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Nine-inch sub sandwiches are the standard size at Vegas Subs Atlantic at the Las Vegas Hilton. Sandwich prices range from $6.45 to $6.95. Photo by Christine H. Wetzel. The 5-cent coffee sign outside Westward Ho, above, is not just for decoration. Inside, hungry bargain hunters can enjoy a doughnut with their nickel coffee, below, for the grand total of 55 cents. Above, a sign inside the Riviera advertises some of the food deals available in the hotel's Nickel Town, such as the 99-cent foot-long hot dog, below. The Deli at Holiday Inn Boardwalk, above, is the mother lode for food bargains on the Strip. A plate of popcorn shrimp with french fries and three miniburgers, both below, and other fare cost $1.99 each. Food bargains can be found on the Strip just by paying attention to sidewalk signs, such as these outside Westward Ho. Fresh popcorn at the Holiday Inn Boardwalk is an inexpensive snack at 69 cents for a small bag and 99 cents for a large bag.

Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

OUT TO LUNCH: Dining Safari

It may cost some shoe leather and take a sharp eye, but food deals can be found on the Strip

Everybody knows it: When it comes to eating on the cheap, downtown properties and locals' casinos win hands-down over the Strip.

And, at first glance, that certainly appears to be true. A soda sells for a couple of bucks in some places on the boulevard and in others, you can't buy a plain old hot dog for less than $3.

But savvy, determined locals can still find good food bargains on the Strip, as long as they're willing to look.

That's what we did on a recent afternoon, and we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of cheap food out there.

There's something for every price point, but we decided to shoot for deals under $15. Following is a list of what we encountered on the Strip during a few hours. (Shortcut: If you don't have much time, the Holiday Inn Boardwalk and Westward Ho are brimming with deals.)

Under $5

Miniburgers, $1.99: They look like the Boardwalk's version of the famed White Castle burgers, but don't call them that. Three of the square burgers are served with lettuce, onion and pickles and they're about as close as Las Vegans are going to get to that steamed hamburger taste. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in The Deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shortcake, $1.99: Covered in strawberries and whipped cream, this treat takes up most of the plate and stands about 8 inches tall. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in The Deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Or, for 99 cents, the Westward Ho, 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, has a version of strawberry shortcake. Available in the deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hot dog, $1.99: You better bring an appetite for this foot-long, half-pound monster. It's all beef and comes smothered in chili and melted cheese, but it also can be dressed up with your choice of condiments. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in The Deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hot dog, $1.49: At three-quarters of a pound and 14 inches long, this hot dog truly lives up to its name: The Mega Dog. It comes with your choice of toppings. Westward Ho, 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in the deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hot dog, 99 cents: For an all-beef hot dog, this is a good deal. A foot-long, Oscar Mayer wiener served with your choice of toppings. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Houndoggies Snack Bar 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shrimp with french fries, $1.99: A half-pound of battered and fried popcorn shrimp could be a good deal for $1.99. Throw in an order of french fries and it's definitely a bargain. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in The Deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shrimp, 99 cents: Baby shrimp served with cocktail sauce. Westward Ho, 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in the deli 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shrimp, 99 cents: The shrimp cocktail comes pre-made with baby shrimp, a lemon wedge, lettuce and cocktail sauce. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Houndoggies Snack Bar 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Doughnut and coffee, 55 cents: The coffee is always a nickel at Nickel Nick's inside Westward Ho, 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Add a doughnut for 50 cents and you have an insanely cheap breakfast or snack. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ice cream, free: When it comes to deals, how can you beat free? Every day from noon to 3 p.m. the Westward Ho, 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, hosts a free ice cream social. You have to be 21 years old, though.

Steak, $4.95: A 12-ounce steak with a side of penne pasta and marinara sauce, vegetable medley and rolls is served daily from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Paradise Cafe at the Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road. Or late-night diners can chow down on a 12-ounce steak with two eggs served any style, breakfast potatoes and choice of toast from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Ham and eggs, $3.95: The ham steak with this late-night meal covers the whole plate and comes with two eggs, any style, home fries and toast. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Kady's Cafe from midnight to 6 a.m. daily.

Pancakes, $2.95: All-you-can-eat pancakes served with all the coffee you can drink. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Kady's Cafe from midnight to 6 a.m. daily.

From $5 to $10

Steak, $8.99: Prime rib dinner with all the fixings: baked potato, salad, vegetable and rolls. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Caffé Boardwalk.

Prime rib, $5.95: This prime rib dinner comes with a baked potato, vegetable medley, salad and rolls. Or, if steak and eggs are more to your liking, try the steak, eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee deal, for the same price. San Remo, 115 E. Tropicana Ave. Available in Ristorante Dei Fiori 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Graveyard steak and egg buffet, $5.99: Your choice of a 6-ounce steak or an omelet in addition to all the breakfast buffet fixings -- eggs, cereals, puddings, fruits and more. Holiday Inn Boardwalk, 3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Served in the Boardwalk Buffet from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

Steak and eggs, $6.25: A 10-ounce New York strip steak comes with two eggs any style, home fries and toast. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Kady's Coffee Shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Steak, $6.99: The Stardust's prime rib special comes with a choice of soup or salad, baked potato, vegetable of the day and dinner rolls. Stardust, 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available daily in the Island Paradise Cafe.

Sandwiches, $6.45 to $6.95: The Italian bread used for these Las Vegas Hilton sandwiches is baked daily in the shop. A 9-inch sub, the standard size, is often too big for one person, but that's OK. Take half home or share with a friend. A variety of sandwiches are available, including cheese steak, Italian, tuna and turkey. Eighteen-inch sandwiches also are available for around $12. Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road. Available at Vegas Subs Atlantic 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Chicken, $8.99: Glazed chicken dinner with baked potato and corn O'Brien. Stardust, 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in the Island Paradise Cafe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ribs, $7.95: A full slab of barbecue ribs comes with corn and french fries. Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available in Kady's Coffee Shop daily from midnight to 6 a.m.

From $10 to $15

Steak and lobster, $10.99: A 7-ounce New York strip steak is served with a 3 1/2 ounce lobster tail, baked potato, vegetable of the day, choice of soup or salad, and dinner rolls. Stardust, 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Available daily in the Island Paradise Cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.