Okay, so the economy’s improving, but it’ll be a long time before we’re all eating gold-dusted moneyburgers like we were before the bust. In the meantime, our fifth annual DEALicious Meals is here to tide you over. From spare-change street food to fine dining deals on the Strip, our annual guide to the city’s tastiest food finds will keep you full for months to come. Happy eating.
Complimentary fries at StripSteak
A wise person once said the best things in life are free. In consideration of StripSteak’s complimentary duckfat fry trio, that couldn’t be truer. While this is somewhat heartier than your typical amuse-bouche, your mouth will nonetheless be very happy with the combination of fries and dipping sauces. Being a Maryland grad, I’m particularly fond of the Old Bay fries in the truffle aioli. While it's not the pairing from the kitchen, my combo will not be denied! JB
Mandalay Bay, michaelmina.net
75-cent double chocolate donut at Al’s Donuts
Yes, Al’s Donuts is next door to a dive bar and behind a 7-Eleven, but this ain’t foie gras. Don’t let a little snobbishness come between you and rich, chocolatey bliss. Dunkin’s might be cheaper, but Al’s are still only $.75 apiece and always taste like they were just made. Plus, the dudes behind the counter are at least as sweet as the orbs of vice they’re pushing. You can’t get that extra fix at Dunkin’s. MO
1220 E. Harmon Ave., 735-3039
Visit Glazier’s supermarket on any given morning and your nose will inevitably lead you to the shop’s in-house bakery department. There, under a rainbow neon sign that reads “Jelly’s Donuts,” cloudlike puffs of pillowy dough come filled, frosted or in the form of Frisbee-sized fruit fritters. If the choices are overwhelming, stick to the classic glazed donut. A single bite could bring even the most fanatical Krispy Kreme devotee to her knees. DL
8525 W. Warm Springs Road, glaziersfoodmarketplace.com
$1 chocolate chip cookie at Sunrise Coffee
The fact that after 5 p.m. everything in Sunrise Coffee’s pastry case is only $1 sweetens an already magical experience. You doubt that an end-of-day pastry can be compared to astounding, wand-waving enchantments? Clearly you’ve never tried their chocolate chip cookie. Lightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside and lip-smacking delicious all the way through, their cookie will have you questioning your previous junk-food choices and saving your empty calories for happy hour. MO
3130 E. Sunset Road, sunrisecoffeelv.com
$1-$5 Thai food festival at Chaiya Monastery
Hidden away in a residential area near Rainbow and Windmill, Chaiya Monastery hosts an off-the-radar monthly Thai food festival right in their parking lot. Food selections run the gamut from Thai standards such as satay and pad Thai to more unusual, including roti (crepes slathered in condensed milk) and an irresistible tod mun goong (fried shrimp cakes). Imagine a Bangkok street food market, just with a lot more Hangover 1 and a lot less Hangover 2. JB
7925 Virtue Court, chaiyacmm.org
I once ate pig tongue at a hipster luau in Brooklyn — and it was the worst thing I ever put my teeth into. Cow tongue is different, though. And cow face is good too. Yes, this is a tongue and cheek recommendation. But, you know, literally. These meats, deep in the recesses of the taqueria menu, tend to turn Americans off, but they happen to be the tenderest, tangiest beefs, and Tacos Mexico serves them round-the-clock for only $1.69 each. DH
Multiple locations, tacosmexico.com
$2.50 carnitas at Yayo Taco
Yayo Taco is back from its hiatus, which means juicy tomatillo Serrano verde, cilantro, and onions smothering the tastiest pork pieces ever to be roasted. The corn tortillas these tiny piles of paradise come on might seem like throwaways, but after they absorb the inner essence, they become clutch. It’s true that as a street-food staple, carnitas sometimes seem omnipresent. Why go elsewhere though, when this egalitarian delicacy has been perfected for $2.25? MO
4632 S. Maryland Parkway, yayotaco.com
$2.50 tripa tacos at Taqueria el Palenque
Tripe isn’t exactly a staple of Tacos for Gringos 101, but Taqueria el Palenque is shelling out probably the valley’s most approachable version. Perfectly fried, the meaty morsels aren’t nearly as mineral-y as found elsewhere — surprising given the very authentic surroundings — while the frying endows each bite with a bit more texture, balancing its typical chewiness. Order it on a housemade tortilla — completely worth the upcharge — and experience one of the best tacos in town. JB
2722 E. Lake Mead Blvd., 504-3216
$2.99 falafel at Kabob Korner
