Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
602
Second Street Grill
Finds
INTERNATIONAL/PACIFIC RIM One of the
better-kept secrets of Las Vegas, this Downtown jewel is a lovely bit of romantic, cozy
class with excellent food to boot. You are probably best off with grill dishes, though here
might be your best ratio of quality to price for lobster tail. Play around with the Hunan
pork and beef lettuce wrap appetizers, and the Peking duck and shrimp tacos. The waist-
conscious will be very pleased with the bamboo-steamed snapper in a nice broth, while
others may want to try the grilled salmon with goat cheese Parmesan crust. Desserts are
disappointing, unfortunately. Overall, a nice place for a family-event dinner Downtown,
and certainly more affordable than fancy places on the Strip.
In Fremont Hotel & Casino, 200 E. Fremont St.
&
702/385-3232.
Reservations recommended. Main
courses $17-$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Mon and Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm.
MODERATE
Grand Wok
Value
ASIAN No longer thoroughly pan-Asian but still a solid
choice for sushi and, more importantly, budget fare in the form of the combo soup full
of noodles and different kinds of meat. It's particularly nice and more affordable than the
usual hotel restaurant—and the primarily Asian clientele clearly agrees. Note that soup
portions are most generous; four people could easily split one order and have a nice and
very inexpensive lunch, an unexpected bargain option for the Strip.
In MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
&
702/891-7777.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses
$9-$19; sushi rolls and pieces $4.50-$15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Restaurant Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat
11am-1am; sushi bar Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-10pm.
INEXPENSIVE
Capriotti's
DELI It looks like a dump but there's a reason that Capriotti's is
one of the fastest growing businesses in town. They roast their own beef and turkeys on
the premises and stuff them (or Italian cold cuts, or whatever) into huge sandwiches—the
“large” is 20 inches, easily feeding two for under $10 total. And deliciously so; the “Slaw
B Joe” (roast beef, coleslaw, and Russian dressing) is fabulous. They even have veggie
varieties. We never leave town without a stop here, and you shouldn't, either.
322 W. Sahara Ave. (at Las Vegas Blvd. S.).
&
702/474-0229.
www.capriottis.com. Most sandwiches
under $10. No credit cards. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-5pm.
18
Rincon Criollo
CUBAN Located beyond the wedding chapels on Las Vegas Boule-
vard, Rincon Criollo has all the right details for a good, cheap ethnic joint: It's full of
locals and empty of frills. It's not the best Cuban food ever, but it gets the job done. The
main courses (featuring Cuban pork and chicken specialties) are hit-or-miss; try the
marinated pork leg or, better still, ask your server for a recommendation. Paella is offered,
but only for parties of at least five people (and starts at $25). The side-course
chorizo
(a
spicy sausage) is excellent, and the Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, and cheese on
bread, which is then pressed and flattened out) is huge and tasty. For only $3.50, the
latter makes a fine change-of-pace meal.
1145 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
&
702/388-1906.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses $7.50-$13; paella
(for 5) $25. AE, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Sun 11am-9:30pm.
Tiffany's
Value
DINER This decidedly unflashy soda fountain/lunch counter
was Las Vegas's first 24-hour restaurant, and it has been going strong for 60 years. Plunk
down at the counter and watch the cooks go nuts trying to keep up with the orders. The
menu is basic comfort food: standard items (meatloaf, ground round steak, chops, and
so on), fluffy cream pies, and classic breakfasts served anytime—try the biscuits and
