Don’t look now, but in Las Vegas the El Cortez Casino is about to make some big changes. In order to accommodate players and keeping them content, food service at the gaming table and slots is on the drawing board.
But this new food-side service at the tables is nothing new, I remember a particular Las Vegas poker room where a nearby buffet was set-up in the poker room and a few high roller rooms having food.
However, food at slots seem to be the new focus.
Supposedly, this practice of eating food at table-side is in Macau, the Chinese gambling empire. While here in the USA , it is apparently in California at the Barona Casino and at the Palace Station Casino - Las Vegas. (in limited table areas)
Now, it seems like the El Cortez will be starting a food service, for gambler’s playing slot machines as well as table games starting in March.
The El Cortez plan calls for the use of a small, square food tray on rollers, covered with linen, china plates with stainless steel cutlery and on the menu, items such as pastrami on rye, chicken fingers, baby back ribs and quesadillas will be sold.
Customers will receive magnetized numbers to stick on their slot machine or set atop their table to keep track of their orders. The El Cortez food service has hired additional help to make this industry-change in strategy for keeping the customers happy and fat. (fed) The cost is expected to be less than what they would pay in the casino's cafe.
I bet you’re thinking ...
Who in their right mind would want to play a slot machine, never mind a table game after someone has put their greasy hands all over the place, chips, cards, dice,.. etc.
With players sneezing, coughing, and blowing their noses, and/ or even using the restroom without washing their hands … there has to be many issues here, from Cleanliness to Sanitized Eating, especially with finger foods such as sandwiches, ribs and quesadillas.
Here in Las Vegas there is a smoking ban for restaurants and/or bars serving food …it’s NO SMOKING. This past election Las Vegas voters passed a smoking ban where food is served, there is no smoking.
Although the issue is being challenged …consider this is real slap in the face to those restaurant/bar proprietors, because the Casino is exempt.
So … at the El Cortez Casino you can have people not only smoking next to you while you eat, but you could find the dirty ash trays, ashes all over the machine ..etc. (cleaning after everyone is a momentous task, especially slot machines)
For those of you who are not familiar with the El Cortez, it’s in the tougher (East) side of Fremont Street. Its past reputation is hardly a place that would receive HIGH marks in distinguishing itself for wholesomeness.
This mandate of a noble jester relies heavily on doing more that simple lip service. It’s going to take a great effort in making conditions acceptable. The El Cortez has a lot at stake and I’m sure the gaming industry as well as the Clark County Health Department will be weighting into this new facet of customer service.
This “Feed your Face and Not lose Your Place “ at Winning, could be another catchy trend or could it be just another ... Once Upon a Time…
Tinhorn Gambler
