[SinCityModern]

Wow, it is amazing that when we discuss food in Vegas, it is either low end "bar food" or places like 9 steakhouse in the palms. I do not cook and have made an art of dining out.

Here I go with my personal food suggestions for every type of eating and dining out. Please feel free to provide some feedback.

Italian:
Bootlegger on South Las Vegas Boulevard, and great entertainment
Pasta Mia on West Flamingo...no atmosphere but great food
Chicago Joes on Fourth....Great atmosphere...and understated...good food

Mexican:
Yes Robertos is the best when it comes to Fast food Mexican but nothing compares to Lindo Michoacan on Desert Inn and Easter and Bonito Michoacan on the west. Unbelievable good food.

Pizza:
Do I know Pizza...Resided in Both New York & Chicago and I can honestly say I refuse to eat it here...UNTIL...I discovered Joes Pizza on Paradise & Harmon. I encourage everyone to try that and let me know what you think.

Deli:
Best Deli is of course Stage Deli...if you can deal with all the people at Caesars. For a great alternative...on a different scale...try Sunshine Deli on Eastrn & 215, I eat there a couple of times a week and love it...not to mention they always recognize their regulars!

Sushi....

Sushi Roku and RA are great Sushi places....but in you immediate area...try a place called Sushi Mon.

The best "Bar food" in your area that I would suggest is Steiners and the T-Bird lounge on Eastern.

Some may agree, others disagree....but the Bougenvilla Cafe??? I figured I couldnt go wrong after that one.

Enjoy!

[Buzz123]

OK people, don't make me say this again! There is no south Las Vegas, therefore there is no south Las Vegas Blvd. There is however, a Las Vegas Blvd South and a Las Vegas Blvd North. Sorry, one of my pet peeves is people not learning about Las Vegas traditions, mispronouncing names, or renaming places. Don't get me started on those who try to be cool by referring to the Strip as "The Boulevard", or those who say Hula-pie instead of Wall a pie.

Anyway, SCM, thanks for the heads up on some places I haven't tried, and of course I totally agree with you on the ones I have. I'm gonna have to try Joe's Pizza. Nobody believes me, but the best pizza is in my hometown of Clarksburg, WV, known far and wide as Little Italy. I've only found pizza in Chicago that compares to ours. I've never had pizza in New York, but have been very disappointed in pizza in Las Vegas claiming to be New York pizza.

If Steiners is adhearing to the no smoking laws I might give them another chance as they did have pretty good food last time I was there. Hard to taste it for all the smoke though. I wonder why these bars that are afraid of losing smokers aren't afraid of losing me?

[Buzz123]

By the by, the owners of Ellis Island come from a big Italian family that owns several restaurants in my home town of Clarksburg, WV, and their food used to reflect that. For some reason I haven't been there for a long time but plan to go back soon. Frank Ellis introduced the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich to Las Vegas way back in the late 1960s. Back then Ellis Island was called The Village Pub, so he called it the Tom Jones sandwich because nobody knew what it was anyway. He even had to tell the bakery how to make the buns. In Clarksburg they were called steak and cheese hoggies and I've never found them as good anywhere I've ever been. The Village Pubs around town are part of the Ellis Island group.

[SinCityModern]

Im going to stick with South Strip then...I just have to!

[olecapt]

Our favorite Vegas restaurant is now at the South Point. Michaels has moved from its historic home in the Barbary Coast (now Bills) to South Point.

For price is not a factor dining there is no better place.

[Buzz123]

In all these years we have never gone to Michaels although we've often heard it's the best for steaks. I suppose we haven't tried it because we seldom go in search of steak and never cared for the Barbary Coast. Maybe now I'll try it. We are more into ethnic foods, especially Italian and Mexican. I seem to be learning a lot from olecapt. I'm assuming that he is a realtor??? What's your opinion of Bob Taylor's Ranch House, olecapt?

BTW: I disagree that Las Vegas is one of the best places in the country for food.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

In all these years we have never gone to Michaels although we've often heard it's the best for steaks. I suppose we haven't tried it because we seldom go in search of steak and never cared for the Barbary Coast. Maybe now I'll try it. We are more into ethnic foods, especially Italian and Mexican. I seem to be learning a lot from olecapt. I'm assuming that he is a realtor??? What's your opinion of Bob Taylor's Ranch House, olecapt?

