"Have you ever looked at someone and made an instant assumption about their economic status based on their appearance? Maybe it was their clothes, hairstyle, or the condition of their hands—perhaps you noticed some grease stains. For those in the know, you get it. Here in Vegas, we have plenty of blue-collar workers earning six figures, and you'd never guess it just by looking at them. Sure, they might have oil under their nails and wear work uniforms, but check out their steel-toed boots—those could be Cody James or Haix.
I wanted to share this perspective because just because someone doesn't fit your notion of who can afford a meal doesn't mean they can't. I recently traveled to Utah for some business and decided to stop for steak on my way back to Vegas. I had never been to this casino before, but I recognized the name from all the advertising, which looked appealing. Upon entering, I quickly saw that this place was clearly a local favorite, so I thought I was in for a treat.
Unfortunately, there wasn't any seating available, so I opted to sit at the bar. If you know me, you know I don't drink due to past issues, but it was fine. My party and another group were all seated at the bar, and we were presented with menus. The other group’s drink order was taken first, and only after them did the bartender take mine—I ordered hot tea and lemonade.
While everyone at the bar received complimentary bread and cheese, mine only arrived just before my main course, after the bartender specifically asked if I wanted it. Curiously, he hadn’t asked the other parties that question. He simply placed the bread and cheese on the bar in front of each group without any inquiry.
For my meal, I chose the porterhouse and New York steak, along with loaded potatoes, mashed potatoes, and corn. Once again, it seemed like everyone else received their food before my party did, and I had to wait about 60 minutes for my order, which was disappointing since I had a drive ahead of me. The food was good, but I couldn’t linger to enjoy it thoroughly, so I decided to take it to go. Interestingly, the other party that came in after me also chose to get their meal to go. Guess whose food was served first?
Now for the kicker: when was the last time a server or bartender handed you a check and read it aloud, making sure you understood the total? Typically, I'm handed the check in a little black folder and told to take my time. In contrast, this bartender presented the other checks in the usual black folders, thus avoiding any embarrassment for those patrons.
This is where the phrase "don’t judge a book by its cover" truly resonates. My party might have just gotten off work, and yes, we’re blue-collar workers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t afford our meal.
I can’t decisively recommend or not recommend this place. Perhaps I just visited on an off day and at the wrong time. Had I waited for a table, my experience might have been different. It’s worth noting that since we were seated at the bar, there was no need to dress up, and most people around us were in casual attire. The portion sizes and quality were reasonably priced. The location, Casa Blanca Casino in Mesquite, also offers ample parking."
Mesquite
