While many folks consider fireworks to be the highlight of the Fourth of July (and they are, especially on this 250th birthday), others can’t wait to get together for the annual barbecue. That all-American food frenzy gets an upgrade here in Vegas, with some of the best burgers, dawgs, barbecue and beer around, many with a gourmet twist.
More than a few restaurants in Las Vegas serve up rocking burgers, and some of our favorites include the HOB Smash Burger at House of Blues Restaurant & Bar at Mandalay Bay, a chunky handful with American cheese, double patties, and all the classic fixings. For a challenge with your burger, the Do It In Public Challenge at Public House at Luxor will give you four double cheeseburgers for free if you can eat all of them, a loaded fries and a 22-ounce milkshake in just 30 minutes. Easier said than done, right? The menu also has a strong disclaimer: “Participation in the Public Challenge is voluntary and at your own risk.” So you’ve been warned. Vegans can get in on the burgers at Gordon Ramsay Burger in Planet Hollywood with a plant-basted patty, roasted tomatoes, eggless mayo and avocado.
Public House also has a good ribs platter, either a half or full rack, slathered with sauce and served with coleslaw and a boatload of fries. In The Linq Promenade, Virgil’s Real Barbecue serves ribs, brisket and even barbecue chicken.
If you want hot dogs, the Haute Doggery, also in The Linq Promenade, has tons of offerings in a casual space. The All-Day Breakfast Dog features a bacon-wrapped pork and beef frank, hash brown, cheese sauce and bacon bits, while the mac and cheese dog gets dressed with macaroni, cheddar cheese and Flaming Hot Cheetos dust. They have an inventive vegan dog, too, with hummus, sauerkraut, pico and mustard. Back at Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood, enjoy the Straight Up Dog, a footlong classic with dill pickle, onion, mustard and ketchup. Resorts World Las Vegas’ Dawg House Saloon & Sports Book is aptly named—some of the fun items you can get here include the Aloha Dawg, with bacon pineapple relish, scallions and Dijon, and the Turbo Dawg with chili, queso and red onions.
And I didn’t forget about the beer! While you can get a good brew almost anywhere, head into The Venetian Resort to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer for some excellent sips from local breweries. For a bit more choice, check out AmeriCAN Beer and Cocktails at Treasure Island, where you’ll find cans and draft options from breweries all over the country, like Deschutes, Pizza Port, and Belching Beaver. And if you can’t decide on one beer, get a flight from TAP Sports Bar at Excalibur. (Tip: If you’re dining here and have kids, one kid can eat free for each adult entrée ordered).
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