Dining in a Casino Resort

Dining in a Casino ResortLas Vegas isn’t the only place to get your glamorous gambling fix anymore. Now, there are casinos in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, and let’s not forget Atlantic City! The beauty of a casino vacation is that everything you need, from spa time to nightlife to restaurants, is in one place. You never need to get in the car or even walk outside to experience a well-rounded getaway. One of the best aspects of a casino resort tends to the be the variety of restaurants. Here is a rundown of some of the restaurants you may find at a casino resort so that you don’t find yourself headed to the buffet every time just because the sheer number of options is confusing:

Food Court

You’ve seen it before: it’s just a collection of fast-service restaurants with plenty of seating area. This is in almost every casino and is inexpensive and quick. Since this is self-service, it is a great option for kids, but it is full of chains that you can get anywhere.

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

The high-end restaurants in casinos are often helmed by celebrity chefs. This allows the chef to expand his influence, and the diner to experience a level of quality that is practically guaranteed. This way, people visiting from all over the country can try food by Mario Batali, Nobu Matsuhisa, Bobby Flay, and the like. This is a wonderful opportunity for food TV aficionados. Be aware that the more popular the chef, the higher the price tag.

Non-Celebrity Chef Restaurants

Upscale restaurants that are not helmed by celebrity chefs are often steakhouses or continental restaurants. Though these restaurants can be seen as old-fashioned, what they really are is classic. A perfectly-cooked steak served with a baked potato and all the trimmings or a Caesar salad tossed table-side are dishes that are rarely seen nowadays. Head to these restaurants for a quiet night to enjoy really high-end food.

Coffee Shop

These 24-hour establishments are—no put intended—the bread and butter of hardcore partiers and gamblers. Get eggs, hamburgers, a chef’s salad, or almost anything else you can think of 24 hours a day. Faster and cheaper than room service, this is the perfect place to wind down the night or start the morning.

Buffet

You either love ‘em or you hate ‘em. Detractors site poor hygienic conditions, quantity over quality, and long lines to get seated. Defenders point out huge variety, bang for your buck, and the ability to try new foods without fear of having to finish something you don’t like. Whatever your preference is, be aware that brunch is often more expensive than weekday breakfast–of course, this includes luxury items, like crab legs, mimosas, and prime rib.