For this blog, I’m taking a break from talking about everyday methods and nutrition protocols in order to stay lean n’ mean. We’re gonna get to the good stuff, baby! 

It’s no question Sin City is renowned for its popular food scene. The Vegas Strip alone is known to be an indulgent haven for fine dining, bars, buffets – you name it! However, what many visitors are unaware of is the vast amount of foodie options available to us, locals! I’m talkin’ beyond Las Vegas Blvd!

To be honest, I rarely go to the Strip when I wine n’ dine. There are so many great local eateries, I don’t even know where to begin. Whether it’s in Summerlin, Spring Valley, the Eastside, North Vegas, Henderson, etc., we (locals) are friggin’ spoiled!

I might be a personal trainer and all, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to chow down!

Allow me to list just a few of my favorite local eat and drink spots! Listed in no particular order:

Fukuburger

Fuku Burger – 3429 S Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146

For the record, I am intentionally listing, Fukuburger (pronounced foo-koo), as my first recommendation for a very good reason. 

Fukuburger is the reason I moved to Las Vegas. 

Kidding! Kidding! Although, it’s not completely far off.

Ever been to a Japanese inspired burger restaurant? Probably not. If you haven’t gone, you gotta try Fukuburger the next time you’re in town or if you’re a local who’s never been before. 

When you walk inside, there’s an array of anime and Japanese pop culture inspired graffiti, artwork, stickers, etc., plastered all over the place. It’s a dope aesthetic! When you order your food, be prepared to give the cashier a “silly” nickname for when they call out your order. And yes, they will say just about any nickname that doesn’t involve profanity…

In regards to their grub: they do burgers RIGHT! The Buta Burger (apple-wood smoked bacon, American cheese, pickled red onions, Japanese BBQ sauce, and wasabi mayo) was my original go-to. Holy crap. I want to eat one right now just thinking about it! These days however, I’ve become a big fan of their Chicken Katsu Burger with shredded slaw and their infamous “crack” sauce. Divine! No matter what you get, don’t forget the fries!

Fukuburger is open until 1AM. So if you need a late night burger that doesn’t involve the golden arches, their restaurant is the spot to check out!

Babystacks Cafe

Babystacks – 4135 S Buffalo Dr #101, Las Vegas, NV 89147

Are you a pancake kinda guy/gal? I know I am! If you can relate, then Babystacks Cafe is the breakfast joint for you! 

With locations sprinkled throughout Clark County, there’s bound to be a Babystacks nearby. Their delectable selection of pancakes will leave you stifled right up until the waiter asks, “May I take your order?” From White Chocolate Macadamia Nuts pancakes, to my personal favorite, the Cinnabun pancakes, (cinnamon, pecans, and vanilla icing), there’s a flavor for everyone! 

They offer a ton of other breakfast and lunch options, but when I come to Babystacks, I’m there for the flap jacks, baby!

Yaw Farm Coffee Roaster

Yaw Farm Coffee Roaster – 7034 Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89117

You wouldn’t know it, but Vegas has an abundance of coffee cafes. There are mom and pop shops sprinkled everywhere! As an iced coffee fan, I’ve tried many-a java spots since moving here in 2017. There’s only one coffee shop deemed “the best” in my opinion: Yaw Farm.

Yaw Farm is one of the most eclectic looking cafes I’ve ever visited. When you walk inside, I can only describe it as a hipster’s coffee laboratory. The owner of the shop, Ian, is clearly a man on a mission. That is to create the best coffee experience possible. And damn it, does he deliver!

I have never enjoyed an iced latte more than I have from Yaw Farm. (Side note: I still have no clue what the hell a Yaw Farm is, but that matters not, at the moment!) All you need to know is they make a damn good cup of coffee! Whether you like it hot, or like it iced like me!

Shokku Ramen

Shokku Ramen – 3883 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

No matter the time of year, a good bowl of ramen can always hit the spot! As the years go on, we’ve seen more and more pop up in Sin City. Believe me. I’ve tried dozens already! Of all the ramen shops checked off my list thus far, Shokku Ramen is the best!

I must be honest. There is one, single bowl of ramen I’ve eaten at Shokku. Ever since my first visit. No alternative choice is necessary. Because it is that damn good. Which bowl am I talking about? I’m talking about their “Da Oxtail” ramen bowl. 

I am, without question, a fan of almost anything involving oxtail. Shokku’s broth, coupled with the succulent oxtail meat and noodles, left my taste buds in ramen heaven. I think even the #1 hyperactive, knucklehead ninja, Naruto, would agree with my sentiment!

Sorry Not Sorry

Sorry Not Sorry – 9484 W Flamingo Rd, #165, Las Vegas, NV, 89147

There are two goodies I’m a sucker for. Ice cream is one of them.

I’m about to bestow a lot of love upon Sorry Not Sorry. I know foodie spots can be overly hyped from time to time, but I say the following with 100% confidence: Sorry Not Sorry Creamery is the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Until another company proves me wrong, I will continue to praise this place for its delectable and irresistible ice cream selections! Their artisan ice cream is top notch. No question about it.

They offer year round flavors, and rotate seasonal options. Three of my favorites are Whiskey Bananas Foster, Triple Chocolate Chunk, and Bumbleberry Cheesecake. 

As of the date of this blog, I have fallen in love with their summertime, Salted Pistachio Brittle, and Passion Fruit Raspberry Cake vegan option isn’t far behind! You really can’t go wrong between their cream and vegan based flavors. I’m obsessed with this damn place!

