2016 Best of Laughlin Awards

For Immediate Release

LAUGHLIN, NV – April 21, 2016

Laughlin Buzz is proud to announce the winners of the 2016 Best of Laughlin Awards.  

Best Overall Awards

Best Casino Resort -  Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Hotel - Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Restaurant - Bumbleberry Flats, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best “Locals” Casino - Old Town Saloon

Best Customer Service - Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Chef - Chef Craig Pinkard, BumbleBerry Flats

Casino/Gaming Awards

Best Slots -  Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Table Games - Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Video Poker - Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Live Poker - Harrah’s Laughlin

Best Video Keno  - Riverside Resort

Best Live Keno - Riverside Resort

Best SportsBook - William Hill Sportsbook, Edgewater Casino

Best Bingo - Riverside Resort

Best Players Club - AcePlay Players Club, Aquarius Casino Resort       

Best Casino Bar for Gaming  - Sassy Sue’s Saloon, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Restaurant Cuisine Awards

Best Breakfast - Bumbleberry Flats, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Buffet - Fresh Market Buffet, Harrah’s Laughlin

Best Fine Dining - Gourmet Room, Riverside Resort

Best Special Occasion - Saltgrass Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Café/Diner - Claim Jumper, Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Late Night Eats -Bumbleberry Flats, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Cheap Eats - Dotty’s, Laughlin River Lodge

Best Coffeehouse - Duet Coffee & Wine, Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Steakhouse - Saltgrass Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Seafood - Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co., Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Burger - Daniel’s Restaurant, Regency Casino

Best Pizza - Pint’s Brewery and Sports Bar, Colorado Belle Casino

Best Mexican Food - El Burro Borracho, Harrah’s Laughlin         

Best Italian Food - Passaggio, Tropicana Laughlin

Best Barbecue - Blaze N Blues, Old Town Saloon

Best Prime Rib - Prime Rib Room, Riverside Resort

Best BBQ Ribs - Blaze N Blues, Old Town Saloon

Best Shrimp Cocktail - Cove Lounge, Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Buffet Crab Legs  - Windows on the River, Aquarius Casino Resort           

Best Sub/Sandwich - Capriotti’s, Edgewater Casino

Best Bloody Mary - Bumbleberry Flats, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Ice Cream - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Laughlin Outlet Mall

Best Desserts/Sweets - Bumbleberry Flats, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best People, Places, & Services

Best Place for Happy Hour - Pint’s Brewery and Sports Bar, Colorado Belle Casino

Best Casino Floor Drink Service - Harrah’s Laughlin

Best Place to Watch Sports - Gold Diggers, Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Wedding Venue - Aquarius Resort Casino

Best Casino Gift Shop -Harrah’s Laughlin

Best Security - Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Valet - Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Lounge for Live Music - Tropicana Bar, Tropicana Laughlin

Best Lounge for Dancing - Loser’s Lounge, Riverside Resort

Best Concert Venue - Laughlin Event Center

                                   

Best Neon Sign - River Rick (Cowboy), Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Casino Exterior Look - Golden Nugget Laughlin

Best Riverwalk Area -  Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall     

Best Casino Host - Carol Blossom, Aquarius Resort Casino

Best Bartender - John Roddy, The Lodge, Laughlin River Lodge

Best Casino Cocktail Server - Luck Hooper, Aquarius Resort Casino

Best Restaurant Server - Cearra Reddig, Loading Dock, Colorado Belle Casino

Best Customer Service Employee - Michelle Blazejewski, Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall

Best Local Business Owner - Dave and Leslie Wright, Yogi’s BBQ, Outlet Mall

Best Local Business Employee - Brian Anthony, Hideout

Community Award - Team Aquarius & Sean Hammond, Aquarius Resort Casino

Best River Cruise - U.S.S. Riverside, Riverside Resort

Best Spa Services - Harrah’s Laughlin

Best Pool - Tropicana Laughlin

Best Beach - Avi Resort Casino

Best Wi-Fi - Duet Coffee and Wine, Aquarius Casino Resort

Best Place to Shop - Burke’s, Laughlin Outlet Mall

Best Movie Theater - Riverside Resort

Best Special Event or Holiday - Laughlin River Run

Best Hidden Gem - Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trails

Best Attraction (non-gaming) - Colorado River

 Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted.  We encourage everyone to continue to support Laughlin local businesses, services, organizations, events, and attractions. By doing so you are helping the economy, growth and vitalization of the area and community.  Thank you!          

