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Streetwise: South Central

Global cuisine and scented (!) bowling balls

Sprinkled among the detail shops and flooring outlets of South Decatur is a buffet of surprising cultural treasures — from a natural park to a Mexican restaurant, a bowling supply to an international supermarket

1. CHARLIE FRIAS PARK

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With its drought-tolerant design, remnants of the corner’s natural topography and hangout perks such as a dog park, this 32-acre spot feels like a collaboration between Mother Nature, Save Our Streams and the local kids who rode their bikes here in the ’70s. 4801 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-455-8200, clarkcounty.gov

2. NUTRITION RUSH

Like most of Nutrition Rush’s 16 locations throughout the valley, this one is strategically located adjacent to a gym (24 Hour Fitness, in this case). Post-workout, hit up a bodybuilding clerk for advice on which smoothie or supplement works best for your bod. 4985 W. Tropicana Ave. #103, 702-220-7874, nutrition-rush.com

3. HAYNES BOWLING SUPPLY

David Haynes opened this store a decade ago to round out his career as a professional bowler for ball manufacturer Storm. Besides custom-drilling holes in balls (some of which are scented like candy — no joke), the shop sells everything else for the serious bowler. 5255 S. Decatur Blvd. #102, 702-982-2255, haynesbowlingsupply.com

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4. RHYTHM KITCHEN

Mmmm … gumbo. I could stop there, but I’ll continue: catfish fillets, jambalaya, New Orleans fried oysters, crawfish étoufféé. All that and a sleeping porch, too! That’ll come in handy after you and your honey polish off a bottle of Jolivet on half-off Monday Wine Night. 6435 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-767-8438, rhythmkitchenlv.com

5. PHAT PHRANKS

Frank Miranda is from SoCal. His wife, Southern New Mexico. Combine the two influences and you get hearty fare with a saucy twist. Make sure to order the Hatch chili red sauce, a smoky splash of enchantment that betters anything on the menu, including dessert. 4850 W. Sunset Road #120, 702-247-6528, phatphranks.com

6. HALLOWEENMART

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Owner Ann Siegl says it’s easy to keep a costume shop hopping year-round in Vegas. She consolidated the former chain into one location and caters to exotic entertainers, tourists and others in need of fishnet stockings and Venetian masks — not to mention the Halloweeners. 6230 S. Decatur Blvd. #101, 702-740-4224, halloweenmart.com

7. PUTTER’S BAR & GRILL

This comfy happy hour joint — one of nine in the valley — is more than just chilled martinis and house cocktails named after sports plays. It’s got a full, Italian-influenced
menu with bar fare even this plant-eater can love (hello, veggie Stromboli!).  5750 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-222-9375, puttersvegas.com

8. INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE

Strolling through International Marketplace, you tour the world through each region’s gastro-exports — Italian pasta, Japanese tea, Turkish delight. The mega-store’s preponderance of Asian foods and sweets speaks volumes about our own tastes, as does the absence of a French aisle! 5000 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-889-2888 

Desert Companion welcomed Heidi Kyser as staff writer in January 2014. In 2018, she was promoted to senior writer and producer, working for both DC and KNPR's State of Nevada. She produced KNPR’s first podcast, the Edward R. Murrow Regional Award-winning Native Nevada, in 2020. The following year, she returned her focus full-time to Desert Companion, becoming Deputy Editor, which meant she was next in line to take over when longtime editor Andrew Kiraly left in July 2022. In 2024, Interim CEO Favian Perez promoted Heidi to managing editor, charged with integrating the Desert Companion and State of Nevada newsroom operations.