Las Vegas Eats

By Avital Binshtock

If you consider winning in Las Vegas to be the amount that you're "up," you can better maximize that number by eliminating wasteful purchases. Getting a lot for a little during your next Vegas visit is a sure way to feel like a winner (sorry we can't help with the gambling part).

Best Investment of $1: If gambling isn't in the plans (most casinos offer players free drinks), cheap drinks are best found at Silverton (3333 Blue Diamond Rd.; tel. 866/946-4373). The casino bar serves Miller Genuine Drafts for a buck all day long.

Best Investment of $1.99: History buffs will enjoy the Golden Gate Casino (1 Fremont St.; tel. 702/385-1906) and paying homage to a 40-year-old Vegas tradition: the original 99-cent shrimp cocktail. Only Club 1906 members get it at that price, but everyone else can have it for less than two bucks.

Best Investment of $2.21: If breakfast exists in Las Vegas, it's best had during the really early morning hours, before crawling into bed. Get a stack of four pancakes from 12-5am daily at the J.W. Marriott's Promenade Café (221 N. Rampart Blvd.; tel. 702/507-5900).

Best Investment of $3: Two oversized pizza slices and a soda are the score at Uncle Joe's Pizza (505 Fremont St.; tel. 702/385-2162). The spot is a must for those seeing the Fremont Street Experience.

Best Budget Buffet: You can't go to Las Vegas without taking part in the excessive dining. For just less than $10, you can consume a day's worth of calories during lunch at the Palms' Bistro Buffet (4321 West Flamingo Rd.; tel. 866/942-7777). Dig in!