Still surprising fans as well as skeptics with Food far better than the typical “celebrity” Restaurant, Shaquille O’Neal’s involvement seeing talented locals tapped from the start, it was via ezCater that timely delivery was seamlessly coordinated at a budget well-within guidelines.
Formerly a regular part of the lunch rotation, Estiatorio Milos Chef Nikos Georgousis and Girair ‘Jerry’ Goumroian of Henderson’s The Great Greek all-but rescuing the plaza on Rainbow at Tropicana in early 2017, it was once again that Meraki was ordered on Tuesday.
Nothing less than an Off-Strip sensation since opening its doors guests may now opt for dine-in or take-out from any of six locations, Meraki’s servings always more than generous and prices affordable even as prices everywhere rise.
Defined as “doing something with soul, creativity and love,” a spirit embodied by courteous employees, it was at noon that employees arrived to easy-stacking boxes containing temperature-control trays, this simple extra step guaranteeing Food is indistinguishable from that served inside the Restaurant.
Serving a diverse crowd, but doing so with an impressive spread of Proteins, Produce and imported Ingredients, Hummus remains a highlight in terms of taste and texture while tangy Tzatziki shines thanks to “authentic” Greek Yogurt.
This time putting plenty of Feta on Meraki’s Salads, just the it aught to be, Greek Rice receives high praise for its fluffiness and flavor while the Gyro kit allowed ample customization of marinated Chicken or Gyro Meat with Tomatoes, Lettuce and Onion
Happy to find no shortage of Pita, soft and warm rounds gratuitously slathered with dueling Spreads, Vegetarians can choose crisp and oilless Potatoes lightly perfumed by Herbs or two-bite Falafel that are light but toothsome and fragrant with Garlic as well as Cilantro.
Not forgetting Dessert, Mama’s Rice Pudding always a staff favorite, Honey-soaked Baklava rife with Walnuts is also highly recommended and arguably the best in Sin City.
Popular with their target audience since 1996, though nothing they do here is particularly spectacular, The Bagel Cafe fills a niche and does so consistently at a fair price.
Now with several local locations, the original on Maryland Parkway almost universally with a wait from noon until close, La Mojarra Loca Grill is a rarity in Las Vegas that continues to thrive with no reservations, no website and no handouts to “influencers,” “content creators” and others.
Popular with local Hispanics, live music and festive directions paired to friendly service, it was as a party of eleven that a guest’s 60th birthday was celebrated at a long table where Food was as plentiful as the bottles of Modelo served in ice buckets.
Trendy without being excessive, the bar a raucous affair complete with Happy Hour, La Mojarra Loca Grill’s menu spans from traditional Mexican Food to unique Sushi items that seem less out of place once one sees an enormous plate of Ceviche or punchbowl Coctel de Camaron.
Generous with Chips and Salsa, the later packing a punch, Drinks include a multitude of Margaritas alongside inspired options such as a Rumchata Colada that helps quell the heat of Appetizers such as the Mussels cooked in vibrant Sauce or Refritos mixed with Chorizo drippings.
Not overlooking Oysters topped in citrusy-Shrimp, a signature for good reason, Entrees range from famous grilled Prawns and Menudo to grilled Meats or faultless Molcajete served in several styles and sizes for prices about 1/3 what one might pay on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Now with five locations including a take-out only storefront at 2950 South Durango Drive Naan & Curry seems poised to make a play at Las Vegas’ most-popular Indian eatery thanks to a broad and accessible menu with fair prices, though service appears to be on the decline with this order again late and all Desserts eliminated with Lassi pre-made in a bottle.
Mr. Blueberry – Raised Doughnut, White Frosting, Blueberry Cheesecake, Blonde Oreo Crumble, White Chocolate Chips, Blueberry Glaze
Blue Face DoughCro – Croissant Doughnut, Blueberry Frosting, White Whip
Debuted in 2025 at Boca Park and open 24-hours Pinkbox Doughnuts remains Las Vegas’ premier spot for unique Doughnuts, just as it has since debuting over a decade ago.
