Dining at the hotel: where and when to eat on-site
Cactus Petes Resort Casino & Horseshu Hotel offers on-site options from a casual all-day café to a weekday/weekend fine-dining steakhouse. For a family-style breakfast or late-night diner-style meal use the Desert Room; reserve ahead for 36 Steak & Seafood (open Thu–Sat evenings).
In this guide
Where to eat on the property
On-site dining covers a range from quick coffee and fast-service food to a formal steakhouse. The property lists 36 Steak & Seafood, the Desert Room, The Plateau (quick-service), Bordertown Brew (drive-through coffee), Nosh (quick-service adjacent to the casino), and The Buffet/Canyon Cove Buffet among its venues.
Menus vary by restaurant: the Desert Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while 36 Steak & Seafood is the signature evening steakhouse with weekend prime rib and seafood options.
- 36 Steak & Seafood — steakhouse, Thu–Sat evenings (reservation recommended)
- Desert Room — casual American breakfast, lunch, dinner (no reservation required)
- The Plateau & Nosh — quick-service options for fast meals
- Bordertown Brew — drive-through coffee shop
- The Buffet / Canyon Cove Buffet — all-you-can-eat buffet offerings (hours may vary)
Hours and reservation tips
Desert Room hours are Sunday–Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 7:00 a.m. to midnight; it does not require reservations. 36 Steak & Seafood is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Because 36 Steak & Seafood operates only three nights a week and is positioned as a slower-paced, fine-dining option, guests are encouraged to reserve online in advance. Same-day reservations after 3 p.m. or parties of seven or more should call the restaurant directly.
- Make reservations for 36 Steak & Seafood when staying on a Thu–Sat night.
- Use the Desert Room for walk-in breakfasts and family meals any day.
- Quick-service venues are best for late-night or between-activity meals; hours can vary.
| Venue | Typical Hours | Reservation Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| 36 Steak & Seafood | Thu–Sat, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Yes (recommended); call for same-day after 3 p.m. |
| Desert Room | Daily, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Fri–Sat to midnight | No |
| Nosh / The Plateau / Bordertown Brew | Hours vary (Nosh listed Fri–Sat evenings into late night) | No |
Best choices for breakfast and families
If you want a sit-down breakfast or a family-friendly menu, the Desert Room is the primary option on property. It serves classic American breakfast items starting at 7:00 a.m. daily.
Children are welcome at the hotel, and the Desert Room is described as family-friendly. For quick family snacks or picky eaters, use The Plateau or Nosh for faster, less formal choices.
- Desert Room opens at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast daily.
- No reservation required for the Desert Room; it’s the easiest option for families.
- For coffee to-go or early starts use Bordertown Brew (drive-through).
The steakhouse: 36 Steak & Seafood — what to expect
36 Steak & Seafood is the on-site fine-dining option, focusing on steaks (including Idaho-raised beef), seafood and wine pairings. It is billed as an intimate steakhouse intended for a slower, evening meal.
It’s open Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; reservations are recommended and same-day bookings after 3 p.m. should be handled by phone. Weekend prime rib and oysters are noted menu highlights in property descriptions.
- Open Thu–Sat evenings only (5:30–9:30 p.m.).
- Reservation recommended — book ahead online or call for last-minute needs.
- Best choice for a formal dinner or a quieter adult evening out.
Quick bites, coffee and late-night options
For faster meals or later hours, The Plateau and Nosh provide quick-service options near the casino floor. Nosh has been noted as open into late hours on Friday and Saturday; The Plateau is described as a new quick-service venue.
Bordertown Brew is a drive-through coffee shop useful for pickup before a road trip or an early tee time at Jackpot Golf Course. If you need a snack between gaming or activities, these venues are the convenient choice.
- Nosh — quick-service adjacent to the casino; reported late Fri–Sat hours (varies).
- The Plateau — listed as the newest quick-service option for fast meals.
- Bordertown Brew — drive-through handcrafted coffee and beverages.
Buffet and group dining for events
The property lists a Buffet (also referenced as Canyon Cove Buffet) offering rotisserie meats, seafood and interactive chef stations. Buffet hours are reported to vary, and the buffet is used for larger or more casual group dining.
For weddings, conferences or banquets the Ruby Mountain Ballroom and the hotel’s catering services can provide plated or buffet-style meals; event food is arranged through the hotel’s meetings and weddings team.
- Canyon Cove Buffet / The Buffet — all-you-can-eat buffet; hours may vary.
- Ruby Mountain Ballroom (2,585 sq ft) can be used with hotel catering for plated or buffet events for up to 180 guests.
- Contact the hotel’s events/catering team for menus and booking for group meals.
Practical notes and dining policies
The resort is not an all-inclusive property; nightly rates and resort/amenity fees do not include meals or drinks. The published nightly amenity/resort fee covers items such as in-room bottled water, in-room coffee, WiFi and self-parking for most rooms (the Horseshu Building is typically excluded from the fee).
Children of all ages are welcome at the resort, but children are not permitted on the casino floor. If you plan to dine in areas adjacent to gaming, be mindful of casino-floor restrictions for minors.
- Meals are charged à la carte; a resort/amenity fee does not cover dining.
- Horseshu Building rooms are generally exempt from the nightly resort fee.
- Children may dine in family-friendly venues but cannot enter the casino floor.
