[Centel Operator]

Originally Posted by rockets63

Chips no fries! This goes way back. I was introduced to it in the early 70s but think it opened in the late 50s. Best hot dogs in Las Vegas and damn fine burgers as well. A big favorite with Las Vegas High students and later with anyone going to the old Centel building to get their Sheriff's Cards renewed. The dogs all had circus names like 'The Clown' or 'The Big Top'. Located on the south side of Fremont next to Herb & Marv's menswear. Cannot remember the cook's name but he was a joy to watch work; a big biker looking guy who moved with the grace of a ballerina in the tiny space behind the counter. He told people that he had worked at one of the original In-N-Out Burgers in California. There was almost always a wait for a seat and lots of take-out orders. It reopened as the 'Ring' in the early 90s but was nothing like the original and soon closed. It was a real dump but a glorious one indeed.

I LOVED going to the Circus Room. My grandmother was a telephone operator at Centel (125 LV Blvd building), and used to take me there on payday. Subsequently, I went to work there in the early 80's as a telephone operator as well.

Wayne was the owner / cooks name. He did look like a big biker, but had a heart as big as the Vegas Valley. I used to sit on the counter and watch him cook with amazement. That food was the BEST!!! I'm still paying for it in my waistline... but it was worth it! I really miss those days!

[Clarkcty]

Hahaha I remember Centel payphones back in the 80's.

I miss Furr's Cafeteria, two locactions by Kmart on East Sahara and by the Meadows Mall.

[clutchcargo777]

Speaking of "rooms", does anyone remember the restaurant who's interior was painted flat black, with colorful planets, stars and galaxies topped off with black lights to highlight it all? It was a weird experience but one I recall fondly. I just can't remember if it was in a casino or a standalone place.

[bionicwomanlv]

Originally Posted by Centel Operator

I LOVED going to the Circus Room. My grandmother was a telephone operator at Centel (125 LV Blvd building), and used to take me there on payday. Subsequently, I went to work there in the early 80's as a telephone operator as well.

Wayne was the owner / cooks name. He did look like a big biker, but had a heart as big as the Vegas Valley. I used to sit on the counter and watch him cook with amazement. That food was the BEST!!! I'm still paying for it in my waistline... but it was worth it! I really miss those days!

My dad use to take me here once a week and I would always get a Side Show and a Big Top! I was so intimidated by Dwayne, but realized he was just a big teddy bear. He had a huge, black vintage car I remember. For the life of me I cannot find an old picture of Fremont that includes the Circus Room. If anyone has seen one let me know. Now that my dad is gone I would love to have that on my wall to remind of those good old days

[fedup63]

I lived in N. Las Vegas from 1959 to 1975. I remember a lot of the places that were there to eat. I graduated from Rancho High School in 1970. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas. I moved back to Texas in 1975 to go in the Electrical Business with my Dad. he moved back the year before. I met my wife while working at the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Marilyn Parkway, just off Bonanza. She went to Valley High School. We have been happily married for 44 years now. we are both retired now and enjoy coming back to Vegas every couple of years and seeing family and friends. Some have passed away but the memories will never. We used to eat at Hilda's a lot for her Gordito. I also remember when she was in the Bowling alley at one time, that either used to be a Sizzler Steak House or turned into a Sizzler Stake house. There was a Der Weinershnitzzle across the street. My younger sister used to work there. I used to go to the Showboat a lot and eat their lunch buffet. I was on a Bowling team at the Showboat on Friday Nights and after we finished bowling our team and our wives would go to the Swanky Shack out on the Boulder Highway. Great food. In High School on friday nights we would pile in the car and go to Macayo Vegas for a toasted Cheese Tortilla. Those were the days. Fong's Garden was another favorite as well as the Blue Onion. I know I'm going way back. There used to be a little hamburger joint in North Las Vegas off of N.Las Vegas Blvd called the Whistle Stop. They had .25 hamburgers. They were great! Plus an Italian Restaurant not far from the Whistle Stop named Samaries. Excellent Italian food and Sam would always greet you by name when you walked in the door. Does anybody remember Ronnie O's on Lamb blvd. or any of the Door Liquor bars?
Papa Gars was always a breakfast before work meeting place for us. And his French Dipped Beef sandwiches were outstanding. oh the memories, the memories......

[rockets63]

Hilda's and the Club Swanky were great places. Do you remember Wimpy's; with curb service, on N. Las Vegas Blvd.? Poppa Gar's was where all the movers and shakers used meet for breakfast before Vegas had the 'burbs.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by rockets63

Hilda's and the Club Swanky were great places. Do you remember Wimpy's; with curb service, on N. Las Vegas Blvd.? Poppa Gar's was where all the movers and shakers used meet for breakfast before Vegas had the 'burbs.

I remember Wimpys. My Dad would always make the silly " I'll gladly pay you Tuesday..." joke when he'd take us there. Usually before heading to the drive in.

[Tek_Freek]

We ate at Battista’s Hole In The Wall every time we came here on vacation.

The street it's on changed names!!

Haven't been there since we moved here, but we need to go. I wonder if Gordy is still playing the accordion there.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

We ate at Battista’s Hole In The Wall every time we came here on vacation.

The street it's on changed names!!

Haven't been there since we moved here, but we need to go. I wonder if Gordy is still playing the accordion there.

Batista died and the will was hotly contested because that lease was worth a lot of money. No idea what happened to it. He was always nice to me. Gave me a tape of his opera singing back in the day.

[Tek_Freek]

The website is still active. One can hope they are still open.