More and more social-media savvy over the years this visit entailed far beyond the usual “OG Classics,” and although PinkBox’s Old Fashioned Cogwheels are still Las Vegas’ best additional traditional choices are mostly as expected making “Fancy Pancy” or “Show Off” choices a necessity.
Fully committed to clever nomenclature, Roberto Armanino’s famous Caramel Cheesecake now “The Caramelo,” “Mr. Blueberry” succeeds thanks to the homemade Filling and plenty of complexity while “What’s Up Doc” uses Walnuts for texture atop a Ring with bold aromatics.
Replenishing supply as necessary, high volume assuring everything is fresh, Fritters both achieve high marks while “Poppin’ Tart’” eats like its namesake with better ingredients.
Torreja Helada – Queso de oveja, tomates nixtamalizados, caramelo de Jerez
Tableside Marshmallow Fudge
Best described as a more personal project from Chef Oscar Amador the space on Jones and Spring Mountain was reborn as Amador Cocina Fina on 11/1/2025, eight years after EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine abruptly reshaped what Sin City felt Spanish Food was capable of.
A James Beard Award-nominiated Chef with roots in Catalonia, his Anima by EDO and Seattle’s La Loba soon to be joined by Braseria by EDO and EDO Gastropub, Amador Cocina Fina sees Oscar step outside EDO Hospitality for a one-off focused on Food instead of management with Chef regularly on the line doing what he loves.
“More Latin, more me cooking anything I want to cook” per Chef, the refrigerator of dry aging Fish up front and a caddy of labor intensive Condiments on each table just a few examples, Amador’s opening menu showed a man happy to stretch his legs while a collaboration between Oscar and Braseria by EDO Chef Roberto Higuera as part of the “Dialogue” series further sought to push Las Vegas’ dining scene forward.
86th Street Square Pie – Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Romano Cheese, Olive Oil, Old School Pepperoni
Brooklyn Jr – Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Romano Cheese, Olive Oil
Cannoli
Serving Las Vegas for over forty years one might well assume Metro Pizza has the take-out game down to a science, and even now with more competition than ever John Arena and Sam Facchini’s Pizzeria remains irreproachable in terms of customer service and quality.
Founded in early 2021 Milpa has come a long way since it took over the former Elia space at 4226 South Durango Drive, Chef DJ Flores’ embrace of traditional techniques with an eye towards health-conscious cooking earning a James Beard Award semi-finalist nod in 2024.
Open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with an odd location in the lot of a Strip-mall, easily missed despite the fact that Chef Flores is cooking some of the best contemporary Mexican Cuisine in Sin City, guests will find the interior quaint while service is both efficient and charming.
Recently forming Nivel Hospitality Group with Aaron Cappello, their bar called Nocturno earning positive reviews in the Arts District, Milpa remains part Molino and part sit-down Café with stone-ground housemade Tortillas and slowly-braised Meats a point of pride.
Simple in signage, Milpa Mexican Cafe in yellow over the door, most Entrees hover in the $15-20 range with both Barbacoa and Beef Birria with Consomme showing the sort of depth one might expect of a Vegas native with skills developed under thinkfoodgroup and Too Hot Tamales before staging at Quintonil in Mexico City.
Achieving the rare trifecta of healthy, affordable and delicious, all while utilizing time honored techniques plus many local Ingredients, seasonal Tamales are thick, soft and with the perfect amount of moisture while Corn Esquites paired to Chips channel Elotes minus all the Mayonnaise.
Risen like a phoenix from the ashes of Ramir Bolanos DeCastro’s beloved Purple Potato it is as a Bakery that the former Yonaka Chef’s legacy continues to grow via Donuts, Cookies, Ube-based treats and Filipino Pastries.
Previously offered for delivery or takeout only, but now brick and mortar at 6370 W Flamingo Rd #20, it was Tuesday that seventeen items were procured for tasting and shared by a group during workhours.
