Close out National Barbecue Month with Virgil’s Real Barbecue on the Las Vegas Strip

Did you know you’re in the midst of National Barbecue Month? That’s right, May is the month of smoked meats, dry rubs and delicious sauces, which means it’s the perfect time to drop into Virgil’s Real Barbecue at The Linq Promenade.

With weather this good it makes sense to enjoy your meal in patio seating if it’s available—especially if you’re an avid people watcher—but the ambience that awaits inside the restaurant transports you right to the South with red brick, warm overhead lighting and picnic vibes.

Start your meal with an order of the smoked BBQ chicken wings, smothered in Virgil’s über-delicious hot sauce and served with blue cheese dressing. For a tangy twist, ask for your wings to be dressed in the Carolina Gold sauce, a mustard-based barbecue condiment that has just the right kind of bite without overwhelming the rich, smokey flavor of the wing.

If you crave a bit of a crunch, try the crispy hush puppies, served with a bourbon maple syrup butter, or the fried sweet pickles and the accompanying remoulade dipping sauce—they’re both irresistible dishes.

To get the full Virgil’s experience, you’ll need to order one of the Pitmaster Platters, featuring meats like Memphis pork spare ribs that simply fall off the bone, succulent Carolina pulled pork, sliced Texas beef brisket and barbecued quarter chicken. The Pig Out! features a bit of everything.

If a platter seems like a bit much, consider one of Virgil’s plates featuring proteins like crispy Kansas City fried chicken and catfish filet, which can be ordered flame grilled or crispy. Steak options abound in this part of the menu with a 20-ounce T-bone steak, a 14-ounce bone-in ribeye and the Georgia chicken fried steak, a ribeye coated in a mixture of corn flakes, potato chips and Saltine crackers topped with a heavy helping of country gravy.

Sandwich enthusiasts, worry not; you’ll also find plenty to love here. Juicy and savory, the Texas beef brisket melt is piled high with Virgil’s slow-smoked, dry-rubbed brisket, oozy cheddar cheese and sweet caramelized onions. More of that tasty Texas flavor can be found in the Virgil’s BBQ Burger that not only has an Angus beef patty, but more of that smoked brisket and onion rings. Vegetarians can also enjoy some handheld happiness with the black bean burger, topped with pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle sauce.

Skipping sides would be a touch sacrilegious, with options like ooey gooey, breadcrumb-crusted mac and cheese, cheddar Parmesan grits, hickory pit baked beans, collard greens with smoked bacon and so much more. Wash it all down with a refreshing Blueberry Pear Crush, made from Grey Goose pear vodka, blueberries and lime juice, or a Kentucky Mule with Wild Turkey bourbon, ginger, orange bitters and lime juice. You can even share a gallon-sized party jar of signature concoctions like the Kicked Up Lemonade, made extra fun by Skyy citrus vodka and fresh fruits.

Make sure you leave room for dessert, because you won’t be able to resist treats like banana pudding with Nilla Wafers and fresh whipped cream. Pie choices include peanut butter, apple and key lime.

The Linq Promenade, 702.389.7400. caesars.com

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