Well, I never thought I'd ever be writing this <g>. But Joe and I ate at the El Cortez Coffee Shop today.

Every year, Jackie Gaughan walks down Fremont Street and passes out these little coupon booklets to the different businesses. He stopped by a few months ago (almost fell down my stairs!) and gave us about 100 booklets.

We usually give them out to the help or street people that need the free breakfast. But this morning, Joe and I were trying to decide where to have breakfast. So, Joe being as "thrifty" as he is, says, "Why don't we try the free breakfast at El Cortez?"

Free breakfast includes 2 fresh ranch eggs & bacon, toast & coffee OR 2 fresh ranch eggs & hotcakes, whipped butter, maple syrup & coffee. Value $1.00, yours free, 15 cent tip included.

So we get there at 12:30 pm but the offer is only good from 10 pm til 12 noon. Okay, how about the steak and crablegs at the "fancy" place. Nope, they don't open til 4:30 pm. Okay, we're starving by now so we opt to pay to eat in the coffee shop.

Let me tell you, this place was mobbed. So I guess they must be known for good food.

I wanted to order the Porterhouse steak but didn't want to wait for it to be cooked so I ordered a grilled ham & cheese sandwich & a pepsi <g>. It came with a teeny bag of chips, pickle chips, and cole slaw. Joe had the pork loin with mashed potatoes, canned (I surmise) peas, cup of canned (I surmise) chicken noodle soup, rolls and margarine (where's the butter?), and an iced tea.

The food looked clean and tasted good. The waitress was a little slow getting to us but was very apologetic because they were so busy. But once ordered, the food came pretty fast. Refill on the iced tea was quick also.

Bill came to $10.95 plus tip. I have to say it wasn't bad.

Played a few keno machines and VP machines. Didn't do anything good. But this place was hopping with customers- blackjack, craps, poker tables, machines. I couldn't believe it.

Anybody else ever go to the El Cortez? I want to know how the King Crablegs are.

Gail,
I'll tell Sue you recomend the place highly and see if I can drag her butt down to that end of town! <s> She might go, but getting her to eat there is a real strech!
The thing I remember most about the ole EL, is how close everything is (tight squeeze) and of course how old everything is inside, including the patrons. <S>
Lee-PA

Lee, Yesterday there were all ages. Pretty crowded. I thought, hey maybe the machines are good here and I'll win. No such luck.

There were all kinds of people there. Decently dressed, locals, and some "scrungy" looking people. But I did not see any problems. And everyone was pleasant- even the guy that asked us for our free breakfast coupon <g>.

Forgot to mention that IF you do eat at the El Cortez coffee shop, you have to be very careful eating. At the cashier's counter they have a big sign that reads, "We Do NOT have toothpicks!" <lol>

The place is a little tight squeezed (machines everywhere they can fit them) but the dining room and casino (machines) looked clean. I was really surprised. It sure looked better than the Western <bg>.

[This message has been edited by gailsacco (edited August 16, 1999).]

Gail, re: "we usually give them out to the help or street people who need something to eat" If I remember, last April you gave Linda and I each a coupon book. I still have them. So, what are we, help or street people who need something to eat?<G>

------------------
John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John>>So, what are we, help or street people who need something to eat?<<

<lol> Hey, Joe and I were going to use them. That free breakfast is the best coupon in the booklet <g>.

The other coupons are:

Free popcorn at the Las Vegas Club
Two meals for one at the Gold Spike
Free souvenir at the Plaza
Free souvenir at El Cortez

The free souvenir is a couple of plastic slot machine trinkets. Not worth an 8th of a cent. The least they could give is a keychain <g>!