BTW: I disagree that Las Vegas is one of the best places in the country for food.

Bob Taylor's? Been trying now for 10 years to get a memorable meal from that joint. When we moved to the NW in 95 it was suggested as a great sleeper place. Tried it and it was better than adequate. We then when back three times in the next six months. Prices rose to strip level. Service went from adequate to less than. And we went away.

Gone back every couple of year since thinking that such a real place has to hit its stride. Nope. Got worse the last years as we have good friends living in walking distance. We do use their bar. But still no joy in the food department. How any cowboy place can do that bad a job on beef amazes me.

Great fun when the rodeo is in town. They really go there and as long as harsh language does not offend you it is a kick.

Drink though...don't eat.

Unfortunately my best tip in the NW was Hilltop House which was an absolute gem. Gone though. Folded last month to collect the property value. Sh*t.

[Chest Rockwell]

Some good Thai restaurants are:

Lotus Of Siam - in the commercial center Sahara west of Maryland
Komol - in the same center. They specialize in Vegetarian, but have great non veg dishes too.
Thai Spice - Flamingo near Decatur

Some other random favorites of mine:
Garduno's- was mentioned on here earlier. In both Fiesta hotels and the Palms.
Taste of Chicago - Rancho near Washington. The best hot dogs in town.
Paymon's - There's one on West Sahara and another at Flamingo/Maryland. Great Greek/Mediterranean food.
Samosa Factory - in the Von's center at Sahara/Decatur. My favorite Indian food in town.

I'll have to try some of your recommendations for sure.

[Buzz123]

Ah, ha! Hot dogs! Mention hot dogs to a West Virginia Mountaineer and he'll talk on the subject for days. That's because unless you've had a hot dog from Clarksburg, West Virginia, you have never had a hot dog. Other West Virginians will brag about their hot dogs but they are only imitations of real Clarksburg hot dogs. We didn't invent hot dogs but we made them a gourmet delight. So what I'm gonna do is let out the secret to you right now. I might be arrested for this when I go for a visit back home but I want to spread the joy.

Make this recipe and follow my directions precisely and you will say, "My God, I've never had a real hot dog before this moment." Unfortunately, you will not be able to get the kind of buns you find in Clarksburg, but that's ok; it'll still blow you away.

This recipe is said to have come from the most famous hot dog restaurant in town:

Authentic West (By God) Virginia
Hot Dog Chili

¼ lb. lard (Crisco)
1 large onion (chopped)
5 lb. lean ground beef
3 oz. hot chili powder (If you like it a little spicy use New Mexico red chili)
¼ tsp. allspice (or cinnamon substitute)
3 or 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
1½ tsp. Paprika
2 C. water
½ C. cracker meal
1½ tsp. salt (pepper to taste)

In a heavy kettle (5 or 6 qt.) fry lard, onion & garlic until tender.
(Flatlanders refer to this as sauté.)
Add chili powder.
Fry (sauté) 3 minutes & stir.
Add water & cook 3 more minutes.
Remove from heat.
Add meat & mix until no lumps.
Put back on fire and stir for 10 minutes.
Simmer for ½ hour.

Take off heat & add allspice, paprika, salt & pepper, and cracker meal.
Let cool, and pour into 9 x 13 (or so) dish.
Place in refrigerator over night, cut into approx. 3 inch squares, then you
can wrap in foil and freeze. (It’s better aged to perfection.) I find that one square is enough for about 5 hot dogs.

When heating frozen squares add a little water but don’t make it too thin.

For authentic Clarksburg, WV, (Little Italy) hot-dogs, add yellow mustard to a steam heated bun, place weenie on bun, add enough chili to cover weenie, and sprinkle with chopped onions. Note: weenies must be boiled, or steamed, not grilled. The yellow mustard is absolutely necessary to bring out the proper taste of the chili. In fact, next time you go to Wienerschnitzel, ask them to add mustard to the bun before they put on the weenie and it even makes their yucky chili dogs taste better. But never call a West Virginia hot dog a chili dog. That's redundant.

Also, do not put coleslaw on West Virginia hot dogs like them Southern hillbillies do or I will hunt you down and revoke your hot dog license.

I usually increase the garlic and the chili powder in the recipe a little bit but it’s a matter of taste.

[Buzz123]

Heyyyy! I'm really upset that I gave ya'll the best recipe this side of the Monongahela River and nobody said anything about it.