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.

Read more: How Restaurant Steak Tricks Your Tastebuds

Is Vegas Buffet Culture Over?

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.

Nevada has a long history of being a business-friendly state. But several companies stand out in making it really big — like, Fortune 500 big — while staying local.

Widely considered a marker of a company’s large-scale success, the Fortune 500 list is compiled annually by Fortune magazine. Companies are ranked by total revenue generated as reported on each company’s annual reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or through similar financial statements shared with a government agency or regulators.

It will come as no surprise that all Nevada-based companies on the list are in the gaming and hospitality industry. Read below to see which ones made the 2024 list:

MGM Resorts International

The Las Vegas-based resort giant, with 14 Strip operations alone, generated almost $16.2 billion in 2024. It hit the middle of the list at #251.

Caesars Entertainment

This Reno-based hospitality brand operates nine Strip hotels and resort-casinos. It generated nearly $11.8 billion in 2024, landing spot #353 on Fortune’s list.

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The Las Vegas-based international casino and resort company reached #387 on the Fortune 500 list for its roughly $10.4 billion in revenue generated in 2023. The company used to own The Venetian, Palazzo and the property’s convention center, but sold them to Apollo Global Management and VICI Properties in 2022.

The Review-Journal is owned by the Adelson family, including Dr. Miriam Adelson, majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Las Vegas Sands President and COO Patrick Dumont.

Contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.

Nevada battled back after falling into a hole in the second half, but the Wolf Pack suffered its first loss of the season, 73-71, to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.

The Wolf Pack plays VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Seton Hall beat VCU, 69-66, in overtime Thursday.

Tyler Rolison and Kobe Sanders each had 13 points to lead Nevada as the Wolf Pack fell to 4-1. Brandon Love had 11 points and Nick Davidson added nine points and nine rebounds.

The Commodores led 59-47 midway through the second half. Nevada got back within one in the final minutes but could not get any closer.

Nevada led by 10 in the early going before Vanderbilt rallied to take a 37-35 lead into the break.

Nevada shot 54 percent for the field (29-of-54) while Vanderbilt shot 47 percent (28-59). Both team shot 6-of-15 from 3-point range.

Nevada had a 33-30 edge in rebounding. Both teams had 13 assists. Nevada committed 16 turnovers while Vanderbilt had 13.

A.J. Hoggard, a Michigan State transfer, led Vanderbilt (5-0) with 18 points, Jason Edwards added 16 and MJ Collins had 15. Vanderbilt plays Seton Hall at 2 p.m. Friday.

Nevada’s bench contributed 28 points, 24 for Vanderbilt’s bench.

The Pack had a lull in the second half before clawing back.

It was the first time Nevada had played Vanderbilt.

Former Utah State coach Ryan Odom is the coach at VCU now.

Up Next

• Nevada faces Seton VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Charleston Classic

• Dec. 2, Washington State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 7, Nevada at Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m.
• Dec. 11, South Dakota State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 14, Texas Southern at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21, Colorado State at Nevada, 2 p.m.
• Dec. 28, Nevada at Wyoming, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 31, Utah State at Nevada, 7 p.m.