Harrah's Cafe - Breakfast Platter

Harrash' Casino Big Breakfast

Harrah's Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas has plenty of gaming area but when you are hungry, where are you going to eat? One option is Harrah's Cafe. Our flight arrived late and we checked in late and I was very hungry. (They don't feed you on the plane) After we checked in and settled into our room, we went down to the Cafe. The cafe was busy but not packed. We waited a few minutes in line and then were seated.

Being that it was late, I asked if breakfast was available. It was. Breakfast is always available in the Cafe. Delighted in this knowledge, I ordered the sausage, egg, and home fries platter. Toast and jam came with the order.

The eggs were cooked OK, not runny, not burnt, the sausage links were well cooked, and the home fries were well cooked. All in all, a good breakfast. Throw in the toast and jam and it was a great dinner, err, breakfast.

The service was good, the food good, and the price was nice, under $15 dollars not including orange juice and tip. 

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.75 out of 5 shots and recommends Harrah's Cafe for breakfast and dinner.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

There Is An App For That Logo

So I'm flying United Airlines, (Which BTW I am a Mileage plus customer) and I get assigned seat 13D, wich is a standard aisle seat. Twenty four hours ago, I attempted to change my seat by logging onto United's website. Lo and behold, the computer said all seats were taken even though several emergency row exit seats were showing available. WTF!!!

I called United's 800 number and after going through 11 prompts, I got to a real person. (At least I thought I did) The United agent took my information and stated all seats were taken and the flight was full. I informed her the United web site showed three emergency exit row seats available. The United agent said that the United website was not accurate and not showing real time updates. I asked why would United post outdated information misleading paying customers. She said she didn't know but all seats were taken for my flight.

The next day at the airport, after just viewing the (Updated) available seats, two emergency row seats were still available. I asked the ticket agent if I could please change my seat assignment to one of the emergency row exit seats. Inez, (The ticket agent) typed away at her keyboard and like the robot agent on the phone the previous evening said that all seats were assigned. Again I told Inez that the United website had seat 12A and 12B still available. She said I was wrong. In essence, by saying I was wrong she was stating United was wrong.

In an instant the other shoe dropped. Inez said that seat 13D, (My seat) was a premium seat that had 5 extra inches of leg room and that I didn't need to change my seat. (If you go to seatguru.com it states that my seat on an Airbus A320 (United's Jet) was not an economy plus seat and had a standard seat pitch. As I already knew, my seat did not have the extra leg room Inez, the United airlines ticket agent claimed it had.

An hour later I boarded the plane, stowed away my carry on and took my seat on the plane. A woman took sear 12B and just as the door was closing, a young man sat in seat 12A. During the four hour flight, we got to talking and he said he switched flights taking an earlier one and he was damn lucky getting on the plane for seat 12A was the last seat available.

Now you understand the photo above of the LOTGK logo in the process of loading a program.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

BLT Burger – Mirage Hotel

BLT Burger - Vegas

The Mirage hotel is full of many gambling games. Many fine eating establishments as well. BLT Burger is tucked away down one of the many hallways at the Mirage. On a whim, I decided to try it. Since this was a small restaurant, the seating was cramped. The hostess squeezed us in the middle of the floor. A few minutes later our waitress happened by and asked us what we wanted. I hope I wasn't interfering with her busy day. (She acted like I was)

I think It Was Fried Cheese

For my appetizer, I ordered fried cheese sticks and marinara sauce. Dammit, I thought I was in Mel's Diner and Flo was my waitress. After about ten minutes, she sort of tossed my plate on the table and moved on. Flo can "Kiss my grits!"

To top it off, half of the fried cheese sticks were hollow, I mean empty baby. Pretty much fried batter. Three sticks were like this. The others were adequate tasting, a little to greasy.

This Is Famous???

The way the night was progressing, I wasn't holding out for the entree. Being in BLT Burger, I thought it safe ordering a bacon cheeseburger and waffle fries. I would be wrong. Flo returned with my entree, but alas, it was not a cheeseburger, but some sort of chicken. I think it was chicken anyway. I sent it back to the disgust of Flo.

