown?  During our annual week Downtown we were joined by couple who had gone plant-based.  Even with BOGO, buffets seemed over priced for them.  Finding restaurants who accommodated them was challenging.

https://vegansbaby.com/vegan-restaurants-in-las-vegas/

#Boomer

Is it safe to say that your vegan friends are poor hunters?

if the 4.99 deal is gone at planet hollywood at oceans why still listed in top 10?