Burgers, beer and shakes are a classic triumvirate of casual dining, and one celebrated at numerous venues on the Las Vegas Strip.
Holsteins at the Cosmopolitan does elaborate burgers topped with things like tempura avocado and grilled pineapple and booze-infused shakes like the Fat Boy, made with candy bar vodka, peanut butter cups, pretzels, Oreos, cotton candy and about five other ingredients. Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood pairs plates like the spicy Hells' Kitchen burger with a creme brulee shake, while Bobby Flay's eponymous joint at Mandarin Oriental also offers an array of two-handed burgers and no less than 10 different shakes.
Umami Burger goes heavy on the beer list with taps, bottles and a reserve list of brews, while Stripburger matches its meat to "adult" shakes spiked with Kahlau, vodka, Jack Daniel's and Chambord.
Which is all to say that there will be stiff competition for forthcoming Venetian eatery Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer when it opens on the Strip later this year. Not that Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori is sweating it too much.
"We can't wait to bring our take on the classic American luncheonette to the Strip," he said via release of opening the eatery's fifth outpost and first location beyond New York.
Black Tap debuted in New York City in 2015 and is known for creative burgers based on everything from falafel to pork chorizo and so-called CrazyShakes. These Instagram-ready treats look like a candy store exploded on top of your beverage and come garnished with sweets like sour gummis, pop tarts and a slice of funfetti cake.
At the Venetian, Black Tap will open adjacent to the poker room with a patio overlooking the resort's signature canals, and it's expected to arrive this winter.
For more information, visit blacktapnyc.com.