Vegas Life-Hack: Counter-Service Food Worth Eating

Kelly Lamrock Serves Up Some Vegas Counter-Service Favorites

For some Vegas visitors, food is simply fuel. They need something basic to get them to the next gaming table or club, so cheap and caloric works just fine. Nothing wrong with that, of course. People with simple nourishment requirements are clearly a significant segment of the market. That’s why Flamingo has a food court, Circus Circus has a buffet, and so many places offer drinks that taste like a blue “Freezie”.

For others, dining is part of the Vegas experience. We want something unique and good. Telling us to eat the same stuff we can get at home is like telling us to sit in our hotel room and watch daytime TV. This is Vegas! Everything should be memorable, even when eating on the run.

Of course, we can’t have every meal at Joel Robuchon. Even if money were no issue, time would still be prohibitive. To save for the big splurges, sometimes we are going to go the fast-food route. While my fellow VegasBright authors have offered some great fine-dining reviews, I’m going to add counter service places to the list. These are ones that give you the speed and pricing of typical counter-service spots, but with that ““only in Vegas”” distinction that we crave.

1. JJ’’s Boulangerie, Paris –  You can skip the popular pizza window because it’s merely adequate. Head instead for the sandwich bar, where the baguettes are crusty, chewy and made in-house. The sandwiches are made toasty-warm right in front of you, and there is a variety of fresh breads to choose from. The prosciutto sandwich is particularly good. With a glass of wine and something from the dessert case, you’ll feel like you had a meal befitting the theme.

Veggie Sandwich at JJ’s Boulangerie

2. Rubio’’s, Monte Carlo – Yeah, it’s a chain, albeit a small one. So is Earl of Sandwich, and I only left that off here because so many people probably already told you about it. The small Rubio’s chain built their business on the San Diego-style fish taco, with battered fish, crema sauce, and slaw. They have a nice variety of other Mexican dishes, but I can’t ever tear myself away from the fish tacos. They have a mix of decent salsas and good black beans as a side dish, making this a satisfying $10 lunch.

Rubio’s at Monte Carlo

3. Ice Pan, Harrah’’s – This is fun. You choose your milk and your flavor, and someone stir-freezes it into ice cream. You heard me. They have pans that are cold in the way a wok is hot, and eventually ice cream emerges. The staff is friendly here, and because they base your ice cream on actual fruit and nuts, it has the admirable quality of tasting like the fruit or nut in question.  Strawberries and Pistachios taste natural, not “industry-standard strawberry” like many ice creams. With skim milk it is not too high in calories, either, so indulge. The staff is happy to remind you how healthy it is, although I could do without the pamphlet promoting its role in keeping us regular. Kinda concerning. Still, good ice cream!

4. Pink’’s Hot Dogs, Planet Hollywood –  Polarizing choice, I know.  Some find these to be monstrosities that should be condemned, not consumed. I’d even grant that a little pride in the freshness of the buns would make this a better entry at the price point. But I love the snap of the Pink’’s hot dog…and the fun menu. A Vegas Strip Dog ($7.99), with chili and guacamole, or the Three Dog Night ($8.99) with three dogs, chili, cheese and onions on a griddled tortilla, will fill you up for not much money. The patio makes for decent people-watching, too.

5. Lobster ME, Venetian and Planet Hollywood – I’m from Atlantic Canada, and I should hate this. I should tell you that fast food lobster will lead to the apocalypse or worse, like a Chris Brown residency. But, I have to admit, this is a creative take on lobster, and it has always been reasonably fresh. The Maine Lobster Roll ($17) is well-executed, and the Cajun Lobster Roll ($17) is a nice twist. Lobster Mac & Cheese ($12) is just competent. I’d like to applaud the attempt to make a lobster bisque-based poutine, but I have to draw the line somewhere.

Fish Tacos at Lobster ME

6. Smoke’’s Poutinerie, Pawn Plaza – I’m told they opened calling these ““smothered fries”” so Americans would know what poutine is. Well, now you know. Don’t worry; these guys are good at poutine that this gets respect in Canada, too.  Just know that this is not food for the faint of heart. Poutine is NOT a cheat meal……it is three cheat-meals. But this is Vegas, and everyone should try the magical combination of fries, gravy and cheese curds.  

Poutine – Three cheat meals in one…

The basic poutine is fine for beginners. If you’re drunk and want to ward off a hangover, the Triple-Pork Poutine with pulled pork, bacon and sausage will soak up the alcohol for you. It will also soak up your next three meals, your ambition for the next day, and your self-respect. But if you want us Canadians to respect you, you have to try. We are already mocking your beer, you know. (Not the craft beers. You’re doing way better there.)

So there you have it – quick easy and relatively inexpensive meals to keep you going when you’re on the go. If you have a favorite that you’d like to share, tell us about it in the comments below.

[Photos: Yelp!]

Kelly Lamrock

Kelly Lamrock didn’t see Vegas until he was 40. Now, he goes several times a year. When home in Atlantic Canada, he’s a lawyer, international consultant, and former Attorney-General. When in Vegas, he is consumed by the search for the best craft beer, the perfect sportsbook, and a post-show cigar. He loves Vegas because, as Jerry Seinfeld says, “wherever you’re from, Vegas is pretty much the opposite of that.”