Off to Reno this weekend - anyone need anything?

[Super Joker]

Sorry I haven't been around and as involved here as I'd like to be - things started getting busy a couple months ago, and then I got 'snookered' into admining another forum where I was totally content to just modding at leisure.

Anyway, due to free room offers, free slot tourney, free slot play and free meals, I just couldn't say "no" to Reno this weekend. Wife and I are going down tomorrow (Thursday), driving home Sunday. Leaving the kids at home with MIL. Eating, drinking, and a bit of gambling in-between. Didn't know if there's anything anyone on the West coast wants or needs from there - not driving my truck, but I can *always* make room for a machine or two in the SUV (if they're not on stands).

Might try to send a PM and make contact with (I think it's dgbrian) there, see if I can arrange a walk-thru at his place in Reno with those older machines, if he don't mind, and if he's still looking to sell.

Anyways, if anyone wants or needs anything from there, just hit me up with a PM or something here. I've been helped out in the past, and am happy to help out others in return. I'd toss out my email addy, as it's anonymous and I only use it for here and slot stuff, but that might be frowned upon. I'll try to also take the laptop and check in when I'm there in Reno, as well. 

[CaptainHappy]

Sorry I haven't been around and as involved here as I'd like to be - things started getting busy a couple months ago, and then I got 'snookered' into admining another forum where I was totally content to just modding at leisure.

Anyway, due to free room offers, free slot tourney, free slot play and free meals, I just couldn't say "no" to Reno this weekend. Wife and I are going down tomorrow (Thursday), driving home Sunday. Leaving the kids at home with MIL. Eating, drinking, and a bit of gambling in-between. Didn't know if there's anything anyone on the West coast wants or needs from there - not driving my truck, but I can *always* make room for a machine or two in the SUV (if they're not on stands).

Might try to send a PM and make contact with (I think it's dgbrian) there, see if I can arrange a walk-thru at his place in Reno with those older machines, if he don't mind, and if he's still looking to sell.

Anyways, if anyone wants or needs anything from there, just hit me up with a PM or something here. I've been helped out in the past, and am happy to help out others in return. I'd toss out my email addy, as it's anonymous and I only use it for here and slot stuff, but that might be frowned upon. I'll try to also take the laptop and check in when I'm there in Reno, as well.  

Have a wonderful trip, and dress warm! My Mom said it snowed there this AM. Drive safe and check the road conditions! Say hi to my favorite slant top triple play poker machines at the Atlantis! There should be plenty of money in them as I have donated heavily in the past!!!

KARMA for offering to get stuff for people!
CaptainHappy

[Super Joker]

Thank you!  This site stands out among many sites, simply because of the way most all of the members here are so helpful and willing to help each other. Makes it great, and I'm happy to help if I can.

Where I live is very similar to Reno. Been dealing with the on/off snow here as well. Yesterday had a high of around 40 degrees. Everything we drive is 4wd. Only thing I worry about are the California cops. They're always eager to ticket for 5mph over the posted speed. Only good thing about that? Online traffic school resulting in ticket dismissal! (good for once a year).

Used to LOVE the Atlantis, still even have some silver-dollar Clarion tokens somewhere. But it seems that I've been donating as well there the last few years. However, the ONLY royal flushes my wife and I have ever hit have been at the Atlantis (but years ago on that as well). Two for me, one for her. Nothing big, 5-max nickel machines. Peppermill also good, but since their expansion they've dropped in service. As usual, I'm going down with the full expectation of having some fun, but not coming back with any extra green in my wallet.

edit; saw some other people with email addys listed. Again, this isn't a personal-personal one, but feel free to hit me up at misterslot at gmail dot com. Edit or remove if this is in violation. Thanks.

[Super Joker]

Heard back from dgrbrian - he won't be at his warehouse until Sunday, after I've had to hit the road to start working my way home.

