The Travel Mentor - Page 2 of 19

Shanghai Taste: Authentic xiao long bao in Las Vegas

April 21, 2021April 19, 2021

Over the last decade, I have been lucky enough to have traveled to China many times. On these trips, I have experienced new flavors and foods including authentic xiao long bao. Unfortunately, traveling internationally is all but impossible these days. This means if I want to taste the flavors and foods from my travels, I have to search for them closer to home. If you are looking for Asian food in Las Vegas, you go to one place: Chinatown. Though …

Dirt Dog at Grand Bazaar Shops at Bally’s on Las Vegas Strip

April 13, 2021April 12, 2021

When I think of Los Angeles street food, I think of hot dogs. The smell of bacon-wrapped dogs, sautéed onions, and peppers being grilled on the streets of L.A by an unlicensed vendor is something I can’t forget. These dogs, known as “danger dogs” or “dirt dogs” are unique to Los Angeles. If you have been to any event in the city, whether a Lakers game at Staples Center or a show on Hollywood Boulevard, then you know what I’m …

Cornish Pasty Co. in Tempe, Arizona

April 6, 2021April 5, 2021

I can remember my first visit to the Cornish Pasty Co. It wasn’t in Tempe, Arizona but in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just as in Tempe, the Las Vegas location was hidden in a drab strip mall off the beaten path. When I walked through the doors from the bright Las Vegas sun into the dark and dimly lit restaurant, I wondered what I was getting myself into. At the time, even as a well-traveled foodie, I had no idea what …

Four Peaks Brewing Company on 8th Street in Tempe, Arizona

March 29, 2021

The Southwest Burger with a side of french fries[

As a baseball fan, I find myself back in Tempe, Arizona each year for spring training. While I am no expert on Tempe, I have witnessed how the city has changed over the years. Each time I visit, I encounter new restaurants, breweries, and sights that seem to pop up out of nowhere. While there are many great places for food or a cold beer in Tempe, I always find myself returning to Four Peaks Brewing Company on 8th Street. …

Eggslut at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada

March 22, 2021

One of the best places in Las Vegas for an affordable, delicious, Instagram-worthy breakfast is at Eggslut inside the Cosmopolitan. Eggslut started off as a food truck on the streets of Los Angeles in 2011. Today, the gourmet, upscale fast food restaurant has locations in Southern California, Seoul, Tokyo, London, and even Kuwait City. With its risqué name, bold flavors, and hangover curing egg-centric sandwiches, Eggslut has gained a cult-like following. This includes foodies, Instagram influencers, YouTube vloggers, food columnists, …

9 things to do in Sedona on your first visit

March 15, 2021

Sedona is one of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth. This city, located about two hours north of Phoenix, is best known for its stunning landscapes of red rocks, sweeping ponderosa pine forests, and water carved canyons. While Sedona isn’t a secret, it’s still worth a visit especially for the outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Hiking, fishing, camping, Jeep trails, world-class dining, shopping, craft breweries. Sedona has it all. If this is your first visit to Sedona, you really …

The Crack Shack: Fried chicken sandwiches on Las Vegas Strip

March 8, 2021March 8, 2021

If there’s one thing I really enjoy, it’s a fried chicken sandwich. Crispy chicken, salty pickles, a rich spread, and a toasted, buttery bun. Everyone seems to be doing one version or another these days from Popeyes to Chick-fil-A to McDonald’s. These sandwiches are about as ubiquitous as a cheeseburger. While most of them are great, if you want to stand out from the pack, you need to innovate with fresh ingredients and a unique menu, at the least. The …

Bobby’s Burger Palace on the Las Vegas Strip

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

Walk into any resort on the Las Vegas Strip and odds are you will find a restaurant operated by a celebrity chef. These celebrity chefs include Gordon Ramsay, Guy Fieri, Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, and Masaharu Morimoto. The list goes on and on and on. While some of these restaurants are great, many are overpriced and too upscale for something quick. Sometimes I just want a delicious and affordable meal on the Las Vegas Strip in a comfortable …

Shake Shack: Burgers, fries, and shakes on the Las Vegas Strip

February 22, 2021

Shake Shack, located at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas is a popular fast casual restaurant known for their burgers, fries, and shakes. Since 2001, Shake Shack has evolved from a hot dog cart found at Madison Square Park in New York City to a global chain with 250 locations. Just like with In-N-Out Burger, Shake Shack has gained an almost cult like following for its burgers prepared with freshly ground, never frozen beef and house made shakes. …

Big Chicken: Crispy chicken sandwiches in Las Vegas, Nevada

February 15, 2021

In 2018, Lakers icon and legendary basketball player Shaquille O’Neal opened Big Chicken in Las Vegas, Nevada. This fast-casual restaurant, located in a strip mall across from the newly built Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, is popular for their chicken-centric menu. Big Chicken is best known for their crispy chicken sandwiches which are served on brioche bun. Many of these sandwiches are named after Shaq including the Shaq Attack and Big Aristotle. Other than sandwiches, you can find sliders, chicken tenders, …