Las Vegas, NV downtown dining
 

Hi all-
Let me know if you have any favorite restaurants in downtown (not strip) Las Vegas. I'm familiar with the Main Street Station options, but not so much with the other places. All budget ranges welcome. I'm going in June for our family reunion and want lots of options. FYI, I'm already checking cheapovegas.com & tripadvisor.com
Melissa- if you are around, I'd be curious about your favorite places, since I know you stay downtown when you are in LV. :-)

Awww so sweet!

OK well, my fave for fine dining is Hugo's Cellar in the Four Queens. The only thing about that is, we used to get impeccable service, ALWAYS. Well, the last time I was there, the service was very so-so. And since then I have heard that it's been inconsistent like that. So, that's my take on that. I love love love that they have that fantastic salad that comes with your meal. We often ask for everything, plus extra blue cheese!

I found that every place in the Golden Nugget was very nice. The service there is so good.

Second Street Grill at the Fremont is also nice.

After a night of gambling, a nice midnight snack can be found at the Golden Gate Casino--99 cent shrimp cocktail!

Are you going shopping during your stay? The Premium Outlet mall, 5 minutes away, has a buffet restaurant called Makino that we always enjoy. They have a nice sushi selection.

OK I gotta think a little more on non-casino, non-strip. Oh, so jealous of you!!

Thank you Melissa. I've read good things about Hugo's Cellar, and it means more with a reccomendation from you. :-) And I'm curious about the Second Street Grill now also. Yes, we need to have one of those shrimp cosktails at the GG. DH has never had one (he loves shrimp!) and it's been about 7 years for me.
We do have shoppers in our group as well as sushi lovers, so we'll probably go to those outlets.
Any other good places for Sushi downtown Melissa?

I have not gone here, but some of my family and my coworker has. They said they love it. It's called Buffet at Asia and it's on S. Rainbow Blvd. Check out that price for lunch. OMG!

http://www.usmenuguide.com/buffetatasia.htm

I'm sad that the Horseshoe closed. They used to have these fab, fresh-sliced deli sandwiches!!

We went to the Redwood Grill at the California for Thanksgiving dinner once. It was a pretty good choice for a large group!

:@)

Thanks again Melissa. I appreciate all your tips & links. :-)

Hi trippinkpj..
I love Binion's for Breakfast downstairs...my husband always get the $4.99 huge slab of ham and eggs with hash browns and toast...so old school!
I was just at Binions and they are open and they have really good food and they have redone the counter.
I also like to go to the Noodle House at the Golden Nugget..
Nothing like something from Mc Donalds after too many free drinks late night.
:)
Have a great time!

Thanks TahitiTams. Good ideas, and we'll have to check out Binions for breakfast.

Oh, do either of you have any ideas for a group of 40 at lunchtime on a Saturday downtown? We were hoping for 50 for our reunion which gives us more options at banquet rooms at a few of the hotels. Though, now it looks like we will be a group of 40.

Is the Pasta Pirate open for lunch? I know a lot of family reunions go there. Otherwise...I'm just wondering if the hotels won't just make a special reservation for you at one of their restaurants or buffets. 40 is still a good number.

Oooh, you know, I just assumed about Binions. If they are open, I hear the steakhouse is/was really good.

MelissaHI..
Wow..I never thought you would assume anything?
You are right about the deli sandwiches..they are fab!

Hi Melissa- Pasta Pirate is just open for dinner. The Triple 7 Brew Pub is open for lunch, and does have group meals/ rates, although I'm concerned about the noise there. We plan to go to the brew pub for our Friday evening happy hour & dinner. We'll keep checking. Thanks!

Ha! I jump to rash conclusions all the time! But I'll admit, when I was in Vegas for Christmas, my sights were not focused. I was cold, trying to concentrate on the show....etc.

Melissa, if you are around, have you ever heard of Jillian's at the Neonopolis? It looks like a fun place for a large group. Anyway, a couple of my relatives want us to contact a few of the hotel buffets a day or 2 in advance, and see if they can seat 40 of us together. We'll see. :-)

Hi trippin, I've not heard of Jillian's but it looks like a fun place! Man, I haven't set foot in the Neonopolis since it first opened! No reason....just doing other stuff.

Hello MelissaHI, anyone --- have you tired the Makino on S. Decatur St. as well? How does it compare to the downtown outlet location? We heard that the Decatur St. Makino has a better selection. Thanks!

I will admit, I've been to Makino on Decatur as well as the outlet one....multiple times. Scary, huh? I think the selections are about the same. What I noticed was: I might get a yummy selection to try, and 10 minutes go back for it and it's gone. It's as if they are rotating out selections throughout the sitting. sometimes, I might get a yummy selection and it might never come back on the line for the rest of the day! I'm not 100% sure, but I think this happens at the outlet Makino more often than at the Decatur Makino.

I agree, Hugo's Cellar is worth the trip and money. Just got back from Vegas last week and our service there was up to their regular great rating. Nice little bar out front, and I do mean little. Salad great, everthing but anchovies for me.
If you are at all into buffets, the Nugget breakfast is about the best downtown in my opinion. Lots of choices including carving stations and some sushi!
Vic & Anthony's (steak house) at the Nugget is great if you like red meat. The Nugget is now owned by Landy's and the food throughout is quite good. Grotto (Italian) is good but noisy, right beside the casino, but with a great view of the new shark pool area if you get the right seat.
In my opinion that is the best of downtown. As you know a simple cab ride away to plenty of great food on the strip also.

I decided to ttt this one, in case there are any more suggestions as I leave in 3 days! Thanks to all who have contributed so far!