Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips

Gordon Ramsay. Probably one of the most popular and renowned chefs in the world! You might have seen him in one of his many shows, or my personal favorite, Kitchen Nightmares. When my brother and I heard that there was a Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada we knew we had to try it.

Located on the Las Vegas strip at the LINQ Promenade, Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips stands out among the other eateries. Iconic red phone booths line the entrance standing tall below a British flag. You really feel like you’ve been transported straight into the heart of London.

When we first entered the building, the first thing I noticed were the bright red and blue walls referencing the British Flag. It was more like a quick counter service than a restaurant. There was no seating inside, however there was a table bar where guests can stand and eat.

The menu was simple and to the point. Fish, shrimp, sausage, and lobster make up the menu all served with a side of chips (or as us American’s call, french fries). There was also a selection of sauces that you can pair with your meal (you get two complimentary sauces with each meal).

I went for the classic Fish and Chips. Of course I had to try the eateries most iconic dish! After ordering at the counter, we waited about 5 minutes for our names to be called. The meals were delivered to us in open boxes inside white plastic bags. My dad ordered the Sticky Toffee Shake which was absolutely delicious! Sweet, delectable, and tasted like a toffee, candy, caramel dream!

Now, for the main attraction, the fish and chips! The presentation of the dish was simple yet perfect. There were two slots for the sauces of your choosing, and a main slot for the entree. When I took a bite of the fish I was in shock. I had never seen a more perfect fish in my life. I shouldn’t have been surprised since it is a Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, but seeing a flawless fish was like biting into fish heaven. You could see every layer of the fish, and it was soft and flaky. The word I would use for the fish was WOW. I literally kept telling my father and brothers, “WOW!” You can definitely say I was impressed. The two sauces I chose were the Sriracha Aioli and Gordon’s Tarter Sauce. My favorite of the two was the Sriracha Aioli. The fish was good enough by itself though.

I really enjoyed my experience at Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips and I would definitely come back. Next time I would love to try the other entree dishes to see if they’re just as flawless as the fish and chips. If you’re traveling to Las Vegas then I would highly recommend stopping by the LINQ Promenade and trying it for yourself. The link to this eating establishment is down below. Now, go get your grub on!

https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/gordon-ramsay-fish-chips/

Dickey’s BBQ Pit

Are you craving authentic hickory-smoked Texas style barbecue? Do you want a super cool picture perfect souvenir? Then maybe what you’re looking for is Dickey’s Barbeque Pit. This popular barbecue joint was founded in 1941 in Dallas, Texas by World War II veteran Travis Dickey (hence the name). After the success of his first restaurant, his sons Roland and T.D. Dickey took over and business boomed. Now you can find over 500 restaurants covering 44 of the United States.

My family was craving some good barbecue and headed to Dickey’s in my hometown of Orange County, California. Due to the current pandemic, indoor dining is prohibited however, outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery is available.

Our order was placed in advance (you can call or mobile order and choose a specific time and date for your order), and headed to Dickey’s. I loved the big yellow tent right outside because it stood out among the other businesses around it.

Upon entering I was impressed with how clean the inside of the restaurant was. Not only that, but there were tables inside for the pickup orders with letters telling customers where to stand according to the first initial of their name. I had never seen this form of organization in any place that I have picked up food from. From your designated pickup table, you tell the cashier your name and order. Our order was already ready and we headed home with our food. The process was fast and efficient.

So excited to chow down on some good BBQ!

Once I got home I immediately opened up the boxes and my family and I began to eat. The smell of the BBQ alone was mouthwatering. We had the “Picnic Pack” which comes with one pound of meat (we got the brisket), two medium sides (we ordered the baked potato casserole for both), four rolls, and your choice of barbecue sauce (we chose the sweet sauce).

The brisket was very tasty and easy to pull apart. The majority of my family members (as well as I), ate the brisket as it is with the sweet sauce, however, my sister placed brisket in between one of the rolls to make a mini brisket sandwich! My dad and brother were HUGE fans of the baked potato casserole and devoured both cups! The sweet sauce was sweet, but not overly sweet which made it the perfect barbecue sauce.

