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| - Even in a great eating town like Las Vegas, there will always be the mediocre. Not great, not horrid, just... competent. Solid food without panache or élan. This is the Grand Café, of the many dining spots in Texas Station, a northern outpost of the Stations Casino company. Perhaps the most impressive element of the restaurant is just as one enters and passes the glass-enclosed desert case, featuring visually and gustatory mouth watering sweets.
Service, too, is competent, nothing to set it apart from better establishments. Even with only three tables occupied, my server seemed very busy, walking back and forth for water and other accouterments, when she could have easily used a hand-held tray to bring everything at once.
Menu offerings are many and, since I was hungry, I found myself considering several different options, from platters to sandwiches. My server answered my questions honestly, as I inquired about the type of liver served, whether calves or beef, and the soup of the day. I settled on the fish and chips platter, which I wanted to compare with the same offering at the Tropicana's Beach Café. I requested a hot sauce, and was asked my choice from three brands, a nice touch. Once my order was placed, I timed the wait, from when my server left the table to the arrival of my food. As everything on the plate was fried - fish and potatoes - the 17 minute wait seemed just a tad more than it should have.
The three large logs of compressed fish were a larger portion than the five smaller ones at the Trop. Fries requested well done were just done just right. I asked for both cocktail and tartar sauces, though the menu specifies the word "or". Neither the fish or fries were greasy, though the spuds had been salted, which I liked. Others may not share that enjoyment. The sauces were, again, competent, and the meal, while fine, was forgettable. Would it hurt the bottom line to include a small side of coleslaw, a natural accompaniment with this type of platter?
I had a coupon for a free desert, and so I indulged in a large slab of their strawberry cake, a heavily-frosted affair, devoid of any flavor but sugary sweetness. Which is not to say it was bad because of that. With a cup of strong coffee this would be a great late-night indulgence. Otherwise, it was crumbly, and not as moist as it might have been, were it not sitting unwrapped in the lovely case at front.
Overall service, as usual, was less than stellar. I was staying at the hotel and was already checked in. Many such venues include promotional items with a stay, and thus it was here with a liberal dining allowance given upon arrival. However, the front end manager told me nothing of the sort existed for me and this set in motion phone calls until, finally, all was resolved. This was not the first time for this occurrence and the inconvenience is more than a bit annoying.
The Grand Café is not a destination, in my estimation. It is a place to grab a late night snack of to fill up on unremarkable edibles. Or to eat for free when offered.
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