Local Corner – Westside Bistro

The Westside Bistro serves lunch Mon.-Fri. from 11 am to 2 pm. When you sit down, you’re brought a basket of homemade potato chips and dip, then you choose between the daily buffet and a half-dozen items that can be ordered individually off a menu. The menu items are mostly burgers and sandwiches. The buffet typically has three entrées, two soups, salads, vegetables, pizza, and a couple of desserts and is the route almost everyone goes. On a recent visit the entrées were barbecued chicken, fish, and a good meat loaf. It’s not Bellagio (though parts of it might be someday), but it’s a decent buffet and makes for some interesting conversation when you understand the dynamics behind the action you’re witnessing. Another benefit is convenience—the Bistro is usually busy, but it’s a lot faster in and out than going to a casino buffet. All meals come with a drink and everything is $9.

As you’d expect, there are some quirks. For one, the buffet isn’t self-serve. Rather, attendants behind the counter do the serving. They’re eager to please, but be forewarned that they don’t seem to understand what “a little bit” means. In fact, the service can be stifling. The “employees” are students who aren’t getting paid, but they’re under a microscope for performance and heaven forbid your water glass should be only seven-eighths full. Also, your receipt informs that “tips are considered donations to the Culinary Academy,” which means anything you leave doesn’t go into the pockets of those workers, so you aren’t necessarily expected to tip. Finally, the restaurant is located in a remote part of town, accessed by taking I-15 north past downtown and exiting west on Lake Mead, where it’s about a mile up on the right.