We really enjoyed our food and we were very pleased at how clean and organized the restaurant was when we picked up our food. I highly recommend the Picnic Pack for 2-4 people and I definitely recommend the brisket and sweet sauce. I’ve included the link down below for the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit website to find a location near you. Enjoy your tasty BBQ and I’ll see you next time!

https://www.dickeys.com/

El Segundo Sol (Tacos & Margaritas) -Las Vegas

The origin of this review begins when my family was on vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were looking for a restaurant that served good quality Mexican food. Not only were we looking for something different, we were on search for cheese enchiladas. Why you may ask? My sister Madison has a rare metabolic disorder that doesn’t allow her to have meat, so we wanted to find her some GOOD alternative food. Although the rest of my family are meat eaters, my sister doesn’t have the luxury of having a wide assortment of foods like the rest of us. We researched for quite some time and were having a difficult time because every Mexican style restaurant we called did not offer cheese enchiladas. When I called El Segundo Sol, the manager answered and told me that they could make the cheese enchiladas! From there we made a reservation through Open Table (the reservation system they use), and set forth to lunch.

El Segundo Sol is located on the corner of the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn Hotel and Casino. When we arrived we were informed that there had been a technical error on their reservation site and that all reservations had been filled. The manager came over to us and told us not to worry and that since we had made a reservation that he would find some way to get us inside. Within a matter of minutes the manager came back outside and told us that he had made a special table for us and to follow him inside. He led us to a room that he had set up for of our family. We found out that the room was not normally used except for very busy times or special occasions, but he wanted to make sure we were taken care of. It was the nicest act of kindness any manager had ever done for us. We immediately ordered the bottomless chips and salsa which were brought out almost instantaneously.

THESE CHIPS WERE FRESH! One bite into a chip and you could taste how fresh and real they tasted. No one in my family had ever tasted a chip that was that good. Although I am not a fan of guacamole, my father and 25 year old sister are, so they ordered a side of guacamole. Both of them stated that it was the BEST guacamole they had EVER tasted. They said it was both fresh and delicious. We were already impressed with our appetizers. Our waiter took our orders and brought out our drinks. I ordered their “Sol Margarita” which consisted of El Jimador Reposado, Bauchant Orange Liqueur, and Lime Juice. VERY GOOD. If you’re looking for a delicious margarita on the Las Vegas strip, then El Segundo Sol should be your go-to place.

Our food came out of the kitchen in a pretty good time span and the dishes were visually stunning. My sister really enjoyed her cheese enchiladas. Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of her food but I was able to snag a photo of my youngest brother Kellan and his “Achiote Mahi Mahi Fajitas” which he said were “delicious!” This was a very healthy and delicious option for this aspiring dancer. (Sorry for the lighting, the floor to ceiling window was directly behind him).

As for me, I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos which came with: grilled marinated steaks; served with cilantro rice, black beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream. I opted out for the beans and instead had a double serving of rice. The carne asada meat was juicy and flavorful while the rice was bursting with cilantro goodness (the rice was my sister’s favorite pick of the day).

My final thoughts on this restaurant are WOW. Not only was the food amazing, they catered to my sister’s dietary needs, and both the server and manager made our dining experience special. Who knew that this gem of a restaurant would turn out to be one of our favorite spots on the Las Vegas strip? If you’re curious to learn more about El Segundo Sol or take a glance at their menu, you can click on the link below. Until the next delicious review, Adios!

https://www.elsegundosol.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ESS-GBiz

Famous Dave’s BBQ!

Famous Dave's - Select a Location | P.I.G. Club — The Famous Dave’s Logo

Are you looking for a delicious Barbecue pit that is both mouthwatering good and unforgettable? Then Famous Dave’s is the eatery to visit! I’ve been to my share of BBQ pits in my lifetime but none have stood out to me the way Famous Dave’s has. With 9 different sauce options to choose from, there’s a flavor out there for every taste bud. The most popular Dave’s sauce is their iconic “Rich and Sassy” which provides the perfect blend of tang and spice to create a sauce you will absolutely love. Although we could not dine-in due to current statewide provisions, their takeout didn’t disappoint. We called ahead of time to place our order and time of pick-up. The girl on the phone was really helpful and led us through the process.

