Grand Café Santa Fe Station
Blueberry Muffin
Strawberry Donut
Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Chicken and Waffles
Double Chocolate Cookie
Chocolate Brownie
Intrigued by not only the concept of ‘locals’ casinos, but more so by the early morning activity at such places, and twice impressed by the quality of the pancakes and pastries at Station Casinos Grand Café it was amidst Las Vegans and visitors that breakfast was enjoyed within the confines of Santa Fe Station and similar to its Strip adjacent brother and Red Rock location in Summerlin the breakfast fare was once again far superior to several more pricey competitors while the baked also proved by-and-large impressive shortly after emerging from the oven just after 6:30am.
Lengthy but narrow, with a sort of ‘patio’ overlooking the gaming floor adjacent to the well stocked pastry case, it was on the right side of the restaurant with a view of the television showing Sportscenter that I asked to be sat and greeted by a friendly Hispanic man just about to go off-shift water was quickly filled and a pair of pastries delivered, my order of entrees transferred to a middle-aged Caucasian fellow who seemed to take a minute to get his bearings at the beginning of his day.
Beginning with a simple donut, the $1.25 ring resembling those at Dunkin but not quite as soft in crumb, it seemed to me that while the baked goods were indeed fresh that this fried one might have been a bit old and moving on to the Blueberry Muffin a far better bite was found, the base quite buttery even before adding a little bit more while the top was speckled with pearls of sugar giving the whole thing a light crackle as several fresh berries burst in each bite.
Eventually flagging down my original server for a water refill, even though I’m rather sure he was off the clock, it was not long before entrees arrived from the fellow who seemed to have finally woken up and setting aside “faple,” as in fake maple, syrup in favor of the good stuff the pancakes again proved light and fluffy with light topping of whipped cream and fresh strawberries while the waffle, too, was quite admirable with a good crunch and soft center, the crisply fried breast of chicken perhaps a little more greasy than some would prefer, but at the same time a whole lot better in its hand-battered herbal flavor than the previously-frozen fingers served at 24/7 spots elsewhere.
Sated and happy, but also intrigued by a few novelties within the case of cupcakes and croissants, it was with two items boxed and bagged that I settled the tab and taking my leave to less smoky environs than the casino itself it was with coffee in hand that I partook in two chocolate concoctions that again proved quite pleasant, the rich double chocolate chip cookie with slivers of almonds rich and almost ‘brownie-like’ while the actual brownie was more like a slab of sheet cake with slick chocolate ganache and patriotic sprinkles that may not exactly justified the $4.50 tab, but would have been absolutely excellent warmed up beneath some ice cream as offered amongst the menu’s desserts.
THREE AND A HALF STARS: Not the sort of place that is ever going to win any awards or critical praise, Grand Café remains a great option for an affordable breakfast with some of the best pancakes in town.
RECOMMENDED: Pancakes, Cookies, Blueberry Muffin.
AVOID: Donut.
TIP: Locals are encouraged to keep their eyes on mailers from the Casino and to sign up for the free Boarding Pass card as $15 off $30 coupons are frequently offered.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://santafestation.sclv.com/Dining/Grand-Cafe.aspx
