Forget the concept that NYC is the city that never sleeps. That title goes to Las Vegas. Walking the Strip in the wee hours gives you an unusual perspective on this alternate-dimension's inner-workings. When else would you see gondoliers at The Venetian rehearsing their multi-tasking skills? Watching neophyte trainees awkwardly attempt to row the gondola while singing Mendelssohn's Opus 30 to an appreciative crowd of fellow gondoliers, their drill sergeant and a few random lonely Asian(s) is one of the best free shows around! It's also the time of day when the army of Mexicans handing out... let's say playing cards... on the sidewalk are replaced by an army of semi-coherent lushes amusingly stumbling towards what they hope are their hotels.
Outside of that - there's still the food. Sure the big 5-star establishments are shut down, but this is primetime for one of the greatest food segments known to mankind: stoner food. More importantly: AFFORDABLE stoner food.
We've already discussed the merits of late-night food trucks, but the Strip offers its own hidden charms. One such locale is "Secret Pizza" at the shiny new Cosmopolitan hotel which I, shamefully, was too full to partake in - so next time on that one. The location of this literal hole-in-the-wall is such that you can't find it on any map in the hotel - you just have to stumble onto it, or ask an employee of the hotel. A tip? Follow the drunken crowds upwards.
Another place of note is Earl of Sandwich at the Planet Hollywood hotel, which just recently went 24 hours - and offers one of the best deals in the city.
The menu offers a number of hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads and the pre-requisite desserts, including brownies (giggle as you please). Sandwiches and wraps are an unbelievably budget-friendly $5.99 each, and are assembled to order! The queue, at 3:30 AM on a Sunday morning, was pretty ridiculous. It works out - you'll need time to traverse the large menu and, as soberly as possible, formulate your order.
The set-up is quite brilliant - you put your sandwich order in, then you walk the cafeteria line which is stocked to the brim with sweet goodies and drinks (both PG and non-PG), and pay at the end of the line. If your sandwich isn't ready by then, you'll be given a device that goes flashy-flashy-wow-wow when your order is ready for pickup. Because at the presumed-state you're physically and mentally in, you'll need the flashy-flashy-wow-wow.
The picture above shows part of the hot line and there was an insane amount of staff there. The cold line is to the left and had another 3~4 staff, while another group handled the toaster. I was impressed. These guys knew what they were doing and were churning sandwiches out to the inebriated masses as quickly as they could choke them down. What they do with it after is another thing altogether.
I went with the Chinese Chicken Wrap - poached chicken with "Asian greens" (lettuce, bok choy), bean sprouts, carrots and a light coating of sweet soy-ginger vinaigrette. The wrap was described to have wonton skins, but I didn't taste any at all. No big loss. I can live without the mouth scarring. Size was similar to a Subway 6", but with significantly better filling-bread ratio. Everything was crisp and moist, and just enough vinaigrette was added to be an accent, and not overpowering. A true sandwich artist at work here. At $6, you won't find a better value for a healthy meal in any city, let alone on the Vegas Strip.
There are, of course, unhealthier heartier fare on the menu as you please, which is why I recommend Earl of Sandwich, located at the Planet Hollywood hotel, within stumbling distance of the Miracle Mile Shops south entrance.
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