Fresh Market Buffet at Harrah's Laughlin

We were attending the Jeff Dunham show at Harrah's Laughlin and decided to eat dinner first.

Baja Blue had a big line and the only other choices there are Fast Food or the very pricey steakhouse.  So onto the Fresh Market Square Buffet it was.  We didn't realize it was Steak Night so got sticker shocked at the cashier.  One doesn't expect to pay upwards of $80 with a couple of drinks for a Buffet (3 people) in Laughlin.   Despite the price of the buffet the lines were still pretty deep.  With a Total Rewards players card of Platinum or higher you can skip fast through the VIP lines.  We definitely wouldn't of waited a half hour or more for this buffet.

Got seated and our drinks came promptly.  No silverware on the table.  You must go to the silverware section to get it yourself.  Since we still tip at a buffet, shouldn't they at least put the silverware down for you?   Every other buffet we have been to does so.

The buffet does have a very good selection, from Italian, Shrimp, Chinese, Carving Board Meats.  Something for everyone.   Everything was fresh, hot, replaced promptly and kept clean.

The steak was called a N.Y. Strip steak.  The chef was grilling them right behind the area on the Buffet where they were served.  He grilled them medium rare, medium, and well done and there was a platter for each choice.    One steak a member of our party took from the medium platter was very well done.  He returned that one and got another one that was just right.  The trick is to time it just right and wait for the chef to put your steak choice on the platter from the grill.  Do this and you will get it hot and juicy.  The steaks are cut ultra thin.  Perhaps 1/4 inch at most.  Never have seen a NY strip cut so thin.  Reminded us of what you would get in a steak sandwich.

Highlights:
The Prime Rib was very good, much better than any other we have had at Laughlin Buffets.
The Shrimp (peel and eat) and breaded, fried were good.
Salad bar selections were good.
Desserts were very good.  You can choose from some selections placed out on plates, or you can go up to the glass counter and select what you want.  Many choices.  Plus they had soft serve ice cream and 4 choices of flavors or regular hand scooped ice cream.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

Low points:
The ribs were fatty and not very good.
The pasta for the most part was overcooked (typical for a buffet)
Breads on the buffet were not that fresh.
Pizza could of passed for frozen variety.
They took out the little self server coffee/expresso/latte machine they used to have there.  We used to love that but it is gone and we couldn't even located our waitress at dessert time to get a regular coffee.

The bottom line is a buffet no matter what the special of the night might be...is still a buffet.  Go to a buffet and expect buffet quality and food.  Yes, some of this one was good.  Definitely not worth 20+ dollars a person (our opinion) though.  It is all a matter of preference and how much you love buffet food.  If you love them, this would be one of the best buffet choices in Laughlin.

Unless we are in a pinch to find somewhere to eat we probably won't return to this Buffet again.

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Roundhouse Buffet - Dixieland Brunch at Tropicana Laughlin

Review of the Dixieland Brunch at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada

The following is a Guest Review from a loyal reader.

Last Sunday we visited the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada to redeem free play we had received in the mail.   We got extremely lucky and ended up winning a hundred dollars.  It was approaching 11 am and we noticed we also had a 2 for 1 coupon for the Roundhouse Buffet.   We figured you couldn't go wrong for $12.99 for two of what was advertised, Dixieland Brunches.  Friends had told us they had gone in the past and enjoyed it.

There was no line so we were seated right away.  This was a stark contrast from the lines we usually find at a couple of the other Casino Sunday brunches.  Included in the cost of the brunch is one ticket for a glass of champagne.  We thought that was odd since other places we have tried either give you unlimited or at least two glasses.  We had to go up to the champagne bar to get it, at first no one was there and other people were waiting.  So, we went to get food first (after we had gotten a plate of food an employee finally appeared at the champagne bar).  When we finally did get our glass of champagne it was a huge one, though in a plastic cup.  I guess the size makes up for only being given one glass.

The food was alright. There were the usual breakfast selections and several choices of other dishes like fried chicken (way overdone), carved ham (average), and several different Mexican style selections.  There was also this big (very dry and tasteless) breakfast pizza.   We would be hard pressed to call the buffet good or recommend it.  Certainly not if you are paying full price.  Definitely not as good as the Sunday brunches we have had at Aquarius, Harrahs, or the Golden Nugget.   The best (and freshest, hottest) dishes were the pancakes, sausage, bacon, and fruit selections.   Dessert choices were limited and what they did have were all very dry.   There were sugar free choices we did not try.  They do have four machines that dispense fat free yogurt and ice cream (soft serve).  Plus toppings.  Is it wrong to take fat free yogurt and add whipped cream and Carmel?