Never actually gone from the local food scene, the rebranding of Yonaka and Purple Potato followed by a consulting gig at LAS, Chef DeCastro’s current lineup continues with Croissant, Ring and Polvoron Bismarck Donuts, each day featuring a dozen varieties ranging from Pistachio to Salted Yema and several styles featuring Flan.
www.purplepotatolv.com
Avocado, Bacon & Jack Burger – lettuce, tomato, smoked bacon, avocado, monterey jack cheese, crinkle fries
The Californian – grilled chicken breast, smoked bacon, avocado, mayo, tomato, lettuce, swiss cheese, french roll, crinkle fries
Pot Pie – poached chicken, green peas, carrots, celery, potatoes, chicken gravy, pastry crust
French Dip – sliced tri-tip, warm brioche roll, au jus
Vegas Stack – Buttermilk Hotcakes, Maple Syrup
Bacon
Biscuits – Jam
Cinnamon Roll
Banana Bread
German Chocolate Cheesecake
Opened in 1938 at Los Angeles original 3rd and Fairfax Farmers Market Du-par’s can safely be called iconic, its nine seats since expanded to several locations including a 24-hour spot inside Las Vegas’ Suncoast Hotel & Casino.
The combination of James Dunn and Edward Parsons’ last names, now owned by former server Francis Tario, it is under the Boyd Gaming label that guests at 9090 Alta Drive can expect familiar vinyl booths and classic diner staples.
Recently renovated along with much of the local casino, a walk from parking past slots and tables all too familiar for many, peak times may find a brief wait during which patrons are tempted by freshly-baked goods including several Pies and a towering Cinnamon Roll liberally slathered in Frosting.
Not to be mistaken with Las Vegas Boulevard, fair prices and leisurely service comparable to spots like Babystacks or Omelet House, Coffee and Water are kept full throughout while Food ranges from an exceptional Pot Pie beneath buttery Crust to a French Dip that is frankly overcooked and flavorless sans Jus.
Best known for “World Famous” Pancakes, the original recipe still unchanged since opening, suffice it to say a “Vegas Stack” of three is the go-to as each is simultaneously thick yet light with intrinsic sweetness to the custard-like center – though zealots should plan to bring their own real Maple Syrup from home if possible.
Opened late October 2025, for the second time in Las Vegas, BOA Steakhouse recently launched lunch from 12:00 to 3:00 Friday through Sunday in the upstairs space where Emeril’s Table 10 used to reside.
At this time the Venetian-Palazzo’s sixth Steakhouse, both Delmonico and Smith & Wollensky already open midday, guests at BOA during daylight will find a more relaxed atmosphere and slightly smaller menu, though prices for available signatures are the same.
A sexy and sizable space from Innovative Dining Group, as of Saturday mid-April seemingly still trying to find its audience, it is once seated that service finds itself talking far too much whether focused on the up-sell or offering useless information such as the waiter’s allergy to “spice.”
Predictably pricey for Cocktails, though a riff on the Bee’s Knees with an icy Honey dipper was quite good, Appetizers include BOA’s Goat Cheese Baklava far outpacing a $30+ Caesar or basic Shrimp Scampi.
Opting to focus on all-new Sandwiches, the towering BOA Burger joined by a trendy Smash Burger, Fried Chicken and the Turkey Club are both quite enjoyable, though it might have been nice if the server informed guests Fries are included so they do not order more.
Eliminating both the exceptional Corn Creme Brulee and “Boujee” Twice Baked Potato from lunch, but oddly keeping Chicken Parm that seems as though it is a higher work item for the kitchen, Creamed Spinach is made as it ought to be, as is Mascarpone Cheesecake while the Ice Cream alongside Carrot Cake was served so hard one would need a steak knife to eat it.
Tucked inside Suite 104 of 4266 Spring Mountain Road, it was via contacting ShangHai Taste directly that catering was coordinated on Friday, Managing Partner Joe Muscaglione arriving at 11:45am-sharp with six items portioned large enough for sharing.
