The middle stretch of West Sahara between the Strip and Summerlin. In-N-Out on Sahara, Lotus of Siam's Flamingo branch, and a string of Korean BBQ rooms along Decatur Boulevard.
Other Mama in Las Vegas is Daniel Krohmer's seafood-driven sushi room since 2015, a Morimoto Philadelphia alum's industry hangout off West Sahara.
Signature: Hamachi crudo, Crispy whole fish, Uni toast
Order: The crispy whole fish with chili-lime sauce; daily catch from the sushi case.
Tip: Happy hour 5 to 6:30pm runs a half-price oyster and crudo list at the bar; it is the cheapest way into the kitchen.
Lotus of Siam Flamingo in Las Vegas is the Chutima family's larger second branch, the full Northern Thai menu plus the city's deepest Riesling list to balance the heat.
Signature: Khao soi, Crispy duck, Nam khao tod
Order: Khao soi and crispy duck on drunken noodles; Saipin Chutima's signature pair.
Tip: Reservations essential; sommelier Bank Atcharawan curates a Riesling and Gewurztraminer pairing for the spice.
Other Mama in Las Vegas is Daniel Krohmer's seafood-driven sushi room since 2015 off Durango Drive, a Morimoto Philadelphia alum's industry hangout.
Signature: Hamachi crudo, Crispy whole fish, Uni toast
Order: Crispy whole fish with chili-lime sauce; daily catch from the sushi case.
Tip: Happy hour 5 to 6:30pm at the bar runs a half-price oyster and crudo list; cheapest way into the kitchen.
In-N-Out Burger on West Sahara in Las Vegas is one of the closest Sahara Avenue locations to the Strip, with drive-thru, dine-in and the late-night Double-Double until 01:30 on weekends.
Try: Double-Double Animal Style, Neapolitan shake
Tip: Order Animal Style off the secret menu (mustard-grilled patty, extra spread, grilled onions); the Neapolitan shake is three flavours in one cup.
Capriotti's on West Sahara in Las Vegas is the original Vegas outpost of the Delaware sub shop, slow-roasting turkeys overnight for the Bobbie (turkey, stuffing, cranberry, mayo).
Try: The Bobbie (turkey, cranberry, stuffing, mayo)
Tip: The Bobbie is the order, sized small to large; for the long-lined locations the line moves fastest if you order online and pick up at the counter.
Big Dog's Draft House in Las Vegas is the city's first microbrewery, founded 1993 and still pouring its own range from the in-house brewhouse on North Rancho Drive.
Tip: The Rancho location runs a 24-hour casino floor; the brewery proper turns out flagship lagers and rotating IPAs you can order with the pub menu.
International Marketplace on South Decatur in Las Vegas is the warehouse-style global grocer carrying products from over 50 countries, with strong Filipino, Korean, Japanese and Middle Eastern aisles.
Tip: $15 membership saves on every shop; the Filipino and Korean aisles are the deepest and the back-wall seafood counter beats the chains.
Great American Foodie Fest in Las Vegas is the three-day West Coast food carnival at Desert Breeze Events Center, 100-plus vendors from birria tacos to Korean hot dogs with 30 rides.
Tip: General admission is $10 with unlimited 3-day reentry; the VIP tasting tickets ($45 to $85) cover the tasting samples, the rides ticket separately.
Las Vegas Greek Food Festival at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is Nevada's largest food festival per National Geographic, with roasted lamb, baklava and loukoumades over 10 acres.
Tip: Get there early Friday for the roast lamb (sells out by Saturday night); guided church tours run hourly, Greek dance starts at 19:00 each night.
In-N-Out on West Sahara in Las Vegas is the close-to-Strip burger drive-thru where a Double-Double, fries and a vanilla shake combo runs $11 to $13 with the secret menu free.
Try: Double-Double, fries, shake combo around $11-13
Tip: Animal Style, Protein Style and the Neapolitan shake are free off the secret menu; weekends after 23:00 the drive-thru is the fastest route.
Capriotti's on West Sahara in Las Vegas is the original Vegas Capriotti's where the Bobbie (slow-roasted turkey, cranberry, stuffing) runs $11 small and feeds two large.
Try: Bobbie sandwich, small around $11, large $18
Tip: The small Bobbie feeds one, the large feeds two; order online for pickup, the counter line peaks 12:00 to 13:00 every weekday.
Hash House a Go Go on West Sahara in Las Vegas is the local brunch institution doing Midwest-twisted farm food with chicken-and-waffles taller than the plate and full-skillet hashes.
Order: Sage fried chicken and waffles, the upright bacon, biscuit included.
Tip: Portions feed two; the sage fried chicken and waffles is the standing order and the upright bacon is the photograph.
In-N-Out on West Sahara in Las Vegas is the nearest Sahara Avenue branch to the Strip, with drive-thru, dine-in and Double-Double service until 01:30 on weekends.
Try: Double-Double Animal Style, vanilla shake
Tip: Drive-thru moves fastest after 23:00; order Animal Style for the mustard-grilled patty and grilled onions.