Eighty years ago, Las Vegas introduced its first buffet, the Buckaroo Buffet, priced at just $1 and offering simple fare like cold cuts and cheese. Fast forward to today, and the buffets have undergone a dramatic transformation. Visitors can now splurge up to $175 on lavish meals featuring lobster tail, prime rib, and endless drinks. The buffets of yesteryear provided quick and affordable options, allowing patrons to spend more of their money on the casino floor. However, the buffet landscape has drastically changed, with the number of buffets on the famed Las Vegas Strip reduced to around a dozen due to closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of production. Certain locales such as the Carnival World Buffet at the Rio, once boasting over 300 dishes for about $30, have closed and transformed into trendy food halls. Buffets such as ARIA's, known for its Indian cuisine, also shuttered, replaced by food halls featuring diverse offerings. The decline of traditional buffets aligns with the evolution of Las Vegas into a foodie paradise, as consumers demand higher quality and unique dining experiences. This shift has led to a thriving market for upscale buffets that not only serve food but now create a spectacle. Dedicated fans of the classic buffet culture lament the rise of these luxury options, reflecting on days when a buffet meal was an affordable and essential part of the Las Vegas experience. Yet, industry insiders suggest that the buffet format will adapt to the ever-changing culinary landscape of Las Vegas, ensuring its legacy will continue, albeit in a different form.