Reno is still Reno. Things were slow as molasses last night. Not a ton of activity up the strip or down the strip, and I couldn't find a midnite ham-n-egg, steak-n-egg, or any other special anywhere - most all the coffee shops and restaurants that used to run the specials were closed at midnite. Very disheartening    I always enjoyed doing that in the wee hours of the morning. Wife's down a bit, I'm up a bit. With as tight as everything is, if it isn't video poker, I stop as soon as I'm up by 20%, and cash out. But it's a fun, relaxing time so far.

And the sun is shining.

[CaptainHappy]

Go to the Little Nugget downtown and grab a burger called the Awful Awful in the no name diner in the back. It is a great deal and a great burger. It just won a competition on the travel channel. Big burger and basket of fries... Mmmmm hungry now! Worth doing if you have never done it, a locals thing, plus they are open 24 hours!

Mark

[CaptainHappy]

I guess that I should have posted this earlier....

http://nevadaeventsandshows.blogspot.com/2010/06/travel-channel-starts-war-over-awful.html

Here are some pics!

CH

[reho33]

Do you get it free if you eat the entire thing by yourself???

[CaptainHappy]

A couple more...... A nostalgic thing to do when in Reno!

CH

[CaptainHappy]

Do you get it free if you eat the entire thing by yourself???

Sorry not one of those burgers... the pictures are a little deceptive. It is a half pounder with what seems like about a pound of Yummy fries! It is VERY filling!  

I am sooooooo hungry now!

CaptainHungry

[CaptainHappy]

Here is some good info about the history of the Little Nugget's Awful Awful in a reply from it's owner to a post on Chowhound:


Steve,  I'm going to start in the beginning.  In 1989 I purchased The Reno Nugget "Little Nugget" from Jim Kelly.  At that time the Reno Nugget, like the Carson Nugget, Tahoe Nugget (also owned by Jim Kelly) and J.A. Nugget in Sparks all served the hamburger made famous by Dick Graves, and brought to the state of Nevada from Idaho where it was originally served at restaurants that were owned by Dick Graves.  When Dick moved to Nevada he opened several casinos and actually ran them for a short period of time, however while he did own them he served his Awful Awful hamburger.  Thus the brand was used by these properties while he owned them and after he sold them as well.  In the early 50's Dick Graves and Jim Kelly partnered in the Reno Nugget, after a rather short partnership, Dick then sold his interest and went to Carson City and opened the  Carson Nugget.  When I purchased the Reno Nugget from Jim Kelly, I asked Jim who owned the service mark and trademark on the name and he stated "nobody, Dick and I shook hands and agreed that we could both use the name at 2 casinos."  Well.....since I never had an opportunity to shake hands with Dick Graves, I applied for and was granted the state of Nevada trademark and service mark for the Awful Awful.  I immediately notified the other "Nugget" owners that it was not my intention in trademarking the name to tell them that they could no longer use the name, but rather inform them that I would be continuing to use the name, and we should all police it's being used by anyone else.  I also changed the ingredients, and presentation of the Awful Awful and I will assure you and all who have ever eaten an Awful Awful and the fries at the "Little Nugget" that I have:
1.  Never used lard as a frying medium.
2.  I have always used an 8oz. (1/2 pound ground beef patty) with a 75-80 meat to fat mix.
3.  If the patty appears smaller, it is usually due to a higher fat mix that got in the patty, and shrunk it while cooking.
4.  The only thing I have changed in over 20 years in preparing it is we now cook it on a hot top (griddle) instead of a broiler.  We did this because of too much flame-up when we are rushed, and have too many patties cooking. 
5.  If the tomatoes are running small we put 2 slices on.  If the red onion is running small we put 2 slices of onion on.
6.  It has been and always will be served in a wicker basket filled with a minimum of 1 pound of shoestring french fried potatoes that are seasoned with my personal secret seasonings.
7.  The sauce has also remained ours exclusively and is a combination of Russian dressing and other ingredients.
8.  The bun that I use is baked daily and excluisevely for us by a small bakery here in Reno and has toasted onions on the top and is baked in an oversized mold that we purchased 20 years ago.That having been said, the "Little Nugget" serves what most people consider to be a superior cheeseburger to the small double patty burgers that the other Nuggets serve, and indeed, we serve the Awful Awful that continues to win "Best Hamburger" year after year.  If you are interested in verifying the above facts, or are just interested in learning more about a most fascinating Nevada gaming pioneer, I might suggest that you contact The University of Nevada Press and send for Dick Graves oral history. The Wolf Den which has just opened up at the University of Nevada is owned by myself,Alex Kanwetz, George Buddy Jr and Sr. Sig Rogich Cam Solari, Fran Menante, and Curtis Brown.  3 of the above are fraternity brothers of mine SAE's from the University of Nevada, one is my Grandson, one was an outstanding Nevada football player and has been with me for 18 years at the Nugget, and the others are very close friends. The Wolf Den name dates back to the 1930's as a University of Nevada hang-out that was closed years ago.When I found out that the name could be trademarked and service marked I did just that.  The location is accurate across from the old gym and north of the new Nye hall.  The menu features, of course, the Awful Awful as well as chicken fried steaks, and breakfast burritos.  We've got 16 oz. cold drafts and our soon to be famous 32oz. "Blue Thunder" margaritas.  Thanks for the space look forward to meeting you R.H. "Last Chance Joe" (bye the way, I own the trademark and service mark on that one too.  That's The name of the 30 foot statue in front of JA's Nugget in Sparks.)


