"Signs" of Progress at the Pioneer

Laughlin, NV 
February 20, 2014

Pioneer Hotel and Gambling Hall 

Over the past two days we received pictures via Twitter that showed some progress on the fixing of the various problems with the signs and lighting at the Pioneer Casino.

First we got this one:

This is the first time in a long time this side of the large sign in front was almost completely lit up.

Here is how it looked the last time we were there.

Then we received a picture of a crane with a worker busy at the River Rick sign located on the Riverwalk.

Today we were at the Colorado Belle and wanted to take a walk to the Golden Nugget.  We thought this would be a good chance to see what was going on at the Pioneer at the same time.

First thing was the Riverwalk was blocked off with yellow tape by the River Rick sign.  

We assume this is temporary.  We had to backtrack up to the Casino and come back out on the other side to get to the Golden Nugget. 

They had many of the logs that make up the fencing out and on the ground to make room for the workers and crane.

There was a worker up on the crane but we could not tell if he was painting or replacing lights.  Time will tell what is being done. 

Another worker was on the ground painting the bottom (the large posts) of the sign. 

This work is a very good sign they are finally going to restore the look and feel of the signs at the Pioneer.  

If you visit the Pioneer and snap a picture of the signs, please share them with us 

On Twitter    @laughlinbuzz   

On Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/laughlinbuzz

or send us an email by visiting LaughlinBuzz.Com 

When we make another trip to the Pioneer we will report any new progress.

Another Beautiful Day in Laughlin

Visited and played a bit at the Colorado Belle today.  As usual we took some random pictures and enjoyed some of the great weather on the Laughlin Riverwalk.  

The first three are of the Colorado River.  (click on images to see a larger version)

They keep forging ahead on the new Loading Dock restaurant.  It was nice to see that the main doors out of the Casino onto the Riverwalk are re-opened.

 Crews were busy getting the new spot ready as we went by.

The Captains Buffet at the Colorado Belle was still up and running.  Word is that it is going to close when the new Loading Dock Bar and Grille opens.   If/Once it does there will be nothing remaining in operation on the second floor of the Belle (except for the Arcade).  It is a nice space overlooking the River and is a shame for it to go to waste and not be utilized. 

When we were leaving we snapped a picture of the Tropicana Laughlin with three jet streams above it.  There was also a worker busy removing the word PARKING from the Tropicana sign.  We will have to check out what they put in that spot.

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.  

Laughlin Sky pictures

Laughlin, Nevada
2-18-2014

It is already 55 degrees at 8am, with a high of 80 expected today.  Very little wind, which is nice this time of year.  The rest of the week looks good too. Sunrise was beautiful this morning and there was a lot of activity in the sky over Laughlin.  

(click on images for a larger version)

Sunrise early this morning

Sun on the Rise later

Conspiracy theories will point out spraying or chemtrails.  To us they just looked like various planes.  You be the judge.

Sky and the moon

 

Bird on Roof watching

X marks the spot

For more about Laughlin visit  our home page here.   

*All pictures in this post are our own and content in this blog post are presented for informational purposes only.  Feel free to share the pictures, however, if you do we would appreciate a mention.    

2 Riverside Restaurants get negative health inspection

Laughlin, Nevada

Riverside Resort:
Riverside Buffet

Dreyers Ice Cream

For a long time we had not seen poor health inspections by the SNHD in Laughlin.  Lately there have been several.   The latest two came at Don Laughlin's Riverside Hotel and Casino.  Both the Riverside Buffet and the Dreyers Ice Cream received less than an A rating.

The Riverside Buffet was inspected on 2-13-14 and received 14 demerits and a C grade (the lowest grade). If a place gets over 40 demerits they are usually closed down by the Southern Nevada Health Department. 

click on images for a larger version

As you can see from the screenshot from the SNHD website, the violations included handwashing, protection of food from contamination. 

Prior inspections of the Riverside buffet were usually A's and B's though they have had many demerits over the years.    See clip below:

Dreyer's Ice Cream in the Riverside Casino was inspected on February 11, 2014 and received a B rating with 16 demerits. 

Again, the most troubling demerits are with regard to the food.  Food not wholesome, spoiled or contaminated is never a good thing.  The Dreyers Ice Cream is a small storefront (food court type) in the Casino.  All previous recent health inspections had been rated an A. 

Given the nature of the violations we personally will exercise caution in considering eating at either of these places, especially with regard to the Riverside Buffet.  We have not been to their buffet in quite some time. This was our last review when we were there in 2012. They will receive a re-inspection** at some point in the near future and we will share how that goes.  

Visit the SNHD website here to look up restaurants in Nevada.  

There is a search feature.  For Laughlin put in Zipcode 89029.

You can even file a complaint using the online form if you find a problem with somewhere you dined.
Go here for the complaint form process.


** Update **  Upon a reinspection on 2-20-14, the Riverside Buffet passed with an A grade, and only 3 demerits related to food being protected from potential contamination during storage or preparation.  

For more about Laughlin visit  our home page here. 

*All content in this blog post are presented for informational purposes only and use 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.  

Winter on Laughlin Riverwalk-pictures

It was partly cloudy by in the 80's with just a slight breeze.  Perfect winter day. 

Random pictures from the Laughlin Riverwalk. 

The Colorado River levels were back up from earlier in the week

We stopped and had a martini at the bar in the Cove Bar and Lounge at the Aquarius.  Great drinks. While is is not for everyone, the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini is tasty. Good appetizers here, which come from the Vineyard restaurant.   See one of our earlier reviews here. 

The Splash lounge (located at the back of the Casino) is under construction, re-opening in April of 2014.

Stopped and picked up the oddest comp we have seen in awhile.  A free pack of Smokin Joes,  Non-smokers so we gave them to someone on the Riverwalk shortly thereafter. 

McDonalds sign, just because we passed it on the way to the Riverside Resort Casino. 

For fun, whenever we pass by the old machine in the hallway between the smoking and non-smoking sections of the Riverside we through whatever quarters we have in our pocket in the Win Silver Coins Machine.  In three years we have never hit the silver!   One of these days.....

Today on the second pull of the handle a coin popped out, featuring Don Laughlin himself on the front. 

 Surprised to see this slot machine below.  Wondered if there is a big demand for these at the Riverside?    

The Riverside has it's own beer. Riverside Light.   The alternative thirst quencher to what?  Haven't been brave enough to try one yet. 

The palm trees by the Riverside entrance. 

In the parking lot we were surprised to see a Fatmobile, food truck from Fatburger (which is located in the Riverside).  It was parked.  Having never seen it in use, we think it might be just for hire for events.  Laughlin could use a food truck or two!

From there we played a bit at the Colorado Belle and Edgewater.   Saw the new Loading Dock Bar and Grille is getting closer to opening.  See more pictures here

The McDonalds at the Edgewater closed awhile ago and they ripped down the sign.  Still no replacement. 

As usual the ducks outside the Edgewater were hanging around. 

For more about Laughlin visit our 

Laughlin Buzz home page here. 

*All content of this blog post is from our own personal experience and is 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 in Laughlin opening soon

Update:  February 20th, the Loading Dock opened for business today.


Since our last visit by the new Loading Dock Bar and Grill there has been more progress.   An opening date should be announced very soon.  

We dropped by again and snapped these pictures on February 15th.  It was a slightly cloudy day, but beautiful in the 80s on the River. 

Signs are up on the exterior of the Loading Dock

 Workers were busy putting in a new section overlooking the River

 

Go Here to see 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.