LVGuide

Where To Have An Affordable Meal In Las Vegas

Here are 12 casual, affordable restaurants for when you and your wallet need a break.
Where To Have An Affordable Meal In Las Vegas image

photo credit: Gaby J

In just one day in Las Vegas, you might spend a month’s rent on a 15-course hidden omakase before putting your card down for bottle service in the club just so you could sit down. Once you’ve realized how much damage you’ve done in mere hours, you’ll want some options for an affordable meal. Thankfully, there are plenty to choose from in Las Vegas, especially off the Strip. Whether you’re taking a break from partying for the night or need something quick before heading to a Formula 1 race, here are 12 of Vegas’ best-value restaurants. 

And once your bank account has recuperated, you can also check out some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, and the fanciest.

THE SPOTS


photo credit: Gabe Bergado

Hawaiian

Southeast

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For some of the best Hawaiian and Filipino food in Las Vegas, come to counter-service spot Lefty-J’s. Their island landscape mural, beach cottage decorations like a “let your dreams set sail” sign, and the cashier calling everyone “sweetheart” can’t help but soothe those who need a breather or low-key lunch. Get the robust garlic chicken if it’s one of their specials of the day, which are played on a TV behind the register. The mound of perfectly-crispy pieces have just the right balance of sweet and salty, and you’ll want to sop up the rest of the sauce with furikake rice. For a sampling of all their great meats, the BBQ trio plate will get you a little of the short rib, BBQ chicken, and teriyaki beef. On your way out, grab a couple of Spam musabis to sneak into the bars for a snack.


We’re pretty sure the last person to come to Las Vegas and not eat at the Peppermill wasn’t allowed to come back for five years. OK, that might be an exaggeration, but we really wouldn’t be surprised if it were true. This 24-hour institution works just as well for middle-of-the-night breakfast food as it does for a reasonably-priced lunch. Our favorites are the crab cakes with roasted red pepper cream sauce and the chicken parmesan, which will be enough to feed you and your friend who bought drinks for everyone at the bar last night. Just keep your receipt, because they might be checking it at your gate before you board.


You’ll find some of the best sandwiches in the city at Goodwich. There’s the Chile Philly with ribeye, caramelized onions, and chipotle aioli or the turkey BLTA if you’re looking for some greens after all the deep-fried bar snacks you’ve been eating. Grab a quick lunch here before checking out the vintage shops in the Arts District or pack up your sandwich to go and pray that it makes it through TSA with its structural integrity still intact.


When you want a chiller night, you can still technically “go out drinking” by swapping Hennessey for the warm broths at Moonbongri Soondae. Here you’ll find families sharing bottles of sake and kids scarfing down noodles with chopsticks while simultaneously watching Cocomelon videos on their parents’ phones. This spot is known for their pork blood sausage soups, which live up to the hype thanks to both the meat being cooked perfectly and the flavor-packed bases. But you’ll also want to try the bulgogi plate that comes to the table sizzling—and we like to pretend its whispering to you that it was such a good idea getting dinner west of the Strip. 


There should be two signs that hang over the Eureka Casino. One that says, “Las Vegas’ smokiest casino,” and another with “Home to the most underrated burger in Sin City.” Once you take a deep breath and walk directly to the back of the casino where Fat Choy is located, you’ll find a cute, small diner-looking spot with red vinyl booths. Get the Fat Choy Burger, a patty topped with with braised beef, bacon, and a fried egg that’s worth the journey through the hazy casino floor to get there.


This may sound strange, but you’re not actually coming here for the fish. It’s good, don’t get us wrong, but this British-themed spot in The Linq Hotel is worth visiting for the chips alone. There are four different options and our favorite is the Dirty #1, topped with crispy chorizo and jalapeño. The better idea, though, is to go with a group and share all of them. It’s a great place to get a quick bite before heading to a show across the street at Caesar’s Palace or a walk through the crowds down Las Vegas Boulevard. And just because we know you’re wondering, there are not any cutouts of your favorite guy who yells at people on TV. 


Shang Artisan Noodle is a place where pretty much every menu item is cheaper than a vodka soda on the Strip. Plus, with the people twirling fresh-made noodles right in front of you in their open-air kitchen, who needs to buy Cirque du Soleil tickets? None of the dishes will disappoint, but their pork rib noodle soup is our favorite. Make sure you do a count-off before you leave, though, because we’ve definitely left people behind while they stand, faces pressed against the window, hypnotized by the spinning noodles.


It’s getting closer to dinnertime but you’re realizing it’s probably worth bumping your reservation. That’s because everyone is still full from lunch at Viva Las Arepas. This Venezuelan restaurant downtown specializes in arepas (all of which are around $10), and we’re big fans of getting a few empanadas and, well, really anything with the shredded beef. And before you leave, ask for a guava and cheese pastelito to go, because if you’re already pushing dinner back, you might as well get a snack.


If last night was for, “F*ck it I’m getting the $100 tomahawk steak,” then today is for Naked City Pizza. Most things on the menu are under $15, and a whole, very shareable 12-slice specialty pie is under $30. Though what you should really focus on here are the wings: they’re the best in town and you can get them in flavors ranging from mild to slathered in cajun butter BBQ sauce. Get the loaded fries to go with them and it might be the only meal you need all day.


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There’s bound to be a day during your stay in Vegas when nothing goes according to plan. You overslept, someone isn’t answering their phone, and you missed the omelet station at this morning’s breakfast buffet. Thankfully, there’s always Market Street Cafe in the California Hotel. It’s large enough for last-minute groups, and everything on this Hawaiian diner’s menu is great. The two real standouts, though, are the prime rib special (available from 4-10pm) and the oxtail soup, which is only available after 9pm. Just be sure to look at your phone while you’re eating, in case that one friend finally decides to respond to your frantic texts.


There are two things that everyone should know before going to Monzú Italian Oven + Bar. The first is that the Roman-style pies can easily feed two or three people. The second is that the crespelle al forno isn’t meant to be shared. Sure, your friend might order something else and add in, “We’ll just trade bites,” but this is the type of dish that you’ll hold a years-long grudge over if your dining companion takes a piece.


The Flamingo’s neon sign has been burned into your retinas because you now see it whenever you close your eyes. It’s time to take a break from the Strip. Make the 20-minute trip to Red Rice in Henderson to see what lies beyond that long stretch of fluorescent road. This Chamorro restaurant serves food from Guam, and the best move is the Hafa Adai plate—essentially their greatest hits all together including BBQ chicken, BBQ spare ribs, red rice, and chicken kelaguen. Then, follow the rule that if you see beignets on any menu, you order them. Theirs come with your choice of either a mango or strawberry drizzle and should not be missed.

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