What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Right?!
Wrong.
The excessive amount of calories from over-eating and way-over-indulgent-drinking always stick to my ribs…but I’m okay with that! You see Vegas is not only known for the scantily clad women, parties that go all night (and then all day too), and high stakes gambling. Over the last several years it’s become a breakout scene for the culinary adventurer as well!
Restaurants line the Vegas strip boasting the best cuisine from all our favorite celebrity chefs! Emeril, Bobby Flay, Tom Colicchio, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Savoy and Giada de Laurentiis…just to name a few. But elevated dining experiences are not the only thing these establishments have been raising in Vegas. The cost per plate has been steadily rising as well.
You can find dining experiences up and down the strip that range from “dirt cheap” to “ridiculously expensive”. But if you go off the strip….now there’s where you’ll get a real bang for your buck!
Here are some of my top recommendations on places to grab a delicious meal and drink without breaking the bank.
Jjanga Steak & Sushi
6125 S Fort Apache Road, #200, Las Vegas -- 702-914-8821
Open 11:30am-2am Monday-Saturday and 11:30am-11pm on Sunday
Upon arrival, it may seem a little pedestrian but don’t be fooled by the strip mall location. Like many off-the-strip restaurants in Vegas, it’s a total gem. We came on a Saturday night at 7pm and were seated immediately…NO WAIT people!! That alone was worth the $18 Lyft fare!
You can find everything here from traditional sushi rolls, sashimi, hibachi, to some very special dishes like sushi pizza, sushi tacos, sushi burgers, sushi sliders and my personal favorite the tuna stack!
There’s even an all you can eat option ($21.95 for lunch and $26.95 for dinner) or the full hibachi meal is going to run you about $35.
The staff is friendly, the drinks are affordable and the fish is fresh! So, if you’re looking for sushi…look no further!
Click HERE to website.
Naked City (Pizza that is)
3240 Arville Street, Las Vegas -- 702-243-6277
Open 11am-11pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am-1am on Friday and Saturday
I don’t know about you but when I eat pizza, I go ALL IN! And, I NEVER (I repeat NEVER) visit Vegas without stopping in to Naked City! There are multiple locations, but the one I’ve always gone to is the one on Arville, over by China Town.
It’s a dark little hole-in-wall joint where there are always locals sitting at the bar and a crazy variety of music jammin’ of the jukebox. You order at the window and about 20 minutes later you get a pizza delivered to your table that’s bound to give you a pie hangover…but don’t worry, you won’t regret it!
We were originally turned on to this place by my brother-in-law, Ryan, who is basically a chubby kid trapped inside a grown mans body. He was geeking out one day about the pizza and wings here so we had to try it! Not only is it endorsed by Ryan, but it was also featured on that one show, you know the one…with Guy Fieri, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. So, you know it’s gotta be good!
Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the wings at Naked City too! Rumor has it that the owner is a Buffalo, NY native and brought this recipe to the desert with him. Now, I can’t confirm or deny this but I can confirm the deliciousness of said wings!
My favorite order: Half Naked City and half Rebel Pie with an order of wings (medium and chargrilled BBQ). You. Are. Welcome.
Click HERE to website.
Shiraz Restaurant
2575 South Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas-- 702-870-0860
Open 7 days a week 11am-10pm
I’ve been enjoying some of the BEST Iranian and Persian food in Vegas for over 10 years. So, I was devastated in 2018 when I found that Habibs was no longer in business. The owner, Habib Asadsangabi, who was the proprietor for 20 years had decided to retire. I was heart broken, and craving me some dolmeh, hummus and chelo kabob barg. Fortunately for my tastebuds the restaurant was picked up by Raja Majid, who opened Shiraz Restaurant in its place! Not only does Raja continue to serve excellent Persian cuisine, but he expanded the menu to include Pakistani and Indian food as well.
Back when this restaurant was Habib’s you felt like you were dining in a middle-eastern antiquities museum (which was super cool). Now, the space has an upscale feel with an open dining room and large full, bar. I’ve never needed reservations nor have I had to wait more than a few minutes for a table. I’m not quite sure how they manage to keep this hot spot such a big secret!
Click HERE to website.
Baby Stacks
4135 South Buffalo Drive #101, Las Vegas -- 702-207-6432
Open 7am-2pm Monday-Friday and 7am-3pm Saturday and Sunday
This little cafe opened it’s doors in 2010 and has been serving up a delicious breakfast menu daily ever since! A quick local favorite, Babystacks now has five locations in Vegas and they are all always full! Definitely expect to wait a few minutes, especially on the weekends.
Tables are jammed in to this tiny cafe, so there’s not a lot of elbow room and be patient with your servers, they’re always working their tails off! The food is totally worth it though! We’ve even made it somewhat of a tradition to stop in for breakfast on the last morning of our Vegas trips. The portions are huge so it’ll usually hold us over for the 5-hour drive home.
The menu boasts everything thing from lemon ricotta pancakes and cookie butter French toast to an unforgettable Hawaiian Benedict. A couple of my personal favorites are the Loco Moco and Lola Cora’s Corned Beef Hash. If you’ve never had loco moco, it’s a savory combination of garlic rice topped with ground beef, eggs, and gravy! Sean always winds up with the southwestern skillet and a side of pancakes (old faithful).
Did someone say pancakes? The selection here is out of this world and the full stack is the size of regulation frisbees!
Click HERE for website.
The Golden Tiki
3939 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas -- 702-222-3196
Open Always
My secret of all Vegas secrets…The Golden Tiki. If you’re looking to get off the strip for affordable-ish drinks, a fun island vibe atmosphere with entertainment — this is the place!
Again, don’t judge a book by its cover. You may walk into what looks like just another strip mall lounge but once inside, you’re transported to the land of the Golden Tiki. Where when you look up it feels like you’re stargazing from the deck of a pirate ship and the bartenders are welcoming explorers with shots on fire!
One of the most fun bars I’ve been to in Vegas with nightly entertainment including table side magic shows, live burlesque, dirty jokes and live music. This joint is not for the faint of heart, with kitschy photos that are throwbacks to Vegas’ past lining the tables (may or may not include nudes) and group drinks served from conch shells. Don’t miss the daily happy hour from 4-7pm and the infamous After Hour Happy Hour from 3-6am.
So, next time you’re in sin city! Drop into one of my favorite joints off the strip! If you have an excellent Las Vegas recommendation, drop it in the comments below, I’m always adding to my list!
So, next time you’re in sin city! Drop into one of my favorite joints off the strip!
If you have an excellent Las Vegas recommendation, drop it in the comments below, I’m always adding to my list!
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