I am Lars Vargas

Category: Food & Drink

I love ot eat, drink and be Mary. Err, merry. Vegas is more than buffets, and drinking is more than beer. Here are some of my experiences with all of the above.

  • A new adventure in cuisine: food with no flavor

    Grand Café
    Green Valley Ranch Station Casino
    2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
    Henderson, Nevada 89052

    Mrs. Vargas and I are huge fans of the Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. We live nearby, so it’s easy to get to. The gaming is always fun (I’m partial the to Monopoly slot machines) and we have enjoyed many great meals at “The Feast” buffet.

    Last time we went there, the line at “The Feast” was longer than our tolerance for lines, so we decided to try a different venue. The Grand Café is a short walk from The Feast, so we went there. (more…)

  • Until today, I was never scared of hot food

    For those who know me personally, you know I like my spicy food hot and my hot food incendiary. I grew up eating my grandmother’s cooking (may she rest in peace). Grandma was an excellent cook, but wasn’t really into the spices that much. Since I lived in Buffalo, good chicken wings were always easy to get, and you could pick your heat level. As a youth, I was always a bit afraid and stuck to the mediums.

    Mother Vargas remarried when I was 13. My new step father is a great guy and Italian. Most Italians like spicy and my step dad was no exception. He introduced me to a world of hot that I don’t want to leave. (more…)

  • Want Mexican? Seek out La Cabaña!

    La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant
    526 S. Martin L King Blvd.
    Las Vegas, NV 89106
    (702) 366-0039

    Repeat after me: “Taco Bell is not Mexican food.” Fortunately, La Cabaña is not Taco Bell. La Cabaña is in a forgettable strip mall that makes you want to drive by more than stop in. That would be a mistake.
    (more…)

  • Risky business begets free eats: one of the cool things about living in Vegas

    One of the cool things about Las Vegas is the abundance of places to eat. And most of them are really good places to eat. I used to live in Orlando, and a good place to eat there is a national chain where the weird stuff nailed to the walls is usually more compelling than the food. There is no real decent local cuisine in Orlando, although barbecue is close. Vegas cuisine seems to run the entire gamut, from stuff that’s best described as “food” to world class dining.

    When you come to Las Vegas the first thing you should do upon entering any casino is to join their players club. You get all sorts of freebies and coupons just for joining and an opportunity for more if you gamble. The coupons usually relate to free or discounted food in some way, typically buffets, for which Vegas is famous. If you visit regularly, about monthly, the casinos will send you more coupons in the mail. We’ve been here long enough to have received a few mailings. There is always a food coupon. Casinos love to discount and give away food. (more…)

  • Walk on down to Cook on Wok

    Cook On Wok
    390 N. Stephanie St.
    Henderson, NV 89014
    (702) 458-8899

    Cook on Wok is one of those places that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. And missing Cook on Wok would be a shame. When you enter the unassuming storefront restaurant, you notice the décor is something out of a late-90’s restaurant catalog. And what’s with the name? I haven’t figured it out, either. Do not let the décor or name deter you, however. This is a restaurant well worth visiting. (more…)