Today in Mixed Feelings: Excalibur Buffet Reopens July 1

20 Comments

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  BST June 27, 2021

  Mass market attire LOL I like that :) Sounds like you had a fun trip !

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  Annster September 25, 2021

  Thanks BST. We did have a fun trip. The teens had a really great first visit to Las Vegas and want to return. It was our first big trip during the pandemic and I personally needed a vacation bad at that point. Hopefully will be back soon.

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  Annster June 27, 2021

  Okay, this is great news, and nobody asked me for a marginally related trip report, and I really don't know if you read your own replies here, Scott, but I'll bite anyway. I just stayed at Ex June 6-9, and even though that was a weekday stay, the buffet would have been helpful as would Mac King and the Tournament. The place was absolutely overrun with bajillions of the peeps who could have been filling up said venues. It felt just like a visit back in The Before. I was on a 3-night comp with two 15 year-olds on their first visit to Sin and it was a good resort for them to experience. Being the cheapo of MGM, it was the most crowded (and with the lowest-end clientele, as per usual and as expected) as proven when I did my walkabout south and then north, finding the proportion of kiddos, mass-market attire, and people in general to keep dropping as price points increased. Luxor was slightly more peaceful and Mandalay much more so. In the other direction, NYNY was busy enough but not quite like Ex, and then Park and Aria were more subdued. Bellagio public spaces were pretty full of folks taking advantage of the free gander at the conservatory but there were more collared shirts and better colognes as opposed to the Dollar General attire and cigarette aroma of Ex. Not that I care, as I don't, and I knew what we were getting, but the factz is the factz. Across the street I did a quick run through of my old Caesars friends, Harrah's, Linq, O'Shea's, Flamingo, Bally's, Paris, then back to the Roman empire itself. This was a hot Tuesday around noonish and unmasked crowds were in force everywhere, at all of these properties. Back at Excalibur, I would have taken the kids to the buffet if it had been open. They don't eat enough to appreciate Bacchanal or Wicked Spoon, but I decided they should experience some of the ancient history of LV and thus I spent close to $100 on dinner at Circus Circus. for the 3 of us. I was furious about all the people heaping piles of food on plates only to leave them abandoned. But whaddya gonna do? I like that Phil Ruffin is keeping the place at an affordable, family-friendly price point and wanted to support the business a little (Is the buffet still a loss leader at $30 pp with tax and tip?) as well as compare it to the overall atmosphere at Ex, which as I kinda knew but never scrutinized myself, is a much nicer version of a similar marketing strategy. Ex feels about 50 years newer than CC rather than the 21 years it actually is, drastically cleaner, brighter, more inviting, better maintained, cuter theme, less worn-out. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have stayed at Circus a few nights as well. I know you're not a proponent of LV as a family destination, but I think that's a miss. There are in fact plenty of things for kids to do, and chillin's can be largely avoided by choosing certain (obviously better) resorts. Importantly for the future of the city, they are the visitors of tomorrow, getting a glimpse of wedding chapels and bachelor/ette parties and Area 15 and megaresorts and other reasons to return once they finally fly out of our nests. We also stayed 2 nights downtown at the Plaza so I could drag them repeatedly out to watch FSE as well as view various buskers in various states of bodily exposure. We enjoyed Pop Up Pizza onsite and Aloha Specialties nearby, a bucket lister for me. At 15 they both appear physically full-grown and behaved as well as any actual adult out there. They are gay AF and it was pride month and they enjoyed the sense that they could engage in a little PDA without attracting any obvious disapproval in what to them seemed an anything-goes atmosphere. Downtown I also won back the conservative daily gambling budget that I had consistently lost during my 3 nights on the Strip. Thank you Four Queens and Fremont. But I digress. :) So anyway, this return of the Excalibur buffet is a very very good thing. The city needs it. The hoards of minor-encumbered parents need it. The minors need to be indoctrinated into the culture of Vegas, which has included mediocre buffets since time immemorial. MGM needs more ways to get more spend out of the guests in those steeply discounted hotel rooms. And people on vacation need the satisfaction of occasional unlimited and indiscriminate gorgery.