Once it was time for us to pick up our food we headed to Dave’s in anticipation for our delicious meal. Upon walking up to the restaurant we noticed a host stand outside of the door along with the hostess. She took down our name and told us to wait 6 feet away from the other customers that were also waiting for orders. It took about only 2 minutes for our name to be called. Once our name was called she allowed us to head into the restaurant to pick up our food. The chef who prepared our feast brought out our order and read off all of the items. We realized that we were short 4 corn bread muffins and informed the hostess. She immediately contacted her manager who instantly came to our aide. The manager was beyond helpful and kind. He apologized for the mistake and came back out with our corn bread muffins. Great customer service!

Once we came home with our feast, the real fun began! There was so much food! There were 7 of us eating so we ordered a little extra so that everyone would be stuffed (and leftovers are always a plus)! We ordered two orders of the, “All American Feasts” along with an extra full slap of ribs.

Two of the, “All American Feasts” and an extra slap of ribs.

The ribs. WOW. The ribs are AMAZING! As I stated earlier, I’ve had my fair share of ribs and nothing has compared to these ribs. The meat was easy to bite off, followed by an explosion of flavor, and it left you wanting more and more. The Famous Dave’s BBQ chips are another must-have staple. These chips are freshly baked to perfection. The corn bread muffins were also another hit. You can tell just by taking one bite into them that they’re made with care and baking precision. Lets just say, we were highly satisfied with our meal. All in all, my rating of Famous Dave’s would be a solid 9 out of 10. The one thing holding them back from getting a 10 is that I wish they still had their baked potato. We were huge fans of their baked potatoes and it offered an extra option for a side dish especially for my sister who is a vegetarian.

Famous Dave’s definitely didn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to eat there again. If you would like to find a location near you, you can click on the link down below. 🙂

https://www.famousdaves.com/

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The Wynn Buffet!

Can buffets really work after the Pandemic?

Standing in front of the Wynn Buffet in Las Vegas, NV.

On June 27th, 2020, my family and I headed to the only open buffet in Las Vegas, Nevada. For years, buffets have become an iconic part of the Las Vegas experience. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that began a few months ago, many restaurants were forced to close down including buffets. Although promised to reopen eventually, the future of buffets left people wondering if buffets could truly survive. So we wanted to find out!

Before heading to the buffet we did our research and discovered that you needed a reservation in order to eat at the buffet and that’s exactly what we did! We arrived to our reservation about 15 minutes early because we read online that even with a reservation, guests often stood around waiting for a table to open. We checked in and waited for about 20 minutes before we were seated.

On the table there were QR codes meant to be scanned from your cell phone that brings up an online menu. If you don’t want to use your phone or would rather hold a physical menu, those were offered as well if you ask. The menu listed every menu item that is available to eat during your dining experience. Although you can no longer stand up and pick up your food on your own, you can still order as many menu items that you want within a two-hour span. We had an excellent waiter who took our various rounds of orders (he recommended ordering 3-4 dishes at a time). Our server even asked us if there were any special dietary restrictions so that they could make sure that everyone had a special experience. This meant a lot especially since my youngest sister has a metabolic disorder that does include dietary restrictions. After he took the first order we expected to be waiting for some time to receive our dishes however that was NOT the case! Within a matter of minutes, food runners brought out all 21 of our dishes (there were 7 of us who each ordered 3 dishes to begin with) had arrived.

Alaskan Opilio Crab Legs – Drawn Butter, Lemon

The first couple of dishes that I had ordered were absolutely delicious! The chilled crab legs with butter were fresh and bursting with flavor. The beef rib was a lot larger than I expected (not complaining at all) and was covered in tangy and mouthwatering barbecue sauce. I had also ordered chicken pot stickers which were yummy as well. Our server, along with the various food runners, constantly checked in on us and cleared our empty dishes. We were able to order as many times that we wanted (like how you can normally get up and get as much food as you like), and everyone was really helpful.

I loved the variety of foods that the Wynn offered. We came during the gourmet brunch so we got the best of both worlds. There were amazing breakfast dishes such as the s’mores pancakes and equally amazing lunch/dinner items.

