Las Vegas local Jason's strategies for eating good - what to avoid, how to get what you want - by Jason

Las Vegas Dining Out Strategies

How do you arrive in a city of millions, with hundreds of restaurants within a 10 minute walk or drive, and choose a perfect restaurant for what YOU WANT, that serves great food, with great service, in a great atmosphere? Well here are a few things to consider.

First, If you are short on time consult my favorite list of restaurants in Las Vegas. If you make it to any of them you will NOT be disappointed. Second remember that food joints set up to serve ONLY tourists will NEVER give you the glitz, quality and value of a first class restaurant where the chef and his reputation depend on locals repeat business.

See, tourist traps only have to get you in the door once because there are thousands more customers right behind you constantly flowing into Vegas. They don't care if you come back, they don't need you. They can hit you with a pathetic dry $12 hamburger served by a $2 an hour college drop out that's tired from working 2 jobs and they can still make plenty of money even if you never come back.

So ALWAYS choose a dining experience recommended by a local or one that at least serves locals. I am NOT saying casino restaurants are of poor quality. Many of them are fantastic. But you must be able to differentiate between the ones making their money from "one time visits" to those banking world class reputations on your meal and how they treat you....so YOU will come back. These are the places you want to patronize.

Buffets can be great. They can also be pitiful. I am extremely picky and hate nearly every buffet I have ever been to in cities other than Vegas. So choose wisely. Walk past the line and tell the hostess you want to "check it out". Then go around the food sections and check out what they are serving. See if its hot, and see if it seems to be fairly priced. I am nearly always disappointed in the "brunch" style buffets where they raise the price and try to serve lunch and breakfast all at once.

Never be in a hurry. PLAN! It is easy to head over to the Forum Shops for some first class shopping but if you end up eating at the food court you are wasting your time and money. You will be missing out on one of the best reasons to visit Las Vegas: first class, readily available, and affordable food. If you visit the places advertising on this site you will seriously enjoy yourself and make great memories. If you try to wing it from place to place you will never build the great memories you paid to get here and have.

If you don't like to move around alot get a players card the minute you check in. Then when you gamble you get points and can often buy all your meals with the points. Obviously this keeps the cost down to eat in Las Vegas.