Researching these in advance, we knew where we were heading as soon as we blew into Laughlin for a late lunch: the Aquarius Cafe and the turkey value special. We sat down, the waiter arrived seconds later, we said, “Turkey special,” and he said, “Good choice.” When he delivered it minutes later, we couldn’t believe our eyes. See for yourselves.
That’s right: three thick slices of turkey breast off the bone, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fresh vegetables right out of the steamer, cranberry sauce, roll and butter, and a drink, all included, for — don’t fall off your chair — $6.99. Believe us when we say, this was better than a lot of Thanksgiving Day home-cooked meals we’ve had.
Aquarius puts out five coffee-shop specials every month. In December, they were a French toast platter for $3.99, country scramble and chicken tender sandwich $4.99, chili bread bowl $5.99, and the turkey. In January, they were three eggs, hashbrowns, toast for $3.99, two eggs, bacon/sausage, and pancakes $4.99, big burger and all you can eat spaghetti $6.99, and a pot roast dinner (which we imagine is like the turkey) $7.99.
On a return visit, just passing through on a drive to southern California, we tried the smashburger.
This was a little different experience, since it was a busy Saturday. The service was noticeably slower, though it seemed like everyone in the Cafe was ordering the burger. It wasn’t bad by any means (we opted out on the American cheese), but after the turkey dinner a couple of months earlier, our standards were very high.
April 1 through June 3, the specials include three pancakes, hash browns, two eggs, and a choice of bacon or sausage $5.99; 16-ounce bone-in ham steak served with two eggs, hash browns, and toast or biscuits and gravy, and drink $6.99; double smashburger with lettuce, American cheese, tomato, onion, and special sauce on a brioche bun, served with French fries, $6.99; and a breaded pork chop plate featuring two pork chops and country gravy with potatoes and vegetables, soup or salad, $7.99. We can’t begin to imagine going wrong with any of them at these prices.
The Aquarius Cafe is, to a certain extent, representative of meal deals all over Laughlin. At the Edgewater, Stockman’s Steakhouse when we were there had on offer burgers, chops, chicken parm, and barbecue chicken and shrimp with AYCE soup or salad for $14-$16. The Tropicana’s Carnegie Cafe was advertising buy one meal and get the second for $1.
And speaking of the Carnegie, we tried the shrimp cocktail there.
These were smallish fresh-water Bay shrimp in the cocktail glass, with a lemon wedge, plenty of sauce, very little filler, and a package of crackers. There were probably 150 shrimp and we kept eating and eating to get to the bottom of glass. For $2.95, we were more than satisfied.
In other posts, we’ll discuss the many snack bars of Laughlin and the excellent prices on meals that aren’t on special, just right off the menus. All in all, Laughlin is a bargain-eaters dream, the way Las Vegas used to be.