Monthly Archives: November 2023

Dining Out With DOGS in North Las Vegas NV

Dining Out with DOGS is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It started back with my late dog Louie. He always LOVED going out to eat. When he was elderly and was diagnosed with aggressive cancer I took him out as often as I could to eat. Instead of his 3-6 month life expectancy Louie made it another 17 months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat when I can and when the weather is right.

We took the dogs to Those Guys Pies in North Las Vegas. The popular dishes here are pizzas and cheesesteaks. This restaurant is very dog friendly. They even have a craft dog biscuit vending machine inside that offers FOUR flavors of dog biscuits.

Last time my dogs tried the beef biscuits. This time they tried the chicken biscuits.

One of the nice workers there ran a dog bowl of water over to my dogs.

The dogs were very happy tasting some of my husband’s cheesesteak. (my husband was happy eating it too)

The dogs were also happy to help me eat my lakeside salad with added chicken.

The dogs always enjoy dining at Those Guys Pies in North Las Vegas NV.

Those Guys Pies 1327 S Simmons St North Las Vegas NV – 702-483-4404

www.ThoseGuysPies.com

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

Lunch at Echo & Rig Las Vegas NV – Worth a Try!

Echo & Rig is a butcher shop and steakhouse located in the Summerlin part of Las Vegas in Tivoli Village.

Some of the meats they sell.

You walk up the stairs or use an elevator to get to the dining room.

Even at lunch time they start you off with bread and soft butter.

We started out by sharing the fried spinach salad (red onion, cauliflower, broccoli, chile-lime vinaigrette)

I think it’s very good. The broccoli and cauliflower were slightly cooked so they aren’t hard and raw. The spinach magically isn’t oily. It’s very similar to what several of the Thai restaurants offer here without the tempura coating.

I tried the signature house ground burger (chuck, short rib, brisket) with bib lettuce, heirloom tomato, red onion, aioli, and kennebec fries (I asked for medium…..to me it’s closer to medium-rare- rare on end but still good)

It’s very juicy and really is a very flavorful burger. The fries are good but slightly over-done today…….Still a great value for $17 (subject to change). It might be among the best burgers in Vegas……

My husband tried the crispy porchetta sandwich that comes with garlic chips.

I heard that flavors were good but today this ran a little dry….more dry than what he likes.

Lunch at Echo & Rig is Worth a Try!

Echo & Rig – 440 South Rampart Blvd Las Vegas NV – 702-489-3525

www.EchoandRig.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Sinful Subs Las Vegas NV – Not the usual here – Worth a Try!

Sinful Subs is a very unique casual sandwich shop located in Las Vegas Nevada. This restaurant is by celebrity chef Vic Vegas who has been on multiple TV Shows but is most famous for being on Bar Rescue.

This casual sandwich shop has a gritty New York Theme to it. Many of the menu items have CRAZY Names like a turkey club is named, “Club to the Head.” An Italian type sandwich is called, “Knuckle Sandwich.” They also offer some snack-at-tizers like meatloaf fried in crispy wonton wrappers and served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The weekend only breakfast called, “Walk Of Shame” is three layers of French toast layered with eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, American AND Cream Cheese, and a hash brown with powdered sugar and maple syrup.

I tried what they call TV dinner. (medium sized sandwiches come in medium & large)

I think a better name for this is a Thanksgiving? This is surprisingly pretty good……The bread is better than from several other sandwich shops I’ve been to. The turkey is called roasted turkey breast but it seems like the better turkey lunch meat? It’s very flavorful…..I think the turkey was heated up in turkey stock? Stuffing A-OK. Mashed potatoes are A-OK I confess that I didn’t try the turkey gravy…..I can tell by looking at it that it came from a jar or a can so I passed on that but all together everything was tasty. Even the corn was nice and flavorful. The cranberry sauce is a similar quality to the gravy. Overall a surprisingly pretty good! This is also filling. I’m a pretty good eater and ate the corn and half the sandwich so I got another half for another time. At the time of my visit this sandwich doesn’t cost much more than fast food and is much better than anything fast food….(only $9.49 subject to change)

My husband tried the chicken parm that is called Italian Chick-en Vegas (large)

It’s made with hand breaded chicken fingers, a rich tomato sauce and lots of melty mozzarella cheese. ($11.99 subject to change)

Sinful Subs is Worth a Try!

