ALLEGIANT STADIUM

Everyone knows Allegiant is not just one of the top venues in the country, it also has some of the best stadium food ... but big events come with big prices in this category as well. Luckily there are convenient and friendly eateries nearby, starting with WSKY Stadium (5625 Polaris Ave. #100), the biggest location of the Terrible’s tavern brand. The home of the Silver and Black is walking distance from the double-patty T&T Smashburger ($17), topped with white American cheese, caramelized onions and giardiniera; one of the city’s best Italian grinders ($17); killer chicken tenders with fries ($15); and addictive mini smashburger sliders ($16).

If you’re walking over for a game or concert from the closest Strip hotels—most of you are—make a stop at BBQ Mexicana at Mandalay Bay for the legendary smoked brisket burrito ($16), a mesquite-smoked chicken bowl ($14) with cilantro-lime rice and charred corn relish, or pulled pork tacos ($14) with crispy jalapeños and barbecue sauce; or Diablo’s Cantina at Luxor for a refreshing house margarita ($14) and some even more refreshing aguachile shrimp ceviche ($17).

Back on the stadium side of the world, of course there’s a nearby In-N-Out Burger (3397 W. Russell Road) and that’s tough to beat for price and quality, but you also need to know about R Burgers (4110 W. Russell Road), which serves huge breakfast burritos ($8-$14) and pastrami chili cheese fries ($17) in addition to classic burgers and tasty milkshakes ($6).

For something a bit different, Made in Argentina (5190 S. Valley View Blvd. #100) is known for its Lomito steak sandwich ($17), stacked with ham, fried egg, cheese and roasted bell pepper, and an assortment of flaky empanadas ($5). Heads up: this cozy joint is closed on Sundays. –Brock Radke

SPHERE

One of the biggest, boldest and priciest attractions in the history of Las Vegas, Sphere continues to attract visitors to the Strip for a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience. Since it’s connected to Venetian, it’s natural to grab some grub at the fancy Italian-themed resort before or after your show. But where? Head to the often overlooked Brera Osteria in the Grand Canal Shoppes during the 2-5 p.m. Aperitivo Hour, when beautiful wood-fired pizzas are $12-$16 and other delicious dishes include beef and pork meatballs ($9), eggplant parm ($14) and dry-aged beef sliders ($15). Close by in Palazzo’s casino, several of our favorite dishes at Chinese jewel Mott 32 are the more affordable selections, such as some of the city’s best pork Shanghainese soup dumplings ($16) and the Peking duck salad ($24) with decadent citrus truffle dressing.

Slip off the Boulevard to the east and engage in the discount dining wonderland that is Ellis Island Casino (4250 Koval Lane). This favorite of locals and tourists alike offers cheese slices from Metro Pizza for $3.75, peerless and totally satisfying Italian sandwiches from Via Focaccia in the $10-$14 range, and loads of affordable diner classics at the casino’s own Village Pub & Cafe. We like to keep it old-school and oceanic with a shrimp cocktail ($10) and classic fish and chips ($18), or knock out a perfect patty melt on rye ($16).

If you’re looking to keep it simple on your big night out at Sphere, the local eatery with the most direct name will hit the spot. Tacos & Beer (3900 Paradise Road #A) has great prices across its menu, but the flavors are more complex and dynamic than you’d expect. Try out the $5 beer-battered avocado or guajillo chile shrimp tacos and you’ll understand. And just next door in the same center, Izakaya Tora is serving up skewers from its Binchotan grill like ume and shiso chicken thigh or rich, smoky pork belly ($8), while beloved steakhouse Cleaver offers $5.50 well drinks during the extra-long daily happy hour starting at 5 p.m. and special prices for many of the favorite starters, entrees and side dishes. –BR

ARTS DISTRICT

So, you’re going Downtown to have drinks or see a show at the Smith Center, and you don’t want to spend big on dinner because three hours’ worth of parking fees nearly equals an entree. (Oh, the dark times we live in.) The Arts District area offers lots of affordable and delicious options, too many to list. Try the $7.29 double cheeseburger at Best Burger (1125 E. Charleston Blvd.), a veritable meat peach topped with American cheese, caramelized onion, tomato, lettuce and the addictive Best Sauce. Also recommended is the double patty melt ($7.49), a diner staple made deliciously portable.

