My friend's dad is a frequent player at the Gold Coast and as such gets comps to the Cortez Room all the time and a couple of times I've been lucky enough to be at the receiving end of the Gold Coasts's generosity. And let me tell you, I am not one to pass up a free meal.
The Cortez room is a nice place to get your carnivore on. You get huge cuts of good quality meat for not too much money. The menu is a la carte, but the sides are as affordable as everything else. Their 10 oz prime rib (which is always, always excellent) is $12.95, but if you're REALLY hungry, the 22 oz is $18.95. Every meal I've had here has always been very good - not the best ever, but the value is what makes this place special.
The room itself is dark and very old Vegas feeling. It's a great place to feel like you're having a big night out but while staying on a budget.