We did like that at this buffet you can go get your own drinks from the machines set up.  Soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, juices.  No waiting necessary for the servers to get them for you.  However, we seldom saw a server and between plates they did not clear the dirty dishes very promptly.

Finally, perhaps they discontinued the brunch as a Dixieland brunch.  We had heard that there is usually a trio of performers playing as a dixieland band in the dining area of the brunch.  None were seen or heard during the entire 1+ hour we were there.  If they have stopped doing it, and that is possible, they should remove it from their website and advertising.  As of when we were there it was still advertised as such.

We generally love all the dining choices at the Tropicana in Laughin.  The Steakhouse is one of our favorites. Carnegie's Dining Car has good food.   Even the small Mexican restaurant and Italian place have pretty good choices at great prices.  The Roundhouse Buffet isn't quite up to par with the food quality or service.  From now on when we visit the Tropicana we will most certainly go to one of the other places.

Luckily, with some comps on our players card and a discount, the entire brunch for two of us only cost us a couple dollars.  That's a real deal.  In retrospect we did get to relax, sit, and enjoy our coffee and champagne after a nice bonus win in the casino.

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Windows on the River Buffet at Aquarius - Another Visit

Review of the Buffet/Brunch at the Windows on the River Buffet

We last visited the Windows On The River Buffet at Aquarius Resort and Casino last September for a Sunday Brunch.  That visit was semi-disappointing. Read about it here.

This time we went on a Saturday (mid morning) for the Brunch.  This was the day of the Reba on the River Concert, which may have been the reason there was a long wait and line way out into the Casino.   Luckily, we got to use the preferred VIP line (for Green or Red ACE Players Cards) and were seated almost right away.  If not for that, we would not have waited.

You get two free drinks with Brunch at the little bar that is set off to the side.  Once again, as on previous visits, no one bothered to tell us this.   Choices are champagne, beer, or wine.   We got the Mimosas, Coffee, and a Mr. Pibb (Dr. Pepper's brother who didn't go to college).  Perhaps because of the larger crowd the food was fresher than the last visit.  Basically it is still a standard buffet.   They do have two omelet stations.  These are nice, the line for them was a bit long though.   

Highlights that people in our party most enjoyed:   

-The carved Ham (this was the only meat on the carving board).  

-The omelet station

-The chicken wings (hot sauce served on the side)

-Biscuits with Sausage Gravy (skip the Chicken Fried Steak thing, it was dry)

-Breakfast potatoes 

-Toronados (Raspberry and Cream Cheese filled)

-The BBQ Ribs (very tender, fall off the bone), however, several people didn't care for the sauce. That is mostly a matter of personal preference though. 

-Salad Bar and Fruit was fresh enough. 

-Mini Belgian Waffles (these were good if you grabbed them fresh in the bin)

-French Toast (same deal as the Waffles)

Just a few of the items off the Brunch

Other choices that were adequate:

-Eggs Benedict.  Better this time than last but small.

-Potato Bar - Make your own baked potato

-Fish

Low points 

-Eggs were bland

-Sausage was ok, but again was brown and serve type

-Bacon, some of it was good, other pieces were not cooked enough in the bin.

-Breads weren't super fresh

-Cheese Blintzes, expected them to be good but they had little flavor, maybe had sat too long

-Soups were just ok

The counters surrounding the salad bar, soup, bread stations were sort of messy with spills.  They need to be more diligent in cleaning up a bit faster.   The main food bars were kept much cleaner. 

The desserts were also better this time than the last visit.  Fresher.  Wide assortment of pies, cakes, custard, donuts, cupcakes, cookies, apple crisp, sugar free choices, and fat free yogurt.  No chocolate dipped strawberries again though!  They need to bring them back, this was a favorite.   Favorites (from our party) from the dessert included the Cupcakes, cheesecake, and the donuts (described as a chocolate cloud).  For some reason most of the pics we snapped were of the dessert (see below).

Service was pretty good considering how busy they were.  Maybe a bit too fast.  When we went for a second trip to the Buffet one of the employees started to bus our table.  They must of believed we had left.  One member of our party was just returning to it when she was about to finish clearing it.  She did apologize profusely and replace our drinks she had whisked away.  We have never had that happen in years of going to Buffets.  

View of the section overlooking the River.  Not viewable from the other section. 

The view from the Buffet is very nice if you can get seated over by the Window overlooking the River.  On this day there was a Special Event in that section so we could not.   