For more information, please contact Laughlin Buzz at:

4

laughlinbuzz@gmail.com   (702) 757-1043     P.O. Box  30284, Laughlin, NV  89028

www.laughlinbuzz.com

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Thanks and appreciation to Amy Reinert for designing the Best of Laughlin Logo for us!

Laughlin - April 2016 Restaurant Inspections

Laughlin, Nevada

**********
Update:  On April 28, 2016 the two locations at the Golden Nugget referenced in this article received a re-inspection and both places were given A grades with 0 demerits.   Mama's Pizzeria also received a re-inspection and has received an A grade with 0 demerits. 
***********

Southern Nevada Health District - April 2016 Inspections in Laughlin, NV

In inspections reported from April 1st - April 8th three Laughlin establishments fell below an A grade.  Two of these were at the Golden Nugget Laughlin and the third one was Mama's Pizzeria located in the Town Center on Needles Hwy in Laughlin.

***Be sure to read the information at the end of this article about how the inspection process reporting works.

All Laughlin area establishments inspected from April 1st-April 8th 2016

Golden Nugget Laughlin

At the Golden Nugget the establishment listed as the Golden Nugget Snack Bar* received a B grade with 19 demerits during a routine inspection on April 5, 2016.  

Violations resulting in the 19 demerits included the following: 

The most recent inspection before this latest one was an A grade in April of 2015 with 0 demerits. 

*The SNHD files often reflect old names for establishments.  The Golden Nugget Snack Bar is obviously now the Deli located just off of the Casino floor.



The second B grade inspection at the Golden Nugget Laughlin came at the Reef Bar.  On 4-5-16 they received a B grade with 3 demerits.   The violations must of been deemed serious enough to drop the grade from an A to a B.

A look at previous inspections for the Reef Bar shows all A grade inspections.



Mama's Pizzeria

Mama's Pizzeria also received a B grade, with 20 demerits on 4-8-16.  

The list of violations are as follows:

The last inspection, prior to this one, at Mama's Pizzeria was on August 12, 2015 and resulted in an A grade.   The list of previous inspections are as follows:

When reinspections are posted on the Southern Nevada Health District website we will share them and update this article.   If any of the establishments contact us and want to comment, we will share those as well.   

The SNHD also has an APP where you can check recent inspections.  This is not as robust as the website but is a nice, quick way to check the latest inspection results for an establishment you may planning to dine at.  Remember though, inspection results are not posted in real time.  You can look for the most recent Grade on the certificate posted at the restaurant (as required). 

2016 BEST OF LAUGHLIN Winners 

See the Winners List Here

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*** About the SNHD inspection process:  An "A" grade is the top grade an establishment can receive.  Generally if any grade less than an A is received the restaurant can and does have a re-inspection shortly thereafter after correcting any violations.  Keep in mind there is a lag time between when the inspections are performed and

when they appear on the Southern Nevada Health District Website.  A restaurant may have been inspected or re-inspected (in the case of a low grade) since the data was posted.  When a re-inspection is done the list of violations/demerits from the prior low grade is no longer view-able.

*All content in this blog post are presented for informational purposes only and uses data taken from the Southern Nevada Health District website.   We received no compensation from the properties or restaurants in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Review: Saltgrass Steakhouse at the Golden Nugget Laughlin

Laughlin, NV

Review
Saltgrass Steakhouse at Golden Nugget Laughlin

April 2016

Golden Nugget Laughlin - Saltgrass Steakhouse Sign on the Laughlin Riverwalk

Golden Nugget Laughlin 

  

We saw the three new drinks on the menu that had been featured on an episode of Billion Dollar Buyer. So, we figured we might as well try them. They are made with a premium cocktail syrup from Liber & Co.  The one on the right is the Pomegranate Mojito and on the left is a Ginger Peach Lemonade. These were very good, although also a premium price.  

