Best Breakfast Buffet on the River in Laughlin

Breakfast at the Loading Dock Bar and Grill
Colorado Belle 
Laughlin, NV

One morning we decided to head out for Breakfast in Laughlin. Wanting to try something new our choice was either Bumbleberry Flats (at the Pioneer) or the Loading Dock Bar and Grille at the Colorado Belle. Since we had comps we decided to use them and headed to the Loading Dock.  There is nothing like a free breakfast on the River, and besides we had heard a few not too flattering opinions of the food and service and wanted to see for ourselves.

Upon going up to the hostess stand we were greeted right away. This was a great first sign. We were asked if we were going to have the Buffet.  Apparently the morning breakfast buffet is popular.  We generally don't go for Buffets so asked to see a regular menu.

As we walked in we noticed most of people there wee in the first two rows of tables closest to the buffet. The regular breakfast menu was laminated onto a wooden board, a unique menu format.  After looking it over we realized the price for the Buffet ($7.99 includes coffee or a drink) was a great deal.

I did a walk by of the buffet and saw it looked really good (for a buffet).  Smaller bins of food that looked fresh and of higher quality than we recall at the old Captains Buffet or Edgewater Buffet.  There was also a egg/omelet station and toasting station.  There was fresh fruit, pastries, muffins, cereal plus eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, a egg quiche, pancakes, waffles and more.

So, we all decided to go with the Buffet and it was a good choice. Being that the layout and size was smaller than typical bigger style buffets, choices were hotter and fresher, with them replenishing them more often.  Sometimes, less is more. Do a few things very well is far better than many things done with mediocrity.

For just $7.99 this is probably one of the best breakfast values on the River now.  People who used to love the old $7.99 buffet at the Pioneer Casino Boarding House restaurant before it closed should love this one.  It is much better. The service was wonderful, prompt and friendly.  They had one person refilling coffee and even though we had the buffet our server kept checking on us to see how we were doing.  The decor is a nice concept and even if you sit inside instead of on the patio, you can see out to the Riverwalk.   The tables and tableware were nice and we actually enjoyed everything about the Loading Dock.

Our contributor Todd recently shared a good experience he and his wife had at lunch at the Loading Dock. Sometime in the near future we need to revisit to see how dinner during a busy time goes.   The restaurant seems to be more geared to the regular menu than the buffet for dinner but for breakfast we highly recommend the buffet.  For now it is the best value and breakfast buffet on the River in Laughlin.

You, of course, can order off the regular menu and we did see people doing this. The food that went by looked good and were large portions.    More pictures below:

Ceiling of the Loading Dock

Entrance to the Loading Dock

Large Windows look out onto the Patio and beyond to the Riverwalk and Colorado River

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 For more reviews and current happenings in the area, visit LaughlinBuzz.Com 

The above restaurant is located at the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada

The review above is based on our contributor's personal experience. Opinions and Photographs are his own. Your experiences may vary based on tastes, preferences, and other variables.  Information contained herein, such as pricing, hours, menu items, etc., is subject to change by the restaurant. Reviews are presented for informational and entertainment purposes only.  We receive no compensation from the properties or restaurants and are not in any way affiliated with them. 

Review: Loading Dock Bar & Grill at Colorado Belle

 Loading Dock Bar & Grill at Colorado Belle

 After waiting many weeks for the Loading Dock Bar & Grill to open, my wife and I finally got a chance to try it over Mardi Gras weekend.  The location is bigger than it looks from the outside with a number of seating options.  There is the large L shaped bar.  There appear to be just a few video poker machines after looking at the picture a second time.  They weren’t obvious as we walked by.

The restaurant combines a sit down bar and grill with a buffet.  Inside is a large seating area for both eating choices, though it is clearly set up with buffet density in mind (meaning no booths).

Indoor seating

The most entertaining seating option is outside on a large L shaped patio facing the Riverwalk and the water. 

We had a good time people watching and seeing the occasional watercraft zoom down the river.  There is a small stage right outside the dining patio and it can get a bit loud while eating but we didn’t find it over powering to our conversation.  We did notice that the music of the Loading Dock competes with the stage music at times which is odd to listen to.  The restaurant should really turn the patio music down when a band is playing.  The stage band created a nice atmosphere to each lunch by on a really nice weather day.

Stage on the Riverwalk outside the Loading Dock Bar and Grill Patio

We went to the Loading Dock for lunch at 11:30am on Saturday 3/8.  There were very few customers seated when we came in but a steady stream followed us.  Service speed was fair.  The server was friendly but had a large number of tables.

They bring drinks in small barrel type glasses that are too small for my taste.  I asked quite regularly for soda refills.  Have them bring two if they can to save on server travel.  I ordered a club sandwich (my standard when trying a new restaurant) and my wife had fish tacos.      
  

