In Las Vegas' older days, a "good" buffet meant a cheap buffet.
The judging criteria was simple: the cheaper, the better.
When it comes to buffets today, what qualifies as “the best” has dramatically changed. Now, it’s about the highest quality.
"Twenty years ago, it was about kitschy-ness,” said Jeffrey Frederick, vice president of food and beverage for Caesars Entertainment.
Buffets once were dark, cafeteria-style eateries lined with trays of stacked discount grub baking under heat lamps. Patrons paid next to nothing to stuff themselves silly – a couple of bucks at most – and that’s if casinos didn’t fork over free buffet tickets with a complimentary room.
Throughout the '80s, '90s and early 2000s, buffets were among Las Vegas' biggest loss leaders. That’s when gambling revenue still reigned on the Strip.
Inside the low-value eateries, tourists and locals would pile as much food on their plates as they could, filling up with fried chicken, ribs and corn.
While low-priced buffets still exist – lunch at Circus Circus costs $14.99, and most downtown buffets remain less than $10 – the price tag for food and quality of buffets on the Strip has skyrocketed.
“The bar has been significantly raised,” Frederick said.
The trend was cemented when the Riviera quietly closed its R Buffet in September. It was the cheapest on the Strip, offering breakfast for $12.99 and dinner for $13.99.
Riviera bosses made no announcement about the change. Insiders say business at the buffet had struggled.
Now, the norm is much pricier fare. The Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon, for example, costs $26 for weekday brunch and $41 for dinner. Dinner at the Wynn buffet will run you $40. Both include prime rib, crab legs and other high-end cuisine.
Then there’s the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, recognized as a game changer in the food and beverage industry. The $17 million restaurant-style buffet, which opened last year, staffs world-class chefs, offers 600 seats and includes a price tag that ranges from $26 for breakfast and $50 for weekend dinner.
Bacchanal looks like a ritzy restaurant and has a menu to back up the atmosphere. Glamorous food stations offer gourmet tacos, pasta and meats prepared in front of guests by a staff of seven sous chefs. Dishes are served on small plates or mini skillets, much like a meal at a fancy restaurant.
The buffet’s opening prompted renovations of the buffets at Aria and the Quad.
“It has become a lot more sophisticated,” said David Schwartz, director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
The approach seems to be working, too. More than 3,000 people visit the Bacchanal buffet every day. The line often snakes more than two hours long.
Today’s consumer is more educated than ever and can make smarter decisions about where to eat and spend their money, said Edmond Wong, the Bellagio’s executive chef. The Internet puts thousands of reviews at their fingertips.
As for the future?
Frederick anticipates changes along the Strip will be subtle. Quality will remain a constant. But more options will likely be presented.
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Hungry? Below is a list of area buffets compiled with help from Vegas.com. Unless otherwise specified, the cost represents the most an adult could expect to pay, including the specialized buffets and weekend prices that tend to be even higher:
Le Village Buffet at Paris
$33.99 or less
702-946-7000
Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace
Approximately $20-$40
(877) 346-4642
Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay
$29.99 or less
702-632-7402
Bistro Buffet at the Palms
$26.99 or less
702-942-7777
Buffet At Bellagio
$38.99
702-693-7223
Cannery Row Buffet in North Las Vegas
$14.99 or less
702-507-5700
Cannery Row Buffet at Eastside Cannery
$13.99 or less
702-856-5300
Carnival World Buffet at Rio
Average prices: $25 to $40
702-777-7777
Circus Buffet at Circus Circus
$16.99 or less
702-734-0410
Cravings at Mirage
$31.99
702-791-7223
Excalibur Buffet
$22 or less
702-597-7777
Feast Around the World Buffet at Green Valley Ranch Resort
$25 or less
702-617-7777
Feast Buffet at Red Rock Resort
$25 or less
702-797-7777
Feast Buffet at Santa Fe
$15 to $25
702-658-4900
Festival Buffet at Fiesta Rancho
$10 or less
702-631-7000
Festival Buffet at Fiesta Henderson
$10 or less
702-558-7000
Firelight Buffet at Sam's Town
$19.99 or less
702-456-7777
Flavors Buffet at Harrah's
Average price: $17.99 to $28.99
702-369-5000
Paradise Garden Buffet at Flamingo
$17.99-$28.99
702-733-3111
Ports O' Call Buffet at Gold Coast
$19.99 or less
702-367-7111
Rampart Buffet
$21.99 or less
702-507-5944
S7 Buffet at Silver Sevens Hotel
$9.99 or less
702-733-7000
Seasons Buffet at Silverton
$21.99 or less
702-263-7777
Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood
$25-40
702-785-9005
St. Tropez Buffet at Suncoast
$15.99 or less
702-636-7111
Studio B at M Resort
$39.99 or less
866-551-1540
The Buffet at Wynn
$39.99 or less
702-770-3463
The Buffet at Monte Carlo
$26.99 or less
702-730-7777
The Buffet at Stratosphere
$21.61 or less
702-380-7777
The Buffet at Golden Nugget
$21.99 or less
702-385-7111
The Buffet at LVH
$21.99 or less
702-732-5111
The Buffet at TI
$26.95 or less
702-894-7111
The Feast Around the World Buffet at Texas Station
$9.99 or less
702-631-8243
The Feast at Sunset Station
$9.99
702-547-7777
The Feast Gourmet Buffet at Boulder Station
$9.99 or less
702-432-7777
The Feast Gourmet Buffet at Palace Station
$9.99 or less
702-367-2428
The Village Seafood Buffet at Rio
Around $40
702-777-7777
Todai Seafood & Sushi Buffet at Planet Hollywood
$35.95 or less
702-892-0021
Wicked Spoon Buffet at Cosmopolitan
$41 or less
702-698-7870
Wild West Buffet at Arizona Charlie's
$11.99 or less
702-951-5800