Las Vegas, Nevada, is known for many things: gambling, drive-thru weddings, massive themed hotels, and, of course, the secrets it keeps (what happens there, stays there, after all). It’s also a haven for foodies, with world-renowned and celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay opening must-visit restaurants both on and off the Strip. And then there’s the buffets, Vegas-sized and often destinations in their own right.
While the heyday of the Vegas buffet may have passed — there are far fewer buffets in the city than there were several years ago — they remain an iconic part of the Sin City experience. But how did they become a mainstay? The roots of Vegas buffet culture trace back to the mid-20th century, when a plan to keep hungry gamblers at the tables led the El Rancho casino to start what they called a “chuck wagon,” offering snacks and cold cuts. It became the Buckaroo Buffet, the first Vegas buffet, and the concept was quickly adopted by other casinos.
In true Las Vegas fashion, the buffets grew larger and more elaborate. By the 1970s, they were everywhere, prompting casinos to explore various methods to attract diners — from high-priced, opulent spreads to mind-boggling “super buffets” with hundreds of food items. This evolution gave rise to the modern buffet, which emphasizes spectacle with made-to-order options and chefs on display preparing the food. Today’s Las Vegas buffets, whether offering luxury or comfort food, might look a little different, but carry on the tradition that has evolved over the past 75 years.
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Diners eating at Vegas buffet – Roig61/Shutterstock
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down — including Las Vegas. It would prove to be the beginning of the end of the ubiquity of the Vegas buffet. Only about a baker’s dozen of the approximately 70 buffets that had operated in the city prior ultimately reopened. Off-Strip buffets still operate at a loss as a means to keep gamblers fed and spending money. But many on-Strip casinos refocused their energy on other dining options — such as the food hall, which has experienced heightened popularity in the past several years. Now, in addition to those remaining off the Strip, most buffets along Vegas Boulevard are either more limited in their opening hours and offerings, or are much more expensive and extravagant options, such as the Bacchanal at Caesars Palace. However, it’s worth noting that the largest buffet in America isn’t in Las Vegas.
Given the high cost of operating buffets, the reduction in their popularity leading up to the pandemic, and the overarching changes happening in Las Vegas, it seems that they may be a relic of the past. Despite many customers expressing nostalgia for buffets, stakeholders show little interest in reopening them, opting instead to focus on other aspects that enhance customer engagement and generate revenue for casinos. While the number of buffets may have dwindled, those that remain are still serving up satisfying experiences for hungry diners and buffet aficionados. And, who knows? Maybe someday they’ll make a comeback.
Read the original article on Chowhound.
Mojave (Nev.) head football coach Wes Pacheco announced on Sunday morning that he’s stepping down from his position, according to a social media post.
Pacheco announced his resignation after six seasons at the helm of the Rattlers, putting together a 29-22 overall record from 2020-2025.
“I have officially stepped down as Head Coach of the Mojave Football Program,” Pacheco said in his social media post. “Thank you to Principal Cole for giving me the opoortunity make an impact on the lives of Mojave Student-Athletes. I am grateful and blessed to have labored through a 6-year journey of successes, failures, life lessons, character building and growth with the student-athletes myself and my coaching staff have served. I will forever love my Mojave Family, the Mojave Community and believe in the notion that SUCCESS can be attained by showcasing character, treating everyone with respect, and always have the courage to dream big and trust that “ATTACKING THE HARD WORK” & “HIGH MOTORING EVERYTHING” can yield SUCCESS that you want to achieve in life!”
During Pacheco’s half dozen seasons leading Mojave, his best record came in the 2024 season when the Rattlers finished with a 12-1 record. Located out of North Las Vegas, Mojave had to compete against the likes of national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman during the regular season.
Mojave ended the last season with a 4-6 record and as the state’s No. 23rd ranked team, according to the final 2025 Nevada High School Football Massey Rankings.
Mojave High School, located in North Las Vegas, NV, is a dynamic public high school that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community involvement. Home of the Rattlers, MHS offers a wide range of academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities. With a strong commitment to student success, Mojave emphasizes leadership, college and career readiness, and a supportive school culture that prepares students for life beyond graduation.
For Nevada high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Silver State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Nevada.
A recent Review-Journal letter to the editor mischaracterized Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill. As the former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, I wholeheartedly support this legislation, so I wanted to set the record straight.
Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years in partnership with state and local governments, conservation groups like the NCL and local area tribes. It’s true that the Clark County lands bill would open 25,000 acres to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. It would also help create more affordable housing throughout the valley while ensuring our treasured public spaces can be preserved for generations to come.
What is not correct is that the money from these land sales would go to the federal government’s coffers. In fact, the opposite is true.
The 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act is a landmark bill that identified specific public land for future sale and created a special account ensuring all land sale revenues would come back to Nevada. In accordance with that law 5 percent of revenue from land transfers goes to the state of Nevada for general education purposes, 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for needed water infrastructure and 85 percent supports conservation and environmental mitigation projects in Southern Nevada. This legislation has provided billions to Clark County and will continue to benefit generations of Southern Nevadans. Sen. Cortez Masto’s lands bill builds upon the act’s success.
So here’s the good news: All of the money generated from land made available for sale under Sen. Cortez Masto’s bill would be sent to the special account created by the 1998 law. Rather than going to an unaccountable federal government, the proceeds would continue to help kids in Vegas get a better education, bolster outdoor recreation and modernize Southern Nevada’s infrastructure.
I know how important it is that money generated from the sale of public land in Nevada stay in the hands of Nevadans, and so does the senator. That’s why she opposed a Republican effort last year to sell off 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas of the country that would have sent those dollars directly to Washington.
Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably. I will continue working with Sen. Cortez Masto to advocate for legislation, such as the Clark County lands bill, that puts the needs of Nevadans first.
Paul Selberg writes from Las Vegas.
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Las Vegas High’s baseball team claimed a 3-2 home win over Coronado on Friday.
Las Vegas (9-13-1) next hosts Rancho at 10 a.m. Saturday. Coronado (13-14) hosts Chaparral at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
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