This old pub and grub in a little east of the strip on Eastern, near Desert Inn. In the old days, it was a great place for casino workers to have a few drinks and grab a fine meal any time of the day. It has changed hands a few times over the years. They still do a respectable job of maintaining a friendly drink and fine meal at a reasonable price.

I have noticed that it's harder and harder to find that decent meal at a reasonable price 24/7. Especially when you leave a late show near the strip. Most coffee shops are open but they go to a limited menu. The Peppermill has dropped in food quality and raised prices. Jerry's Nugget has some appeal but it's not the neighborhood I want to be in at 3:00am.

The Coachman's Inn is semi famous for a filet dinner or steamed mussels and clams for $9.95. They also have a 1 1/4 pound lobster for $24.95. And they have daily specials and holiday specials in addition to the regular menu. They also serve an edible prime rib.

The times that I have been there, there has always been a friendly bar with what seem to be old timer regulars. The food is solid yet short of gourmet.

The decor is very old school Las Vegas, which is an appeal to me. It is a little dark and cozy with christmas lights as the main lighting. They have old Vegas stars pictures on the walls. They play old Vegas music at a volume that you can easily talk over.

I've found this to be a good ace in the hole when I need a place to eat. I seldom plan a meal there, however I often find myself in a situation when nothing on the strip sounds good, or everything I want is likely to be full.

JMT, it sounds exactly like you are describing Ellis Island. Is that a fair comparison?

I hate to admit this, but I've never heard of Coachman's Inn, and that surprises me because it sounds exactly like my kind of place and also because I always thought I knew all about these old Las Vegas places.

I have a haunting suspicion that I must have been there at one time or another, but for the life of me I can't remember when.

Do you have a picture of that place?

And it you had your "druthers" which would you prefer to go to first? Ellis Island or Coachman's Inn?

I got to admit that I'm an Ellis Island kind of guy. Are you aware that they serve free drinks to casino personnel between 2 AM to 8 AM?

Does Coachman have a similar drinking program?

I apologize if I made Coachman's Inn sound like Ellis Island. Coachman's is generally clean. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable about Las Vegas. The people at the bar are friendly and knowledgeable about Las Vegas. It is not packed with bargain hunters. There is no casino, just flat top video poker. There is no karaoke. Their steaks look like steaks. The food is consistent. The atmosphere is pleasant. There is simple and ample parking. The seating is comfortable. Nobody is yelling. There is no PA system. I've never heard sounds from the kitchen. Coachman's is a pub and grub. EI is a casino.

There are good things to say about Ellis Island. I just don't hear them very often. For the reasons listed in the first paragraph, Coachman's is my preference of the two. I'll see if I can find a picture for you.

Thanks, JMT. I'll stop by on my next visit within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the heads up! Just saw the photos too! Thanks! Can't say that I recognize it though. All the more reason to stop by on my next visit.

pulled a menu off a google search site and i can see why you like this place,certainly wallet friendly.prime rib caught my eye at about a dollar an ounce and if it's not cut from dairy cow could be a new prime home base.we just might have to check this out when i come down in october.which is oct18,a sat,thru oct21 tues,it will also be a solo trip cause the wife is off to orlando on city council business.gee orlando is not to far from seattle<G>

JMT,How would this place work for a talkvegas meet?
It sounds talkvegas freindly!

Dag, I won't be making a trip in October, but you will be out for thanksgiving, won't you? I'm thinking this place might work for a mini meet (pre or post wendells shin-dig). October you could do research!

BTW, I'm jonesing for a vegas trip....I missed my sept trip!

I think it could be talkvegas friendly. It's sort of a small place however it has never been real busy any time that I have been there. They have one area with a long series of tables in a line that could seat about 20.

I think that you would like the bar area. Small, friendly, and video poker that goes from 25 cents to $2. The paytables are less appetizing. I forgot the numbers. There are locals that play them, so the numbers can't be that bad...can they?

We'll let dag do the research.