Aside from the dated décor, the only thing cringe-worthy about Kabob Korner is the name. For $2.99, you can get five beautifully crisp golden balls of falafel that, when tucked into a soft pita with veggies and sesame sauce, may make you weep with joy. This little spot on Fremont might become another cut-crystal “place to be” unless people start doing the logical thing and dropping in. Let’s face it: You can’t eat a chandelier. MO
507 Fremont St., 384-7722
Longtime Las Vegans might fall in love with the southwesterly Sweet Addiction for its use of throwback Thrifty ice cream, but its the combination of your favorite smooth and creamy delight with fresh-from-the-oven cookies — and the whimsy of creating your own flavor partners — that makes this neighborhood shop a must-try. You knew when you were a kid that money can’t buy you love, but three dollars will bring you joy. BR
5165 S. Fort Apache Blvd. #160, sweetaddictionlv.com
$3 Asian fusion tacos at Dragon Grille
Fusion tacos remain as popular as when Kogi took the food truck movement by storm. The latest renditions are available from a new valley entrant — Dragon Grille. Assemble your own tacos by choosing from meats and sauces layered atop rice in a corn tortilla. Kalua pig and beef brisket are among the protein options, while toppings include a sweet Korean Galbicue and spicy Asian sweet chili. Without a constant location to pin them to, you’ll have to work to track them down. It’s worth it. JB
$3 fried stuff at Yonaka
The latest new/exciting Japanese eatery in town, Yonaka specializes in brilliantly colorful, brightly flavored and creatively configured raw fish dishes, way beyond sushi. But the appetizing list of fried dishes, ranging from three to seven dollars, brings even more bang for your buck. Crispy Brussels sprouts with lemon and chili will recalibrate your taste for this wayward veggie, and juicy nuggets of fried chicken with jalapeño, mint and basil are so good, you better start with two orders. BR
4893 W. Flamingo Road #A, yonakajapaneserestaurant.com
Secret pizza? The real secret is that the savory, saucy, spicy pepperoni slicce at downtown's Pop Up beats the Cosmo's Brooklyn -style hands down. Vegan pie's great, but there's no better measure than the classic. The toasted outer layer of golden mozzarella gives way to a asweet and salty tomato gravy, only surpassed by the crisp meaty goodness flown here from Chicago on the regular. Italian nirvana for $3.50. This pizza joint better change its name to Permanent Pizza soon. MO
Inside the Union Plaza, popuppizzalv.com
$3.50 chicken karaage at Fukumimi
It’s easy to miss Fukumimi, a small storefront on the face of an aging battlestar-class strip mall that commands a corner of Trop and Eastern. (Fukumimi’s the blip on the north flank of Baskin & Robbins). Just a bit peckish? The $3.50 deep-fried karaage appetizer will tide you over with its four tender
fried-chicken chunks and crisp green salad. Bigger appetites should dive into
the noodle menu, which features generous bowls of ramen tonkatsu ($7.50) with various twists and tweaks. The signature fukumimi bowl ($9.50) — loaded with extra pork slices — will unleash its own battlestar on your hunger. AK
4860 S. Eastern Ave. #2, 631-2933
$3.76 tacos and wine at Stake Out
Ah, the classic American taco night, with a hard shell barely containing ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce (iceberg, of course), cheese, taco sauce and, if you’re lucky, sour cream. It might not be auténtica, but taco night isn’t about auténtica. It’s about comfort. The same can be said for Stake Out, a homey spot where on Tuesdays you can still get two tacos and a glass of wine for $3.76. A better deal? Not outside your childhood home. MO
4800 S. Maryland Parkway, 798-8383
$4 calamari tacos at Curbside Café
Years ago, Curbside Café owner Doug Porter had a west-side brick-and-mortar seafood joint. Since transitioning to mobile dining, he hasn’t forsaken his roots, offering a duo of memorable seafood tacos — blackened mahi mahi and fried calamari. While mahi mahi is somewhat common, calamari tacos are a rarity and a nod to Porter’s past. Lightly breaded and mixed with pico de gallo and salsa blanca, these tacos boast a noticeable heat without overwhelming the subtle squid. JB
$4 ceviche and $5 coconuts at Cocos Frios
With summer’s oppressive heat upon us, we’re all on the lookout for refreshing meals. For coconuts and ceviche, look no further than the trailer in the tire store parking lot on Nellis south of Owens. Seriously. The ceviche ($4 and up) is not overly acidic and well-balanced, while coconuts ($5) and their accompanying water are a perfect summertime snack. Pay no attention to the passing traffic and you may find yourself transported to a tranquil beachfront resort. JB