Sinful Subs 5135 South Fort Apache Rd Las Vegas NV – 702-998-2555

www.SinfulSubs.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Milpa Mexican Cafe Las Vegas NV – Healthy Fine Mexican Foods – Worth a Fork!

Milpa Mexican Cafe is located in Las Vegas Nevada.They are a small but high quality Mexican Cafe. High quality heirloom corn from Mexico is used in the house made stone ground mass and tortillas. They offer all day breakfast and brunch, 9 kinds of vegetable, grain, and taco bowls, tacos, sides, coffees, Oaxacan hot chocolates, a few cocktails, beer, soft beverages, and more!

It’s casual. Your order at the counter, pay, and grab a number and seat yourself. They run the food to you when it’s ready.

Between us we tried all the tacos and a side of arbol potatoes. All of the tacos were very good but I did favor some over others.

Chicken Adobo Tacos – Citrus ans Adobo marinated grilled chicken, cabbage, cilantro, pickled onions, radish, salsa verde. These had a delicious char taste on the chicken.

One is the fish taco (maui maui) not sure what is next to it because many of the tacos look the same here. The taco next to it might be the Cauliflower Tinga? – Tinga marinated roasted cauliflower, cabbage, cilantro, pickled onions, radish, salsa verde………I thought this one had the most delicious flavors! I could go for one right now!

Not positive but I think this was the beef barbacoa. The barbacoa is very jiggly here with lots of fat. The flavor is good. My husband liked this one more than the asada but I liked the asada better.

I didn’t try the Birria Queso Taco (braised beef) with cheese and this ULTRA POWERFUL salsa Arbol sauce……..This one ain’t for tenderfoots. The most powerful sauce ever to be paired with birria.

Grilled Steak…..(maybe not your favorite but this one was my favorite of the beef tacos) caramelized steak and onions, guacamole, salsa macha, (I’m not much of a beef person but this one was one of the most delicious to me) and Mushroom Carnitas onions, avocado, salsa verde, salsa guajillo, cilantro

I think this was the shrimp taco – Lime & Garlic Shrimp, cabbage, cilantro, pickled onions, radish, salsa verde

Milpa Mexican Cafe is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

Milpa Mexican Cafe

4226 S Durango Dr Las Vegas NV – 702-247-4147

www.MilpaLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Triple Chocolate Cookies Recipe

I came across this recipe for triple chocolate cookies somewhere. I had to make some changes to the recipe because it didn’t turn into a dough as written…..(Misprint?)….Then I made a few changes to improve the flavor.

Ingredients for around 38 cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon course sea salt

8 oz sweet butter melted

1+1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 eggs – slightly beaten

2 teaspoons pure vanilia

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups 62% dark chocolate chunks or chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips

non stick spray

12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips or chopped (for drizzling) ((YOU DON’T Need whole bag ……I used maybe slightly more than half)

sea salt flakes – for finishing

Directions

Preheat ocen to 375 F.

Spray a few sheet pans with non stick spray.

In a large mixing bowl mix everything except the chips and non stick spray (flour, baking soda, salt, butter, sugar, cocoa, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon) Then mix in the chips.

Scoop of the dough in meatball size (around 1 + 1/2 ounces each) and space them on your sprayed sheet trays.

Use the middle two racks and put them in for 10 minutes and after 10 minutes switch the pans on the racks and depending on your oven and size of cookies they will need about 5-10 minutes more. You can kinda tell when they are done by gently feeling the top of cookie. If it feels raw then it is raw.

By now the cookies are out of the oven cooling…..You finish with a chocolate drizzle and a very light pinch of sea salt flakes. To do the drizzle microwave or boil water in a sauce pan till very hot or almost boiling. Put about a cup of chips in a smaller bowl and let them melt as they sit….Drizzle the cookies with a spoon or fork and do a very light sprinkle of sea salt flakes.

