McGoo: My “Vegas Musts”

Vegas Bright reader McGoo shares his “Vegas Musts.”

The nightmares have returned…..

Within three months of Vegas trip, I start to have the same recurring nightmare. Only a few hours remain until my flight home, and I come to the startling realization that I haven’t enjoyed any of the Vegas things I love. I begin to panic and start running towards Main Street Station for just one beer at the Boar’s Head Bar. I start near Fremont Street East and run towards the Plaza, but the street keeps getting longer and longer, I am not gaining any ground. The time is ticking away on my watch, and I think that this could be my last trip to Vegas. I finally reach Main Street Station, but a taxi sits blocking the doors waiting to long haul me back to the airport, I am out of time. I wake up terrified but so relieved that it was all a dream. I actually have these dreams; therapy costs are a drain on my bankroll.

I always spend a night on the Strip and ever since I read the book “Grandissimo” by David G. Schwartz, I have flipped a lucky coin into the original Caesars fountains, once jumped by Evil Knievel. With my luck secured, I always take a seat at the Linq’s Tag Bar and consume as many different IPAs as they will serve me. I stumble over to the Flamingo for my ultimate Strip must, playing no fold’em $2-$4 limit hold ’em, where I proceed to see every flop and call to the river like the drunk fool I am.

I love downtown Vegas and spend at least 80% of each trip bouncing between Fremont St. Casinos. But the first thing I do when setting foot on Fremont is to have a cold Microbrew beer at Main Street Station’s Boar’s Head Bar along with Jacks or Better video poker. Above all else this is my numero uno Vegas must, this place feels like home.

After downing numerous Black Chip Porters, I walk across the bridge to the Cal and rub Buddha’s belly for good luck. Downtown is also home to most of my “Must Eats.” So after delighting Buddha with an aggressive belly massage, I hit up Aloha Specialties on the second floor of the California for Korean Chicken, Mac Salad or sometimes a big bowl of Saimin Noodles with wonton. I can’t think of a trip that I didn’t eat at Aloha.

No trip is complete without a Famous Binion’s burger, I mean this has to be the best tasting value burger in all the Vegas land. And lastly, and one of these times it just might be my last meal…. Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy, oh the things I do to myself for Vegas.

Vegas is in a constant state of change; when one of my musts disappears, I seem to discover a new one.

[Photos: McGoo]

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