Las Vegas has so many great steakhouses, it’s virtually impossible to visit them all.
We finally got around to trying Charcoal Room at Palace Station, and we’ve added it to our list of go-to Las Vegas steakhouses.
Charcoal is obtained when carbonaceous material is partially burned. Not the sexiest tagline, but there it is.
Charcoal Room at Palace Station isn’t flashy, but what it lacks in Strip-style glamour it more than makes up for in value.
Palace Station caters mainly to locals, so the price points are appealing, with most entrees about 25 percent less expansive than equivalent offerings on The Strip.
Basic math: The less you spend on dinner, the more you have for Wheel of Fortune.
Every part of the meal, from the bread to the steak to the dessert, hit all the right notes at Charcoal Room.
One does not live on bread alone, but we’re damned well not living without it.
See the full menu on the Palace Station Web site.
We went for the grass-fed filet mignon from Grass Run Farms, whatever that might actually be, and it was excellent.
Whatever grass-feeding is supposed to do, it’s doing.
A highlight of our visit was a signature cocktail we would like several dozen more of next time.
We would share the ingredients in the Absolutely Bananas cocktail, but that would involve “having taken notes” or “listening to the server rather than drinking our Absolutely Bananas cocktail,” so, you’re S.O.L., sorry.
We spoke to a manager about receiving this cocktail via I.V. tube. Pretty sure they thought we were joking.
The service at Charcoal Room was top notch, as expected at a place in the Stations Casino family.
We’re a big fan of the style of service where someone’s helpful when needed, without the constant interruptions to see how things are going.
We also love servers who watch the liquor level in our glass. Ask too soon (glass half full) and it’s awkward, wait too long and it feels like you’ve been wandering the Mojave for a week with holes in your safari hat. Yes, that’s exactly what it feels like.
Thankfully, Charcoal Room nails it on all counts.
Sometimes, being indecisive pans out.
Palace Station is about five minutes west of the Las Vegas Strip, and the Charcoal Room is just off the casino floor.
Charcoal Room is next to the casino’s popular oyster bar. “Popular” is probably an understatement. The line for the oyster bar starts at the entrance of Charcoal Room and often stretches to Hoover Dam.
Our first rule of steakhouses and creme brulee: Don’t muck with a classic.
Many tourists don’t venture away from The Strip or downtown during a visit, but Palace Station is worth a little rideshare action.
Palace Station recently got a major overhaul and the casino’s transformation has been amazing. Bottom line: Less train, more urbane.
Margarita lovers are covered, of course.
Palace Station has a new dining offering in the works as well. The casino is working with Clique Hospitality to open a new restaurant, Tailgate Social, in November 2020. Tailgate Social replaces the recently-closed burger place, BBD’s. Fair warning, there may be sports.
Big thanks to the Charcoal Room steakhouse for hosting our visit, a refreshing value just off the Las Vegas Strip, and we can’t wait to Absolutely Bananas again soon.
The Absolutely Banana cocktail looks fantastic. But, the steak, lobster & shrimps meal looks like either an appetizer OR a meal for “Little People”, aka midgets.
Last time I was served a tiny meal like this I had to stop and McDonald’s on the way home, rather than coming home with a Doggy Bag.
Dude….thank you For a Steak house review ….it’s a good price. It looks amazing… I just feel I’m going to get mugged in that neighborhood
I would love the original Charcoal Room from the Hacienda
The Charcoal Room is excellent. Steaks are very good. You can’t beat the value. Love the sides and bread basket! Mixed drinks and wine are varied and offer good deal for the price. While the oyster bar is good, if you like chowing down in a very public place, the Charcoal room offers a must preferred alternative.