Vegas Trips on a Budget - Part 4 of 9: Food!

Here is part four in my series of tips for saving money in Vegas. Remember that this list does not include every possible way you could save some cash for other things, but it is meant to give you some ideas and help spur you into thinking of some great ideas of your own.

Food!

Buffets:

Look for a good, midpoint place to dine - Midpoint buffet dining means that the price is middle of the range and not overly expensive nor is it dirt cheap. A midpoint lunch or dinner buffet will probably run about $10-$20 per person. A buffet in this range should offer lots of quality in its food as well as quantity in its offerings. An example of a delicious midpoint buffet on the Strip would be the Harrah's Flavors Buffet.

Consider an all-day buffet - If you're planning on staying around the same area all day long, you might consider one of the all-day buffets currently being offered at select hotels around Las Vegas. For about $25 (depending on the hotel), you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for one all-inclusive price. A good way to take advantage of this offer would be to eat breakfast, go out and do your sightseeing and gambling, and come back for dinner at the buffet again later on. Skipping the lunch option still gives you two buffets for one price, and that's not a bad deal price-wise. The buffets that offer this all-day option are constantly changing, so be sure to check with your hotel or look for the signs advertising this deal before you make your decision.

Head to the buffet before the changeover - Basically, you're taking advantage of two buffets for the lower-priced one. Go to a late breakfast before the breakfast-to-lunch changeover and increased price and you'll be able to pay the breakfast price and stay for the lunch buffet, as well. Same goes for dinner; if you head in before the lunch price changes for dinner, you'll be able to take advantage of the lower price for the dinner buffet and get to select from the lunch options, as well. I do this more often than not because I LOVE both the Bellagio and Wynn buffets, but I like to pay the lower $14.95 and $19.95 prices for the lunch offerings and stay for dinner. When I eat at these two buffets in particular, I like to sit and enjoy the atmosphere and people-watch, too, so I'm not in any rush to get my food and get out.

Restaurants and other dining options:

Forgo the fancy dinners - Celebrating a big milestone or anniversary at a great restaurant is a must for some people, but consider a less expensive option for your dining pleasure if you're traveling solo or trying to economize.

Consider the prix fixe menus offered at some restaurants - Like the all-day buffet options, the offerings and locations are always changing, but the current economy has made this a staple of the Las Vegas dining landscape. For example, places like The Mirage's Stack and Kokomo's restaurants currently offer a price-fixed menu for $29 (not including drinks, tax, or tip) and give you your choice of appetizer, entree', and dessert from a preset menu. Not a bad deal if you've always really want to dine at one of these restaurants but didn't want to spend tons of money on your meal. I've heard good reviews all around for the prix fixe menus, and I hope they continue to be offered as alternative dining options so that I can try them myself!

Share a meal - Granted, some restaurants will charge you a fee (usually $2-$3) to share a meal, but if you're not a big eater and you prefer sharing your meals at home, do it. Most restaurants indicate the sharing charge right on their menu; if not, be sure to ask before you order so that you're not surprised by the bill or find out you're not allowed to share meals at that particular restaurant. I find this is a very good thing to do when dining at places with a reputation for serving lots of food: Grand Lux, Cheesecake Factory, Peppermill, or Hash House a Go-Go are examples of places with really big portions that are just begging to be shared.

Make appetizers your meal - Another good option if you're not a big eater, of if you're just wanting a smaller meal to tide you over until later. I do this locally at chains restaurants like Chili's all the time, but I find myself doing it over and over again at restaurants in Vegas, too. See my reviews of the Trevi restaurant in Caesars Palace or Grand Lux Cafe' at The Venetian for my more recent appetizer-only meals.

Check out the graveyard specials - A lot of hotel cafes offer graveyard specials for late-night dining at a great price. For example, the Cafe' at Harrah's offers a Steak and Eggs Special for $5.99 from midnight to 6:00 a.m.; a great deal if you like to stay out late and eat before you head up to your room.

Make lunch your big meal of the day - Maybe have coffee and a bagel for breakfast, then have a big, enjoyable lunch. You'll be so stuffed that you'll skip the higher-priced dinner options altogether, too.

Economize on breakfast and lunch for a bigger dinner - Along the same vein, eat something small for breakfast and lunch and have a splurge on that dinner buffet you've been waiting for - but don't forget to get there before the changeover to dinner prices to really save!

Avoid chains or fast-food restaurants - For whatever reason, these seem to be higher priced in Vegas and not a great value at all. For example, the Subway at O'Shea's might seem like a good option, but the price for a 6" sub is around the price of what a 12" sub would cost you in your hometown. Look for the deals,specials, and unusual offerings and save the chains for when you get back to civilization.

Bring some of your own supplies in your checked luggage - If you can't do anything without coffee first thing in the morning, a small 2- or 4-cup coffee maker and a supply of coffee for that early morning cuppa could be what you need to pack. Also, consider some healthier snacks like nuts and dried fruits that travel well and will keep you from being tempted by those over-priced goodies in the mini bar or the gift shop when you're desperate for a quick snack before bed. Just remember that you can't take any food in your carry on luggage through Security, so all food items must be checked to avoid being confiscated.

Have a rental car? Stop at the grocery store, Walgreens, or CVS before you check in - Pick up some of your favorite basic snacks and drinks (including liquor, if you're so inclined) before you get to your hotel. Once again, you're saving yourself from the temptations of the mini bar and the gift shop, and you'll have the things you like from the moment you settle in.

Consider your own meal makers if you have an in-room fridge - You could even go so far as getting peanut butter and jelly or lunch meats and some bread to make sandwiches if you'd like to really keep your food costs down. An in-room fridge also allows you to bring back your leftovers and safely store them for later if you hate wasting any food.

Some of these may be considered a little extreme by some, but they are tried and true methods used by more than just a few people who want to spend their money elsewhere in Vegas.

Next on the list: Gambling!