Best of the East in Las Vegas

Since arriving in Las Vegas, I have maintained that this two mile strip of entertainment is nothing but an impersonation of every other great city. Walking down The Strip you can travel to Paris, New York, Egypt (Luxor Hotel & Casino) and back. All of their clubs and restaurants in this sandbox are a replica of something great from another city, especially cities in the Northeast. I always tell my co-workers that Las Vegas copied a lot of things from the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia regions. We have the best burgers! We have the best cheese steaks! Pizza! Everything! I do like my new home in Las Vegas but some things back home just can’t be redone, like food. Maybe it’s the Jersey in me. Or maybe I’m just right. 

After spending three hours photographing a milkshake at BLT Burger, located in The Mirage, for a publication, Desert Companion, I decided to try the food and see what all the hype was about. Wow! I was blown away. These burgers could beat any Five Guys Burgers, every other burger place on The Strip and probably compete with the best places in the Northeast.

Desert Companion - July 2011
BLT's Grandma's Treat
Photo Credit: Sabin Or

My favorite is the Veggie Falafel Burger with a side of Fried Pickles and their signature spiked milkshake, Grandma’s Treat. The best part was that the meal was inexpensive. If you’re going to buy to burger on The Strip, you must go to BLT Burger. Finally! I found a place that reminds me of the great dining back home.

The restaurant décor may reflect the natural Nevada landscape and glamour of Las Vegas but the food is a perfect tribute to the best places found back home. Why is that? Like many of the chefs and restaurants in Las Vegas, they all started back East. The executive chef/partner of BLT Burger, responsible for the BLT brand, opened his first restaurants in New York and brought his talents to the west. Guess I was right.