Poolside Cafe Open at Tropicana Laughlin

The new Poolside Cafe is now open at the Tropicana Laughlin. Nicely done, with some seating, great menu and display cases, plus other snacks and items available.   Coffee, smoothies, frozen yogurt, fresh baked bagels, bread, sandwiches, panini and other treats.  They also have a to go menu. 

The Poolside cafe replaced the popular Under The Stairs Cafe but appears to feature everything from their menu plus much more. It is located just off the pool area or on the inside by the Caboose Lounge and elevators. 

According to their Facebook page, grand opening will be the weekend of the River Regatta.  Perfect timing for a nice new spot.

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Missing Starbucks at Aquarius Casino? Duet, coffee and wine coming soon.

It's been a long dry spell since the 24 hr, free Wi-Fi Starbucks in the Aquarius Resort Casino closed in mid March.  At that time we heard the new coffee and wine place called Duet would open in 12 weeks.   This time frame came and went with only a small coffee cart with limited hours as a substitute.  

Just this past week on the Aquarius Facebook page they announced that Duet should be opening on August 16th.   It will NOT be open 24 hours but is expected to be open late.   Free Wi-Fi will be available.

We would of loved to see it open 24/7 but are happy to hear about the Wi-Fi. Wondering if wine by the glass and cheese trays will be as popular as Starbucks was.

We look forward to seeing the new place and the menu.

For those who are still seeking a Starbucks fix, you can still get one at the Golden Nugget right next to the Saltgrass Steakhouse or at Harrah's Laughlin.

A+ Dinner at the Saltgrass Steakhouse in Laughlin

Review of the Saltgrass Steakhouse

Laughlin, Nevada

Visited at the end of July 2013

We haven't been to the Saltgrass Steakhouse, located in the Golden Nugget in Laughlin, in about a year. One evening we found ourselves choosing between Bubba Gump Shrimp and The Saltgrass.  The line was long at Gumps and there was no wait at the Saltgrass.  Easy choice, and one that turned out to be a very good one.

Coronita at the Saltgrass Steakhouse

It was very refreshing to get wonderful service, both from the hostess and our server.  Very professional, accurate and enjoyable.  Sometimes this can be rare in some of the Laughlin Casino restaurants.   We placed our drink orders and browsed the menu.  We were disappointed that that Ahi Tuna appetizer was no longer on the menu.  Had this last time we visited and loved it.   So instead we went with the Deep Fried Mushrooms with a border sauce, and the Range Rattlers (jalapeno peppers stuffed with shrimp and cheese). Both were very good, we highly recommend them.   Almost made us forget about the missing Ahi Tuna.

Mushrooms

 One in our party decided to try the "Early Bird Special".  This is a Steak (Sirloin) and Shrimp special for $12.99 available from 4-6PM.   It comes with a mashed potato, but no salad.  You can add a side salad for a few dollars extra.   A side salad comes with the regular steak dinners at full price.  Dressings are homemade from scratch, the blue cheese was excellent.

Salad

The other two of us ordered the center cut Filet Mignon and the New York Strip.  Both were very good cuts of steak, cooked perfectly.   The Filet was melt in your mouth tender and the Strip had a nice seasoning on it.   Even the sirloin steak in the Special was called very good this time.  A couple other times it had been hit or miss with the quality of the sirloin.  That was why 2 of us chose the other steaks.   Prices on the Filet and NY Strip are high 20's but each comes with the salad or soup, choice and choice of side.  For the quality it was a fair price.

The dinner comes with a Shiner Bock Beer bread and tasty honey butter.

New York Strip 

Desserts sounded very tempting, especially the Cobbler but we had to pass this time.

Overall this was one of the most enjoyable dinners we have had in Laughlin in a long time.  Wonderful service, good food, and a nice atmosphere.  The Saltgrass has now jumped to our 2nd favorite place to get a steak in Laughlin.  (Go here to see which one is our favorite).  *Be aware usually the Saltgrass is usually much busier (this was mid week) and louder, and  longer waits for a table, especially on weekends.   Though if you have a Landrys Select card you get priority seating.  

If you are looking for a good early bird special or a good steak give the Saltgrass a try.   This is a link to their menu (as of July 2013)...as always this is subject to change.  

The restaurant has a nice view of the Colorado River and is located right off the River Walk inside the Golden Nugget Laughlin.  

