Lanai Express

Lanai Express is a downtown legend for one specific reason: the $0.99 shrimp cocktail that's been a Vegas institution since forever. This isn't some new promotion or limited-time deal—it's a classic Vegas loss leader that's survived decades because it works. You see the sign, you can't believe it's real, you order one, and suddenly you understand why people still talk about old Vegas. It's 99 cents for cold shrimp with cocktail sauce, and yes, it's actually good.

The Shrimp Cocktail Phenomenon

99 cents for shrimp cocktail is one of those deals that sounds too good to be real until you're holding it in your hand. The shrimp are cold, properly cooked, peeled and ready to eat. The cocktail sauce has the right horseradish kick. The portion is generous enough you're getting real value, not some four-shrimp symbolic gesture. This deal has been luring people into the casino for years, and it still works because it's legitimately a good shrimp cocktail at an impossible price.

The 24/7 Availability

Being open 24/7 means the shrimp cocktail is available whenever your brain decides it needs cheap seafood. Post-gambling at 4am? Shrimp cocktail. Lunch break from work? Shrimp cocktail. Hangover breakfast? Questionable choice, but still shrimp cocktail. The around-the-clock availability turns this from a novelty into a reliable constant—you always know where you can get one, no matter what time your Vegas night (or day) has become.

The Casino Attachment

Lanai Express sits inside a casino, which is the whole point—get you in the door with 99-cent shrimp, keep you there for gambling, drinks, or other food. But here's the thing: you can literally just get your shrimp cocktail and leave. Nobody's forcing you to gamble, though the location makes it tempting to throw a few bucks in a machine while you eat. The casino's downtown location puts you in the middle of everything, so it's an easy stop whether you're bar-hopping Fremont or just wandering around.

The Vegas Nostalgia

The shrimp cocktail represents old Vegas philosophy—give people something for almost nothing to get them in the door, then hope they stick around and spend money. Modern Vegas has mostly abandoned this approach for bottle service and resort fees, which makes Lanai Express's commitment to the 99-cent shrimp cocktail feel almost rebellious. It's a reminder that Vegas used to be fun and affordable, and occasionally still can be.

The Move

Get the shrimp cocktail. Obviously. At 99 cents it's cheaper than most bottled water in Vegas, and it's actually food. Order two or three if you're hungry. Take a photo because everyone does. Then either leave having won at Vegas economics, or stick around and gamble a bit because hey, they gave you 99-cent shrimp and that deserves some karma. Either way, the shrimp cocktail is non-negotiable—it's why Lanai Express exists in everyone's memory.