Dinner

Based on a recommendation, we decided to try the Prime Rib at the Saltgrass Steakhouse.  The menu offers 9, 12, 16, or 20 oz. sizes.   Pictured below is the 12 oz. cut ($27.99), which seemed much bigger than that.   The Prime Rib was cooked perfectly and served Medium as ordered.  Great seasoning, taste, and melt in your mouth good.  It quite possibly might be one of the best Prime Ribs we have had in Laughlin.  The only one other even comes close, that being the one served on the Celebration Dinner River Cruise.  Of course, we haven't tried it everywhere yet.  But based on how good it was, the Prime Rib at the Saltgrass might be hard to beat.  

Prime Rib at Saltgrass Steakhouse 

Maudeen's Filet Oscar ($36.99) was also excellent.  (Not pictured) This is a 6 oz. Filet Mignon topped with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat.    This entree is served with fried asparagus, which was something we had not heard of. They were good, but we would of preferred regular steamed or grilled asparagus. 

Before this visit we had always enjoyed the Saltgrass but this dinner was by far the best one we have had there.  Both the Prime Rib and the Filet Mignon are highly recommended.   

All steaks are served with the choice of a side and a dinner salad. You may upgrade to a signature side or asparagus for an additional charge.  

The Saltgrass also has an Early Bird Dining Menu.  Sunday through Thursday 4-6PM (subject to change but accurate as of this post). 

We have had the Sirloin Steak and Shrimp special ($14.99).  It is good and well worth the price. There is an upcharge for a Baked Potato instead of the mashed and additional charge for a dinner salad. 

The Saltgrass in Laughlin also has a Happy Hour with Bar Food and Drink specials available in the (very small) bar area only.  

See the entire Saltgrass dinner menu here.   Opens as a .pdf file 

Service was virtually impecable, fast, friendly, helpful.  The restaurant was busy (and fairly loud as it always is) but overall we recommend it.  The prices range from the more inexpensive dinners and Happy Hours to the higher end steaks.  There is something for everyone, which explains why it is so popular.   

The Saltgrass did win the Overall Best Restaurant in the 2015 Best of Laughlin awards.  As well, as the Best Steakhouse.   Voting for the 2016 awards is going on and winners will be announced on April 21st.   Be sure to vote for your favorites.  Vote Here

The Saltgrass does accept comp points from the Golden Nugget players card, and if you have a Landry's Select Card you can earn points toward future discounts.   

2016 BEST of LAUGHLIN WINNERS LIST

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LaughlinBuzz.Com

   

All reviews are our own personal experience, based on our tastes and preferences, and are presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. Your experience may vary.  All references to prices, menus, hours and other particulars are subject to change at the sole discretion of the restaurant or company involved.  We receive no compensation from the properties or restaurants and are not in any way affiliated with them. 

Hand of Faith Discoverer Passes Away

We are "filthy rich”  Kevin Hillier told his wife Bep as he started to uncover the Hand of Faith gold nugget. 

His discovery came on September 26, 1980 near Kingower in Victoria, Australia.  He found the nugget aided by a metal detector. At the time of the find the nugget was in a vertical position just a foot below the surface.

He later sold that nugget to the Golden Nugget for over a million dollars.  

Sadly, earlier this spring Kevin Hillier has lost a battle with cancer. He passed away the evening of Thursday 15th May, surrounded by his loving family.

 Photo and Story Link

The Hand of Faith Gold Nugget
This gold nugget actually carries two distinctions: "the largest gold nugget found by a metal detector" and "the largest gold nugget currently in existence".  

