The last time I visited I was amazed by the Kobe beef steak tacos and only recently discovered the Border Grill Buffet Las Vegas was an option.
If you are in Las Vegas and want to try a sit-down buffet that provides you with the opportunity to try over 18 different items in one sitting, check this one out. Here is my experience.
I, like you, plan my special meals when I travel. I do the research, like you 🙂 I stumbled upon some reviews showing dozens of mini plates in front of diners. I decided to take a closer look and came across the Border Grill breakfast buffet.
A couple of Youtube videos showed that you could order an unlimited number of mini-plates and I knew this was going to be my breakfast buffet stop.
I arrived about 30 minutes after they opened and it was already filling up, clearly a popular place even without any major conventions going on nearby. When I left, at about 11 am, it was 70% full including the lower level.
What I Ordered At Border Grill Buffet Las Vegas
Yes, I did eat everything you see pictured below although it was shared which is probably best. When I asked the waitress if we could have one of everything included on the list she didn’t bat an eye, just an energetic “of course!”
They brought the dishes out in groups of 6 except for the last two which were served in shot glasses.
First up was the salmon avocado toast with epazote cream cheese, citrus-cured salmon, capers, and red onions. Simple and fresh, I enjoyed it and appreciated that the toast was extra crunchy, not a soggy grain in sight.
Second up was the Chilaquiles. A crunchy cold and warm combo, delicious! and the eggs are prepared perfectly. Looks spicy but it wasn’t, one of my favorites from the entire list.
Third up was the spicy chicken tamale made with guajillo sauce, avocado balm, and salsa fresca. Moist and spicy, a bit cold, with a flavor all the way through, I only wish it had been served hotter.
The fourth item was the Horchata french toast made with cinnamon, vanilla, piloncillo syrup, and Mexican chocolate. If you had told me this was bread pudding I wouldn’t have argued with you. The sauce was a bit too much but very tasty.
Fifth on the list was the Conchas & Jam made with a house-baked mini Mexican sweetbread, jam, and marmalade. The sweet bread was on the dry side and just didn’t pop with any flavors. Pass on this one unless you have a morning sweet tooth.
Number 6 and the final item in the first set was the Diablo Chicken & Churro Waffle. A crispy fried chicken with diablo salsa and a cinnamon-dusted mini-waffle.
This was spicy! One of our favorites though as it was seasoned perfectly and the waffle had those crispy edges with a soft center. Well done!
They clear each plate as we finished and when we were done with the first set we had a 5-minute wait for the next 6 items. Knowing that it didn’t come out right away meant they were not sitting under a heat lamp somewhere, comforting.
First up in the second round, item number 7, was Barbacoa Benedict made with smoked brisket barbacoa, bbq hollandaise sauce, and a corn muffin. The corn and meat combo was delicious, the egg was prepared well and the hollandaise sauce was delicious.
Number 8 on the list was the proverbial steak and eggs. A skirt steak with crispy potatoes, guacamole, and salsa fresca. The steak was a bit fatty but charred nicely, eggs and salsa were ok. Overall not what I was hoping for but I did order a second plate of this.
9th up was the breakfast taco with chorizo, potatoes, poblanos, Oaxacan cheese, and a flour tortilla. Why no corn tortilla? It was small enough so I was disappointed they didn’t choose the better-flavored tortilla. Filling and standard all the way around.
The tacos I had in San Diego at The Republic Hotel were made with a crispy won-ton shell, I think that would be a great option here.
Number 10 was the breakfast enchilada made with Oaxacan cheese, jalapeno bacon, and sofrito. This had a sweet tang to it with a delicious filling that really hit the spot. One of my favorites from the full list.
11th was the chef’s secret pancakes and boy did this really wow us. One of the most unique dishes we had and the berries on top popped with flavor. The pancakes themselves had an almost scone-like bakery flavor and would be perfect any time of the day. Don’t pass this one up.
The 12th plate was the deviled egg made with escabeche, avocado balm, aji amarilio, chipotle, serrano, ancho, and vegetable pearls. The onion and vinegar taste really made this dish while the egg white had no flavor, and the filling and topping were perfect.
The lucky 13 plate was the Birria hash and egg made with chile braised beef, caramelized onion, peppers, and crispy potatoes. The hash was great but I wished the potatoes were crispy and not just soft. The eggs and meat were well seasoned, recommend this dish if only choosing a few.
14th on the list was the mini Churo-tots made with cajeta churros, cinnamon sugar, and raspberry sauce. The sauce was amazing and the churro tots were done perfectly. Crispy crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside.
Number 15 was the Campechana made with shrimp cocktail, house-made clamato, tortilla crunch, avocado, onions, and cilantro. Wow, shrimp on top and shrimp throughout, nice spice, and crunchy onion. They served this in individual shot glasses for each at the table. A bag of tortilla chips with this, oh lord.
Finally, number 16 was a Prickly Pear Chia Parfait made with chia seed, almond coconut milk, lemon zest, and fresh berries. This was fresh and smooth, you can definitely taste the prickly pear flavors which was nice.
Service
The wait staff including the bussers were all on their game when I visited. Quick to grab our finished plates. refilled waters, and always had a smile during the rush. Tip accordingly.
Ambiance
I was here during the month of January so a bit cold and this location looks out over the pool area of Mandalay Bay Resort. Open-aired and just waiting for hotter weather, this is a fun spot for groups and those looking for an upbeat experience.
Location & Contact Info
Located in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino it’s along the way to the convention halls overlooking and along the amazing pools.
Final Thoughts
This was a fun experience and it introduced me to a variety of food I might not have ever tried. I think it would be a great experience with kids or a group of friends as well. Next time I might try the bottomless mimosas but I need to make sure I have the afternoon off for a nap.