Dream Kebab Persian Cuisine

Dream Kebab Persian Cuisine – 230 S Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89145

Who doesn’t love fresh Persian food? If you said “not me,” then you haven’t had the good stuff yet! 

Dream Kebab is very much a hole in the wall, family owned restaurant. I love small restaurants like these. The type where when you walk inside. Immediately hearing family members chatting in the kitchen. All while cooking up dishes for the customers. Ensuring the flavors are just right. 

My favorite dish is the Beef and Chicken Koobideh combo plate. Every time I order this plate, the poultry and meat are so juicy and tender. I usually pair it with their Greek Salad. It comes with a refreshing, homemade citrus dressing. Extremely filling, and healthy!

House of Dutch Pot

House of Dutch Pot – 4255 S Durango Dr, Las Vegas, NV, 89147

Have you ever had Caribbean food? More specifically, Jamaican cuisine? 

If you haven’t, you gotta give House of Dutch Pot a try! Everything from Ox Tail wraps, to the classic jerk chicken dishes, it’s an island bbq paradise right here in Sin City! If you ever go, be sure to get their Apple Jerk sauce slathered on whichever meat or poultry item you choose! Heck. That sauce goes great with their vegetarian options too!

Asia BBQ & Noodle

Asia BBQ & Noodle – 3400 S Jones Blvd, #5c, Las Vegas, NV, 89146

Located across the street from Fuku Burger, lies a little restaurant called, Asia BBQ & Noodle.

Here’s the deal. If you want real, authentic Chinese dishes, this is the local spot to check out! I have both Asian American and clients originally from Asia, who swear by this place. This is yet another eatery where I go for one option, and one option alone. I really enjoy their triple bbq plate, consisting of roast duck, sweet pork, and fried pork belly.

I’m not saying you should eat that meal every day. What I am saying is if I could get away with it, I would eat it every day! 

Legends Oyster Bar & Grill

Legends Oyster Bar & Grill – 3220 S Durango Dr, Las Vegas, NV, 89117

If you want to go to a restaurant where you’ll enjoy just about every item on the menu, go to Legends! This is of course with the assumption you’re a true foodie at heart!

Legends is owned by a chef who originated from Thailand. He began cooking at a very young age and dreamt of making his way to the States. All with the the hope of one day opening his own restaurant. After working in renowned kitchens on the Strip for several years, he eventually opened Legends. Boy. Did he knock it out of the park!

Some of my favorites include the Lobster Bisque in their homemade bread bowl, the Alfredo with shrimp, the wonderful oyster selection, and the Legends Gumbo. I actually refer to this place as, ‘ol reliable. It doesn’t disappoint. I recommended this restaurant to everyone I know in Vegas. It has not let me, or anyone else down yet!

Urban Matcha

Urban Matcha – 3400 S Jones Blvd, #3, Las Vegas, NV, 89146

Formerly known as Matcha Cafe Maiko, this shop is a local favorite for all matcha and hojicha lovers. I don’t consider myself a fan of matcha flavor by itself. However, when it’s infused with other sweet components, sign me up!

At Urban Matcha, you can have everything from hot or iced tea, frappes, and soft serve ice cream. This is yet another local spot where I only want one thing: the matcha and vanilla swirl soft serve in their homemade cone. 

How can something seemingly so simple be so dang delicious? The bold flavor of matcha combined with the sweetness of vanilla is simply divine. The first summer Urban Matcha opened shop, I must’ve grabbed a cone at least once a week!

Jessie Rae’s BBQ

Jessie Raes’s BBQ – 308 N Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV, 89015

Here’s the deal, people. I love BBQ. It is one of my favorite meals in the entire world. While growing up in the San Francisco Bay area, there was never a “go-to” BBQ spot in town. When I moved to Los Angeles in my early 20’s, I searched for great BBQ far and wide. I wasn’t particularly fond of anything in the City of Angels either. 

Finally…I found Jessie Rae’s.

After moving to Las Vegas, I circled Jessie Rae’s as one of my top Yelp places to try. Locals spoke highly of it. Reviews and photos were promising. The first meal I ever bought was the combo plate featuring tri-tip, brisket, and baby back ribs; with a side of their crispy waffle cut fries. Ho-ly CRAP. It was FANTASTIC!! The portions were very generous. Their award winning “God BBQ Sauce” goes well on just about anything! In fact, I periodically buy a big-o bottle of their “God” sauce every few months for home! 

Unfortunately, as of the date of this blog, Jessie Rae’s original location at 5611 S Valley View Blvd, was burned down in an electrical fire earlier this summer. Thankfully, it occurred late in the evening and no one was there at the time. It remains to be seen if the owners will open another location. For now, I’ll have to settle with a visit to Henderson every so often. Worth it!

Suha Bites

Suha Bites – 1780 N Buffalo Dr, #106, Las Vegas, NV, 89128

Suha Bites will always hold a special place in my soul. It was one of the first mom and pop restaurants I checked out after moving here. If you’re a fan of sushi burritos and Hawaiian BBQ, look no further!

I’ve tried several sushi burrito places around town. No one’s topped Suha Bites yet. At least in my book! My favorites are the Kaotic (spicy) sushi burrito, and their fried garlic shrimp. This is one of those meals I could easily eat once a day. I friggin’ love poke!

I hope my list of delicious eats helps your next craving. Want to work out AND get delicious food recommendations? Then I’m the personal trainer for you.