4 Best Bargain Buffets in Las Vegas

We've visited Las Vegas for more than half a century. While others go for the glitzy shows and posh casinos, our favorite activity in Sin City is sampling the sinfully delicious buffets. On our first trips to such vintage hotels as the Desert Inn, El Rancho, and the Dunes, we enjoyed limitless buffets for as low as 99 cents. The most expensive was at the upscale Sands. Dinner was $2.75, including a bottle of champagne.

On a recent Vegas venture, we ignored the $25-$40 buffets at posh Strip resorts and explored the not-so-famous ones that offered bargain prices and good food.

Ports O' Call Buffet

Like some of the more expensive buffets, this off-Strip dinery also features seven live cooking stations with ethnic specials, including Italian, Chinese, and Mexican. Because it doesn't attract the crowds that line up for the big hotel buffets, we find dining here more relaxed and friendly. Prices: Breakfast $5.95, lunch $6.95, dinner $10.95.

Ports O' Call Buffet
Gold Coast Hotel, 4000 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103
goldcoastcasino.com

Chop Chop Buffet

A throwback to the 1950s glory days of downtown Vegas, the Plaza Hotel looks a bit outdated compared to the glitzy resorts on the Strip, but it's a very popular destination for both local and tourist diners. In its Chop Chop Buffet, featuring a mix of American and Chinese offerings, the meals are filling and enjoyable. For lovers of fresh-made Asian specialties, it can be exotic. Prices: Breakfast $6.99, lunch $7.99, dinner $8.99.

Chop Chop Buffet
Plaza Hotel, Fremont Street, 1 S. Main St. Las Vegas, NV 89101
plazahotelcasino.com

Miss Ashley's Boarding House Buffet

With that name and the Old West decor, visitors could expect to see Marshal Dillon, Festus, and Miss Kitty presiding over the buffet services. No fancy Asian or Continental cuisine here, and you'll need to mosey a couple of miles away from the Strip.

However, for us it's always worth the trip, because Miss Ashley's features all kinds of good, old-fashioned home cooking, especially the barnyard chicken and open-range beef dishes. Prices: Breakfast $6.75, lunch $6.75, dinner $8.95.

Miss Ashley's Boarding House Buffet
Buffalo Bill's
31900 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Primm, NV 89019
primmvalleyresorts.com

Terrible's Buffet

The buffet menu offers beef; poultry; seafood; and ethnic choices from Italy, Mexico, and China, as well as traditional American. We found that Terrible's is also renowned for its homemade desserts, including blueberry scones, carrot cake, and cherry pie. Prices: Breakfast $5.99, lunch $7.99, dinner $9.99.

Terrible's Buffet
Terrible's Hotel & Casino
4100 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169
terriblescasinos.com

You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on Twitter @travel4seniors and check out his blog travel4seniors.com.

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