City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More
The George Sportsmen’s Lounge will leave sports fans cheering

Featured Article

An Off-Strip Mecca for Foodies

Durango Casino & Resort’s restaurant portfolio is sure to satisfy any craving

Since opening its doors last December, Durango Casino & Resort has quickly become one of southwest Las Vegas’ premier dining destinations.

Home to Strip-worthy restaurants and eateries, the Station Casinos property has something for every taste. Guests can dine at one of four signature restaurants, grab a quick bite to eat in the eclectic food hall or share sumptuous small plates with their friends at the sophisticated Bel-Aire Lounge.

“We spent a good year identifying the needs of the resort and the area and hit the ground running identifying our future partners,” said David Horn, vice president and general manager at Durango Casino & Resort. “We’ve always known that this area had such a great opportunity for new dining options, and when we introduced the dining collection and food hall, I think we really blew people away with the variety and originality that went into each concept.”

Like many Las Vegas resorts, Durango Casino & Resort has a high-end steakhouse, a modern Mexican restaurant, and a lively sports bar. What sets each restaurant apart from the competition, though, is the attention to detail. At Nicco’s, Durango’s signature steak and seafood restaurant, not only is its meats sourced from the best ranchers around the world, but all its fish is flown in fresh daily. Guests can savor everything from USDA Prime cuts of beef to American, Australian and Japanese Wagyu selections for dinner, making Nicco’s that rare off-Strip steakhouse that’s sure to impress even the most discerning diner.

Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant is another dining standout, complete with its own 1,000-square-foot hidden speakeasy — Wax Rabbit — that features a DJ playing vinyl records. Open nightly for dinner, as well as Saturday and Sunday for brunch, the chic restaurant highlights the bold flavors of coastal Mexico presented through an unconventional lens. Must-try menu selections include the Butter Poached Lobster Tacos made with Maine lobster, chipotle aioli, cabbage, onion, avocado and tomatillo salsa, and the brunch favorite Churro French Toast: brioche bread soaked in tres leches custard, topped with fresh strawberries, guava syrup, and horchata icing.

For sports fans, Durango’s 24-hour sports bar located adjacent to the sportsbook — The George Sportsmen’s Lounge — really “changed the game for the city” according to David. Boasting an ambiance that David noted makes guests feel like they’re “enjoying box seats at a really nice stadium,” The Geroge knows how to make sports fans feel like a winner regardless of if their team wins or loses. Diners can enjoy elevated game-day fare like the tasty Buffalo Chicken Dip or the Chili-Rubbed Pork Chop while watching the action on 4,375 square feet of TV screens, including a 70-foot outdoor LED wall that can be divided to show at least 12 different games.

While Durango Casino & Resort has several original dining concepts, it’s also home to Las Vegas’ first Summer House. The popular restaurant is famous for its California-inspired cuisine, like its generously portioned Huevos Rancheros served exclusively during Saturday and Sunday brunch and its Herbed Chicken Breast Paillard available for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Boasting a beautiful 100-seat patio that’s perfect for baby showers and birthday parties and a pastry and coffee counter — The Market — where guests can purchase some oversized cookies to take home, the Durango Summer House marked the restaurant’s third location nationwide and is the first off-Strip restaurant for its restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You (Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi).

"Lettuce Entertain You's restaurants on the Strip have thrived for nearly 25 years, so when the opportunity to test the suburban Vegas market for the first time presented itself, we jumped at the chance — especially with a stellar partner like Station Casinos,” said Ryan Richardson, managing partner for Lettuce Entertain You. “We knew that the Summer House brand would be a natural fit, as its laid-back, West Coast-inspired menu and family-friendly vibes have really connected with residents in the area. We've loved seeing locals become regulars who come in for dinner, weekend brunch, or just a quick stop to grab cookies in The Market."

Several other new-to-market dining concepts can be found at Durango’s food hall, Eat Your Heart Out. The 25,000-square-foot communal dining experience is not only home to local favorites like Shang Artisan Noodle and the downtown Las Vegas Arts District’s Yu-Or-Mi Sushi, but also out-of-town favorites like Philadelphia’s Fiorella pasta bar, New York City’s Prince Street Pizza, Costa Mesa’s Hawaiian Ai Pono Café, Los Angeles’ Irv’s Burgers, and Uncle Paulie’s Deli.

With so many mouthwatering options under one roof, not to mention free and convenient parking, Durango Casino & Resort has given Las Vegas foodies — as David put it — “many reasons to visit over and over again.” durangoresort.com

"We’ve always known that this area had such a great opportunity for new dining options." — Durango Casino & Resort's VP and GM, David Horn.

"(Summer House's) laid-back, West Coast-inspired menu and family-friendly vibes have really connected with residents in the area." — Lettuce Entertain You managing partner, Ryan Richardson.