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Betting on Michelin Stars: Best Bargain Breakfasts, Baby!

by: atdleft

Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 16:01:51 PM PST


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(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear it all the time. Supposedly, dining in Las Vegas sucks. Supposedly, there's nothing original about Vegas eats. Supposedly, one can't live and eat sustainably in Vegas. And supposedly, one can't eat well on a budget.

Well, let me put your "supposing" to rest once and for all!

OK, OK, we'll just talk about cheap eats today. (The rest I'll cover later in the series.)

atdleft :: Betting on Michelin Stars: Best Bargain Breakfasts, Baby!
Now I know I had you salivating on Monday over all those delicious breakfasts. I also know you may have been a little concerned about the prices. Personally, I think a good meal is worth its dollars... But I don't always have the desire or the budget to eat like royalty.

Sometimes I just want a good breakfast, and at those times I always hit these favorite spots off The Strip, away from the limelight, and far from the typical "tourist rip-off" spots.

Hash House a Ginormous!

Let's start with an old favorite of mine from California, Hash House a Go Go. This place got its start long ago in San Diego, and more recently opened a location on the west side of Vegas near Summerlin. Even more recently, they opened another restaurant on The Strip at Imperial Palace. I guess their "twisted farm food" is that popular.

And it should be. They serve HUGE portions at not so huge prices. Oh, and the food is higher quality than one would think for a "hash house". The sundried tomato, basil, and goat cheese egg scramble is perfectly tangry, creamy, fresh, and delicious. The french toast with banana cinnamon cream and maple syrup is another of my BIG guilty pleasures.

Hash House a Go Go
6800 W Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89146
www.hashhouseagogo.com
(702) 804-4646

Crack Your Dawn Right at The Cracked Egg

Not too long ago, The Cracked Egg was a great Las Vegas breakfast treasure that only West Siders could enjoy. But today, we have a Cracked Egg here just up Green Valley Parkway near my house and right off the 215 Freeway.

OK, so why is this so important? Try the coffee cake, and you'll figure it out. It's so soft, so buttery, and so amazing that the coffee cake alone will make you want to come back!

But of course, they also serve great food. Try the "Veggie Benny". Loaded with spinach and mushrooms, topped with a hearty hollandaise, and complemented nicely by fresh avocado slices, it's the perfect way to start one's day.

The Cracked Egg
1000 N Green Valley Pky #480
Henderson, NV 89074
www.thecrackedegglv.com
(702) 868-5505

It May Not Be Original to Vegas, But I Still Love This Pancake House

OK, so we have a few great Oregonians to thank [And thank you, Jay :-) ] for Original Pancake House. But without a doubt, their arrival has been a blessing to Southern Nevadans looking for classic comfort food in the morning. They recently reopened at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Casino with a larger dining room. And if one must dine at a locals' casino, then please do so here for breakfast.

Why? The apple pancake alone is reason why. It's HUGE, sweet (but not too sweet), fruity, buttery, and all-around delicious.

Another good reason is the potato pancakes. They're perfectly crisp, but still nice and chewy. They have a great savory taste, but the apple sauce adds a sweetness that compliments the dish.

All around good grub at surprisingly low prices.

Original Pancake House
@ Green Valley Ranch
2300 Paseo Verde Pkwy
Henderson, NV 89052
www.originalpancakehouse.com

If You Have to Visit the Saloon...

OK, so you're drunk and near broke. And hungry, too. What to do?

Sahara Saloon, that's who!

Honestly, the food is nothing to write home about. But if you need cheap eats and don't want to be totally disgusted by some cheap casino buffet or lousy greasy spoon just off The Strip, then do come eat off this greasy spoon.

I've tried the "daily special" of the spinach, mushrooms, and "swiss cheese" omelet with hash browns and sourdough toast. Now yes, the cheese certainly didn't taste anything "Swiss"... But for less than $6, my breakfast overall had decent flavors and was freshly cooked.

Yes, it's a "mini casino". Yes, you'll smell cigarette smoke from not too far away. But yes, if you really gambled, drank, and lordy knows whatever else you did away all your money, then you shouldn't complain about the hot food here.

Sahara Saloon
3345 E Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 457-2020

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Tips for helping to feed you? (4.00 / 2)
Hey, now you know where to go for cheap eats in Vegas! (Hint: More cheap eats for lunch & dinner coming soon...) :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

Benny, but of course! (4.00 / 2)
One of your previous selections had a Benny menu section. I hadn't seen the colloquialism, and wondered where it came from. I'm very slow - Eggs Benedict, of course.

I wonder what will happen when I go to a Baltimore restaurant (since we don't do food carts) and order The Benny.


