Hungry in Vegas?
Posted on January 29, 2008

I read a little bit of Paul Wasicka’s blog a long time ago and since I have absolutely nothing poker related to write about I figured I'd steal one of his blog ideas and make a little review of my top 10 favorite Vegas restaurants, god knows there's plenty to choose from. Also, I have unbelievably good taste so you better take my advice pretty damn seriously when it comes to this stuff. I didn't gain 20 pounds in Vegas for nothing. I obviously haven’t been to all, I still have a few on my “oh my god you have to try that” list that friends recommend, but for now these are my favorites. Keep in mind some places have better food but I might rate something higher because of the location, or the hours, being open at 3 am is a HUGE plus in my books.

Here it goes:

10. Noodles at Bellagio.

If you're staying at bellagio and want something a little more fast and casual than Fix or any of many restaurants in the hotel, this is by far the best place to go. I call in and order to go on a regular basis so I can eat some noodles at my house. Try the Pork Buns and the Sesame Chicken.

9. Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay

If you're looking for an insane Burger and a pitcher of beer and you're not afraid to drop some money for a a piece of meat between some bread, this is the place to go. I've only been there twice, if you're feeling insane you can try the Kobe burger with Foie Gras and shaved truffles. I'm all about paying for good food but I don't think I'll be spending $60 on a burger again, it felt like I was slapping a starving kid in the face with a Japanese imported steak. For less than half the price and twice the flavor get the Surf and Turf, it‘s unbelievable.


If that doesn’t make your mouthwater then I don’t know what will..

8. Bonito Michoacan.

Off the strip is always nice, when I'm feeling like I need something to remind me of home I always drive 5 minutes away and order the “Queso Fundido” as the appetizer, a Bohemia Beer, and a nice main course. It's not as good as something you'll have in Mexico but it's the closest I've had here in Vegas. It's also great for hangovers, I go there on almost a weekly basis.

7. Spago at Caesar’s Palace

I’m pretty sure it’s mentioned on “Entourage” every other episode. If that won’t convince you to go, Maybe Wolfgang Puck himself can.


6. Naked Fish’s

If I get a text message from Steve Sung that says “yo are you in Vegas?” I know the very next one will say “Lets go eat at Naked Fish” . Very good sushi, Very good service and a huge plus for being off the strip. Number 6 and 5 can definitely be swapped, both have their up sides.



5. Kaizen Sushi

Great Sushi……open till 4 am daily ……Happy hour from 12-4 am……need I say more?

4. FireFly Tapas Kitchen

I’ve been there once and it’s already one of my favorite places. It got points for being off the strip, being open late, Trendy, hot girls, good Spanish music, and good food……oh and you can get pitchers of Mojito….take a cab, I’m glad I did.

3. Japonais at Mirage

I’m sure by now you can tell I love sushi, this place is great, kind of expensive but order their best bottle of Sake and you won’t care.

2. Craftsteak at MGM

OMG. Expensive as ****, but by far the best steak house I’ve ever been to. It wins the prize for best Lobster Bisque I’ve ever had and for best Kobe beef I’ve ever had. Go with friends, Roulette for the bill and pray to the god that you don’t lose. Thanks Tom ;-) .

1. FIX and Stack…..the combo

I had a tough time deciding what the best restaurant I’ve been to was, so I decided that instead of ranking Stack in sixth and FIX at number one or two I’d just list the two sister restaurants as number 1, because two is always better than one right? FIX is at Bellagio and the other at Mirage, FIX get’s a 10 in in food, atmosphere, class, service and in location. Right next to the poker room makes it a favorite amongst poker players when the day ends in a tournament or when you’re celebrating your final table. Best appetizers on earth, often you won’t have room for a main course. If you’re still hungry for desert you can stuff your face with the sickest doughnuts ever. As for Stack, it looks just like fix, but the menu is a bit different, appetizers are still the best thing they have try the hot rock or the tiny hot dogs, really good stuff. Unfortunately the two times I went there the service was terrible. It takes the prize for smallest tip I’ve ever left in a restaurant, but I‘m sure she enjoyed her dollar. Aside from that, the food is awesome in both restaurants and you’ll definitely love them.


Quick honorable mentions:

-24/7 Café at Palms has the best spinach and artichoke dip I’ve ever had, that alone makes it worth visiting.

-RM Seafood at Mandalay is very very good.

-Shinatro at Bellagio, you’ll be missed….If it hadn’t closed down a month or two ago I’d have it in my top 3, the place was awesome. On the plus side the owners of FIX are putting a “FIX” style sushi restaurant that I’m almost positive will blow away any sushi restaurant there is….I cant wait.


Anyway, If you’re in town now you know where to go, enjoy and send me some recommendations if you’ve had something better.

JC

PS- If you happen to manage or own one of these restaurants and want to give me free meals for the plug, I’ll gladly take them. Thanks in advance.



Please pot your favorites here. I know I have been to so many great

I never been to Vegas but I like Arbys so I will say Arbys.

I never been to Vegas but I like Arbys so I will say Arbys.

Those are everywhere but they're damn good.
I'll go with In-N-Out since I can't get that where I live and LOVE IT.

I will get a double double and eat it tomorrow just for you.

I am willing to drive the 2 miles to get it too.

