Best Food Options During the 2019 World Series of Poker (Updated)
Eating during the annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) can be a hassle, especially if you don’t have a plan. Will you be eating at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino? Going to attempt to go off campus?
Whether you believe nutrition is a vital part of poker success and go to great lengths to ensure you’re eating right, or if you just don’t care and want to grab something on the go, there are plenty of options to choose from.
We’ve decided to take a deep dive into numerous WSOP food options available to you this summer. Las Vegas food is to die for, and there are plenty of options.
Inside the Rio (Doable on Dinner Break)
If you don’t want to brave the Vegas heat, a short walk up the air-conditioned hallways will present plenty of WSOP dining experiences.
WSOP Café
Near the convention center entrance is the improved WSOP Café, which is located in the Miranda Ballroom.
They’ll offer a variety of Grab-n’-Go options like salads, sushi rolls, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and calzones. Packaged snacks, mints, candies, and beverages will also be available. Some of the items will also be sold at stations placed throughout the hallways, as well as via the popular Hot Dog Cart, which will do laps around the Pavilion Room.
There will also be numerous stations for made-to-order selections. In the past they’ve included Fresh Market Salad, Smoothie Station, Burrito Station, BBQ Station, and a Pho Noodle Station, all of which are expected to return.
The WSOP Café also offers seating, phone charging stations, and an outdoor patio.
Grab-and-Go Offerings
In the past several restaurants inside the Rio have developed deals for WSOP players, and they’re expected to do the same for 2019. Be sure to either ask or check the menu at various restaurants to see what they offer players.
Likewise, if you want to grab something for on the go, the Sports Deli, which is located next to the Sports Book, is a great place to go. They offer a number of Combos – such as a Cheeseburger with fries and a choice of milkshake or fountain drink – that are both affordable and convenient.
Additionally, All American Dave will once again have his food truck parked out back and offering players healthy meal choices, smoothies, and more. By purchasing a Meal Plan, you gain the perk of being able Tweet or Text your order from the table and they’ll deliver directly to your seat.
Standard pricing without a meal plan are: Signature Meals: $23.09 Salmon: $24.94 Breakfast: $18.49 Salad: $11.09 Shakes: $11.09 Harmless Harvest Coconut Water: SM$4.62 LG$7.40 (Plus Tax)
Sit-Down Options
If you a little more time to spare and want to sit down and enjoy your food, the Rio has several restaurant options.
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Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho
Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho is located at the top of the hallway near the pool. It is open from 4-10 p.m. daily. This year, they’ve also introduced Guy Fieri’s Taco Shack, which is right next to the main restaurant near the pool entrance. The Taco Bar takes to-go orders and operates from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Hash House A Go Go
The aforementioned Hash House A Go Go is open early 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They have creative offerings with oversized portions.
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All-American Bar & Grille
Likewise, the All-American Bar & Grille, located on the main casino floor, offers all-American fare from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily with expanded hours of 11 a.m. to Midnight on Friday and Saturday.
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Carnival World Buffet
Another popular sit-down place is the Carnival World Buffet, which operates 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Other Restaurants Inside the Rio
Here’s a look at other Rio restaurants:
- KJ Dim Sum & Seafood: Located in main casino opposite the buffet. Open 10 a.m.–2 a.m.
- Royal India Bistro – Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for lunch buffet, Happy Hour 3-5 p.m., and dinner from 4-10 p.m. Located just before Masquerade Village.
- VooDoo Steak – Will usually take longer than a tournament dinner break will allow, so good for those days you have time to spare. Located on the 50th floor of the hotel. Open daily 5-10 p.m. and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Pho Da Nang Vietnamese Kitchen – Located next to the sports book and Sports Deli. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily with extended hours to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Smashburger – Located in the Masquerade Village, this popular burger chain is open every day 8 a.m.-4 a.m.
- Wetzel’s Pretzels – Tucked away in Masquerade Village, you can grab a quick snack here every day from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily with extended hours to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Starbucks – There are two locations on the property. There is one next to the convention center on the way to the hotel (right next to the Penn & Teller Theater) and is open 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., while the one on the casino floor is open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily and 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturdays.
Here’s what noted Vegas foodie and poker player Jimmy Fricke, who runs jimmyeatsvegas.com, had to say about the Rio dining options:
“Hash House A Go Go is probably the highest value place there since it's not terribly expensive and the food is actually decent. Second place is probably All-American Bar & Grill just because they serve reasonable food. The steakhouse is horribly overpriced, and the quality is lower than pretty much any steakhouse out there. I wouldn't eat at the Rio by choice without Total Rewards points to spend though.”
