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t=()Hi all,
I am traveling with my college's debate team and we are going to pick a night for an actual dinner, rather than the usual tournament food. We are foodies on a budget, and would like to keep it under $20/pp. Where can we go?
We are staying at the Hyatt near the University of Nevada (the Vegas campus, of course) with a shuttle that puts us at Planet Hollywood need be.
By notcolloquial
on Oct 14, 2011 03:37 PM
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The prime reason for a lack of responses so far may be that $20 per person basically takes the Strip out of play. The U.N.L.V. campus area has plenty of reasonable price points, but not necessarily something that jumps out from a culinary standpoint. But not too far from where you are staying are a couple of options that might fit - Firefly (http://www.fireflylv.com/index.html) and Satay (http://sataylasvegas.com/), in the same CitiBank Plaza on Paradise (3900, on the other side of Flamingo from where you will be), which would be within walking distance for you. And now that summer has finally left the desert, they both have outdoor seating that might be fun for your group.
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If you want to eat at the Strip, one possibility is to eat at the Spice Market Buffet right at PH. It's a little above your budget ($27.99 for dinner), but there no nasty surprises when the check comes.
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Burger bar would meat your budget if you shared sides and didn't go crazy with the toppings. The burgers there are fantastic. It's at mandalay bay shops.
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PH has a PF Changs that would be in your budget. It is a chain, but has good food. Paymon's Mediterranean Grill has a wide variety of cuisines to offer in your budget. Not on the Strip though, but on Maryland Parkway which is not too far away.
What about getting with some of the local debaters, and head out on the town with them. Most students live off campus, so they probably have a car to get around. Meet some new friends, and see some cool local joints. What days will you be in town?
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Oh please - PF Chang's is simply horrible.
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I gratefully concur.
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Please explain. What don't you like about PFC?
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PF Chang's is Chinese food, dreamed up by somebody from East Podunk, who has never tasted real Chinese food.
It's the Asian equivalent to the Olive Garden.
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Actually, the co-founder of PFC is a guy of Chinese descent (his mother is Cecilia Chiang, who is widely considered one of the first restauranteurs of upscale, authentic Chinese cuisine in the US when she opened The Mandarin in San Francisco many decades ago).
That being said, PFC is cuisine that has been calibrated for not very discriminating Western palates, and has strayed far from what anyone knowledgeable would consider authentic Chinese.
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First off, there is nothing Chinese about PF Changs. Second, there is probably a PF Changs where they are from. And third, it sucks.
That is like recommending Denny's, Outback Steakhouse, and Chili's to a foodie. I doubt they are looking for corporate american faux asian cuisine.
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First, I don't think that they ever claim to be authentic Chinese.
Secondly, our poster wants inexpensive close to the Strip. If they can get off the Strip they have tons of places that they can get good inexpensive meals of any nationality..
I am not a food snob, and I have found some great eats in some of the smallest dives. I don't have to have a steak from a cow that was raised at precisely 12,354.56' above sea level in the Himalayas, then transported to market in a 10th century hand cart pulled by 80 year old monks before being butchered under a full moon in January. Changs is a Hell of a lot better than the Super Buffet on Decatur. I'm jess sayin'.
I believe that they can easily find what they are looking for, and more , IF they can get off the Strip. That is also why I recommended contacting one of the several Meetup dining groups,
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Another way to do this is to go to Meetup.com for Las Vegas, and look up the various dining groups. Check their upcoming meetups, and see if any coincide with your visit. We have had visitors come with us before, and I have seen rides offered for those who could not make it otherwise. You could also join a group-it;'s free, and ask for other suggestions. Everyone that I have met through Meetup has been very nice, and helpful.
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Hash House a Go Go at the Imperial Palace would be within your budget and you would be very full.
I like the PH buffet suggestion. You could extend this idea and buy the 24 hour buffet pass, and then you have basically 2 days of food for about $20 per day (pass is $45 for 24 hours).
If you like AYCE sushi, I like Sin City Sushi and Sushi House Goyemon. They are $26-$27 per person, but for the price it is hard to beat.
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The no name pizza place in Cosmopolitan definitely fits you. It is hard to find but is right across the street and has very good pizza. You can hit that up whenever.
For dinner, try Wolfgang Puck's Cucina and Pizzeria in the Crystals Mall. Almost all the food is at that price point and is really good. But if you have your walking shoes, head to Venetian and go to Wolfgang Pucks Postrio. I love this place. The lasagna is one of the best I have ever had.
Also try PJ Clarkes in the Caesar's Palace forum shops. The food is excellent.
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I am very interested in the no name pizza place in Cosmo..if I ask someone will they know what I am speaking about?
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Any employee inside the Cosmo would know.
This link should make it easier for you to find the place.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781624
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Go off the strip, to Lotus of Siam for some of the best Thai food in the country. You and your teammates can share several dishes and stay under your budget.
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Make sure you call first- we got there and found a lovely hand written sign that they were closed that night. I would be understanding if it was listed on their FB page.
On the bright side, they share a parking lot with an escort service, a swinger's club and a toy store, so there are always cabs available.
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Thanks all for the great recommendations. I'll let you know where we end up!
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You might also try Raku. If you don't go nuts on the ordering, you may be able to stay under $20. And the food is fantastic -- one of the best meals I've had, period.
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I love this restaurant for excellent Filipino food, and it's super cheap. It's just off the Strip. Try the turong there.
2620 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89109
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Not sure where the OP is from. But if it's a place that doesn't offer decent pastrami or corned beef, you should give the Carnegie Deli in The Mirage a whirl. Even with the split plate charge, you should get out for about $20pp. And if you do go whole hog and get your own samich, you'll have more than enough leftovers for another meal.
http://www.mirage.com/files/carnegie_...
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