nov, 2017 update - we were doing a coupon run at a couple of boyd casinos and happened to arrive at the orleans at lunch time on a weekday. the restaurant was not busy so we settled in at the counter. it took awhile for anyone to acknowledge our existence, but we finally received menus. my wife and i each ordered bowls of boston clam chowder not realizing how large the bowls were. the chowder was very good with lots of clams though those were a little too chewy, but our meal proved to be too much of a good thing. should we find ourselves in a similar position, i would limit my intake of chowder to a cup.
nov, 2013 - falls short. though we have stayed several times at the orleans this would be our first dining experience at big al's oyster bar. after reviewing the menu, we each ordered the shrimp pan roast with rice pilaf. we received a bread basket with a couple pats of butter and generic rolls. though the quantity of shrimp in our pan roasts was generous, the amount of rice, served in the same bowl as the roasted lobster and tomato cream based sauce, was excessive. the sauce itself was a little too thick and seemed to tomato-lite with a muted flavor in comparison to other oyster bars in town.