YUM! Triple Chocolate Cookies

The Forking Truth

FORKING Amazing BBQ Spice Recipe

I got the idea after reading Milk Street Magazine’s recipe for masala fries……To do BBQ roasted potatoes because I want slightly healthier slightly lighter roasted potatoes instead of frying them……LATER I used this FORKING AMAZING spice blend on chicken and it was far more delicious there……. I came up with a spectacular spice blend. This recipe makes far more than you will use in a short time so you make want to half the recipe. It’s also (by accident) such a great flavorful recipe that you should use it very sparingly. As is I used about one tablespoon on a few pound tray of supermarket chicken thighs and another Tablespoon to flavor all the vegetables and beans I braised the chicken thighs in. For braising I also used a heaping tablespoon of “Better than Bouillon” brand soup base.

Ingredients for lots of servings

1 Tablespoon granulated garlic

1 Tablespoon mild Chile powder

1 Tablespoon smoked paprika

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon cayenne powder

1 Tablespoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons course sea salt

1 Tablespoon black pepper

Directions just mix the above spices together.

Use on home made potato chips (if you can do spicy…this comes out very spicy on potatoes but perfect on chicken). Use to add to ketchup and make bbq ketchup. Rub on meats and bbq.

I sprayed a pan with non stick spray. Then sprinkled LIGHTLY with spice blend. Next placed cut red potatoes…cut side down. Added sliced onions. Drizzled heavy with oil and sprinkled again with BBQ spice. Covered pan and roast in oven till down…..In my Whirlpool oven on a middle rack this took two hours. Your oven may differ.

Enjoy!!!!

Roasted Potatoes with FORKING Amazing BBQ Spice

This spice blend is perfect for chicken. I bet it’s great on most meats too!

This is FORKING AMAZING!

The Forking Truth

My Trip to Las Islitas Mariscos – Mexican Seafood Restaurant North Las Vegas NV- Large Generous Servings

Las Islitas Mariscos is a Mexican Seafood Restaurant with three locations in Las Vegas Nevada. The Craig Road location is large and festive looking inside.

This location serves soft beverages and beer.

They start you off with complimentary tostadas, crackers, and salsa.

My husband tried the shrimp rancheros.

He got an enormous platter of refried beans, vegetable studded rice, salad, tortillas, and shrimp in a ranchero sauce. It was ok but might be better on some days…….Today the shrimps were not infused with the flavors and could have been cleaned better.

We think I did better with the fish al lemon.

I also got an enormous platter. This is a mild white fish filet that has been breaded and possibly fried in butter (it taste like butter) It has a heavy creamy blanket of a lemon and chile laced sauce…….The sauce actually taste good but it seems like it might be mayonnaise based? This plate also contains tasty buttered toast, vegetable studded rice, salad, and a mix of vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and a squash-like vegetable).

Service was friendly and efficient. Serving are large and generous.

That was my trip to Las Islitas Mariscos.

Las Islitas Mariscos 2555 W Craig Rd – North Las Vegas NV – 702-329-2174

www.LasIslitasMariscosLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Tasty Bite North Las Vegas NV – TASTY American Chinese Food – Worth a Try!

Tasty Bite is a small mainly American-Chinese Take Out Restaurant located in a North Las Vegas Nevada Strip Mall. It’s not a fancy place but it seems clean. They do mainly take out but do have a few tables for indoor dining.

The menu is hanging on the wall.

Under appetizers I never noticed paper wrapped chicken before so we gave that a try!

WOW! they are HOT fresh out of the fryer.

They aren’t wrapped in paper…..Inside is very moist, very flavorful ground chicken laced with allspice with an amazing caramelized exterior….almost dark like a grilled hamburger.

We also got complimentary egg drop soup.

For my main I tried the hot Szechuan garlic chicken that came with steamed white rice.

The chicken is masterfully tender. I got a bunch of tender crisp green bell pepper, a few kinds of mushrooms, and onions in a spicy-not-too-sweet sauce. I think that this is pretty good!

My husband tried the hunan beef.

This is really different…….Really great flavors and heat….The beef is very tender but was fried at such a high temperature that the texture of the beef just disintegrates in your mouth….It’s like no other.

Did some take out here- All the take out was very large portions. Everything was enough for two meals for me.

Fish in black bean sauce…reasonably good. The fish is cooked to perfection, and is mild in taste. Maybe slightly soy forward.

