Who doesn’t like buffets? There is generally something for everyone at a good buffet. So where to you go for a buffet? Las Vegas comes to mind. Yes, most casinos around the country have buffets and for years during the recession their prices were low to attract patrons to gaming floor.
After grazing at so many buffets, I have the extra pounds to prove my point that buffets are just plane good for the soul. Asian buffets have turned up in many communities, it seems that they paid attention when they went to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and of course Biloxi, MS. People like the convenience, low cost and variety of food.
I just left an excellent buffet at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS. While I am not being paid for this review, I am going to give one anyway. What does it take to become a buffet expert able to command a good living writing reviews? Who knows. I will take a stab at it. Perhaps MGM will hire me to review their other properties. Wow, what a job. Fly, stay and eat.
Not all buffets are the same
On to the review. Not all buffets are made the same. The casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast tend to favor local foods. Casinos in Las Vegas have a more international fare, more of an Asian and Mexican selection. I prefer the Gulf Coast way of setting up a buffet and the Beau has one of the best selections I have ever seen.
Before the review, I must list my qualifications as a Buffet Critic. First, I have eaten at buffets in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi and a variety of Indian and other casinos in several states. The occasional Asian buffet not located at a casino has drawn my attention as well. Second, I have developed a standard of measurement to insure a fair weighting for all areas. Mashed potatoes. All casinos and even Asian buffets have mashed potatoes. This is my bench mark.
Some casinos use ordinary russet potatoes and most casinos make adequate mashed potatoes. There are the casinos who know how to use plenty of butter and those who use a box of dried potato flakes. The best are the ones who use the small red potatoes and leave just a hint of skin while also blending in plenty of milk and butter.
Now you now that I have experience and a method. Back to the actual review of my most recent repast.
The selection was terrific
The selection was terrific. There were Asian dishes including Pho of which I am not a fan, the obligatory Italian dishes including pizza and even one Mexican dish, a tamale. Pizza and Mexican food are reserved for those types of restaurants so that I have room for more unique foods. The meat balls were great. The crawfish pudding was interesting and quite good as well.
Mashed potatoes were a 9 on my scale. I usually put broccoli on the potatoes and in this case the broccoli was a bit too firm for my taste although others like it that way. The Italian pork chop was in a class all its own. There were in fact two pork chop dishes while they were both good, the Italian one was great.
Jambalaya, mac and cheese and red beans were next on my list. All were quite good. How can you not love good red beans. Generally I eat them with rice but I was trying to sample other things and rice fills me up. A dish that resembled paella was interesting, a bit dry but not bad.
This trip was a first as I wanted to try the Senior half priced lunch. Wow, both of us enjoyed a wonderful meal for exactly $17.11. Good food and an even better price.
Gulf Shrimp
To follow-up about the buffet. There were dozens of other items available including gulf shrimp that is actually purchased from the local fishing fleet. Carved ham, sausage, a giant salad bar, fried green tomatoes, various fried fish, shrimp and other typical southern dishes abounded.
You have obviously been reading this far to determine what I had for dessert. That’s another story but I will discuss it here. Bread pudding is one of my favorites and the Beau offers it fresh with a caramel sauce. That would have been good enough until I saw the large bowl of rice pudding one of my favorites. I filled a bowl and wolfed it down.
The rice pudding was very good. It was obviously made there not poured from a can. it was about the best that I have eaten. Yes there were other selections, ice cream, cakes, donuts etc., but one can only eat so much.
Traditional Southern food
To be fair to other casinos with good buffets, they just cannot compare if they do not have all of this traditional Southern food. You can get Mexican, Pizza and Sushi anywhere but this southern food was very good. I have eaten at this buffet a number of times all in the evening or for Sunday brunch. This was the first time at lunch and I was not expecting the variety.
The Sunday brunch at the Beau is something to write home about. The selection is expanded and it includes sushi and my favorite, lox. I cut up the lox and they scramble it for me with fresh eggs and onions. This dish is a Jewish and/or New York favorite and I learned to eat many years ago and it is hard to find.
So, if you are hungry and want to eat and walk it off on the beach, visit the brunch as the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS. Perhaps you may want to stay.