Share your thoughts on how you like the Saltgrass Steakhouse in the comments below.  

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Lil Elmo and the Cosmos back in Laughlin this weekend!

Lil Elmo and the Cosmos will be at the playing at Tropicana in Laughlin Friday and Saturday, July 26-27th.  They will be featured at the "Beach Party" in  the Caboose Lounge.  

Always a fun show, check out their latest video below:

Here is another clip from another performance in Laughlin on the Riverwalk:    Lil Elmo and the Cosmos in Laughlin

Black Bear Diner - One of the best Breakfasts

Black Bear Diner
Bullhead City, AZ

The Black Bear Diner is just 10 minutes or so down Hwy 95 once you cross the bridge from Laughlin.  This is a place definitely worthy of a border crossing into Bullhead City.  Usually they seem very busy and one other time we were going to visit recently the wait was too long.  The other morning we were out earlier than usual and impulsively stopped in for a breakfast.   It turned out to be a very good choice.

Prices are excellent, especially when you see the size of the portions.  Two people could easily share one of the breakfasts.   In fact, several couples around us were doing just that.  The menu is a tabloid style paper and has just about anything and everything you could want for breakfast.  So many choices, it is hard to choose.   This morning they had a special for $7.99, steak and eggs.  This included hash browns and a biscuit.  Everything was cooked perfectly, the steak was nicely seasoned.  The biscuit was very fresh. For $7.99 this was a excellent value.

Steak and Eggs for just $7.99

Another diner at our table ordered the Southern Biscuit and Gravy.  This is a souped up version of standard biscuits and gravy in that it came with Black Bears specialty sausage patty and scrambled eggs on a biscuit covered in gravy.  Not a healthy choice by any means, but delicious.  The sausage patty was one of the best we have had since being in the area.  We highly recommend it, even as a side or in another breakfast.  Waffles and bacon were the third breakfast, again also very good.  Fresh, light and tasty.    Coffee, juice, tax and tip for three came to just over $30.  We couldn't even finish everything.  Staff at the hostess stand and our waitress were wonderful, fast, and welcoming.  The decor is what you would except, very rustic, homey, complete with bear decor and deer mounted on the wall.

Coffee was very good too...we had run out at home so maybe it tasted even better for that reason.

If you are looking for a good homemade style breakfast at great prices and huge portions, give the Black Bear Diner a try.  The short drive is worth it.

We look forward to getting back there sometime to try a lunch or dinner.

Been to the Black Bear Diner?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!

For more visit http://www.laughlinbuzz.com 

Top 10 Burger places in Laughlin

Top 10 places to grab a Burger in Laughlin.

We are often asked where the best burger is in Laughlin. After a couple of years of sampling various places here is our latest top 10.  This most likely can and will change at any time.  We did not include Burgers across the bridge in Bullhead City or Fort Mohave.  

#1 Daniels Restaurant
Great burgers at good prices and tasty fries. Be sure to hit Burger Wednesday, two for 1 or 1/2 off.  Upteen varieties of burgers with just about every topping you can think of.   Located in the Regency Casino.  Don't be fooled by the decor or casino location.

#2 Pints Microbrewery and Restaurant

Great burgers. They also offer a build your own feature, just fill out the slip on the table.  Plus if you are extra hungry try the Big Firkin Burger.  Caution:  Service is, how do we say it, bad most of the time.  Bonus: Open 24 hours and Microbrews on Tap.  Located in the Colorado Belle Casino.

*We had a very hard time choosing between Daniels and Pints, in the end Daniels won out because of the great prices and better service.

#3 Harlows    *Now closed

Nice little diner features good burgers.  Have had a couple burgers that were as good as the top two.  Service can be spotty, especially when they are busy.  Prices are good for what you get.  Located in the Golden Nugget just off the Atrium.

#4 InNOut Burger

Definitely considered a fast food burger chain even though they take their time making your burger as ordered.  Clean, efficient, uber-friendly staff.  Nice simple menu.  There is also a hidden (but well known) menu for additional items. Google it.  One of the best fast food burgers you can find. Great prices too.  Features the only burger drive thru in Laughlin (but it can be slow). Located in Laughlin on Casino Drive right by the Tropicana Casino.

#5 Beach Cafe

Surprisingly a good burger at this little 24 hour cafe, located in Harrah's Laughlin Casino.  Friendly and fast.  Total Rewards card holders can save a dollar on a burger.