Still the top destination in Shanghai Plaza at the corner of Arville Street, family recipes handed down to Chef Jimmy Li comprising a concise menu of scratch-made plates, it was with all items carefully-packed and temperature appropriate that most got started with Fried Rice, a bit of tooth welcomed amidst Pork, Egg and Soy.
Now the 27th time delivered, though Jimmy’s years at 3 Villages, 1900 Asian Cuisine and Niu Gu will find many locals familiar with his authentic brand of cooking, fans of Soup Dumplings, or XLB, will be happy to know ShangHai Taste’s set a high standard, and whether one prefers Pork, Beef, Shrimp, Crab or even Gluten Free the textures and flavors are great, as too are the fried version entitled Sheng Jian with Sesame Seeds.
Again impressing with House Fried Fat Noodles, each strand slick and slightly chewy tossed with Steak, Stir-fried Rice Cakes traditionally known as Chao Nian Gao remain a personal favorite thanks to sticky-soft pillows with Salt and a bit of sweetness.
Only offering one Dessert, not “American” by any stretch, remaining stomach capacity saw Chocolate Dumplings skipped this time while guests with a sense of adventure enjoyed steamed Wheat Gluten Kao Fu with Mushrooms, fermented Soy and Ginger.
Established in 2020, but finally with a storefront that opened August of 2024, bake the Cookie Shoppe comes from a group of friends focused on making better Cookies than franchises like Crave or Crumbl and based on several visits so far the results are impressive across the whole collection.
Now part of Downtown Summerlin, an increase in size and foot traffic from Vandrey Plaza on South Decatur, guests will discover a dozen or more daily flavors ranging from “No Chip” with just the Dough to seasonal inspirations such as Lemon Crinkle.
Sold for $4 per round, each individually packaged before entering a branded box and bag, fans of Filippino flavors will be excited to know Ube shines brightly whether “crinkled” on its own or fused with Oreo Cookies.
Happily delivering orders over $65 for free locally, or shipping nationally for a fee, additional classics come in the form of soft Chocolate Chip or Snickerdoodle, though those in search of bake’s best bites should strongly consider gooey Oreo Milkshake or Ube Toffee.
Fatty Brisket, Lean Brisket, Smoked Turkey Breast, Beef Hot Links, Jalapeno Cheese Hot Links, Pulled Pork
Banana Pudding
Open from 11:00am until 9:00pm daily, and Sin City’s best place for Barbecue ever since the Henderson original debuted in January 2016, it was for lunch on Wednesday that the smell of Big B’s Texas BBQ filled the downstairs, staff quick to gather for an abundance of smoked Meat, Dessert and Sides from the 2025 Sahara location.
Named after its Pit Master and changing the long-held belief that Las Vegas is not a Barbeque town ever since the original opened, Big B’s Texas BBQ features the work of Brian Buechner and Natalia Badzjo, the husband and wife team taking a hands-on approach to every aspect of the operation from build-out to driving in fresh piles of wood as needed from the Lone Star State.
Available for dine-in, take-out, catering and delivery, all presented by one of the most pleasant teams in town, over-ordering is easy regardless of preference for Pork or Beef including Ribs, pulled-style or Brisket with a good smoke ring whether fatty or lean.
Texas through and through, the aforementioned wood just one reason why Big B’s Proteins outpace growing competition, sides are highlighted by Creamed Corn and thick-cut Onion Rings plus Sin City’s best BBQ Beans and Mac n’ Cheese.
Never forgetting Cornbread that seems to get better every time Dessert is a pick ‘em including Pecan or Apple Pie, Chocolate Cake or fresh made Banana Pudding as good as any one will find down South.
Popular with their target audience since 1996, though nothing they do here is particularly spectacular, The Bagel Cafe fills a niche and does so consistently at a fair price.
Founded in early 2021 Milpa has come a long way since it took over the former Elia space at 4226 South Durango Drive, Chef DJ Flores’ embrace of traditional techniques with an eye towards health-conscious cooking earning a James Beard Award semi-finalist nod in 2024.
