VEGAS DINING NEWS: Adios Carlos’n Charlie’s, SoulBelly Moving its Meat, Chef Trees Uproots
Posted on: September 12, 2025, 07:09h.
Last updated on: September 16, 2025, 06:41h.
Carlos’n Charlie’s is getting evicted from the Flamingo, where its space will replaced by slot machines in early 2026.
The lively Mexican restaurant hosts an estimated 1,000 guests a day to the tune of $14 million a year. Yet Caesars Entertainment believes it can make stronger and more consistent returns from gaming inventory than from third-party restaurant rent.
C’nC opened in April 2012 and quickly became a hub for bachelorette parties, wedding receptions and, umm, extremely casual dining.
An internal communication shared by Vital Vegas – which broke this story on Aug. 30 — asserted that the owners hold a valid lease through 2027, with an additional five-year renewal option.
“Unfortunately, the hotel appears to have decided to terminate the lease early,” the communication read. “Please know that we are actively working through every possible channel to keep our home at the Flamingo. We have always been a loyal, law-abiding tenant and truly believe Carlos’n Charlies is the heartbeat and joy of the resort.”
Dining Ins & Outs
James Beard Award-nominated chef Bruce Kalman’s SoulBelly BBQ is expanding. In addition to its downtown location, it will soon open at the Miracle Eats food hall at Miracle Mile Shops next to Planet Hollywood, where it is expected to join seven other previously reported concepts at the new food hall in Spring 2026.
Chef James Trees is moving Ada’s Food + Wine from Tivoli Village in Summerlin into a new (old) location: the one occupied by his original Esther’s Kitchen at 1130 S. Casino Blvd. downtown. Trees is combining the space with two other retail storefronts to create 4,500 square feet with a 925 square-foot terrace. As previously reported, Trees is also hard at work on High Steaks Vegas, the previously reported steakhouse replacing VooDoo Steak at the Rio.
Leoncito (Little Lion) will roar for the last time on September 28. The eatery spent fewer than two years at the Red Rock Resort, in the space formerly occupied by Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar. Its creator, Wish You Were Here Group, announced the closure in a joint statement with Station Casinos on Friday that provided no real reason other than an “ongoing culinary refresh.”
Sourdough & Co. plans to open its first Las Vegas Strip location this fall at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. The popular artisanal sandwich shop has 80 locations nationwide, including two in Vegas: at 8164 Las Vegas Blvd. South (just north of the Town Square mall) and 10575 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson.
Health to Pay
The Court Café, at 1030 E. Flamingo Road by UNLV, was temporarily closed by the Southern Nevada Health Department (SNHD) on September 10 after scoring 20 demerits during a routine inspection. Its violations included pest infestation, improper food temperatures, improper equipment maintenance and operation, cross-contamination, improper cleaning of food contact surfaces, ineffective pest control and other violations.
Bangkok Street Food at 4215 Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown, was temporarily shuttered on September 9 with 27 demerits. Its violations included spoiled, contaminated or adulterated food; improper cooling, cross-contamination, improper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces, among other violations.
That same day, SNHD closed Sabor Latino, at 1305 Las Vegas Valley Drive in West Las Vegas, for 12 demerits. Its violations included cross-contamination, improper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces, inadequate handwashing sinks and ineffective pest control, among other violations.
Laos Thai Street Food, at 860 E. Twain Ave. #121 near UNLV was temporarily closed on September 2 for scoring 33 demerits. Its violations included pest infestation, cross-contamination, ineffective pest control, improper temperature ranges for cooking and storage, and equipment that was either unapproved or improperly maintained, among other violations.
Last Comment ( 1 )
SoulBelly BBQ is NOT leaving the Arts District, it's adding a location.