The cost for the Windows on the River Buffet Brunch is currently $10.99 (for Orange, Green, or Red ACE Player Cards) and $13.19 (blue ACE Player Cards).  If you don't have a card it is $14.65.  Cards are free. Even if you don't play or plan to you can get a Blue Card at the Customer Service area.   It was nice to see the prices had not risen (from the last time we were there) as they have at two other local Buffets. 

The Brunch runs from 7am - 3pm.   

Saturday is Prime Rib and Crab Legs Dinner night on the Buffet.  This starts at 4PM to 10PM after the Champagne brunch ends.  Prices go up:

$16.99  Orange, Green, Red Cards

$20.39  Blue Cards

$22.65  No card

Beer, wine, margaritas included. 

Overall for the price ($10.99) we were satisfied.  If we had to pay the higher price, maybe not so much. Either way, if you like brunches and buffets, this is a pretty good one for Laughlin.  They do allow you to use comps off the Players card if you have them. 

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All reviews are presented for information only and are our solely our personal opinion reflect the experience we had at the time of our visit.   This may or may not reflect your own visit to the establishment.  We are not in any way affiliated or compensated in any way with the restaurants or businesses reviewed.  

If you tried this Brunch or any other places in Laughlin we would love to hear from you.  Leave us a comment below.  

Windows on the River Buffet at the Aquarius

Review -  Windows on the Buffet - Sunday Champagne Brunch

Visit date:  September 2012

Location:  Aquarius Resort and Casino

We had tried the buffet at the Aquarius a couple other times and it was good.  This time we went just after noon on a Sunday.   The line was unexpectedly smaller than we have seen it in the past and we used the "VIP" line anyway (based on the ACE players card).  Funny thing is they do give you priority in paying for your buffet in this line, but you still have to wait in line to be seated. If there is a VIP line then you should get VIP seating as well. 

Things continued negatively with the service when the hostess rudely told us to sit down while a table was cleared off.  Meanwhile there were dozens of open tables.  Then she went to the table and put our slip on it after it was clean.  She didn't even look back at us or indicate we should go to the table.  After a few minutes of wondering, while other people were being seated, we just got up and went to the table. 

You get two free drinks with the buffet.  These are obtained by going up to the little bar off to the side.  Our waiter, and the hostess did not tell us this, we only knew from past visits. We went up to the bar and asked for a glass of the champagne.  The bartender didn't greet us or say a word whatsover, just grumpily poured them and set them in front of us. 

Tip: If you want a Mimosa, order orange juice from your waiter and then get the champagne at the bar.  Make your own. Much better the almost all orange juice Mimosa you would get from the bar. 

The salad bar section was fresh and nice.  They also had a create your own omelette section, which was good.  If we had stuck to the omlettes and the salad bar it would of been a nice brunch (except for the service).

The rest of the buffet was not quite as good.  Rolls and breads seemed dry or old.  Two unremarkable soup selections.  The carving table only had one sad piece of ham on it, and some turkey.  No roast beef or prime rib.  Not sure if there was supposed to be or not.  Usually there is.   The Eggs Benedict had been sitting for awhile and looked all dried out.  Sausage was the brown and serve type and not all that browned.  Meanwhile in the huge bacon bin there was a mix of undercooked and overcooked bacon.   The rest of the entree selections were also just standard buffet food that seemed to have been under the heat lamps too long. 

Our waiter never came back and offered us a second beverage or coffee.  We went to the dessert section to check it out.  On past visits this was one of the best parts of the buffet.  Today there were a few random cupcakes that looked like they had been there awhile.  The selections of cakes and pies were minimal and the few we sampled were very dry (or old).   No chocolate dipped strawberries as there were other visits.  There are sugar free choices and non-fat yogurt but we didn't even venture to try them. After a few bites of some of the items (with no coffee) we decided it was time to go.   We didn't even bother to go back up to the bar for a second drink.

Overall it seemed like we were coming in at the end of a buffet right before closing.  Items were dry, old, or not being replaced.  Service was slow or non-existent or rude (bartender).   Given that it was the main part of the day on a Sunday and several more hours remained for the buffet, this should not have happened.  On the upside, the room is spacious, clean and nice.  If only the buffet was as good. 
It was disappointing and even though we had good experiences there before, it might be awhile before we try it again. 

Highlight was the cost.  Using our comps it was free.  Without them the normal price is:
$10.99 (orange, green, or red card) or $13.19 (blue card).    $14.65 without a players card, so get one even if you don't gamble, they are free.   Sunday brunch buffet is 7am to 3pm.  Prices and hours on other days may be different, check ahead.

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