Are Steakhouse Burgers an Affordable Luxury or Just Overpriced?

^{The delicious burger from Oscar’s inside the Plaza. (Photo: Plaza Las Vegas / X)}

I'm a beef guy. My favorite foods are steaks and burgers, which happen to also be the two least photogenic dishes in Las Vegas restaurants, but that's another story.

Before moving here, I was part of a steak club in New York City where exploring new steakhouses was really just an excuse for a group of friends to get together and catch up. After I moved to Vegas, that trend continued as every casino started opening a steakhouse. I was in heaven until that trend faded.

That led casinos to pivot to burger restaurants, offering beef fans a more affordable alternative to high-end steakhouses. The burgers were typically pricier than those outside casinos, but still affordable for most people. Both trends are largely a thing of the past, but a hybrid of the two is spreading across Las Vegas today.

What's risen in its place is the steakhouse burger. These are burgers at steakhouses that cost between $30 to $50. Fries are usually another $10. Add a soft drink or cocktail, and a meal runs $50 to $75 before tax and tip.

Is this just Las Vegas overpricing something else, or is it an affordable luxury? The answer is yes to both.

What is a Steakhouse Burger?

There are typically two types of steakhouse burgers, and both involve premium cuts of beef.

A prime steakhouse burger is made with USDA Prime-grade beef, the highest-quality grade in the U.S. These are traditional burgers with flavors many will recognize from a great backyard cookout. The other common option is wagyu. This breed of cattle is known for its intense marbling, which produces a softer, juicier, and more flavorful burger. Because wagyu is so fatty, it's best handled by professional chefs, which is why it fits naturally at steakhouses.

Both types are prized for their marbling because fat equals flavor. Prime steakhouse burgers have a traditional taste and feel, while wagyu is a different, more intense experience. They're distinct, but both deliver an elevated burger. Yes, those are my words, and I stand by them.

Prices for steakhouse burgers in Las Vegas range from about $20 off the Strip to $75 at a high-end Strip casino steakhouse. For comparison, a regular burger runs $8 at a fast-food spot and $20 to $25 at a casino restaurant.

The Steakhouse Burger Conundrum

I have a love-hate relationship with steakhouse burgers.

Love: The best burger I've ever had is the 10-ounce double wagyu at Bavette's inside Park MGM.

Hate: It costs $39. It comes with fries, but adding bacon is another $9 if you're in the mood.

The burger is so good I could eat it every day. I'd probably also go broke, eat myself into an early grave, or both.

What makes this even more complicated is that there are great steakhouse burgers all over town, from The Resort at Summerlin to the Plaza in downtown Las Vegas. They’re all excellent, but they also all cost more than I want to spend on a burger.

Affordable Luxury

This burger is a luxury because it's delicious and well beyond most people's everyday budget. But it's affordable as an occasional treat that replaces what I used to spend on a great steak in a casino. Prices have risen sharply since I moved to Las Vegas about 14 years ago. A high-end casino steak was around $50 to $60 back then. That price has roughly doubled, and finding a great steak under $100 at a casino today feels like a victory.

Despite the old reputation as cheap eats, a steakhouse burger has genuinely become an affordable luxury in casinos. Just about every casino steakhouse is touting its premium burger. 

One is even part of a $50 power lunch special at Peter Luger at Caesars Palace. That burger runs $28 on the regular menu, and when you add an appetizer, side, and dessert, the à la carte price is near $80.

It's good and frustrating at the same time, and it's the reality of Las Vegas today. Fortunately, steakhouse burgers aren't the only option.

Are they overpriced? Probably.

Are they an affordable luxury worth splurging on now and then? Definitely.

Thankfully, there are plenty of lower-priced options available in Las Vegas.

The Smashburger Boom

Smashburgers are so hot right now, and they're the opposite of steakhouse burgers in almost every way. These aren't premium patties with fancy toppings, and that's exactly the point. 

A smashburger is made by pressing a ball of ground beef onto a hot griddle and smashing it flat so it cooks quickly and forms a crispy crust. The quality of the meat matters less since the patties are thin by design. They’re popular for their flavor from crisp, caramelized edges. Since the cooking time is so short for thinner smashburgers, they’re still juicy and taste fresh.

This isn't a new concept. Diners have used the technique for years, and I used a similar method to make burgers for my roommate and me before moving to Las Vegas. I’ll never share the recipe for the deliciously greasy Meltzer Burger!

Smashburgers are becoming the go-to affordable option at casinos, with new spots opening frequently. Quick-service smashburger restaurants and food hall locations are popping up at casinos every few weeks. The $10 to $20 price point works well for guests who want a moderately priced burger.

Shortly after the new Caesars sportsbook opened inside The Resort At Summerlin, I visited the new For the Win smashburger location. A plain single smashburger costs $9. My double with bacon would normally cost $15. 

For comparison, a single smashburger at Naughty Patty's inside The Cosmopolitan is $16. That's a typical markup for a Vegas Strip casino and still less than a burger at most full-service restaurants and steakhouses.