After we were pretty stuffed from our various dishes of delicious food, we made sure to save room for dessert. There were A LOT of desserts to choose from and we all ordered at least two rounds of desserts (4-6 desserts per person). Not only were the desserts pleasing to the eye, they were absolutely delectable! My favorite dessert of the night was the strawberry shortcake. The photo of this dessert was featured on the menu and upon seeing it, I knew I needed to try it. I would go back to this buffet just to order this dessert again.

Chocolate Lava Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, and Oreo Chocolate Tart

So, the can buffets work after the pandemic? YES! This new and innovated way of providing a buffet experience in a safe and clean manner was perfect! I would one-thousand perfect revisit the Wynn Buffet and any other buffet with this setup. I really hope more buffets in Las Vegas and around the world will follow the Wynn’s example and reopen up! Below is the link to The buffet at the Wynn along with their menus, prices, and reservation system if you want to take a more in depth look. I can’t wait to experience this buffet and show the world that BUFFETS CAN WORK!

Link to The Buffet at the Wynn: https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/casual-dining/the-buffet

-Amanda

The Sugar Factory!

Have you ever wanted to eat in an atmosphere of color and fun? Then ‘The Sugar Factory’ is the place for you! On June 26th, 2020, I, along with my family ate at the iconic ‘Sugar Factory’ in Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on the Las Vegas Strip at the Fashion Show mall, The Sugar Factory is an eatery that is all about picture worthy food. Outside of the restaurant stands a giant rubber duck (the mascot of the restaurant).

Upon walking into this restaurant I expected to see a colorful and vibrant atmosphere. Instead, the lights were dimmed and the place looked like a classy high-end eatery. What I liked most about this place was that it caters to all ages. I came with my parents and four younger siblings (age range of 51-13). There were menu items for all of us to enjoy. Not only that, every beautiful, colorful, and delicious drink had a non-alcoholic version so that the youngest of the crop can have a part of the fun.

I ordered a drink that was shared, called the, “Diamond Rose” which came in a giant goblet glass. The drink according to their website is: ” Vanderpump Rosé, peach schnapps, raspberry vodka and a splash of lemon-lime soda, all topped with sour watermelon gummy bears, candy ring pops and a light-up bling souvenir ring.”

Now, although the drink was delicious, ours was missing the candy pop rings, the light up ring and the sparklers that were said to come with it. Our drink also looked like a very dim pink versus the vibrant pink on their menu (Link to the menu is listed down below). I partly blame that on our server who was very distracted whenever at our table, often looking around the dining room while we ordered our food or checking himself out in the mirror. For $40 it would have been nice to at least have the rings in our drink. My brother, who had just turned 21, ordered the ‘Ocean Blue’ cocktail made with Hpnotiq. As for the two youngest in the group, my 13 year old brother and my 19 year old sister (who also just celebrated her birthday), ordered mocktail chocolate martinis. As I mentioned before, I love the fact that they offer non-alcoholic versions of every drink (even the goblet drinks).

Next up for us was food! I was originally eyeing the shrimp Alfredo however I saw their signature Rainbow sliders and knew I had to get them! The rainbow sliders entree comes with five sliders, each with a vibrant colored bun, meat patty, cheese, onion crisps, sauce, and a pickle. I opted out on the sauce and pickle but I was really looking forward to these picture worthy burgers. When they arrived I did as anyone else would, and took a handful of photos.

These burgers were too cute! Not only that, but they came with a souvenir rubber ducky! As for the taste, they were pretty average. Nothing special taste wise, but I am glad I got them once for these photo memories and for the duck! I took a few bites of my mom’s shrimp pasta and WOW! The shrimp Alfredo was the highlight of all the dishes. The pasta had an explosion of flavor that my family agreed was the best dish of the night. The only thing I would change about it would I wish they would take the tails off of the shrimp because it becomes a little hassle to take them off when all you want to do is eat it. Besides that I would definitely order this dish again.

In conclusion, the Sugar Factory was a fun restaurant to eat at and I really enjoyed the overall presentation of the food and drink. I would definitely eat here again. The food and drinks are pretty pricey so make sure to bring an empty stomach and a full wallet. If you’re looking for that picture perfect post for your social media account, then take a trip to ‘The Sugar Factory!’

-Amanda

Link to the Sugar Factory Las Vegas Menu: https://sugarfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LV_Menu_062220.pdf