Ten minutes later my cheeseburger arrived along with burnt waffle fries. As you can see, the fries came in a fancy cup, and the bacon cheeseburger was nothing to write about. (Except in a bad way)

The price for this 7 ounce burger was $14 bucks. The waffle fries were $5 dollars.  The hollow cheese sticks were 8 bucks, and the Coke was $4 dollars. That's right folks, $31 dollars for this meal. Top off the shitty ass service from Flo the waitress tops off the evening.

Let's compare. A McDonalds double cheeseburger is $1 dollar. A large fry is $1.49. A Coke is $1 dollar. That's $3.49 for the same at BLT Burger. And you get curtesy at McDonalds as they ask you to please pull around to the second window.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 1 out of 5 shots and DOES NOT recommend BLT Burger in the Mirage for dinner.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1. 
   

   No Way said

   December 6, 2009 at 6:05 pm e
   I was there last year and what do you expect, its a burger place. Did you expect filet mignon or something? Geez, its burgers.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 7, 2009 at 8:50 am e
     If you read my critique, you would understand i wasn’t looking for Filet Mignon. However, I was expecting courtesy and the correct order brought to my table. I don’t think that is asking to much.
     Reply
2. 
   

   Gumby said

   December 7, 2009 at 9:27 am e
   Welcome to good burger, home of the good burger, may I take your order!
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:14 pm e
     Pull around to the second window please….
     Reply
3. 
   

   Moominboy said

   December 7, 2009 at 4:26 pm e
   Meh, that’s a shame.
   Oh! I’m gonna post a picture of those swedish MAX burgers I was blabbering about. It’s a swedish burger chain that makes delicious stuff and they are actually buying out McD’s in Sweden.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:14 pm e
     Patiently waiting Luke, patiently waiting.
     Reply
     • 
       

       Moominboy said

       December 15, 2009 at 5:19 pm e
       Alright! Here it is!
       http://yfrog.com/1fphoto2ijj
       This is not a regular MAX burger and fries. I went for something called Hot Meal, which is a burger with jalapenos and fries with bacon, melted cheese and jalapenos. The size is smaller than in U.S. but normal for Europe. What separates MAX from other chains is that they serve free coffee with a menu. The cost was 78 SEK which is $10.80 but this is meaningless because of the dollar exchange rate. Instead we can compare it to a Big Mac menu that costs 68 SEK or a can of Coke that costs 10 SEK. But it was delicious  The burger was smaller than their regular ones but very tasty.
       Reply
       • 
         

         LOTGK said

         December 15, 2009 at 9:43 pm e
         I have had french fries, french fries with cheese, french fries with cheese and bacon, but not with jalapenos on them. Were they sliced or whole peppers?
         The burger looks standard fare and size for McDonalds and Burger King type food places. Not a bad price for the meal.
         Example, a Whopper burger king is $4 dollars, large fry is $2 dollars, large drink $2 dollars. I would guess it was $1 dollar for the add ons, the cheese and bacon for a total of $9 dollars.
         Thanks for posting the picture and critique.
         Reply
4. 
   

   Valdunagan said

   December 8, 2009 at 2:09 pm e
   Doesn’t look appealing. In N Out burger looks better.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:16 pm e
     Never been to In N out, so I’ll take your word for it.
     Reply
5. 
   

   Hawaii Flooring Leonard said

   December 8, 2009 at 10:08 pm e
   Hello I discovered your webpage by accident, I was browsing Yahoo when I came upon your site, I must say your webpage is very cool I just love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have the time at the moment to entirely browse your site but I have bookmarked it and also subscribed for your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. Thanks for a great webpage.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 8, 2009 at 10:12 pm e
     Oh Hawaii, somehow I thought SPAM was out of season on the islands. Looks like I was wrong.
     Reply
6. 
   

