The Local Dining Issue
- Neighborhood Italian: Chef Marc Sgrizzi holds it down for the little guy
- Le Thai's Dan Coughlin is making moves with Bocho Downtown
- How did our Japanese food get so good so fast?
- Lola's takes New Orleans spice to Summerlin
- Restaurateur Elizabeth Blau on her love for the off-Strip scene
- Finding great food in neighborhoods that have been ignored
- Homestyle hospitality (with a side of killer scones) at DW Bistro
- It's all about the fish at Soho
- Jolene Mannina's BOH Brawl is heading to your TV
We all know where the eats are. Chinatown, Summerlin, Downtown, Green Valley, the upstart, sprawling southwest … these are the neighborhoods to find great food. But there are other sections of the Vegas Valley that don’t get the love they deserve. Search north of Cheyenne Avenue to find comfort food and unique holes-in-the-wall, and the area east of Maryland Parkway between Bonanza and Tropicana is a wonderland of various ethnic cuisines.
North
Bob Taylor’s Ranch House Opened in 1955, this cowboy classic never goes out of style. Eat: 32-ounce “Diamond Jim Brady” cut of mesquite-grilled prime rib. 6520 Rio Vista St., 702-645-1399.
Farm 24-7 The newest addition to this way-north casino is a homey diner with fresh flavors. Eat: Flaky, beer-battered fish and chips. Aliante Casino, 702-692-7777.
H&H BBQ Plus 2 Don’t skip this super-convenient second location of a North Las Vegas barbecue and soul-food institution. Eat: Crispy cornmeal catfish with a side of black-eyed peas. 4510 N. Rancho Drive, 702-333-1233.
Get a little bit of everything at Poke Express.
Jun’s The northern location of this local Korean stalwart serves it up simple and delicious. Eat: Marinated, battered and pan-fired meat chun. 445 W. Craig Road #110, 702-462-5867.
Martinez Taco Bar A fresh new fresh-Mex joint with surprisingly good vegetarian options. Eat: The “surf and turf” steak and shrimp burrito. 6885 N. Aliante Parkway #106, 702-912-4326.
Poke Express The all-time best poke in Las Vegas. Eat: Spicy, creamy ahi tuna poke. 655 W. Craig Road #118, 702-639-0500.
Retro Bakery Still the best damn cupcakes in a cupcake-happy city. Eat: The nostalgic, buttercreamy Hop Scotch. 7785 N. Durango Drive #130, 702-586-3740.
Retro Bakery's popular Milk and Cookies cupcake is a best of both worlds creation that comes topped with a chocolate chip cookie.
Road Kill Grill A true barbecue experience at the “Grub Shak” connected to old-school butchery John Mull’s Meats. Eat: Smoky, juicy, crispy-skinned barbecue chicken. 3730 Thom Blvd., 702-645-1200.
Saffron Flavors of India This family-owned restaurant is planning to expand Downtown, but why wait? Eat: Tandoori lamb seekh kebab. 4450 N. Tenaya Way #115, 702-489-7900.
Ella Em’s Soul Food Simply some of the homiest food found anywhere. Eat: Gravy-smothered pork chops with red beans and collard greens. 775 W. Craig Road #146, 702-823-4444.
Soul Foo Young Chinese and soul food hiding inside the divey Double Diamond bar? Yes please! Eat: The Bruce Leroy: three fried chicken wings with veggie fried rice. 3220 N. Jones Blvd., 702-539-0333.
Waverly’s Steak House An unsung casino chophouse with great prices. Eat: Three-course steak dinner for $30. Cannery, 702-507-5777.
East
Billy Bob’s Steak House & Saloon From tequila grilled shrimp to giant chocolate eclairs, Billy Bob’s is simple and solid all the way through. Eat: A juicy porterhouse with a cold water lobster tail tacked on. Sam’s Town, 702-456-7777.
Giovanni Vargas holds a traditional torta ahoggada at El Birotazo Mexican restaurant on East Charleston Boulevard.
El Birotazo Easy Mexican fare with a focus on the foods of Guadalajara. Eat: The brilliantly sauce-soaked torta ahogada pork sandwich. 4262 E. Charleston Blvd., 702-888-0858.
Carlito’s Burritos Our only real New Mexican eatery, complete with year-round Hatch chile roasting madness. Eat: Chorizo huevos rancheros with Christmas sauce (red and green chile). 3345 E. Patrick Lane #105, 702-547-3592.
Casa di Amore Classic, cozy Italian-American cuisine that draws locals and tourists (thanks to complimentary limo service). Eat: Steak Sinatra, ribeye or strip with mushrooms and roasted peppers in balsamic vinegar and red wine. 2850 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-433-4967.
Crab Corner Vegas’ home for Maryland-style seafood. Eat: Lots of blue crab on $2 Tuesdays. 4161 S. Eastern Ave., 702-489-4646.
Kailyn’s Diner Friendly breakfast, brunch and lunch with a bit of Korean flair. Eat: The Korean omelet with kalbi, mushrooms and white cheddar. 3430 E. Tropicana Ave. #6, 702-301-6448.
Head to Crab Corner for Chesapeake authentics. Just don’t wear Steelers gear.
Ninja Teriyaki + Sushi 2 Go Fast, fresh and vibrant rice bowls and sushi rolls await at this new eatery. Eat: The spicy chicken sesame ginger bowl. 3025 E. Desert Inn Road, 702-982-5444.
Peru Chicken No-nonsense Peruvian grub that’ll end your El Pollo Loco cravings forever. Eat: Perfect rotisserie chicken with rice and beans. 2055 E. Tropicana Ave. #9, 702-732-0079.
Parsley Mediterranean Grill One of the steadiest and most popular Mediterranean restaurants in the city, armed with a varying menu of freshness. Eat: Chicken shwarma platter. 6420 S. Pecos Road, 702-489-3189.
Remiix An exciting Japanese-Korean fusion spot with energy to spare. Eat: Jalapeño tempura filled with crab, spicy tuna and cream cheese. 1801 E. Tropicana Ave. #2, 702-262-5592.
Taco Tijuana We don’t want to start a fight, but these street tacos are as good (or better?) than your favorite taco shop. Eat: Spicy-sweet adobada con piña. 2554 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-547-9163.
Wo Fat Greasy-good Chinese favorites with an island influence. Eat: Crispy, addictive kau chee pork wontons. 3700 E. Desert Inn Road #1, 702-451-6656.