#6 Riverside Snack Bar

Great prices and a decent burger.  A surprise entry worth checking out if you are by the bowling alley or sports book. Located at the Riverside Resort.

#7 Carnegies Dining Car

Always get a good burger served by friendly staff overlooking the casino floor.  Good prices, occasional specials. Located in the Tropicana Laughlin.

#8 FatBurger

Considered technically a fast food burger, but not really.  They make them fresh on the grill in full view when you order them.  Very good, multiple sizes, dripping with flavor, juice and fat. Located in the Riverside Casino in the non-smoking section.  Very little seating especially if they are busy.  Local residents can get 10 percent off, if they don't ask you, ask them.  A little pricey if you are expecting fast food prices, which is the impression.

#9 Cafe Aquarius

Several varieties of burger, good sized and often very good. Pretty good price as well. Staff and service can be a bit unusual.  Located in the Aquarius Resort Casino.

#10 McDonalds

Last resort and included because someone is sure to ask. Given the value meals are almost the same price as what you get at some other places this is not usually an option. Some of the new burgers actually taste like burger but it's still fast food.  If you love it there are two locations in Laughlin.  At the Aquarius Casino (newest one and spacious) and Harrah's (by the Cinnabon and Dreyers Ice Cream).  Neither has a drive thru.


We want to hear from you.  What is your favorite? 
Share your comments and thoughts on the best burger in Laughlin.

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What is up with the service at Pint's in the Colorado Belle

Going against our own bad personal experiences we decided to give Pints Microbrewery and Restaurant another try.  This is located on the Casino level of the Colorado Belle.

We love some of the food, have absolutely hated the service.  Everyone deserves a 2nd, or in this case 4th chance, right?  So, one night after a movie we arrived.  As usual despite no line we had to wait far to long at the hostess stand. Meanwhile two employees talked and ignored us by the cash register. Finally seated we browsed the menu.  And waited, and waited, and waited. Then our server, we will call Armondo, arrived looking confused and unsure of what his job was.  We asked if a couple of the brews listed on the placard on the table were available. This was in July, the card said they were for June. He said he didn't know and would go check.  This took about 5 minutes more even though the bar was 30 feet away.  He came back and said no they weren't.  So, we asked him if another one we had in the past was available.  He said yes, so we ordered them and told him we wanted to order our food right away.  We didn't dare let him leave as it was becoming apparent he would disappear for a long time.  By the way the restaurant was not busy at all.  About 10 minutes went by and he showed up to tell us that in fact that beer wasn't available either.  We asked what was available and he looked distraught because he didn't know.  So rather than wait we asked for pints of the Golden Ale, assuming they always have that one.  By now we had been seated a good half an hour with nothing on our table.  Our pints finally were delivered and about 15 minutes later Armondo came with the food.  He quickly dropped it off and took off, not even asking if we wanted any more drinks or needed anything.  We noticed we had no napkins or silverware and  assumed (hoped) he had gone to get some.  One of the orders was wrong, missing  the toppings requested on the Burger, the others were fine.  But...time ticked by and he didn't come back.  We kept looking for him or to get the attention of someone else to no avail.  Finally, the food was getting cold so one of us went up to the hostess stand to the same two girls talking there and told them what we needed and that our waiter was non-existent.  A minute later the manager appeared apologizing and asking what we needed.  He took care of everything quickly himself.   He said if there was anything else we needed to let him know and he would be back at the end of the meal to check on us.  We finished everything and were still sitting there for about 10 more minutes before Armondo came by again.  He gave us the check but didn't ask if we wanted anything else.  The manager never reappeared either.

This is not an isolated event, we have personally experienced terrible service a half a dozen times and have seen many other patrons get the same.  Our advice:  Pint's has good beer (you might have a hard time finding out which ones as the staff doesn't even seem to know), and some good food, but if you go...sit at the bar, have a few drinks or appetizers or a pizza.  Avoid the dining room until they get their staff trained to do the simplest of tasks of customer service.

Read about our previous visits and experiences with the service at Pints Microbrewery and Restaurant

http://laughlinbuzz.blogspot.com/2013/04/pizza-in-laughlin.html    Pizza at Pints

http://laughlinbuzz.blogspot.com/2013/03/dining-at-colorado-belle-and-edgewater.html   Pints and More

http://laughlinbuzz.blogspot.com/2013/01/beer-burgers-challenge-apps-and-sweet-16.html   Burgers and the Sweet Sixteen Special at Pints.