Thai chicken salad – really different – the sauce is sweet and spicy……The small sliced hot peppers are too hot here. The chicken is good. The salad is extra generous in size and is very fresh.

half of F-12 Hot and Spicy Chicken with some of the rice (I dripped sauce on the rice) This one is MIGHTY SPICY………but it’s a good spicy taste and not just heat. I taste garlic. I taste ginger. There is a small amount of sweetness to it. This one has lots of cilantro in it. The dark meat chicken is masterfully tender and developed with good flavors……not a lot of vegetables here…..got some bean sprouts, onions, and very HOT peppers……This one might be too spicy…..I’d get it again but mix it with a more bland vegetable dish….yes a bit too spicy today. (Maybe the peppers ran hotter than normal?)

Half of the Chicken Chop Suey – masterfully tender and infused with flavors sliced white meat chicken. Lots of vegetables here – zucchini, bean sprouts, onions, broccoli, snow peas, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. This one is very good.

1/2 of General Tso’s Chicken. Today the small green hot peppers are extremely HOT! The rest is A-OK but I rarely order General’s from most places.

Watch Out…….Sometimes the hot peppers they use run MOLTEN HOT! but for the most part most dishes were reasonably good!

Tasty Bite is Worth a Try!

Tasty Bite 3073 W Craig Rd North Las Vegas NV – 702-646-8803

www.TastyBiteNLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Esther’s Kitchen Las Vegas NV – Worth a Fork!***UPDATE MOVED NEXT DOOR

Esther’s Kitchen is a seasonal Italian Restaurant located in the arts district of downtown Las Vegas Nevada. They use local ingredients as much as possible and make their own sourdough bread, pastas, pizza, and more!

At the original location on 1130 S. Casino Center Blvd (soon to move next door) They offer seating at the bar.

They also have a small patio and a dining area with an open kitchen.

We started out by enjoying their house made delicious sourdough bread with sides of house churned butter, cambozola blue cheese, pecans, and pickled grapes, and cannellini beans with lard, speck, and pistachio oil.

Next we share a seasonal salad called Troy’s Peaches and Tomato Salad.

Besides tomatoes and peaches this contained stracciatella cheese, red mustard, and pickled peach vinaigrette.

For my main I tried the seasonal wild Mediterranean Bronzino with harissa farrotto, caramelized squash, and salsa verde that taste pretty much the same as shrug sauce.

This came adorned with tiny squashes and tiny reduced and peeled sweet heirloom tomatoes and everything was prepared to perfection.

My husband enjoyed the house made Bucatini (Amatriciana & Guanciale, red onion, chili, parsley) with the beef and pork meatballs.

We wanted to try dessert here. I took a chance with the blackberry pavlova….(Somethings I hate them when the crisp meringue taste like egg white to me)

This might be the best one I’ve tried. It’s light as a feather. Not too sweet and it doesn’t have that egg white taste…….I enjoy the pops of sweet basil…….REALLY GREAT but could use a tad more lemon or just a sprinkle of lemon zest…….I would still get again.

I have to say……

Esther’s Kitchen is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

Esther’s Kitchen (Soon to move next door to a larger location)*****UPDATE MOVED NEXT DOOR******

1130 S. Casino Center Blvd Las Vegas NV – 702- 570 – 7864

NEW ADDRESS IS 1131 Main St Las Vegas NV – 702-570-7864

www.EsthersLV.com

Every THING is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

Asian Inspired Green Beans with Crushed Peanuts Recipe

2 pound bags of trimmed and washed green beans were on sale for $1.80 a bag today so they seemed fun to buy. I was thinking Asian Style……that are a little lighter because these aren’t fried. I figured I’d do an easy basic boiled green beans and pour a tasty Asian style sauce other them. So that’s what I did.

Ingredients for around 8 side servings

2 lbs green beans – strings and tips removed

1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons hoisin

5 Tablespoons sriracha (preferably Shark Brand)

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

1 cup roasted salted peanuts – lightly crushed

3 scallions – root removed, cut on diagonal thin slices

Directions

In a small bowl add the hoisin, sriracha, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and white pepper. Put to the side.

My big pot takes too long to heat up to a boil so I prefer to use my any-day pot to boil the green beans in two batches for three minutes a batch. I did mine at a rolling boil for three minutes a batch and didn’t need an ice batch…..But you can do an ice batch if you want to.

Drain green beans into a large bowl and mix in the sauce. Top with peanuts and then some scallions.

Serve.

Asian Inspired Green Beans with Crushed Peanuts

ENJOY!!!

The Forking Truth