Hi.

It is nice to see Cravings (at the Mirage) and Dishes (at TI) show up on a list of good buffets. They seem to be missing from all of the other threads on Vegas buffets that I have seen (unless I have included them myself).
I'm a big fan of both, but Cravings at the Mirage is a better buffet overall. It is rare to find it without a long line during 'normal' dining hours.
The selection and quality were great. I wish I had been hungrier on my trips there. I didn't make it to the desserts, but the sushi and oriental selections were very good. The carving station had nice offerings, too.
I found the spacious layout helpful.

Enjoy!
Mark

Thanks for the info on the Mirage buffet, manduss- it just makes my decision easier! :)

For those of you following this, I've decided on the Mirage buffet. It turns out that we'll actually be going to the Mirage for a convention, so it just makes sense. I haven't been to their buffet since it was re-done, so I promise a full review on the crab legs after their visit. ;)

Thanks again for all your thoughts and comments! (How did I ever live without Fodors?!?!)

I'm sure you'll really enjoy it Jbee! Look forward to your review!

I would definitely go with the Bellagio Buffet. There is a wide variety of food. You might want to take a sweater if you get cold easily. The air conditioning is on at full blast. Have a great time!

The mirage buffet is fantastic - we preferred it to Bellagio

Just returned and thought I'd add my 2 cents-worth here. Mirage buffet was expensive and the food only meduicre. Also, I wasn't impressed with the cafeteria-style of the food and dining area, but the service was decent. One that is definitely worth the money is Luxor. Food and service both excellent. Large selection and two lines with everything so no waiting. Atmosphere is nice, also, more secluded groupings of tables in an interesting egyptian decor. Best desserts all weekend!

So here's my big buffet report! :)

TIME: 1:30 pm on a Tuesday afternoon.
PLACE: Mirage Buffet.
MEAL: Lunch
PRICE: Almost $20/pp.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
Really, I was unimpressed. We got into line and ended up waiting about 20 minutes after paying to be seated. Once we were in there, we were amazed that we waited so long because half the tables in there were empty. I don't know what the story was there, but it was kind of irritating that they wouldn't seat people at the open tables. Maybe they were short staff, but when you're hungry, you just don't care. :)

SERVICE
Our server was great! He ended up leaving halfway through our meal so we tipped him before he went. We never saw the next guy - he probably thought he didn't have a chance at more tip money... Our first waiter loaded us up on refills before he left, so it wasn't that big of an issue.

FOOD REVIEW:
The pizza and prime rib were good, but the crab legs (rated by my Dad - the expert) were mediocre (sp?) at best.

The sushi bar was also disappointing because they only featured 4 types. It was described to me as one of their highly featured stations.

The dessert table also seemed rather small, but I might be spoiled by memories of the Paris buffet.

The clam chowder was some of the best I've ever had and I ate more potstickers than I should have. I also liked the spaghetti and the salad bar.

RATING
My overall rating for the Mirage lunch would be a C-. I felt like the food didn't justify the price. Maybe dinner is better or maybe we went on an off day - who knows? At any rate, it was good, not great. The food was better at the Orleans the next night and that's probably not the comparison they would want at the Mirage.

Thanks to all for your input. We had a lot of fun doing this, so I guess we'll try again next year! I'm thinking the Bellagio or Wynn will be my next targets. :)

About two more weeks until I go! :) I am taking notes.

JBee, you're wondering why they didn't seat you even though had a bunch of empty tables??? It's ALWAYS ALWAYS like that at the buffets in Vegas!! Plus, the people who work the lines are usually VERY slow! That's another reason there's usually long lines at most buffets.

By the way, does anyone like the buffets in Downtown?? I've found some of the best buffets down there.

BigJim,
I have to disagree that there's always empty tables. Every time I go to the Paris buffet, we're either in very quick or we wait because every table is full. Even the Orleans moves quickly. I don't think I've ever waited more than 10 minutes in that line and we're always seated quickly.

My point was there were at least 50 empty tables and they made us wait at least 20 minutes AFTER paying. Usually the waiting occurs before you pay... The wait time was unnacceptable to me because of my experience at other buffets. The fact that it was 1:30 pm on a Tuesday also made me wonder what the wait was really for. It's not like they were super busy.

Which buffet do you like downtown? I've only tried the Main Street Station buffet 4 years ago, so I'm not familiar with the choices.

dsm - Please include you buffet reviews in your trip report. I look forward to hearing about your experiences! :)

You all seem so expirenced in Las Vegas do any of you have any suggestions for special occasion restaurants that are not buffets? Or a unique place to go? I am meeting my Sis there in August but have never been there.

This is all very interesting and helpful...even thought the orginal poster, *jbee* has been there and back.
I was going to suggest the Paris buffet, excellent...but understand why you didn't want to take your father there. (he might have loved it).
A few years ago we enjoyed the Mandalay Bay tremendously! HUGE, great selections, comfortable,...wonder if it is still as good . Just Excellent.
Ceasars a few years ago was delicious also.
Rio's selection (and many various "stations") was really something...but was terribly crowded and a little junky when we were there,,,but certainly had "something for everyone".
Well, the Las Vegas buffets are FUN!
Too much food of course, but I find them interesting and one can take just what they want.
Some prefer the sit down,waiter brings food, elegant dinners...and that might have it's place, but can be pretty ho-hum sometimes.

Mari-
Thanks for your feedback. Maybe next year we'll go to Paris, because I like it... :) Really, my dad may like it, but he tends to be a "meat and potatoes" kinda guy and sees French food as "stuffy".

I find it interesting that you liked the Mandalay Bay buffet. I ate there once and never went back. I didn't feel like it was that big, but I haven't been there for a few years.

Catburd -
Las Vegas restaurants is a popular subject on the board. Have you done any searches yet? It might be useful to start your own thread stating your price, ambience, etc. preferences. For a nice restaurant with a great view, my favorite is Prime. We always have such a great experience there - the food is good, the service is great, and the view over the lake is wonderful. There's so many others, depending on your budget and what you're looking for!

jbee, will do. That is if I can get everyone on the same page. There are five of we managers going, and a couple are, well shall we say a little too frugal. They try to get us to eat like, take out stuff. We all manage quick service retaurants, so you would think that would be the last thing you would want to do. I know it is for me!

The one girl, the newest general manager, this will be her first convention and first time in Vegas. I am pretty sure the two of us would wander off from them if need be. I am
staying at Mandalay Bay. I was thinking either there or Bellagio as per BigJim.

But............we did not go into Paris the last time that we were there. I personally love French food. Well, I like most everything!

We'll see. I tried two months ago to get them to pick a show to see and everyone was namby-pamby about it. Well, it is too late to get tickets to anything I would want to see, probably.

I do know that part of our entertainment that the company will be providing for us is the Blue Man Group.

I thought of going out to one of these buffets for our one free night. Since we did not pick a show.

I am thinking some crepes would taste just grand.