CH

[Buzz]

Skipper This last Monday I stopped at Whisky Pete's ( NV   CA State line ) on my way back from the first load and in their restaurant they have a foot long Hamburger. I was hungry so I ordered one. What I got was three 1/4 pound patties on a long bun. It was OK nothing to rave about, 10 bucks, I ate most of it.

[Super Joker]

Thanks for the info. Been coming to Reno for a good 20 years, never had one. Used to get the dog & beer at the Cal Neva for a quick snack (which has since morphed into various offerings including taco, and currently, pizza slice). They also had a burger & fries in the Top Deck for a few bucks, but that also disappeared.

Ate WAY too much this morning at the Atlantis. Had a free breakfast buffet coupon - just get your updated player's card, and present it with the letter to the cashier. Well, the dirty dogs dropped me back down to an entry-level card, 'cause they ain't been getting enough $$$ off of me. So I decided to get even and went for breakfast at 10:50am. Got my omelete, bacon, corned beef hash, and more. Then it changed to lunch offerings at 11:00am, and then I had teriyaki prime rib, bbq ribs, normal prime rib, fried shrimp, fries, korean ribs, and more. Mind you, I'm only 165lbs, so it was all I could do to muster all that food down. 5 hours later, and I'm still stuffed. Doubting I'll make the crab leg buffet tonight. If I don't, the awful-awful might be a late-night plan.

[CaptainHappy]

Thanks for the info. Been coming to Reno for a good 20 years, never had one. Used to get the dog & beer at the Cal Neva for a quick snack (which has since morphed into various offerings including taco, and currently, pizza slice). They also had a burger & fries in the Top Deck for a few bucks, but that also disappeared.

Ate WAY too much this morning at the Atlantis. Had a free breakfast buffet coupon - just get your updated player's card, and present it with the letter to the cashier. Well, the dirty dogs dropped me back down to an entry-level card, 'cause they ain't been getting enough $$$ off of me. So I decided to get even and went for breakfast at 10:50am. Got my omelete, bacon, corned beef hash, and more. Then it changed to lunch offerings at 11:00am, and then I had teriyaki prime rib, bbq ribs, normal prime rib, fried shrimp, fries, korean ribs, and more. Mind you, I'm only 165lbs, so it was all I could do to muster all that food down. 5 hours later, and I'm still stuffed. Doubting I'll make the crab leg buffet tonight. If I don't, the awful-awful might be a late-night plan.