For a look at the menu and prices currently at Pints visit:  
http://www.coloradobelle.com/dining/pints-brewery.html

River Regatta 2013 - Bullhead City

2013 River Regatta - Bullhead City, AZ

 August 8th-10th

The theme for this year's 7th annual River Regatta is MardiGratta

Launch begins at 7:00 am and ends at  2:00 pm. (Saturday)

You can launch from  Davis Camp or Community Park. 

The event ends at Rotary Park.

If you want to participate in the Regatta registration is open.   

Register here:  https://activenet021.active.com/bullhead/

For more information on the events, rules, and everything Regatta visit the official River Regatta site below.

More Info

Laughlin Sky and why it is so hot

Pictures from Laughlin, Nevada

No rain in the Laughlin area this morning.  A mix of clouds and some sun at times.  
At least the excessive heat from the past two days has subsided.  "Only" 100 at the time of 
this posting, with a high expected of 108 today.    

Shot of the sky earlier this morning...

Panoramic shots from upper Laughlin in the residential area

Why Laughlin is so hot.  
From Twitter

Visit 

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for the latest updates from Casino Drive and the Laughlin area

Fireworks Fire - Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin, NV

Update to the post below.  The bank where the fireworks caught on fire in Laughlin

Just before the start of the Rockets Over the River fireworks display on the River Walk in Laughlin, ambulances and a fire truck attended to what might have been a car fire by the Home Depot in Bullhead City.  Flames could be seen from the Laughlin side.



Shortly after the fireworks started a brush fire ignited along the Colorado River bank on the Bullhead City side.  This spread to eventually four spots along the River near where the display was being set off.   At times it grew fairly big.  Yet the show went on and the fires continued for quite awhile after the finale.  Traffic appeared to have been stopped on Hwy 95 during the incident.  As of 10PM there was no word if anyone was injured or if there was any further damage due to the fires.

Some pics sent to us, taken from the Laughlin side of the River.

Random Laughlin Observations

This week's 

Random observations, opinions, and sights in and around Laughlin  

• More and more homeless people seem to have a dog.
• Someone hit the 18K+  Hot Spin Jackpot at the Aquarius Resort Casino.  Last time it had been hit was in December when it was about 22K.
• The Brendan Movie Theater at the Avi Resort has the best stadium seating.  Unfortunately, the lines are usually long as you have to buy your ticket at the concession stand -- even if you don't want any concessions.  How about having 1 window or station that is just for tickets?
• The Phoenix cinema at the Laughlin Outlet mall has more than one time not cleaned the theater between shows when we have been there. Hopefully just an oversight. Still no excuse.
• Pints restaurant continues to have the worst service.  At the Colorado Belle Casino.  Yesterday was the latest in a long string of this happening.  Review coming.  Luckily their food is usually worth the hassle. 
• The Laughlin Outlet mall closes way too early.  No wonder it is usually like a ghost town.  
• The Koi Carp fish in the moat at the Colorado Belle are the most photographed celebrities in Laughlin. 
• Gas was 3.89 on Casino Drive in Laughlin and 3.30 just over the bridge at Sam's Club in Bullhead City, AZ
• The Golden Nugget has changed their popular Sunday Buffet.  Bad Move. 
• Coffee Duet in the Aquarius was supposed to be open about 12 weeks after Starbucks closed.  That was mid March.  Missing the spot and hoping it will reopen soon. 

More next time....

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The reason the Weather is so hot in Laughlin, Nevada

Just revealed...

the reason the weather is so hot in Laughlin, Nevada

Credit and thanks to Las Vegas Net Daily where we first saw this on Twitter.

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Edgewater Casino Sports Book Update - Opening Soon!

Shortly after the Kentucky Derby the sports book at the Edgewater Casino closed for a much needed remodel.  It was due to open June 18th.

http://laughlinbuzz.blogspot.com/2013/05/edgewater-casino-race-and-sports-book.html

Just recently we received pics that show they are in the final, finishing touches of having the all new sports book up and running.   This appears to be a vast improvement.

There are multiple monitors, both large and small in several different sections.  In addition there are high tables with nice seating and a section of personal monitors.

Looking forward to checking it out soon!