   Steve said

   December 12, 2009 at 10:09 am e
   This is a problem in so many places nowadays, whatever happend to the polite service and striving for a decent product of the burger establishments of my youth – I’ve paid similiar in a few places for what I thought was going to be a decent burger eating experience and got bad food, over salted/burned fries and shitty attitudes from the serving drones, If i wanted that I’d stay at home lol
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     December 15, 2009 at 9:13 am e
     That was my thought. I know I was in a burger joint, but a little niceness goes a long way. I can accept that the food was bad, but when the service is also lousy, well….
     Reply
7. 
   

   Russ Mcglasson said

   January 3, 2010 at 4:14 am e
   I like blogs like this one, I am sure you put an effort on it to keep it up.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     January 5, 2010 at 8:24 am e
     No, not really.
     Reply

Stage Deli – Las Vegas – Caesars Palace

Stage Deli - Las Vegas Caesars

The Stage Deli has branched out from its 7th Avenue Times Square location. Located in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, just right of the Forum shops, is Stage Deli of New York.

Turkey And Cheese On A Kaiser Roll

Since I had such a wonderful dining experience at the original location of the Stage Deli, Times Square, New York City,  I confidently entered this establishment. I was quickly seated, and the waiter immediately brought out pickles and said he would be back in a few minutes to take my order.

Looking around, the deli had a respectable crowd, wasn't crowded, wasn't empty, just a good crowd. The waiter returned, I ordered the turkey and American cheese sandwich on a kaiser roll. I didn't order any sides expecting the sandwich to be the size of the New York deli.

In a matter of minutes, my sandwich arrived at my table. I noticed that the sandwich was about half the size as the Stage Deli in New York. No matter, it was plenty for me.

The service was very good, the place clean and well lit, and the sandwich tasted good. Not as good as the New York version, but good. The cost was adequate, around $15 dollars for the sandwich and soft drink. Remember, I was in Vegas, inside Caesars.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3 out of 5 shots and recommends Stage Deli at Caesars Palace for dinner.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1. 
   

   Gumby said

   September 23, 2009 at 10:58 am e
   Looks smaller than the NY one but not by much. Was that real turkey or processed.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 25, 2009 at 8:33 am e
     It was real but not the same quality as from the one in New York.
     Reply
2. 
   

   D789 said

   September 24, 2009 at 11:32 am e
   I AM NOT IMPRESSED. THE SANDWICH LOOKS SMALL AND THE MEAT IS LUNCH MEAT FROM COSCO STORES.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 25, 2009 at 8:51 am e
     Sorry you are not impressed, and I highly doubt the supplies came fron Costco.
     Reply
3. 
   

   Dashani said

   September 25, 2009 at 8:26 am e
   The sign looks more like the Letterman theater than the Stage Deli.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 25, 2009 at 8:51 am e
     Thats what I thought when I was walking by at Caesars.
     Reply
4. 
   

   Moominboy said

   September 27, 2009 at 3:30 pm e
   If there is one thing I love about U.S. it’s your concept of a sandwich. So much fillings and amazing combinations. Beats our small sandwiches by a mile. Except for some Italian ones but I bet you have them over there anyway.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 28, 2009 at 4:05 pm e
     There are other deli’s in the U.S. that tout large sandwiches, but the New York Stage Deli is the king. And it is a quality sandwich as well. Not just bulk food, but good food.
     Reply
5. 
   

   Valdunagan said

   September 28, 2009 at 11:27 pm e
   They look almost the same. Except for the lettuce and the roll. Both look filling and good though.
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 29, 2009 at 7:58 pm e
     The picture for the Stage in NY does not do it the justice it deserves. The sandwich was much larger, about 25% larger.
     Reply
6. 
   

