Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

NORTH STRIP 147
Other specialties here include matzo ball soup, knishes, kasha varnishkes, cheese
blintzes, kreplach, pirogen, and smoked-fish platters accompanied by bagels and
cream cheese. Or you might prefer a full meal consisting of pot roast and gravy,
salad, homemade dinner rolls, potato pancakes, and fresh vegetables. Desserts
run the gamut from rugelach cheesecake to Hungarian-style apple strudel, and
available beverages include wine and beer, milkshakes, Dr. Brown’s sodas, and
chocolate egg creams.
In the Forum Shops at Caesars, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/893-4045. Reservations accepted for large
parties only. Main courses $10–$14; sandwiches $6–$14. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 8:30am–10:30pm;
Fri–Sat 7:30am–11:30pm.
4 North Strip
MODERATE
Cafe Heidelberg German Deli and Restaurant GERMAN A onceponderous
and dated German restaurant has been transformed into a German cafe
already well packed (admittedly, with only six booths, not hard to do) with locals.
Certainly, it’s not a Vegas type of place, and because it’s close enough to the
Strip, it’s a good place for refuge. The food is better than fine, though certainly
not “lite” fare by any means. You should feel full but not heavy when you leave;
you will be moaning and holding your stomach in sorrow only if you don’t share
those huge portions. Recommended is the sausage sampler platter, so you can
finally learn the difference between knockwurst and bratwurst, and the schnitzel
sandwich of delicious breaded veal. Wash it down with a vast choice of imported
beer. As you munch, enjoy traditional (or, at times, not so) accordion music and
note that the entire staff is German. This is also a full-service deli and German
market, so it’s a good place to pick up a picnic for sightseeing outside of the city.
604 E. Sahara. & 702/731-5310. Reservations highly recommended for Fri–Sat nights. Main courses under
$10 at lunch, $15–$20 at dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon 11am–7pm; Tues–Thurs 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat
11am–10pm.
INEXPENSIVE
Capriotti’s Finds SANDWICHES It looks like a dump, but there’s a
reason that Capriotti’s is one of the fastest-growing businesses in town. They
roast their own beef and turkeys on the premises and stuff them (or Italian cold
cuts, or whatever) into sandwiches mislabeled “small,” “medium,” and “large”—
the latter clocks in at 20 inches, easily feeding two for under $10 total. And deliciously
so; the “Bobby” (turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce, like Thanksgiving
dinner in sandwich form) would be our favorite sandwich in the world had we
not tried their “Slaw B Joe”—roast beef, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. But
other combos, such as the aforementioned Italian cold cuts, have their fans too,
and they even have veggie varieties. There are outlets throughout the city, but
this one is not only right off the Strip, but right by the freeway. When we say
Vegas needs more true budget fare, with both taste and a mom and pop background
(as opposed to a generic chain), we mean places like Capriotti’s. We
never leave town without a stop here, and you shouldn’t, either.
324 W. Sahara Ave. (at Las Vegas Blvd. S.). & 702/474-0229. Most sandwiches under $10. No credit cards.
Daily 10am–7pm.
Chang’s of Las Vegas CHINESE Dim sum are little Chinese nibbles,
most often spiced and diced bits of meat and shellfish stuffed into buns or
wrapped with dough, then steamed or deep-fried. The menu lists the options