Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 is known as one of the Strip’s great burger-and-beer havens but is less recognized for its superior barbecue; the MGM Grand eatery dishes up some smoky, delicious ribs, chicken and brisket. Now you can add a fourth B-word to its list of specialties.
The pub’s brand-new weekend brunch is anchored by three hearty dishes that make great use of its house-smoked meats. The Pig & The Waffle ($20), the hands-down favorite of executive chef Isaiah Utter, drops a mountain of sweet, juicy, Carolina-style pulled pork and two over easy eggs on cheddar-chive cornbread waffles. The perfectly executed chilaquiles ($19) pair tender smoked chicken with fried tortillas saturated in a fire-roasted tomato salsa with guacamole, crema and cotija cheese. And the smoked beef brisket hash ($23) is a meaty dream kissed with jalapeños and caramelized onions. There isn’t a barbecue restaurant in the Valley doing anything close to brunch dishes like these.
Of course, there are some holdovers from the lunch and dinner menus, including the 1842 Nachos ($10-$17) layered with chili verde, smoked salmon dip with grilled baguette ($17) and the award-winning and top-selling Bacon Burger ($19) with its double helpings of cheese and pig. Other brunch-only offerings include a 10-ounce skirt steak and eggs ($32), shrimp and white cheddar grits with a poached egg and thick-cut bacon ($24) and avocado lobster toast ($19) with lemon vinaigrette. There’s also a bulked-up version of the classic Monte Cristo sandwich ($21) with country ham, roasted turkey, smoked gouda and Swiss cheeses with raspberry-chipotle compote on the side.
PUB 1842 MGM Grand 702-891-3922. Brunch, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
