My classmates and I will be in Vegas for a conference in June staying at the Mirage. Can anyone recommend good, but cheap (less than $20 per entree) places to eat?

Thanks!

If you make it to the Hard Rock casino, I highly recommend The Pink Taco...Rajas & Potatoes is my favorite.

A little closer to Mirage...head to Venetian. Noodle Asia is good but super casual. Grand Lux would also be a good bet (Venetian).

Also...give www.cheapovegas.com a visit.

Venetian's food court is good. I like Chipotle just outside of Harrahs (across the street from the Mirage). And the Mirage's 24 hour cafe is a good bet also. As well, you are close to the Grand Forum Shops with all prices of dining options.

Classmates? Sounds to me like you are a college student on a college student's budget. If you and your friends have a big appetite, I would suggest that you eat at buffets. The one at the Mirage is good. The one at the Bellagio is better and is about $28 for dinner, but you will get your moneys worth eating shrimp, king crab, real prime rib, etc. The buffet at the Orleans (off strip) is satisfactory, basic food for about $12.00 Also try the food court at New York New York for sandwiches, burgers, fish n' chips, pizza, etc.
Have fun!

I'm not a fan, but a top recommendation in the "lots to eat for cheap" category is an Italian place called Battista's Hole in the Wall. It is a "fun" atmosphere.

www.cheapovegas.com has good recommendations.

Definitely agree on Battista's. Caesar's also has a food court.
There's a McDonald's across the street from Mirage.

Thanks everyone! We are graduate students, so our budget is tight

I'll be sure to check out the website, too.

If you have a car - drive over to In-N-Out burgers. Best burgers and fries in the world. It's right off the freeway. Forget the cross street.

The cross streets for In And Out Burger are Tropicana and Dean Martin Drive (formerly Industrial Road). It is located on the west side of I-15 and Tropicana and will be immediately on your right after crossing I-15 coming from the strip.

If you can get there (rent a car, cab, bus), go to Palace Station - on Sahara and the I-15, just west of the Strip. They have a reasonably priced 24 hr cafe - much less expensive than Mirage or anything on the Strip. They also have the Feast buffet which is pretty good and very cheap. This is known as a "locals" casino and the payback on the slots is a lot better than ANYTHING you will find on the Strip. Join their players club and put your card in everytime you play and you might earn some points you can redeem for food and other things. Join BEFORE you go to the buffet - I think the player's card gives you a discount.

Also decent prices at the Frontier (next to the Fashion Show Mall - just across the street from Treasure Island) - the cafe/buffet is forgetable, but the Mexican place is pretty good and they usually have specials that are very reasonable.

Also - there is a food court in the Fashion Show Mall as well as various little fast food places in the mall.

Another vote for the Pink Taco at the Hard Rock.

http://www.hardrockhotel.com/party_eat_pinktaco.php

I second Chipotle and have another great deal...Ellis Island On Koval. Ask for the steak special. It's $4.95 and comes with salad, veggie and baked potato. Not on the menu, you have to ask for it. Also shrimp scampi at $5.95. Just had both a week ago-very good.

I'll agree about Palace Station. I was just there 2 weeks ago for a convention, and the Feast buffet was really pretty good. Unfortunately, they have raised the prices in their 24-hour Grand Cafe, but it's still pretty cheap and the food is good. We had an EXCELLENT dinner in The Broiler, their steakhouse, for $75 including 2 glasses of wine.

In addition to Orleans and Palace Station, I'd recommend the Gold Coast for reasonable dining with large portions (share!). And keep in mind that lunch buffets will be cheaper than dinner. One more: the Creperie at Paris if you like crepes.

The Mirage is not in an economical area, having said that the Carnegie Deli has HUGE sandwhiches that should be split. Speaking of splitting (not my favorite pastime but in these two cases a must) The Peppermill by the Riviera is like going back in time. The fruit plate alone could feed 4 easily. Another vote for the Ellis Island casino food. Good ribs, steaks and breakfasts at reasonable prices. If you have a car there is great Asian food available in Vegas Lotus of Siam of of Sahara and the Chinatown area of of Spring Mtn has numerous choices. I am not a fan of the buffets so would suggest other places to eat.

If you don't have an In-n-Out burger where you live, its the best fast food place, IMHO. Try a double-double!
Also, again depending on whether or not your town has one, California Pizza Kitchen is a good chain, and I think there's one in the Mirage.

Lotus of Siam is delicious, and the Florida Cafe has great Cuban food (if you have a car)