Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Jesus. What has happened to this place? ??I’ve watched a steady decline for a few years. Tonight was rock bottom. The prime rib is cold and tough and the fried catfish disgusting. The macaroni salad is beyond old. Server didn’t even bother to get us silverware or drinks until we asked. And then of course server disappeared leaving us to find straws elsewhere. That’s a tiny issue but the overall lack of giving a flying freak permeates the entire establishment. I can’t even begin to describe how far this place has fallen. Don’t plan on returning.

I’ve been coming to Louisiana Downs since the early 80s long before the casinos moved into Shreveport/​Bossier City and before Harrah’s took over the operation. It seems to me there has been a steady downhill slide. While I do understand casino gambling has drawn many patrons away from the track, that is no excuse for the failing service. In fact, it would seem Harrah’s would attempt to improve service to perhaps lure back more guests. Other tracks in the South are still flourishing in spite of the casinos. Take Oaklawn in Hot Springs, AR or Lone Star Park in Irving for example. Always crowded.
So some points I want to make in hopes that management will take note:
1. Why can I not find the 2014 racing calendar on line to know which days are scheduled for live racing and what time the races will start on those days? Go take a look at the Oaklawn website.
2. Why does no one answer the phone when I call the numbers listed on the web page in an effort to reserve a box seat?
3. Why on earth would you decide to use Open Table to reserve box seats at the track? When location is important, I want a chance to either speak to someone in order to get as close to my preferred location as possible or I at least want a diagram from which to choose. AND, having chosen Open Table, it isn’t obvious where to click in order to initiate an Open Table reservation. Finally, the Open Table reservation does not give the opportunity to request or decline a TV in the box. Frankly, I’ll be so very surprised if upon arrival this Sunday I actually have a box reserved in my name.
4. Hire food service staff who want to be there. The staff are the most uninterested, sluggard type folks I’ve ever seen in a «service» establishment. I’m here to have fun and begrudging service doesn’t contribute to that end.
I love La Downs and hope the management will step things up a notch to try and revive interest in this track.

Out of all the casinos in the area this one is the most spread out and spacious. It is obviously also a race track.
No table games.
Fuddruckers is here.
Buffett is mediocre at best but if you get 30 player points the Buffett is free! EVERY DAY!
The employees are extremely helpful and kind.

Well, I have to say, I love me some horse races! I’ve only had the ginormous footlong hot dog here, so I don’t really know about much else besides that the beers are cheap (for a place like this. would be better if they were free though) and on every Thursday is dollar day! Nothing like a day at the track with cheap beers to lighten the mood!

Whoa… well it’s a buffet. I should have known the quality of food would be a little on the «WTF is this» category. You can’t compare this with Las Vegas buffets. But if your hungry and willing to eat semi edible food, as much as you want… this is the stomach ache you’ve been looking for.

Note: This review only covers the lunch buffet.
Maybe hitting a casino buffet at 11:45 is just not a good idea… The folks behind the counter were super nice and friendly, but not enough to overcome the food. It’s a buffet… its SYSCO products… its barely warmed over. The variety was pretty decent, with roughly five different ‘ethnicities’ available to the buffet browser.
The pizza was straight outta cardboard. The catfish was decent, but cold. The hot station had beef brisket, but way too tough. A high note was the massive dessert counter, featuring a slice of just about any kind of baked good/