Best Locals Las Vegas Breakfast Stop?

The folks at Las Vegas Advisor (who I have been following closely for decades) just published the results of a poll with the question: What are the best Vegas locals spots for breakfast?

You can read the full results for yourself here, but hey, these are all Las Vegas standbys on the list here. I do want to add a short commentary on who the top five are.

First, my eye is running down the list and honestly you can make an argument for any of the places as being the best Vegas locals spots for breakfast. Opinions are opinions, but yeah Las Vegas does have lots of great breakfast spots. That said…

Second, from what I see, Las Vegas Trip Advisor’s polls aren’t dominated by locals. A large number of locals do follow the site for their smart and wide-ranging coverage of anything Vegas gaming, entertainment, activities and attractions (including me). However a large number of Advisor’s followers are people from anywhere else who either visit Vegas, have visited, or are just interested in our unique city.

This is not a criticism of Las Vegas Advisor in any way, shape or form. This is especially since I have no way to accurately to judge how many involved in their polls are actually locals. I do expect locals are a relatively small fraction of those voting in their polls. I also expect that if you did a poll about Las Vegas locals favorite breakfasts, using only local’s answers, the results would be somewhat different.

That all said – the top five from the Advisor’s poll on the Best Vegas Locals Spots for Breakfast:

Peppermill (north Strip)	16% (146)
Hash House a Go Go (three locations)	13% (124)
South Point buffet	9% (84)
Four Queens Magnolia’s	7% (70)
Blueberry Hill (three locations)	7% (69)

PEPPERMILL

The first reaction might be “But this is just a tourist joint!’ Well yes and no.The Peppermill Restaurant and its Fireside Lounge is an absolute institution on the Strip. It is known for its wild retro decor, an extensive menu and imaginative drinks. It has also been a favorite Hollywood location with scenes from movies and shows like Casino, The Cotton Club, and CSI: Vegas.

It also has long been a favorite for casino workers. Decades past it was a popular hangout for night shift folks to get some early morning sustenance (solid and liquid). Although from that perspective those days have receded as its touristy reputation has grown and prices have risen. My experiences at the Peppermill the last few years are long on groups of well-lubricated tourists and short on locals. I am skeptical, and believe that a poll of pure locals would put Peppermill atop the list of Best Las Vegas Locals Breakfast. Still it has great, great breakfasts and provides amazing dining experiences.

Hash House a Go Go

I love Hash House. It’s “Twisted Farm Food” and their massive portions make any meal an event you come away with feeling Thanksgiving Day-level stuffed, with loads of doggie-bag leftovers to chew on for days.

But like Peppermill, with its casino-based locations and high marketing budget , Hash House a Go Go has a high tourist exposure.

But wait, Besides the locations on the Strip (Linq) and Fremont Street (Plaza) there are also local locations in Summerlin, Henderson and on West Sahara. Hmmmmm…….

Again, I can see it happening, but I really don’t expect that a pure locals only poll would judge Hash House a Go Go to be that high on a list of the best Las Vegas locals spot for breakfast.

South Point buffet

Okay – I am fully on board with the South Point Buffet being at or near tho top of this list. It is the cheapest buffet in Las Vegas since the casinos reopened from the pandemic. Their breakfast is a screaming deal. The all you can eat is $16.95 full price, $13.95 with a player’s card. Food is great for the value and it includes BOTTOMLESS BLOODY MARYS! Yeah, screaming deal.

I previously did a review of the South Point Garden Buffet on my YouTube channel. The prices have risen a bit since I did that review, but everything else I observed is still valid. It also normally shows up on the Las Vegas Advisor’s Top 10 Las Vegas Value list. It is off this month because of a price increase (Advisor has a rule that any price increase automatically disqualifies an offering for one month from their top ten value list).

And yes, even though the South Point Garden Buffet is at a casino on Las Vegas Boulevard, it isn’t a Strip property. South Point sits no less then 6.4 miles South of Mandalay Bay which is considered the South end of the Las Vegas Strip. It does get tourist traffic and has its own special events but it also is a locals bastion.

So yeah, I am all in with the South Point Garden Buffet being near the top of the list of best Vegas locals spots for breakfast.

Four Queens Magnolia’s

Magnolia’s at the Four Queens on Fremont Street is as traditional and iconic as you can Las Vegas get. Even though this gets a lot of touristy love I am also on board as this being a local’s fave for Las Vegas Breakfasts.

Its full name is Magnolia’s Veranda but everyone just calls it Magnolia’s. This is another place that has some great deals, especially if you have a player’s card. The breakfast menu is basic American staples from sausage and biscuits all the way up to ribeye steak and eggs. Good value and reliable quality make this a popular place.

And full disclosure, this is the one I voted for in the poll. With my tour business I often find myself downtown needing a meal. Magnolia’s should name a table for me.

Despite its popularity with tourists, locals love Magnolias Veranda and it is a go to spot for many, tourists and locals, for breakfast in Las Vegas.

Blueberry Hill (three locations)

Blueberry Hill Family Restaurants is a regional chain of restaurants. There are four locations currently in the Las Vegas Valley, three at different locations along Flamingo, and one on Decatur. They all very much have a 50’s/60’s diner feel.

This is another restaurant that I am all in for Best Las Vegas Locals Spot for Breakfast. An extensive and hearty menu, good portions, fast refill on coffee and other drinks, and cool retro music that keeps that 50’s diner feel going.

This is also the one restaurant on this list that is about as truly local in opinion as you can get. The other four restaurants on this list are all tied to casinos or the tourist areas. They are naturally going to earn a fair number of visitor votes that make the “locals spot” part of the question somewhat shaky. Not so Blueberry Hill. All locals here.

And not breakfast related: I am purely addicted to their cream pies. I have to ration Blueberry Hill pies for myself or I’d weigh 600 pounds. Just sayin’.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Along with my own take on the Las Vegas Advisor’s poll, I’d like to just highlight a few honorable mentions that I believe would score high on a purely locals voting poll, with their ranking in the Advisor’s poll. Again, everybody has an opinion and you are reading mine:

I’d love to hear your opinions. Agree with the Las Vegas Advisor’s poll? Agree with my take? And by the way – what is your favorite breakfast spot in Vegas, local or not? I would love to read your opinions.