We will be arriving in Vegas in the early afternoon and after checking in, it should be about 3:00. Any suggestions for a good place to eat that won't kill dinner at 9:00?

It would help if we knew what hotel you were staying at, and probably just eat there. Most of the hotels have "coffee shop" places for soup or a sandwich and they generally offer all day (and maybe all night) service.
We arrived late at Bellagio like that, and had a late lunch in their Asian noodle bar -- the place that's kind of hard to find, hidden in the back of the casino area.

Where you're staying would be helpful, but I can recommend Mon Ami Gabi at Paris for onion soup and a salad with a bottle of wine. Or off the strip we like the All American Bar and Grille at the Rio for chicken wings, fried zucchini and potato skins with tall beers! Neither would ruin your dinner.

Thanks. We are staying at the Aladdin and din't want to eat there since we are eating at their buffet Sat. night and Sunday morning.

Second the Mon Ami Gabi suggestion - if the weather is nice. Sit out on their patio and enjoy the Bellagio Fountain shows (which I believe start around 3.)

Adjoining the Aladdin, inside the Desert Passage you can have a good lunch at Cheeseburger At The Oasis.

If you want something lighter, there are a few coffee, ice cream, and sandwich shops in the Desert Passage as well.

Try the Creperie in the Paris Hotel (right next door to the Aladdin), great lunch and desert Crepes, perfect for a light lunch. Also the Palio at the Bellagio, serves light sandwiches, desserts, in a great setting overlooking the pool area. Both are good for a light lunch/snack that will hold you until dinner.

midway b/t ballys and paris (next to aladdin) on the right side as you're headed to ballys is a small cafeteria-style bistro type place, where you can get pre-made salads and sandwiches, pastries and coffee. keep it light, the aladdin buffet is EXCELLENT!

I would also recommend the Mon Ami Gabi. They serve a late lunch but close at 3:30 or 4 so you might want to check first. My H and I had lunch there about a month ago and it was truly romantic and special. We sat by the street and you can see the fountains, hear the music and watch the people strolling by. Paris also has some mimes and stilt people playing on the street that are fun to watch. We really felt like we weren't in Vegas but in a cafe in Europe. A nice little escape from the slots and glitz IMO.