Vital Vegas Podcast, Ep. 164: Carlos’n Charlie’s Closes and Fun Quail Facts, Just Play Along
It’s time for a special installment of the annual Vital Vegas Podcast!
The truth is, we chatted with Genaro Dispa, General Manager of Carlos’n Charlie’s, which just closed at Flamingo, and we wanted to share it.
We have at least one more episode lined up, so stay tuned, if that’s still a thing.
Carlos’n Charlie’s has been shaking things up at Flamingo for an impressive 14 years.
It’s the only recorded case of the fundamental Las Vegas truth: Successful restaurants don’t close unless there’s a sex scandal.
Carlos’n Charlie’s closed because it’s being replaced by slot machines.
Flamingo doesn’t have enough slots in proportion to its number of rooms, so Caesars Entertainment is buying out the lease (equivalent to two years worth of profit).
We’ve known Genaro Dispa for the entire time Carlos’n Charlie’s has been operating at Flamingo. We first met him when we were doing social marketing for Caesars Entertainment.
When you see the video we took of Dispa back in 2012, you’ll see immediately why we hit it off.
Ah, the Pulse of Vegas Blog, a blog so acclaimed and revenue-generating, Caesars Entertainment had to kill it off.
Here’s another clip.
Dispa became an American citizen during his time at Carlos’n Charlie’s. Now, he and about 100 other staffers are out of work.
We haven’t heard the last of Genaro Dispa or his team, as there are rumblings they could open a taco shop somewhere in town.
We provided a suggestion for the name.
In our interview, we discuss the emotional roller coaster involved when a restaurant closes. Business is business, but often the bonds that form in the heat of a rush are deep and enduring.
During our final visit to Carlos’n Charlie’s, we saw copious hugging and tears as team members said their good-byes.
Carlos’n Charlie’s will always have a place in our heart, not just because it resulted in a lifelong friendship with Genaro Dispa, but also because Vital Vegas was mentioned on the menu. Yes, we stole one.
As a special bonus, this episode also features 1o things we love about quail.
Yes, it’s Vegas-related, because Las Vegas has lots of quail. Specifically, Gambel’s quail. The name is one of the things we love about quail, by the way. Plus, they take no guff from pigeons, the lunkheads of the wild kingdom.
Next time, we talk to the guy who oversaw a redesign of the iconic “When the Fun Stops” brochure. Fitting, because the fun has stopped at Carlos’n Charlie’s, a loss for Flamingo and Las Vegas.
Take a listen and say adios to a place that delivered joy to thousands of Las Vegas visitors over the past decade.
Leave your thoughts on “Vital Vegas Podcast, Ep. 164: Carlos’n Charlie’s Closes and Fun Quail Facts, Just Play Along”