Open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with an odd location in the lot of a Strip-mall, easily missed despite the fact that Chef Flores is cooking some of the best contemporary Mexican Cuisine in Sin City, guests will find the interior quaint while service is both efficient and charming.
Recently forming Nivel Hospitality Group with Aaron Cappello, their bar called Nocturno earning positive reviews in the Arts District, Milpa remains part Molino and part sit-down Café with stone-ground housemade Tortillas and slowly-braised Meats a point of pride.
Simple in signage, Milpa Mexican Cafe in yellow over the door, most Entrees hover in the $15-20 range with both Barbacoa and Beef Birria with Consomme showing the sort of depth one might expect of a Vegas native with skills developed under thinkfoodgroup and Too Hot Tamales before staging at Quintonil in Mexico City.
Achieving the rare trifecta of healthy, affordable and delicious, all while utilizing time honored techniques plus many local Ingredients, seasonal Tamales are thick, soft and with the perfect amount of moisture while Corn Esquites paired to Chips channel Elotes minus all the Mayonnaise.
In order to stand out in the San Gabriel Valley a Restaurant must either be exceptional or unique, and under the direction of David Shao and Chef Peter Pang Good Alley achieves both while also offering friendly service inside a modern dining room.
Tucked away in a Valley Boulevard strip mall, the open kitchen abutting roughly sixty seats where iPad ordering simplifies staffing, guests are greeted with a smile before perusing a lengthy list of Noodles, Dumplings, Meat and Rice Dishes.
Proudly making everything by hand, their limited number of Guan Tang Bao prone to early weekend sell-outs, it is after a bit of scrolling that in-the-know diners will note an Ingredient-focused approach including Kurobata Pork for a richer Xiao Long Bao.
谷巷里 in Chinese, the owners of Jirong Roast Duck Restaurant opening Good Alley in September of 2024, additional plates well-suited for solo diners include a simple bowl of hand-pulled Noodles slicked in Scallion Oil with Vegetables or the faultless Beef Roll wrapped in Roti-like Pancakes plus one of several Slushies or Teas to drink.
Owned by two brothers and rebranded in late-2024 28 Wishes Ice Cream Shop offers a unique spin on standard flavors utilizing good Ingredients in downtown Los Angeles.
Asian inspired but rooted in Italian technique, the base thicker and creamier than many, it is inside the small space that guests will find two-dozen handmade flavors ranging from Ube and Matcha to Nutter Butter, a few complimentary tastes eventually yielding sweet Butter Beer and texturally complex Horchata for $12.40 on a Cone.
Bacon Egg Cheese Sandwich – American Cheese, Mayo, Ketchup, Kaiser Roll
Cinnamon Roll
Buttermilk Biscuit, Strawberry Jam
Banana Cream Pie
Strawberry Donut
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Best known for their Breads, now offered at over one hundred Los Angeles’ eateries, Bub and Grandma’s also serves their goods at a Restaurant in Glassell Park where guests can experience Breakfast or Lunch on-site or via the takeaway window.
Owned by Andy Kadin, his brand expanding from Farmer’s Markets in 2017 to a Restaurant and Pizzeria, would-be guests are asked to wait at a generally unmanned podium on arrival for seating, this a prelude of things to come as service in general seems fairly disinterested.
Offering both counter seats and booths, a look at the kitchen showing much of the Food mere assemblage, arrival before 11am sees Egg Sandwiches take center stage with fluffy Eggs folded neatly on a soft seeded-Kaiser Roll with a choice of Meats, Mayo and Ketchup.
Priced akin to other Los Angeles Breakfasts, think $14 Sandwiches and $7 Pastries, Bub and Grandma’s Buttermilk Biscuit arrives plain with extra cost for Butter or Jam largely unnecessary as the quality is excellent with substantial textural variance from bite-to-bite.
Probably a bit too “hip” for its own good, or perhaps understaffed on a Saturday morning, it was only after flagging down a mustached runner that Water was refilled and Dessert ordered, the fluffy Cinnamon Roll with lightly Whipped Frosting a work of art while Banana Cream Pie, a Donut and thin Cookie were all fairly basic.