When I visit (I grew up there) our Friday night tradition is the buffet and video poker, and I don't do the seafood other than a bite of crab legs and some fried shrimp... Best buffet in town in my opinion... I LOVE THE ASIAN RIBS!!!!! I never eat on Fridays until the buffet... there is no way that I could manage two of their buffets in one day! We do not gamble that much any more since my mom has retired and the discretionary income can't support it! Saves me alot of Money too!!! They finally dropped us down a level too!!! We were Royal Diamond, but now we are Platinum level... Still has good perks, just not as good!

The Little Nugget has been very busy because the Travel Channel program that was about the Awful Awful just premiered last Wednesday! It is worth the wait if there is one... The open 24 hours part helps if you get hungry late! The shakes are good as well!

Enjoy your visit!

CH

[Super Joker]

Ate at the Little Nugget last night - split an awful awful with the wife. It was as good as everyone has said. In fact, I have to confess - I actually ate another one for a late breakfast this morning! However, I don't think the wife will let me get one tomorrow morning on our way out of town.

I am kicking myself for having never had one, after all these years of Reno trips. Multiple thanks to Captain Happy for insisting that I try it. Off to the steak and seafood buffet at the Peppermill this evening. Oh, and the machines are as tight today as they were yesterday. Nothing special for sale on CL, either - overpriced machines as usual.

[jay]

"Old Reno" lives in the area - you might want to PM him.

A drive up to the Hyatt a Lake Tahoe is nice.
They have BJ and Slots.... albiet I don't like the BJ rules. (ie no surrender, and you can only double down on 10 or 11).
I do like their chips (all metal) You can walk the lake and they have some nice gas fired pits you can sit around at night.

[Buzz]

"Old Reno" lives in the area - you might want to PM him.

A drive up to the Hyatt a Lake Tahoe is nice.
They have BJ and Slots.... albiet I don't like the BJ rules. (ie no surrender, and you can only double down on 10 or 11).
I do like their chips (all metal) You can walk the lake and they have some nice gas fired pits you can sit around at night.



Jay    were you there in the Winter? 

[CaptainHappy]

Ate at the Little Nugget last night - split an awful awful with the wife. It was as good as everyone has said. In fact, I have to confess - I actually ate another one for a late breakfast this morning! However, I don't think the wife will let me get one tomorrow morning on our way out of town.

I am kicking myself for having never had one, after all these years of Reno trips. Multiple thanks to Captain Happy for insisting that I try it. Off to the steak and seafood buffet at the Peppermill this evening. Oh, and the machines are as tight today as they were yesterday. Nothing special for sale on CL, either - overpriced machines as usual.

Glad that you liked it so much! I am craving one now!

CH

[Super Joker]

ROTFLOL, you won't believe this, but...

...I ate another one THIS morning for breakfast! Sat with the wife while she had the steak & eggs at the Cal Neva, and then we went to the little nugget. Win-win situation. I'm so lucky to have such an understanding wife.

BTW, the Peppermill Saturday night steak & crab buffet sucked. I remember it taking an hour just to get in, last year and years before. Less than 10% occupied at 7pm on Saturday night. Wife compared it to Circus Circus food. I know most places are cutting corners with the economy, but it's gonna be awhile before I eat there again. I mean, I understand that buffet fare ain't the best to begin with, but I kinda enjoy a varied selection. I was also rather surprised at the lack of newer games. Not hardly any transmissives. Just tons more video slots. Actually played some of the newer Konami reel/video slots at the Grand Sierra (stayed there the last few nights). Pretty fun. I like having actual "reels" that do something, and don't mind a vid screen for some of the bonus stuff. A much more interactive feel than straight video slots. There were some new Ballys as well, with reels for the main and bonus games. They were popular, didn't get a chance to play them, though. For kicks and giggles, I played my favorite Hot Shot for an hour one night - penny a pull, just to gauge the hits/payouts on the bonus games, as indications were that they weren't paying out. Yes, it was slightly tedious, but hey - they were comping me drinks at a penny a pull! I figured that an hour would be a good indication. And the result was that they were cranked down on payouts.

Most important thing, the trip was good, most of the meals were good, drinks were "free", and I didn't get any speeding tickets.