Outdoor Seating

Food portions are good if not a little big for lunch.  The sandwich had real turkey (big plus), good bacon, and the fries were very good.  My wife’s fish tacos were a bit tasteless.  She commented that more southwest seasoning, that you typically find in such tacos, would be a good thing.  She is willing to try the restaurant again for different menu items.  

Club Sandwich

Fish Tacos

Two drinks and the two meals above came to $35 which is a little high for lunch but it was a good experience that I will certainly repeat.  I look forward to going back for dinner.  I mentioned the crowd was sparse at 11:30 but it filled up nicely by the time we left.  It appears this location will do very well as long as the service and food quality stay high.

Review by Laughlin Buzz Contributor, Todd Carnes

For more reviews and current happenings in the area, visit LaughlinBuzz.Com 

The above restaurant is located at the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada

The review above is based on our contributor's personal experience. Opinions and Photographs are his own. Your experiences may vary based on tastes, preferences, and other variables.  Information contained herein, such as pricing, hours, menu items, etc., is subject to change by the restaurant. Reviews are presented for informational and entertainment purposes only.  We receive no compensation from the properties or restaurants and are not in any way affiliated with them. 

Loading Dock Bar and Grille is Open

The Loading Dock Bar and Grille in the Colorado Belle opened quietly today.  This was a soft opening.   We are sure a grand opening will be announced soon.  Even though the final touches on the Riverwalk are not quite complete, the restaurant was open and serving. 

Entrance to the Loading Dock from the Casino Floor at the Colorado Belle

We didn't have time to stop in but we did manage to grab a few quick pictures.   

The layout looks very nice, with plenty of space and even outdoor seating right on the Riverwalk.  

Outdoor patio on the Riverwalk

Open but still a bit of work going on outside

It looks like there will be an outdoor bar.  They already have the pre-mixed drinks in the machines.  Perhaps this will be similar to the old Chill Bar.    Again, there seems to still be a bit of work to go before this is up and running. 

We aren't sure what this is going to be (below) but they have been working on it right at the point of the Riverwalk directly across from the rest of the Loading Dock. 

You can get into the Loading Dock from the Parking Lot side of the Casino, by using a door right here.  It comes into the Casino right by the restaurant. 

There is some new carpet. 

When we get a few chances to try the menu we will share our thoughts.  Meanwhile here is a link to the menu at the Loading Dock Bar and Grille.   View Menu  

The menu is fairly extensive with many different choices.  Prices are about in line with similar restaurants of this quality, but may be a bit high for Laughlin.  This remains to be seen. 

Surprisingly, they also have a Buffet in the Loading Dock.   Breakfast Buffet runs from 7am-11am and is $7.99.  This does include coffee but not other beverages, which will be extra. 

They also have a Dinner Buffet that starts at 4pm.  $13.99 Sunday-Thursday and $17.99 Friday and Saturday.   They feature a carved prime rib on Wednesday and Chicken and Ribs on Thursday (sort of like the old Mark Twain's that was upstairs at the Colorado Belle?). 

With the new Buffet in the Loading Dock opening, the Captain's Buffet upstairs is now closed. 

Hours of Operation Sun-Thur 7am-midnight Fri-Sat 7am-2am

If you have visited the Loading Dock and would like to share a review or just a comment let us know below. Guest reviews are always welcome!

For more about Laughlin visit our home page here. 

*All content of this blog are from our own personal experience and are presented for informational purposes only.  We received no compensation from the properties or restaurants in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Loading Dock Update - getting closer

Laughlin, Nevada

We were at the Colorado Belle today and stepped out to the RiverWalk to enjoy some of the beautiful weather.  Even though it was cloudy and a bit of a breeze it was nice.

Progress continues on the construction of the Loading Dock Bar and Grille. Just a week or so ago they put the Lighthouse beacon in place (see pictures here).  The Loading Dock is set to open sometime in March.  Below are a couple of the latest pics we snapped.   Click on each picture for a larger view.

Update  February 20th:  The Loading Dock Opened - See pictures, menu and more here.

Workers busy on the top section below the Lighthouse beacon. 

Loading Dock Bar and Grille at the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino

Around the front of the Casino we noticed they have walls up on that side of the Loading Dock.

Click Here to see older pictures and a video from August when the work began. 

For more about Laughlin visit our home page here. 

*All content of this blog are from our own personal experience and are presented for informational purposes only.  We received no compensation from the properties or restaurants in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Lighthouse in Place at Loading Dock

Just the other day they placed the Lighthouse portion of the new Loading Dock Bar and Grille at the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino in Laughlin.

 

Construction continues. 

Management apparently has pushed the opening date to March rather than February as previously announced.   Progress is continuing steadily.  Most recent pictures are below:

For more about Laughlin visit our home page here. 

*All content of this blog are from our own personal experience and are presented for informational purposes only.  We received no compensation from the properties or restaurants in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.