If you are lucky enough to be in the right Golden Nugget Casino you can view the actual Hand of Faith Golden Nugget found by Kevin Hillier.  The question is where is it?   Learn more here. 

For more about the Laughlin area visit us at 

LaughlinBuzz.Com

All information is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only and based on current materials currently found on the sources referenced. We receive no compensation from the properties, sources, or entities mentioned and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Credits:
The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria 
http://www.pmav.org.au/stories-a-reports/nugget-monument-unveiled
http://www.pmav.org.au/

Truth and Faith at the Golden Nugget

Is a "Show of Good Faith" needed from the Golden Nugget?

If you haven't seen it or heard about it yet, “The Hand of Faith” is the world’s largest gold nugget on display, weighing in at 61 pounds 11 ounces.  Depending on the price of gold, the estimated value is at $3 million dollars.

Hand of Faith on display at the Golden Nugget Laughlin

 We were lucky enough to see it at the Laughlin, Nevada Golden Nugget...or were we?

We still are not 100 percent sure where the "real" World's Largest Golden Nugget is.   One of our favorite Vegas sites, Vital Vegas, shared that the real Hand of Faith is now on loan at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi, Mississippi.  They also shared a picture of it traveling from Vegas to Biloxi.

So what is in Laughlin?  And has the real one ever been here?

Just this past weekend we were at the Golden Nugget in Laughlin and saw the Hand of Faith displayed with the sign that DOES NOT say it is a replica.  Apparently, there are also stand in replicas at the other Golden Nugget Casinos when the real one is elsewhere. That would mean currently the one in Las Vegas, Atllantic City and Laughlin are replicas.

Sometime in the summer of 2011 we recall seeing the Laughlin Hand of Faith in a different location by Harlows restaurant (now changed to the Claim Jumper).  At that time the sign very clearly said it was a replica* of the real one located in Las Vegas.

*We know we have the photo of this somewhere but it's hiding tucked in a backup file somewhere.  

Sometime since then, some of the higher ups or a marketing guru at the Golden Nugget must of decided there is no harm in letting their guests and tourists believe they are looking at the real World's Largest Golden Nugget. So the sign longer says it is a replica. No harm, no foul perhaps?

We have as of this writing, received no response from the Golden Nugget about if the one in Laughlin is real or fake.  The sign, of course, leads everyone to believe it is real.  When we were there last it was a busy weekend and several groups of people and families were viewing, talking about and taking their picture with the nugget. It is now located right near the main lobby.

Then we came across a press release from the Golden Nugget in 2008.

They announced announced the real Hand of Faith was coming to Laughlin.  According to the release it was to be in Laughlin from October 2, 2008 through the end of the year.  (see full press release here as a pdf file)

Based on all this if you are in Laughlin anytime soon you will most likely be looking at a very nice replica of the real Nugget.  Even if the sign doesn't tell you that you are.

It is a big deal that the Golden Nugget does not disclose that the Hand of Faith is a replica in some locations?  

Are These Real or Fake?

You can have your picture taken at Binions in Las Vegas with a million dollars in cash. Just like the picture above. We would bet a million dollars Binions has real money on display. Ok, so money is not a nugget but facts are facts.  

Sign does not say it is a replica

Fact might not always be as exciting as fiction.  But, we personally would prefer EVERYTHING we hear or see from a casino where we play and spend our cash be TRUTH. 

The Golden Nuggets all over the country should tell the public if their "Hand of Faith" Nuggets are the real deal or not.

Golden Nugget Laughlin

Sadly, the man, Kevin Hillier, who discovered the Hand of Faith Golden Nugget in 1980 passed away in May of 2014.  

For more about the Laughlin area visit us at 

LaughlinBuzz.Com

All information is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only and based on current materials currently found on the sources referenced. We receive no compensation from the properties, sources, or entities mentioned and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Credits:

Materials referenced from 

VitalVegas.Com

VegasChatter.Com

Photo credit of Binions Million Dollars from http://www.binions.com/million_dollar_photo.php 

Changes at the Golden Nugget Laughlin

Laughlin, Nevada

Golden Nugget Laughlin

Golden Nugget Laughlin

After just receiving a nice new, golden look on the outside of the Hotel and Casino, the Golden Nugget in Laughlin is now restyling their Casino floor.   We heard about it on Facebook but had not been inside the Casino in awhile.  Having some comps to redeem we dropped by one morning. 

