Ellis Island steak special still packs ‘em in

By Dave Wilson

Saturday, March 29, 2008 | 12:35 a.m.

New York’s Ellis Island welcomed newcomers to America under the watchful eyes of the Statue of Liberty, which beckoned, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.”

Las Vegas’ Ellis Island Casino & Brewery welcomes visitors under the watchful eyes of the world’s largest Super 8 motel, which pretty much advertises the same thing.

Our Ellis Island, which features its own microbrewery, celebrates its 40th anniversary as a favorite spot for the budget-conscious. We headed over (on Koval, behind Bally’s) to check in on its legendary steak special, one of the all-time favorite Vegas deals.

Like many of these specials, it’s not on the menu.

Inside the casino’s restaurant, aptly named “Restaurant,” you can score a 10-ounce filet, a side of green beans and choice of potato (garlic mashed, baked, or steak fries), along with the microbrew of your choice or the EI’s own root beer, for $6.99.

It’s a great value, although if you’re not a fan of the A1, you’ll want to bring your own Mrs. Dash. It’s a good-size cut, but is remarkably bland, with another diner at my table saying it tasted “like water.” But we’re not passing judgment here. It’s a good deal, and a little salt and pepper always changes the game.

An added bonus: If you’re there after 9 p.m., the adjoining bar is a karaoke hotspot, often praised as the city’s best. So if you enjoy dinner while listening to what sounds like a wildebeest being strangled, then opt for heading over a little later.

One qualm, however. The service was a little spotty, and it took us about 20 minutes to get a check after we were finished with our meal. When we did get it, they’d charged us for the drinks, which were supposed to be part of the special. Without wanting to wait another 20 minutes, we just rolled with it and paid the bill. Other online reviews have made similar complaints. But at least there were some awful renditions of classics emanating from the bar to entertain us.

There are plenty of options on the menu for those wanting to venture away from the steak special. There are daily features for around $5, including a half-chicken special when we were last there. And, for a little added value, a coupon on the paper placemat even promises a $5 match bet at the blackjack tables.

Ellis Island isn’t a well-kept secret, and there’s sometimes a decent wait to get a seat, handled by the friendly hostess scrawling a number on a sheet of paper and handing it over. They announce the numbers over a loudspeaker, so you can at least pass the time on the casino floor.

There’s also a Metro Pizza location inside, and the brewery, where barbecue is served, beckons us for a future visit.

It’s definitely worth a trip just for the adventure and the amazing food/drink bargains. Just don’t go on a tight schedule.

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