My kind of town ...

In response to a Bill Simmon's column in which he ranks his favorite and least favorite Vegas casinos, we decided in anticipation of our trip, we would share our feelings on them as well. There are definitely a few we don't like and one in particular that we just love.


The Mirage - Hands down our favorite casino. The waitresses are quick with the drinks, the slots are loose and the buffet is fabulous. It's also home to the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil show (which I still want to see badly). Who can compete with a volcano that erupts on the hour and Siegfried and Roy's tigers?

Bellagio - Not only is it the site of an entertaining movie (Ocean's 11), but the fountains are one of the best parts of Vegas. It was also the site of my dad's 250 craps tear back on my 21st (Katy). Word on the street is that it is the hotel where both Jamie McMurray and Kasey Kahne reside during race weeks at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but that has no bearing on our opinion of course ...

Caesars - It is quite intimidating with it's ornate fountains and gardens outside. It's HUGE. Haven't really done any major gambling here other than slots, but the reason Caesars is good is simple - their free drinks are quite delicious and the glasses they are served in are much more elegant than at other casinos. However, the libations may be tasty, but this is also the Vegas home of Bobby Flay's MESA grill. I hate Bobby Flay. Go make something out of blue corn.

TI (aka Treasure Island) - TI will always hold a special place in Katy's heart as the first place in Vegas she ever played blackjack. Oh the memories. The dealer was cute. The other players were nice. All in all, it was good times. The main downside of TI is that its once famed pirate show is now a skankfest. Boo skanks.

MGM - MGM should stand for MASSIVE GIANT MASSIVE. If you can't tell, it's huge. It has a full on stadium-esque auditorium where the Billboard Awards are held every year for crying out loud. I like MGM because it houses the two restaurants where the season one finale of Top Chef took place (Go Harold!). They have a very nice and spacious sports book and a lion habitat. Live animals are always cool.

The Venetian - We got lost in the Venetian last spring break. No lie. I think we ended up ducking out some side entrance that required us to make our way thru valet parking to make our way back to the strip. The outside with the gondolas and the canal is very nice, especially at night when it is all lit up. Most delicious noodle restaurant as well.

The Flamingo - First of all, bad idea to have the likeness of Toni Braxton all up on the side of your building. Gag. However, last year, as Take Me Home Tonight was blasting over the speaker, there was Adrian, the stick man at a craps game we were watching. Oh it was magical. We had a moment. So the Flamingo will always have a place in my heart. And my grandparent's timeshare is at the Hilton right behind the Flamingo so it was pretty much like I have stayed there the past two years.

Ballys - This is where we are staying this year and it should be quite exciting. Other than souvenir shopping, we didn't spend a lot of time there last year. I ate at a yummy Italian place there while on my 21st birthday trip so I am in favor.

New York, New York - Way too touristy. The replica of the city is pretty cool, but I get kinda claustrophic inside because there are low ceilings and I don't like that.

Paris - Jess really likes the little stirrers in the free drinks. That is very important. (They're shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Very classy.)

O'Sheas - OK so here's the thing about O'Sheas. They always have cheap tables, but their 5 dollar blackjack is weird. And it smells. And their drink service is slow.

Casino Royale - Dollar Margaritas. Enough said.

Harrah's - The comedy show we went to last year was at Harrah's, that is all I can really remember. Oh, and on my 21st, me and JK went to the Carnival Bar at Harrah's and the guy who won the world bartending championship on Food Network made me my 10 dollar drink. Holla.

Bill's Gambling Hall - Formerly Ivory Coast. Also smelly like O'Shea's. But it will always hold memories for me cuz it was where I won at craps for the first time. Apparently, they have a cheap prime rib special too. Always a plus.

P.S. Congrats to former Mid-Week Man Candy Carl Edwards for his victory in the crazy rain-delayed Auto Club 500. I love his backflips.

TWO DAYS TIL VEGAS!!!!!!!!