The main center section of the floor is getting the bulk of the remodel and reconfiguration.  

 

Other painting and touch ups are also going on throughout the area. 

All the restaurants in the Golden Nugget:
Claim Jumper
The Deli Snack Bar
Saltgrass Steak House
Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co.
Starbucks
remain open and unaffected by the work being done.

Re-freshening and a new look to the floor is wonderful.  According to their signage, they will even still keep some "coin" slots.  Must be by popular demand.  

We look forward to seeing the new look. 

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for more pictures, video, event listings, restaurant reviews and more 

All content and pictures are presented for informational and entertainment purposes. We are not affiliated with, nor receive any compensation from any of the properties or entities mentioned herein.    

ClaimJumper replaces Harlow's in the Golden Nugget Laughlin

As of the first week of December (2013) the ClaimJumper restaurant has replaced Harlow's in the Golden Nugget Laughlin.   

We  haven't had a chance to try it yet, this seems to be a popular move in the eyes of people we have heard from.  Still there are many others who have come to love Harlow's and their great specials.   

We received a couple pictures of ClaimJumper.  While we had not been to Harlow's in quite awhile, it appears that little changed inside the restaurant.  Looks like this was simply a name change with a new sign and new menu.  

ClaimJumper in the Golden Nugget Laughlin

Current hours listed on their website are:

Sadly, there will be no more $1.99 Four Deuces breakfast special and Blue Plate Specials from Harlow's. The good news is that this ClaimJumper does serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Breakfast is served ALL DAY, with the full lunch menu starting at 11am.  Instead of the Blue Plate Specials you can not take in the Early Bird Specials from 1-6pm, for only $9.99 each. 

ClaimJumper Early Bird Menu

Links to the current (as of December 2013) menu's at the Laughlin ClaimJumper

Breakfast http://www.claimjumper.com/printmenus/273575_CJ_Laughlin_Menu_breakfast.pdf

Lunch and Dinner 
http://www.claimjumper.com/printmenus/273575_CJ_Laughlin_Menu.pdf

Penguins and "Snow" by the Waterfall in the Atrium

ClaimJumper is located right next to the Atrium as you come in the front entrance of the Golden Nugget.  We will share our dining thoughts as soon as we have a chance to try ClaimJumper a few times.  

If you have visited ClaimJumper and would like to share a review on LaughlinBuzz, please leave us a comment below! 

*Hours, menu items, prices, etc., are subject to change, so always check ahead.

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for more updates on what is going on in and around Laughlin, NV. 

All information provided is provided for entertainment and informational purposes only.  Always check ahead for changes or details with the property.  Laughlin Buzz is not affiliated or compensated in any manner for this post.

Harlows out, ClaimJumper in at Golden Nugget

Update as December 2013:  ClaimJumper is Now Open  

See More Details and Pictures Here

ClaimJumper to Replace Harlows

Golden Nugget, Laughlin, NV

The popular Harlows restaurant will soon be gone from the Golden Nugget in Laughlin.  In it's place will be another Landry's Group restaurant, ClaimJumper.  Signs are already up and some work being done, meanwhile as of earlier this week Harlows was still open for business.  We wouldn't expect them to be closed over the Thanksgiving Holiday, however, the tentative opening date for ClaimJumper is December 5th.  

A new spot opening is always nice in Laughlin, it remains to be seen if this is a good move.  We still miss Joe's Crab Shack, even though Bubba Gumps (which replaced Joe's) is alright. Harlows is more of a coffee shop/breakfast/diner type of spot, with great specials.  Current ClaimJumper menus don't even included breakfast.  Details should be forthcoming soon!

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