1395 N. Nellis Blvd.
Within a half-mile of one another on east Tropicana are two of the town’s best bargain burgers — at Badger Café and Dispensary Lounge. Both have an outstanding dive ambiance — Dispensary has a waterwheel and lawn furniture, while Badger is replete with Wisconsin paraphernalia — and each serves a damn fine burger with the proper char on their handmade patties. Make an afternoon of it, walk off some calories and you can decide on your favorite. JB
1801 E. Tropicana Ave., badgercafe.com
2451 E. Tropicana Ave., thedispensarylounge.com
$4.95 chicken gumbo at Weeziana
The stand-alone food court that hosts Weeziana, along with other nichey micro-eateries, is like a cheap foodie United Nations. Here, peddlers of curry, kimchi, hot wings, tacos and po’ boys come together to solve Las Vegas’ lunch problems. For operating out of a glorified cubicle, Weeziana manages a broad menu of sandwiches, fish baskets, gumbos and desserts (including from-scratch corn bread), but my favorite quick lunch is their spicy, chunky
and satisfying $4.95 chicken gumbo. Bump it up two bucks for their seafood rendition, which features fat shrimp
and crab legs. AK
6475 W. Charleston Blvd., 822-4626
$4.99 curry plate at Kaba Curry
It’s a simple build-your-own situation at Kaba and it begins with lumps of white rice and ultra-savory, slightly sweet Japanese curry gravy for $4.99. Add your favorite tasties for a dollar or two more, stuff like hamburger steak, fried chicken cutlet, potato croquette or Filipino egg rolls. Sprinkle on a 50-cent topping or two (kimchi, corn, cheese?) and commence shoveling into your face. Try not to grin too much while you’re eating. BR
6475 W. Charleston Blvd. #160, kabacurry.com
$5 appetizers at Zenshin
Wade through the classic locals’ casino gauntlet of jort-clad chain-smokers, and you’ll be rewarded with Zenshin, an understated sushi restaurant hidden in the southwest crevice of the South Point. Its daily 2-6 p.m. happy hour slashes appetizer prices in half. Skip the standard sushi and instead cast your line for well-executed apps such as $5 hoisin pork belly buns, Asian corn dogs, garlic edamame and a delicate and flavorful salmon poke. Quench the wasabi burn from a $5 cocktail menu rife with stripper names and innuendo: Strawberry Bangkok, Blushin’ Jasmine, Monkey Jacket. AK
Inside the South Point hotel-casino, southpointcasino.com
$5 meatless eats at Veggie House
You can totally pretend this is just a solid, good value Chinese restaurant. Order appetizers for $5, devour a $6.50 lunch special with broccoli shrimp or fish with hot bean sauce, or share a few entrees that rarely reach the $10 tipping point (we recommend spicy crispy beef or pineapple duck). It’s not that important that no meat product is served at Veggie House, because you won’t be able to tell the difference in the delicious dishes coming out of this creative kitchen. BR
5115 Spring Mountain Road, veggiehousevegas.com
This school lunch mainstay gets a French makeover at Republic Kitchen, where the childhood and, uh, aging-bachelor staple is cut into mini-sandwiches, deep fried like French beignets, sprinkled with powdered sugar, topped with whipped cream and served with chocolate and strawberry dipping sauces. Un-nostalgic, this $6 remake is decadent: nutty and sweet, crunchy and soft. It also inspires frequent requests from friends to trade. DH
9470 S. Eastern Ave., republickitchenandbar.com
$7 bar bites at View Wine Bar & Kitchen
Let’s get the happy hour tractor beam out of the way first: The charming View Wine Bar offers $2 “draft” red or white wines and $3 Stella Artois during the early evening hours. But stay for lots of well-priced and tasty dishes, including a killer “farmers market” salad with fried goat cheese nuggets for $7, roasted chicken with pesto for $12, and one of the most buzzed-about new burgers in town for $13. BR
Tivoli Village, 420 S. Rampart Blvd., viewwinebar.com
Everything here is so good, it's infuriating. Why? It's only open Monday through Friday, even though it'd be the perfect quiet weekend morning munch. The fragrance of strong coffee and fresh croissant lures you in, then difficult decisions abound: Prosciutto on panini or baguette? Or curry chicken or caramelized eggplant? Bleu or brie or both? Never has sandwich selection been so deliciously frustrating. If it didn't smell so damn good in here maybe we could concentrate. BR
8359 Sunset Road, 269-4781