Tony Roma’s to Close at Fremont Casino; Last Nevada Location

By Scott Roeben, on March 17 2026
3 min read 1 comment
Las Vegas Las Vegas Restaurants

Tony Roma’s, a longtime Las Vegas fixture, will close May 9, 2026, at downtown’s Fremont Casino. We’ve confirmed this scoop with Boyd Gaming, operator of the downtown casino.

Tony Roma’s has more than 100 locations globally, but this was the only remaining Tony Roma’s in Nevada. At one time, it was purported to be the most profitable Tony Roma’s in the world. “Purported” means “we doubt that fun fact is true, but it sounds impressive, so let’s go with it.” Two words: Foot traffic.

A new concept will open in the space in September (we’ve heard the footprint will expand to include the now-closed Second Street Grill area), but we haven’t ferreted out which restaurant it will be. Give us a minute.

Anthony “Tony” Roma checked into the eternal smokehouse in 1992. That’s a euphemism for “died.” Please keep up.

The Internet has exactly zero information about when Tony Roma’s opened at Fremont Casino, but when pressed, ChatGPT said, “A long-ass time ago.”

It wasn’t an original part of the Fremont Casino, which opened in 1956. Tony Roma’s came into existence in 1972.

This is not the same Tony Roma’s where Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal nearly got whacked, by the way. You know, the incident depicted in “Casino.”

Rosenthal was outside a Tony Roma’s when his car exploded on Oct. 4, 1982, but that was the Stardust location. A metal plate under the driver’s seat of Cadillac saved the day.

This scene was filmed at Main Street Station, also owned by Boyd Gaming. You can see The Cal in the background.

Tony Roma’s peaked in the early 2000s, with close to 200 locations. By 2024, it had 86 locations. Just 10 were to be found in the U.S. We blame F1.

Every Tony Roma’s location is franchised; none are company-owned.

The restaurant has been a workhorse at Fremont Casino, but the casino has been upgrading its dining options, so it’s just time.

There’s simply more money to be made with a restaurant operated in-house, rather than working with a rent-paying tenant.

You can see some of the sentiments about Tony Roma’s being shared in the replies to our Tweet breaking this news.

The Fremont Food Hall has exceeded expectations for Boyd Gaming, giving denizens of Fremont Street a fresh assortment of ways to address their drunchies. The food court has Dunkin’ Donuts, Fremont Pizza Company (replaced Roli Roti), Huey Magoo’s, Steak ‘n Shake and Tomo Noodles. Craft Kitchen has quietly closed, no word on what might be next for that space in the food court. See your options on Fremont’s Web site.

Fremont Casino is in the middle of a virtual buffet of great dining options, so competition is fierce.

If Boyd Gaming has one prime directive, it’s to keep players in their casinos and gambling.

Fremont Casino has steadfastly refused to open an outdoor bar, despite the literal millions being made at outdoor bars on Fremont at The D, Four Queens, Binion’s, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate and Circa. So, yeah, everyone else. That’s because the belief is an outdoor bar would draw people out of the casino. No, really, that’s the fear. Boyd is different.

Conversations about meeting someone at “Fremont” quickly devolve into Abbott and Costello routines. Link for our fellow youths.

A key way casinos keep players in their buildings is with food. Tony Roma’s was reliable, but it wasn’t a draw. That’s because the neighborhood is replete with great steak and ribs.

Andiamo Italian Steakhouse at The D, Benny’s Smokin’ BBQ & Brews at Binion’s, Triple George Grill at Downtown Grand, Project BBQ at Circa, Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa, Vic & Anthony’s at Golden Nugget, the list goes on and on.

Our prediction for the “new concept” at Fremont would’ve been William B’s Steakhouse, as the one at Suncoast is awesome. Our second guess would’ve been Second Street Grill, as that’s an existing brand owned by Boyd and it just screams “value” and “meat.” But those aren’t “new.” We are ready to be wowed.

Boyd has recently taken to leveraging its existing partnerships. For example, Suncoast is getting Steak ‘n Shake and Huey Magoo’s. Boyd’s Gold Coast just got Charter 75 Modern Kitchen (operated in-house), Tacos El Pastor and (wait for it) Steak ‘n Shake.

You’ll know when we do, of course.