Terrace Pointe Cafe at the Wynn. Great breakfast.

Grand Luxe is the best 24 hour joint on the strip. The prices for what you get is outstanding considering its in a 5 star resort and about 1.5 minute walk from my favorite Vegas pokerroom.

When I was on my 8th day there in September though, all I could think about was being ready to go back home though, so I guess I just wish there were cheaper, shorter flights from Rochester so I could make weekend trips whenever I wanted.

Seriously.

My buddy lives in Toronto, and we were looking for cheaper flights, and Rochester's (or maybe it was Buffalo) prices were ridic, with like 7 layovers.

From Thunder Bay, if I drive 3.5 hours into MN, I get an $89 flight direct to Vegas.

Also, I wanted to mention that Earl of Sandwich @ Planet Hollywood is fantastic. I dunno if it's a chain I should know about, or what, but I enjoyed it very much during the drunken FCP 2/4 HORSE games, TWICE.

How far is Detroit/Windsor from Toronto?

My gf applied to college in Windsor, I may end up down there next year.

==========================

Also, I wanted to mention that Earl of Sandwich @ Planet Hollywood is fantastic. I dunno if it's a chain I should know about, or what, but I enjoyed it very much during the drunken FCP 2/4 HORSE games, TWICE.

Toronto is not that far from Detroit, about 3.5 hours, longer in crappy weather, etc.
And QFT Earl of Sandwich. Real good.

(also honorable mention to one of my all time favorite and regularly visited upscale chains, P F Changs, also at Planet Hollywood. Changs Spicy Chicken, FTW!)

I went all of last year without eating any meat. I started eating steak and chicken this year. After reading another thread about In-n-Out, I got a craving for an In-n-Out burger.

I stopped Sunday at 4 PM and ordered the #1 combo meal (double-double with fries and a coke). The first half of the burger was fantastic. The second half was kinda gross. I choked the whole thing down and I have had a belly ache since. It's been over 36 hours and I haven't been able to eat anything!

My belly still feels like it does right after Thanksgiving dinner.

I should have ordered it without the secret sauce.

Next time I promise to try the beer, beans. PROMISE.

Top 5 places I've actually been to.
5. In-N-Out (Why won't they move east?)

They probably wont ever go any farther east because they have a thing against freezers
uch, Rhinestone, Renae, Caleb, Mexi, etc, etc, etc....

Yeah, their website even says that they don't have a freezer in the restaurants. Not sure how they make the milkshakes as a result, but there you go.

it's not like we don't have beef here, lol.

Why do you need freezers out here any more than you do there? I mean, Chicago is like steak central, it's not like we don't have beef here, lol.

mom and pop make all the burger patties and ship them out in reefer trucks to the restaurants daily.

no awesome chicago beef for in and out.

Im going to be in Vegas for one night only on Saturday, will be my first time. We are staying at the Hooters casino I think since the guy i work with can get a deal there for the night so more than likely will be eating there instead of anyplace in JCs top ten.

Little Buddha (Chinese @ The Palms).

Great food, great atmosphere!

Eat there alot as well.

You're not gonna eat at Hooters right? They have somewhere else I hope.

It'd be super pointless to go to vegas and eat at Hooters.

You're not gonna eat at Hooters right? They have somewhere else I hope.

Some thoughts:
High End dining experience:

1) Hugo's in basement of Four Queens. First experience there may have been one of the top five dining experiences we have ever had. Food, service, everything you could every want and more (my wife also thought server was especially hot). Second visit had an OK experience, have not been back in couple years.

2) The Steakhouse at Camelot (Excalibur). Time in and time out the most consistantly very good experience we have had, probable ate their 20-25 times. Service is outstanding (ask for Greg, best single server we have ever had). Crabcake's are the best and have never had a bad piece of meat. If it is slow, ask server (if Greg) if he can do baked alaska for dessert when you sit down. (Not on their menu, but on menu at Prime Rib house next door and Greg will go get the cart and do it, if not overly busy and you ask at beginning of meal.) The presentation is worth it. Do not go there if looking for quick meal, but worth it to sit down and have a dining experience. Not as big of a name as many of the other high end steakhouse (or as big of a price) But food and service compare.

Good sit down meals

1) The cheesecake factory (Ceasar's). If there is something you want, they will have it on their menu. Great for a very nice lunch. Try to hit off times, or you will be in for hour + wait.

2) The Cafe in Paris. One this list for one reason - Seafood Crepes - serivce not alway great, but these crepes are worth the wait.

Avoid -

Rainforest cafe in MGM - not even sure if it still there, but go if you like: a long wait in line, while they go through people behind you and offer VIP seating for a charge, bad service (I think the server is still looking for the beverage refill I asked for 2 years ago), very average food and very above average pricing.

One the fly

1) Fish stand in food court of New York, New York. Name exscapes me right now, but fresh made to order fish and chips and great clam chowder.

Buffet

1) Mandalay Bay - A little priy, but if you are going to do a buffet, the best we have had (Have not eaten at Bellagio or Wynn, so they may be better)

Avoid

Buffet at Excalibur - may be the biggest, but not best. Everything including the Prime Rib (Roast Beef in disguise) is always overcooked.

Good post.

But you should venture north sometimes, lol. Just noticed a trend.