Garden Court Buffet near Fremont Street is still worth a visit.
If you visit the official website for MAIN STREET STATION Casino Brewery Hotel, you’ll barely see a mention of Garden Court Buffet. There’s one single photograph, a line that says “Open for brunch/limited dinner” and that’s it. No list of themed dinners, pricing structure, or specific hours. There’s really nothing to entice you into visiting.
The casino’s Facebook page ignores it, too. And that’s a damned shame. Once a must-visit spot for downtown diners, the gorgeously appointed Garden Court Buffet has inexplicably become a red-haired stepchild, a dirty little secret. Nevertheless, this writer recently visited on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and was thrilled to relive memories of many past visits.
Despite its name, Main Street Station is operated by Boyd Gaming, not Station Casinos. The charming hotel casino is brimming with antiques, vintage slot machines, memorabilia from historic landmarks, and even a section of the Berlin Wall. All of this makes Main Street Station a treat to stroll through. And like the adjacent California Hotel, it’s very popular with Hawaiian tourists.
Main Street Station was the final downtown Las Vegas casino hotel to reopen after the COVID-19 shutdown…and the only location to keep its buffet. Once a popular institution, the Las Vegas buffet has become a novelty. For a pleasantly-priced one like Garden Court Buffet, it’s also a rarity.
As you can see from the above photographs, Garden Court Buffet is modeled after a turn-of-the-century train station. Like Durango Casino‘s new SUMMER HOUSE, it’s bright and airy, boasting live plants, plenty of windows, and natural sunlight.
An attentive server will take your drink order, then help yourself to any of the multiple food stations. There are sections devoted to salads, fresh fruit, pizza, breakfast foods, and Mexican specialties.
A carving station, made-to-order omelets, hot soups, Asian dishes, all-American standards, and outstanding Hawaiian specialties are among the many choices. A separate dessert section includes soft-serve ice cream, pies, cakes, and more.
In addition to the pleasant decor and service, the serving stations at Garden Court Buffet get plenty of TLC. They are consistently maintained, well-stocked, and kept in an appealing condition by the caring staff.
Longtime visitors will be pleased to know that Garden Court’s much-revered “Kalua Pork with Cabbage” is as sweet and flavorful as ever. Their steak chili is absolutely incredible…some of the best this writer has ever enjoyed.
As VEGAS 411 visited during weekend brunch, a section of the serving area was cordoned off. One would assume that its entirety is utilized during dinner hours. Then again, the unimpressive patronage during my visit and a lack of advertising have me wondering if Boyd Gaming would prefer to leave the buffet business entirely.
With high-end spots like The Buffet at Wynn and Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace quickly approaching the one-hundred-dollar mark for dinner, it’s a delight to revisit the days of the old-time Vegas bargain buffet. South Point, Palms, and Rampart Casinos have the right idea, and their buffets thrive.
So do yourself a favor and gather the family for a trip to Garden Court Buffet inside Main Street Station. It’s one of the best dining bargains in Las Vegas and deserves to be around for years to come.
Photo by Rickelle N Kaleo via Facebook
MAIN STREET STATION IS LOCATED AT 200 N. Main Street in downtown Las Vegas, two blocks from Fremont Street Experience and Plaza Hotel Casino.