   Valdunagan said

   September 28, 2009 at 11:29 pm e
   And I just now noticed, your blog is powered by a corned beef sandwich yet I have yet to see one critiqued here. Hmmn!!!
   Reply
   • 
     

     LOTGK said

     September 29, 2009 at 7:58 pm e
     I keep those sandwiches close to the vest Val. 
     Reply

Christmas In July Leg Lamp

Christmas In July

At the March Las Vegas ASD show, I happened upon a booth selling the infamous "Leg Lamp," from the classic movie, A Christmas Story. I had to have the Leg lamp. After a small negotiation, I bought two of them, one the full sized one pictured here and a 24 inch lamp that is in my office.

The Leg Lamp pictured is 40 inches tall, and to my knowledge, is an exact replica of the one featured in the movie right down to the fishnet stockings, fancy strings hanging from the shade, and I believe I detected just a whiff of ozone when I plugged it into the wall outlet.

It was Electric Sex at it's finest. And yes, it will be displayed in our upstairs window at Christmas.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Kokomo's Steak House - Filet Mignon

Discount Filet

I was in Las Vegas back in March staying at the Mirage for a trade show I was attending. On the night stand in my room was the above card. Usually a steak dinner at Kokomo's costs around $50 dollars so this deal looked very enticing. Basically $20 dollars off sounded like a fantastic deal.

A $30 Dollar Discounted Filet

 We arrived around 7:30pm, and the restaurant was busy, but not crowded. We were seated very promptly. The waiter came by to take our order and to bring out some fresh bread. As you can see, I ordered the Filet Mignon and baked potato.

In less than 15 minutes, our dinners were brought to our table. The filet was cooked perfectly, medium well done and butterflied. The baked potato hot with butter only. It was well cooked. (I hate when they add sour cream) The filet was juicy, zero flavor, and tender. The baked potato also tasted excellent.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4.25 out of 5 shots and recommends Kokomo's Steak House at the Mirage Hotel and Casino for dinner. (Especially when it's only $29.99 per dinner)

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1. 
   

   Evil-Lep said

   May 2, 2009 at 10:21 pm e
   Things are tough all over, even in Vegas. Good deal. Now if the hookers just lowered their prices.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Gumby said

   May 4, 2009 at 3:02 pm e
   He shoots he scores. A great steak at a valur price. and its not a 5 out of 5. Thats tough man.
   Reply
3. 
   

   Max Jackl said

   May 5, 2009 at 11:52 am e
   I still can’t wrap around it that even at a discount the steak and potato costs 30 bucks.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Bitzky said

   May 7, 2009 at 6:32 pm e
   Dang, that’s one huge potato!
   Reply
5. 
   

Caribe Cafe - Mirage Hotel -Breakfast Platter

Caribe Cafe - Breakfast

I will be heading out to the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in a few days for some business. Of course I will be having breakfast at the Caribe Cafe. The above breakfast was from a recent visit there.

If you arrive early, meaning before 8am, there is never a line. We waited just five minutes and were escorted to our table. We knew what we wanted and ordered the American breakfast. I added a glass of orange juice.

In less than ten minutes my breakfast arrived at our table. As you can see, I ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. The eggs were cooked very well, and plentiful. The bacon was crisp with many pieces. And the hash browns were hot and not soggy. All in all the breakfast was very good and filling.

The cost was $15 dollars without tip which for Las Vegas was in tune, a little high, but in tune.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends the Mirage Caribe Cafe for breakfast.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1. 
   

   Jack Sparrow said

   March 30, 2009 at 7:24 am e
   Aye, beats rotten green eggs fo sure.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Eddy said

   March 30, 2009 at 8:38 am e
   Thats a lot of food for Vegas. What is that like 8 pieces of bacon. was that buffet style.
   Reply
3. 
   

   Eddy said

   March 30, 2009 at 1:20 pm e
   What, no pancakes? You’re slacking my friend.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Gumby said

   March 30, 2009 at 1:23 pm e
   That is a lot of chow, that looks like four or five eggs, and a brick of hash browns. Pretty good for sin city.
   Reply
5. 
   

   Bitzky said

   March 30, 2009 at 2:55 pm e
   Oh so that’s called an American breakfast? Each country seems to have his own. Good to know for my next visit 
   Reply
6.