More great portable meals can be had at Viva Las Arepas (1616 Las Vegas Blvd. South #120), which serves hearty Venezuelan flatbreads stuffed with deliciousness. The Reina Pepiada ($11) is a cool, chicken salad-like delight—chicken breast, avocado and mayo with a bit of cilantro. The garlic shrimp ($11.49) and cheese arepas ($9.49) are also terrific, hot, rib-sticking pockets of yum. If you’re keen to avoid meat and cheese but still want a meal you can enjoy one-handed, Tacotarian (1130 S. Casino Center Blvd. #170) continues to serve outstanding plant-based tacos, especially the seitan, achiote, pineapple, pico de gallo, salsa morita and cilantro lime dressing-stacked al pastor ($3.15), and the Baja ($3.19), with its fried beer-battered avocado, topped with slaw, guacamole, pico and chili mayo. And for a full meal, it’s tough to beat the enchiladas ($15.75), three corn tortillas filled with mashed potatoes and your choice of veggie proteins, queso fresco, crema and choice of red, green or mole sauce.

Cornish Pasty (10 E. Charleston Blvd.) is true to its name, serving faithful and smartly reinvented versions of the savory pastries from England’s Cornwall County. The Oggie ($16) is the traditional pasty: steak, potato, onion and rutabaga served with red wine gravy on the side. But the chicken tikka masala ($17), with its marinated chicken breast, tikka masala sauce, potatoes and green bell pepper complemented by minted yogurt or tahini, and the Carne Adovada ($18.50)—New Mexican-style pork red chili stew, Mexican rice, Hatch chile and cheddar—are equally craveable. And you’ll more than likely take home some leftovers; they’re very filling.

You could also go simple, and in this part of town, simple is good. Davy’s at ReBar (1221 S. Main St.) offers the Elote Dog ($12)—a giant beef dog loaded with street corn, crema, cheddar jack, cotija, spicy mayo and tajin. And the recently reopened Guerrilla Pizza Company (900 Las Vegas Blvd. South #120) is a marvel, with its thick, Detroit-style pan pizzas ($15.95 for just cheese; $1.35 per additional toppings like pepperoni, hot Hungarian sausage, mushroom, red onion, honey bacon and more), just one of which is substantial enough to feed two people. We recommend eating two a night: one before the evening’s fun, and one after, just because they’re addictive and the price is right. –Geoff Carter

LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER

Where are the city’s annual business travelers eating when their company isn’t picking up the check? We don’t know, but they should obviously be hitting the iconic Tacos El Gordo (3041 Las Vegas Blvd. South) before the convention, after the expo hall has closed for the day, and maybe even after that fancy dinner if they’re still hankering for the best-in-class tacos adobada ($3.43).

It’s right next to the Convention Center so it’s hard to miss Siegel’s Bagelmania (252 Convention Center Drive) and its expansive and easy collection of bagels, schmears and bagelwiches; the Old School ($13) covers the bases with eggs, cheese and your choice of bacon, sausage or ham. But keep cruising the menu to find specialty dishes like the Rabbi’s Reuben omelet ($17), also available in burrito form, or lunchtime faves like Commissioner Tick’s Chili Cheese Dog ($15), a pepperoni pizza bagel ($10) or a crispy chicken parm sandwich on a toasted asiago bagel ($20).

Just across the Strip at Resorts World, the fabulous Famous Foods Street Eats food hall offers a world of culinary experiences and a special deal right now perfect for groups: Get three entrees for $45, four for $55 or five for $65. We love the Char Kuey Teow rice noodles ($18) from the Googgle Man stall, the blue crab hand roll ($13) at Nori Bar, and the pork belly burnt ends ($15.50) or totally shareable Texas Trinity (smoked brisket, St. Louis Ribs and pulled pork, $27) at Blood Bros.

If a certain conventioneer has time for a long, relaxing lunch, head to Commercial Center at the venerable Komol Thai (953 E. Sahara Ave. #E10). Lunch special options ($13) include pad Thai, panang curry or pad kee mao “drunken noodles,” and lemongrass and lime-laced tom kha soup is just $10, while the house special deep-fried duck is a steal at $20. –BR

LEE'S FAMILY FORUM

It’s a game in itself to find great bites on a budget near sports arenas, but Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson is surrounded. Whether you’re fueling up before that next Silver Knights game or grazing before a concert, here’s your best plan of action.

Treat yourself to a nice, sit-down meal at Charm Thai Kitchen & Coffee (1770 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway), where a hearty plate of garlic fried rice and fried chicken will only set you back $16. This Green Valley gem also serves up delicious stews, including the 24-hour slow-cooked beef noodle soup ($18).