I guess that's a Portland thing... (4.00 / 2)
since we don't do food carts

Mr. Jay and his food carts. :-p

But anyway, it does seem like "The Benny" is catching on here. And fortunately, "The Veggie Benny" especially seems to be! Original Pancake House also does one, and I also enjoyed theirs.

Btw, the bennys at First and Society are also quite good... But also a little more on the pricey side. (But IMHO very much worth it!) :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.


[ Parent ]
OPH (4.00 / 2)
Waaahaaa. Woe is me. Maryland has two Original Pancake Houses, but both are in the D.C. suburbs.

I think I'm making a pancake before the night is done. With cornmeal, allspice, nutmeg, sweet cherry sauce, perhaps a dash of balsamic sweetness. Scrambled eggs? Probably.


[ Parent ]
I've eaten at Hash House quite a bit (4.00 / 3)
since it's in my old neighborhood. I was taken there as a treat for my 24th birthday so it's kind of got a special place in my heart. That said, it's totally NOT INTO SUSTAINABLE FOOD. The menu advertises that they serve farmed Atlantic salmon. When I asked why they did this, they told me that the chef thought it was more sustainable that way (compared to wild).

I take friends to eat there who love meat and don't really care if it was factory farmed. It's always a big hit with them.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman


Thanks for the warning, Jill. (4.00 / 3)
I'm properly chastened. I really didn't know or suspect that on Hash House. And honestly, this is why I sometimes often save my eating out for places I know are good... That taste good and are good for the planet. Sigh.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
well in that case (4.00 / 3)
use http://www.Eatwellguide.org to pick restaurants.  

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

[ Parent ]
Thanks, Jill! And btw, you may help me... (4.00 / 3)
Make my decision on where to go for Valentine's Day weekend. I noticed Bradley Ogden on the list, so I may just settle on this place. My conscience will feel better for it. :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
Andrew or Jill (4.00 / 3)
Re Hash House:

Do you have a clue to what banana creame is? Is it just pureed bananas in cream? How about griddled mashed potatoes? A glob of mashed potatoes, browned on both sides in a skillet?


probably (4.00 / 3)
on both counts.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

[ Parent ]
Unless I'm mistaken (4.00 / 3)
they ARE good about making food from scratch. It's not crazy processed shit. But they certainly don't go the extra step for local, sustainable, organic, etc.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

[ Parent ]
Yes, and this is why I prefer Society and Simon... (4.00 / 2)
Even though they're a little pricier, both menus utilize as many organic ingredients as possible. And Simon goes even further in utilizing more sustainable local ingredients in an eco-friendly designed restaurant.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
I'll not be in Vegas (4.00 / 2)
or San Diego in the foreseeable future, but I'm always watching for things I can try at home.

[ Parent ]
Never say never. When Vegas calls... (4.00 / 2)
How can one ignore? ;-)

But anyway, hopefully this series can at least inspire you to try some new stuff in Baltimore and DC. Btw, DO go to DC some time. There are some very innovative chefs doing some very interesting things there. :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.


[ Parent ]
I'll have... (4.00 / 1)
...some of that coffee cake, I think.  Can you toss some up my way when the next strong breeze comes along?  Heh.

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

Just send a food cart over here... (4.00 / 1)
And I'll have The Cracked Egg fill one up with coffee cake to go to Oregon. ;-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
Heh, there's a plan... (4.00 / 1)
Gives me an idea!  In case I ever get tired of sitting still, maybe I can just buy a van and become a permanent traveler, selling coffee cakes and whatnot out of the vehicle to make a living.  Heh...

Load up on Voodoo Donuts by the thousands before I leave Portland, load up on coffee cakes by the thousands down there after the donuts are sold, etc...

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!


[ Parent ]
Yes, let's make our own traveling food cart! (4.00 / 1)
We'll make pastries and sell them out of the van. It can be like those trendy LA food trucks, but better. We can use a plug-in hybrid van with a solar powered kitchen to make our pastries. :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
I'm a rambler, (4.00 / 2)
I'm a rover,
I'm a wandering pieman.

The Gypsy Pieboys, filling in for Jay Leno at 10 p.m. Eastern!


[ Parent ]
I guess that can be our new slogan. (4.00 / 2)
Want to handle advertising for us? "The Gipsy Pieboys". I can live with that... Or should I say in it? :-D

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
Why just the advertising? (4.00 / 2)
We'll head to Baltimore, pick up count too!

It'll almost be like that scene in Forrest Gump when he's running through the desert with all those people, except we'll be driving an old VW van through it, selling donuts along the way!

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!


[ Parent ]
OK, we'll go nationwide then! (4.00 / 2)
This will be quite the food truck! I just hope Baltimore is ready for it. :-D

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
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