Should you decide to take a trip to Las Vegas, you will inevitably encounter three things: extreme heat (in the summer, not the winter), thousands of slot machines, and buffets. While you can avoid the heat (air conditioned hotels) and the slot machines (plenty of places to shop) you can’t avoid the buffets. Especially in a town that has increasingly been connected with pricey, celebrity chef venues. Which means, of course, mucho dinero.
As many of these new restaurants feature small portions for high prices and long waits (even with reservations), the lure of the buffets seems even stronger. Even at some of the higher end places, such as the buffet at Wynn’s, the amount of money dished out gives you a much better selection of food. Thing is, there are so many buffets in Las Vegas that it’s hard to choose one or two for your gorging pleasure. Well, if that’s your issue don’t worry. Here are 10 tips to make your buffet experience a successful one.
1. Do your research — Thanks to that wonderful invention called the Interworldweb, there are plenty of research options to find buffets t0 pique your interest. For example, lasvegasadvisor.com has a whole section on buffets that includes photos, costs, and customer reviews (Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station is one of the best, while the Emperor’s Buffet at the Imperial Palace is rated one of the worst). You can also go to the individual hotel websites for buffet information. Though, they may be somewhat biased in the opinion of their own services.
Another form of research: ask the locals. These are folks who go to these buffets on a regular basis and can separate the good from the bad. Instead of pointing you to some of the larger resorts, these folks may direct you to the smaller, local establishments that normally cater to the local citizens. It’s these places that are normally the best in town.
2. Bigger doesn’t always mean better – Just because the buffet, and the dining room it stands in, seem huge, it doesn’t mean the quality of food is the best. Take the Round Table Buffet at Excalibur. It looked impressive from the outside; however, once I got in and saw the selections … well, I might as well have been dining at my local Old Country Buffet or my high school cafeteria. On the other hand, while Harrah’s Flavors, The Buffet was small it had some very good food.
3. More expensive doesn’t always mean better – See number 2, just replace “large” with “costly.” Just because a dinner buffet is $35 doesn’t mean you’ll get the best quality and selection of food. Again, research these places before paying $100 for you, your wife, and your kids. You may get some very expensive slop instead of good food.
4. Get there early — Especially when 1) You’re hungry, and 2) You’re in the city during a big convention or heavy vacation season. This is particularly important for dinner. Arrive any time after 6:30 at most buffets and expect to wait in line. After a long, hot day pounding the flat pavement of Las Vegas Boulevard you’re not going to want to wait to eat.
5. Small portions! Small portions! – I know your first instinct at seeing all of the food surrounding you is to grab a plate and load it to the point that it’s heavier than you are. Bad idea! You’re going to waste a lot of those items, and get fuller faster with that plan. Instead, give the buffet a once-over and select some items you want to sample. If you enjoy what you eat then get some more during your second or third time around. Don’t worry, there will be plenty for everyone.
6. Try something different — Here’s a simple rule: if the selection you’re looking at is not something you make at home give it a try (unless it has something that will give you an allergic reaction). Many of these buffets now feature not only Italian and Mexican specialties but Chinese, Japanese, and even Korean items. There’s no harm to try something new. If you don’t like it then push it aside on your plate.
7. Chew, swallow, repeat — Don’t worry, the craps table isn’t going anywhere. No need to shovel the food down your gullet. All that’s going to do is make you feel bloated and increase the difficulty of walking down the Strip during those chilly 106-degree summer days. Just chew, swallow, take a sip of liquid, and contemplate the flavors of what you just ate.
8. Eat a vegetable, for Pete’s sake! — Take a good look at the buffet. See those leafy things in the bowl, or the stringy, beany things on that plate? Those things are called vegetables and they should be a part of the buffet experience. Not only will they aid in digestion, but it will give you the energy required to stay awake for that 10:30 topless review show.
9. Watch the desserts — They may look wonderful, they may smell wonderful, but the taste may be less than wonderful. Unless you’re buffeting in a resort that highlights pastry shops in their selection of dining items (Paris and Venetian, for example), be wary of the dessert offerings. Especially the cakes and pies, which can look like your mom’s original recipe but taste like your drunk uncle’s recipe. If you’re dying for some sugar you can always tackle the sundae bar or, like at Harrah’s, grab some tasty gelato.
10. When done, take a walk — Believe it or not, Las Vegas is a walking city. So, when you’re done eating your and your wife’s weight in crab legs, get up, stretch your legs, and walk around the streets and shopping midways of Sin City. By the time you reach your hotel you’ll be ready for that $7.99 steak and shrimp special.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Aug 13, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