Craving a quick, grab-and-go bite instead? Right down the street is Aztec Burgers (1570 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #160), sizzling up smashburgers in the $12-$13 range. It’s a Mexican-American fusion concept, so expect all the fixings—chorizo, salsa, chilies—and quality Angus beef. The signature Aztec Burger comes with sausage links and a helping of fries, a great bang for your buck, but don’t count out the bacon-wrapped Sonora Dog with grilled onions and Chihuahua cheese ($10). Steamie Weenie (1500 N. Green Valley Parkway #130) also has tasty and affordable franks. The Savage Dog ($8) is wrapped in crisp bacon and crumbles of blue cheese and grilled onions, and the Chicago-inspired Windy City ($7) is dressed in grilled onions, sport peppers and mustard.

Boom Bang Fine Foods & Cocktails (75 S. Valle Verde Drive #160), mere minutes from the arena, features one of the best happy hours in the area. Get there before 6 p.m. and snag a $12 crispy Connecticut-style cheese pizza. It’s cracker-thin and filling enough for two—but why bother sharing at that price? Boom Bang’s happy hour smash burgers—$8 for a single, $12 for a double—also hit the spot.

At the nearby District’s Me Gusta Tacos (2235 Village Walk Drive #153), taco plates with tortilla chips range from $10-$15, but the Cali Burrito ($14) is the real crowd pleaser, stuffed with tater tots, cheddar, sour cream, guac and your choice of protein. And the VGK Bowl ($14) is the tortilla-less equivalent. Bay Area visitors will also recognize the Mission Burrito ($14), a fan favorite for its Spanish rice, pico and black beans. –Amber Sampson

DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN

Whether it’s the fast-approaching baseball season pulling you toward the Las Vegas Ballpark or a sudden urge to stroll, snack, and window-shop, Downtown Summerlin has a way of sneaking onto the weekend agenda. The massive retail and event complex is tailor-made for grazing, and if you know where to look, it’s also full of solid deals and dishes worth planning around.

Grape Street (2120 Festival Plaza Drive #160) sets the tone with its sprawling patio and California bistro vibes. This is the kind of place where you order a glass of wine and accidentally stay for two hours. The tapas plate ($19) is the move, with roasted garlic, Greek meatballs, roasted vegetables, goat cheese cigars and Kalamata olives with tzatziki, an ideal shareable that feels far more indulgent than the price suggests. For something heartier, the grilled chicken and Emmenthaler Swiss sandwich ($16) hits all the right notes, especially with bacon and roasted red pepper mayo (add blackened seasoning for $2 if you know what’s good for you).

Over at Pancho’s (11020 Lavender Hill Drive), happy hour in the charming cantina from 2 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends feels like a mini vacation. The hacienda-style space sets the mood, but the Botanas Especiales sampler ($16) seals the deal, stacking quesadillas, chicken drumsticks, beef taquitos and flautas alongside sour cream and fresh guacamole. Pair it with a $6–$7 beer, from Modelo Especial to Kona Big Wave, and call it a win.

Next door to the ballpark at City National Arena, Mackenzie River Pizza (1550 S. Pavilion Center Drive) is a reliable pre- or post-game stop. Lodgepoles ($8), cheesy garlic bread sticks with marinara, are a no-brainer, but the chicken pot pie ($11), bubbling in a cast-iron skillet under golden puff pastry, is comfort food done right. The scratch-made chicken chili ($7-$9) rounds things out nicely.

You’ve probably passed Distill (10820 W. Charleston Blvd.) a dozen times, but the daily happy hour (2-6 p.m. and 2-6 a.m.) is reason enough to finally stop in. Cajun chicken wings come in hot at $8, and the filet sliders combo, with caramelized onions, blue cheese and horseradish, feels like a steal at $12.

For a fast-casual reset, Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill (11015 Sage Park Drive) makes a strong case for a post-gym staple. The build-your-own grilled chicken bowl starts around $11 and leans hard into house-made everything, from salsas to sides. Chipotle, consider yourself warned.

And just a short drive away, Rocco’s NY Pizzeria (10860 W. Charleston Blvd. #190) earns its local favorite status. Strombolis start at $13, stuffed with options like ham, salami, pepperoni or sausage with peppers and onions, each served with hot marinara. The Da Bronx cold sub ($13) layers prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, provolone and your choice of additional fixings. It’s old-school comfort done right. –Gabriela Rodriguez