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  BST June 26, 2021

  Scott is great , snarkiness and all :) I may not always agree with his views or comments but such is life. Not everyone has to agree all the time . And after all no one forces anyone to return here if it is so offending to them .

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  Jeff June 25, 2021

  I'm happy that MGM is at least bring back some buffets. They are my favorite for breakfast. I'm staying at the Bellagio in the latter half of July and hoping maybe Cravings would open at the Mirage, which we can walk to. Haven't heard anything regarding "The Buffet" at Bellagio, but would love to see it open as well.

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  Hilary wrona June 25, 2021

  I suggest Turnament of Kings show for your money is the best deal, you have pretty good dinner and show ,much better than stuff your self with lousy food in buffet

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  Anitamandalay June 25, 2021

  In a world that most in the media and politics have successfully tricked people into being offended by virtually everything, let's everyone here and now vow to never be offended by anything ever again! Time is too short to waste it being miserable because of what someone said. Words do have meaning, but they have absolutely no power over you. I catch up on Vital Vegas Twitter's multiple times per day because Scott is one of only a few in communications who adds value, motivation, entertainment and satisfaction to life itself. Buffets and escorts must first be enjoyed so that each person may decide for themselves whether it is best to continue that lifestyle. Whether dead or alive everyone is being judged whether you like it or not. So why not just decide to like it?

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  Mark A Erichson June 30, 2021

  @Anitamandalay So, basically, you're saying that nobody is entitled to an opinion or point of view?

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  Mark A Erichson June 25, 2021

  I haven't been to Excalibur in years. I did visit twice. They made it easy to get into, but nearly impossible to get out of. In the meantime, I was stuck in some red-and-purple horrible nightmare.

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  Michael Acosta June 24, 2021

  I'd love to meet you and have a buffet meeting. I'm open anytime you want. Let's discuss how you want to feel better about talking bad about people. We can do it live or however you feel you need to degrade people. I'm overweight and is from a medical condition and actually like going to a buffet to enjoy the atmosphere and the company of friends which you seem to be short on. Hit me back and let's talk.

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  Tom June 25, 2021

  I'm fat and I found it funny. Guess I'll skip the buffet meeting.

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  Alan June 24, 2021

  The first Vegas buffet I experienced back in 2001.

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  Neonglowy June 24, 2021

  I know Circus Circus is supposed to be the worst, so I planned to drive from Downtown to South Point for buffet. BUT, is Excalibur's buffet worth Strip crowds and parking hassle? I hatehatehate not having Main St Station's buffet; they actually had tamales and menudo, etc.

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  BST June 25, 2021

  I think you'd be better off to drive to South Point :)

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  MICHAEL MICHNIAK June 24, 2021

  I am a little confused at the prices. Monday through Thursday $24.99 adult, but according to your hours, buffet is open Thursday to Monday. Should it read Monday AND Thursday $24.99? Also, what is the price on Friday? I am going in mid September and am glad more buffets are opening! Any word on Boyd properties reopening some of theirs?

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  Jackson June 25, 2021

  Saturday and Sunday: $29.99 adults, $15.99 kids (5-11) All other days: $24.99 adults, $14.99 kids (5-11) https://excalibur.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/the-buffet.html

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  Michael June 24, 2021

  Hey, my kids may be fat and stupid, but... Wait, what was the third thing again?

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  Fabian June 25, 2021

  your comment is the most hate-filled contribution in this discussion. Do youn see the irony? ;)

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  ChrisP June 25, 2021

  Folks, Scott is a smart individual. Yes, he is snarky! But that is why we love his site and commentary. His satire is great, if you are offended then don’t read it. No-one actually says Scott, you are the worst person ever! I hate you. Because we all go to it to read about what is happening. The fact is…he is funny, irreverent, and quite frankly a genius when it comes to LV! So haters get off of his ass, or don’t read his posts! It is as simple than that. Please hate me instead. He provides a great service to the people who love LV! Scott, keep up the great work, and yes I’ll pay the fat kids price!

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  Scott Roeben June 27, 2021

  Ha, thanks.

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