I don’t think I ever visited the Riviera, unless that was the one that had the $1 Blackjack tables (what can I say? I’m cheap).
My first couple trips out, I actually spent most of my gambling time at the downtown joints. I always felt that was probably closer to the “old Vegas” my dad used to talk about when he would go. No cheesy gimmicks, no soccer moms in baby strollers, just gambling, good booze, and good food (I loved eating in the “coffee shop” in Binion’s.)
Last time I went out, though, I was very disappointed with how far some of the downtown joints had fallen. I haven’t been back in years.
Their brilliant plan to turn Vegas into a family destination had some unforseen ‘fallout’. I think that played a big part in Downtown going to hell at least in the eaely stages of the fall. Once they abandoned that fiasco the economy tanked so double whammy.
“I loved eating in the “coffee shop” in Binion’s.”
Best prime rib dinner I ever had in my life was upstairs in the old downtown Binion’s sometime I think maybe in the mid-90’s. Waiters in tuxes, the whole nine yards.