VEGAS DINING NEWS: Downtown BBQ Opens Strip Joint, Break-Ins Force Popular Soul Food Eatery’s Closure

A downtown smokehouse with a cult following has officially planted its flag on the Strip. SoulBelly BBQ, the 2021 creation of chef and Chopped winner Bruce Kalman, opened a new counter inside the Miracle Mile Food Court at Planet Hollywood on Friday, April 24.

“Expanding SoulBelly onto the Strip is a major milestone for us,” Kalman, who also competed in Season 5 of Top Chef, said in the announcement. “It’s an opportunity to share our BBQ with even more people and celebrate how far we’ve come since our opening.”

The new spot serves up the hits including its Chef’s Choice of six items from the pit and six sides, the Brisket Burnt Ends Grilled Cheese, and the the Texas Cheesesteak stacked with brisket, provolone, peppers, and onions.

SoulBelly joins seven other concepts in the food hall, including Lobster Me, Tacotarian, Irv’s Burgers, and Carnegie Pizza. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

In 2024, Texas Monthly named the original South Main Street location one of the best Texas‑style barbecue joints outside Texas.

Lost Soul

Pretty Soul Kitchen has been forced to close after being hit by burglars late last year — twice. Chef-owner Brandi Bond told KVVU-TV/Las Vegas that the $12,000 in out-of-pocket losses she sustained were too much to continue.

“Definitely heartbroken,” Bond told the TV station, “especially being a small business and knowing that that type of damage can impact the progress.”

Las Vegas police say surveillance video shows T’Shawn Allen breaking the restaurant’s window and making off with cash and liquor.

Facing 10 counts of felony burglary and 12 counts of property destruction, 27-year-old Allen remains in custody awaiting a competency hearing next month.

Other West Las Vegas restaurants burglarized during the same sprees include Café Lola, Cobblestone Cottage, Casa Mia Pizzeria, and Filo Grill Mediterranean.

Dining Ins & Outs

Siegel’s 1941 has closed at the El Cortez for a renovation and partial rebrand. When it reopens, reports Vital Vegas, it will serve breakfast and lunch under the same name — an homage to the year the casino opened and one of its owners, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, from 1945-6 — and then become Alex Prime, a New York steakhouse, starting at 5 p.m.

Pho Concept has stepped into the longtime Pho So 1 space after a 31‑year run. The new Chinatown restaurant opened at 4745 Spring Mountain Road on Friday and offers a 20‑percent discount through May 1.

Across the valley, another handoff is underway. The Irish Spot has opened on East Tropicana, taking over the beloved former Crown & Anchor location that served as a British‑pub standby – and the setting for the storyline of The Killers’ most popular song.

El Dorado Cantina, which debuted in January 2020 in Tivoli Village near Summerlin, has closed. Its original location on Sammy Davis Jr. Drive remains open.

Downtown, the Arts District is preparing for something different: an indoor food‑truck park. The 7,000‑square‑foot space can host up to 10 trucks, with free parking when events aren’t clogging nearby streets. (Hello, First Friday!) Operators expect a June debut.

And after nearly a year of online anticipation, Southern California favorite The Hat has set its Las Vegas opening date. The 75‑year‑old pastrami institution will launch May 6 at 6125 S. Rainbow Blvd., its first location outside SoCal. The company promises its signature pastrami, fresh‑cut fries, burgers, and sandwiches.