Shake Shack at New York-New York in Las Vegas is the Strip's outdoor-corner Shack, doing ShackBurgers, crinkle fries and concretes across from MGM Grand from late morning to midnight.
Tip: The Strip walk-up window beats the indoor queue; the SmokeShack with bacon is the upgrade from the standard ShackBurger.
Address: 3790 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tacos El Gordo in Las Vegas is the Tijuana adobada specialist on the north Strip, slicing pork from the trompo into hand-pressed corn tortillas through the small hours.
Try: Adobada and suadero tacos on hand-pressed corn tortillas
Tip: Order at the cashier first, then queue at the meat station with your ticket; adobada and suadero are the two to get on a first visit.
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.
Doña Maria Tamales in downtown Las Vegas is the Martinez family's tamale-counter-turned-restaurant since 1980, holding the Charleston and Las Vegas Boulevard corner with red pork and green chicken steamers.
Try: Red pork, green chicken, and sweet corn tamales
Tip: Tamales sell by the dozen for takeaway and ship overnight; on the menu, ask for them smothered in red chile and topped with an egg for breakfast.
Hot N Juicy Crawfish on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas is the original Chinatown boil counter, serving crawfish, shrimp and Dungeness in the house Hot N Juicy butter blend.
Try: Cajun crawfish boil by the pound, signature garlic butter
Tip: Order by the pound with corn and potatoes; ask for the Hot N Juicy seasoning at medium heat for the balance of garlic, lemon-pepper and Cajun.
Tacotarian in the Las Vegas Arts District is the plant-based taqueria from Kristen Corral, with vegan birria, al pastor and chorizo tacos on house-made tortillas at the Casino Center counter.
Try: Vegan birria, al pastor and chorizo tacos
Tip: Order the birria with consomme for dipping; the elote takis appetiser is the side everyone ends up sharing.
Tacos El Gordo in Las Vegas is the Tijuana adobada specialist on the north Strip, slicing pork from the trompo into hand-pressed corn tortillas through the small hours.
Try: Adobada and suadero tacos on hand-pressed corn tortillas
Tip: Order at the cashier first, then queue at the meat station with your ticket; adobada and suadero are the two to get on a first visit.