Outside the Rio (Doable on Dinner Break)
Going out for dinner and be back in the Pavilion or Amazon Room of the Rio within 75 minutes? There's a set of restaurants where you're in and out within that set timeframe, with still quality meals served. Some tournament days the dinner breaks are just 60 minutes. For those days, if you still want to go outside, book and order in advanced.
Fricke has some tips:
“Close by, Chinatown is your oyster so you can do pretty much anything you feel like. Thai Style Noodle House is great. Tofu Hut, Pho Kim Long, Rollin Smoke, Umiya, Sparrow & Wolf, Tacos Mexico, even Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle. The list goes on and on.”
Indeed, there are countless Vegas dining options within a short drive of the Rio. Obviously, we can’t cover them all here, so in addition to Fricke’s recommendations, we thought we’d highlight a few more.
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The Eatery at Palms
Kiddie corner to the Rio is the Palms Casino Resort. On the ground floor is The Eatery, a collection of popular, fast-casual restaurants. It’s there that you will find Panda Express, McDonald’s, Earl of Sandwich, Famous Famiglia Pizzeria, Chronic Tacos, and The Coffee Bean. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Rio to the Palms, so it’s doable on tournament dinner breaks. Hours vary by vendor.
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Gold Coast Offerings
Just across the road to the east is the Gold Coast Casino. It’s there that you’ll find a Subway and TGI Fridays, as well as popular Chinese restaurants Ping Pang Pong and the Noodle Exchange. There’s a side entrance that allows for easy access for those walking from the Rio.
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Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant
A long-standing, family-run establishment serving Mexican favorites 24/7, Ricardo’s is located 1.2 miles down West Flamingo (you probably don’t want to try to walk it in the summer heat). With its expansive menu and affordable prices, it’s been a staple in Vegas for more than 30 years.
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Roma Deli & Restaurant
Located 2.3 miles from the Rio, Roma Deli became a must for poker players after it was purchased by pros Todd Brunson and Max Pescatori. Players can order in advance online or by phone, making it convenient for breaks. There are plenty or lunch and dinner specials. Open daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Outside the Rio (need 75+ minutes)
If you have time to spare, you could eat three meals a day at different restaurants and still not cover all Vegas has to offer in a year. On those days you’re not busy playing poker, we highly encourage you to check out some Sin City’s finest eateries. Jimmy Fricke shared the following tips:
“For the really nice meals you want more than 75 minutes for, DW Bistro is great for weekend brunch.
Oyshi and Kabuto are fantastic sushi. Black Sheep is one of my new favorite New American places. Sporting Life is the best sports bar in town with food that legit blows you away how good it is. Can't overstate how much better this place is than every other bar in town.”
If you want some more tips, hit up Jimmy Fricke on Twitter (@jvfricke and @jimmyeatsvegas. Here are some of our tips:
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Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
One of the newest dining experience in Las Vegas, Hell’s Kitchen at Caesar’s Palace shares the décor and offers dishes inspired by its namesake TV show. It’s open daily from 11 a.m.-Midnight.. Check out the menu and book a reservation at caesars.com.
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Lola’s
There are two locations – one downtown and one in Summerlin – open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. On Saturdays, they’re open Noon-10 p.m. and the Downtown location is closed Sundays. The Summerlin one is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. Lola’s is a quaint eatery serving Cajun-Creole specialties. It’s about half the price of Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM and twice as good. You’ll get a great meal for under $20.
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Musashi Japanese Steakhouse
Fancy a good time at the table? Prudes should stay away as the cooks make a big show out of it, sometimes a little over the edge. Popular with a lot of poker pros, don't be surprised when you run into one of them. Reservations for the tepanyaki hot plate are a must during regular hours. Open from 5 p.m. till 3 a.m. Tip: they also have a sushi bar with some great options.
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El Dorado Cantina
Don’t let the fact this restaurant is in the same building as Sapphire Gentelmen’s Club deter you as it’s one of the best Mexican dining experiences in Sin City. It’s also perfect for WSOP players as it’s close by and open 24 hours a day. Chef Francisco “Paco” Cortes, a native of Mexico City, and his team run a great establishment, and here’s a little tip – try his famous flan desert, which is inspired by his grandmother’s recipe.
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La Comida
Another Mexican spot is located in downtown Las Vegas at 100 S 6th Street, La Comida is known for its creative Mexican dishes and a wide selection of margaritas. That includes a famous “Spicy Margarita,” AKA Simpre Caliente, made with jalapeño infused Milagro Blanco, passion fruit, fresh house sour mix, and a special hot sauce.
For more on La Comida, check out this video from our Sin City Series:
