Eat: The Breakfast and Lunch Joint in downtown Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, and especially on the Las Vegas Strip, there are an endless amount of high-end breakfast and brunch options such as Mon Ami Gabi at Paris and Bouchon at The Venetian. When I did a search for the best breakfast in Las Vegas, one spot kept appearing. And, it wasn’t located anywhere near the mega resorts found on The Strip. It was Eat: The Breakfast and Lunch Joint located in downtown Las Vegas. I was intrigued, so I hopped in an Uber and headed north to downtown.

When I arrived, I was somewhat surprised by the location of the eatery. Eat: The Breakfast and Lunch Joint was located on the first floor of an apartment building on the corner of 7th and Carson, not far from Fremont Street. The exterior of the restaurant was modest and easy to miss. As I was not one to judge a book by its cover, I kept an open mind and headed inside.

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Table of Contents

Interior

When I walked through the doors and into the restaurant, in that moment, I forgot that I was in downtown Las Vegas. There weren’t any shiny neon lights or smoky rooms. The space felt inviting and welcoming to all with a casual and relaxed vibe. It just felt like the place belonged in downtown Las Vegas.

The open interior was more modern and industrial than I was expecting. You had concrete floors, black ceilings, and exposed pipes. Black and white photos were hanging on both the brick walls and white walls. Scattered around the dining room were white tables with orange chairs, adding a pop of color. Green bench seats found on one side of the room added even more color. At the center, near the small open kitchen, was a high-top communal table. With its concrete floors and music playing in the background, the restaurant was loud and lively.

What I enjoyed about the menu at Eat: The Breakfast and Lunch Joint was how simple it was. There were only two pages. But, don’t let this small menu prepared by Chef Natalie Young fool you. The menu was separated into sweet & savory dishes, egg dishes, sandwiches, salads, sides, and beverages. There was something for everyone.

A word of warning. As stated on the menu, “modifications to the menu politely declined.” Now, I understand modifications can slow down a kitchen, but I thought this was a little ridiculous. If the menu was extensive, I could see this being a problem. So, I don’t see how modifications would be a major problem. But then again, I am not a chef. If you have any food allergies, you might want check with your server before ordering.

Even with a limited menu, I found it difficult deciding what to order. There were so many great options. My server recommended the Huevos Motulenos and Truffled Egg Sandwich. The table next to me ordered the Shrimp & Grits which looked fantastic. I might have to try that next time.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

I have a weakness for fresh squeezed Orange Juice (small $4, large $6). I opted for the small size. While expensive for its size, I knew it was worth it.

After taking my first sip, I immediately knew the juice was fresh squeezed and not from a carton. The flavor was sweet but tart with a consistency that was neither too thin nor too thick. I also enjoyed the added wedge of orange found on the rim of the glass.

Though delicious, at the end of the day, this was just a glass of orange juice. I just wish I had ordered the large glass.

Huevos Motulenos

The one thing that stood out on the menu was the Huevos Motulenos ($14.00). This dish, similar to Huevos Rancheros, is a popular Mexican breakfast dish originating in the town of Motul in Yucatán, Mexico.

Eat’s version of this dish was made with two eggs over-easy, black beans, peas, pico de gallo, feta cheese, and sautéed bananas on a corn tortilla. Everything was then covered in a red and green New Mexico chile sauce. On the side were chive potatoes.

I enjoyed the contrasting flavors and colors of the red and green New Mexico chile sauce. While both sauces were delicious, the star was the red chile sauce. The rich and smoky red sauce was both spicy and salty. Complementing the smoky red sauce was the tart and refreshing green chile sauce. Adding to the mix was the rich, golden yolk which oozed out of the over-easy eggs when I cut into them. When mixed with the chile sauce, it was an explosion of flavors in my mouth.

For me, the two ingredients that stood out the most were the sautéed bananas and peas. The peas added a pop of sweetness and color. While plantains are traditionally used in Huevos Motulenos, in this version, sautéed bananas were used. I found the sweetness of the warm and creamy bananas to complement the smoky red sauce and hearty black beans.

Mixed into the dish was funky, salty feta cheese, a fresh, bright pico de gallo, and grilled onions. The onions were delicious. Tender, smoky, and sweet with just the right crunchy bite.

At the bottom of everything was a simple and soft corn tortilla.

On the side was a generous portion of chive potatoes. The huge chunks of potatoes were charred until smoky and crispy on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside. The potatoes were lightly seasoned with coarse salt and chives. Simple, flavorful, and filling.

Service

When I arrived and put my name in with the hostess, I was told it would be a 20 minute wait. I waited exactly 20 minutes.

Though the restaurant was busy, the servers were attentive and friendly. Both my drinks and food arrived promptly and correctly after ordering.

Another thing I appreciated was how quickly the workers cleared tables. This ensured the next guests in line would not have to wait longer than needed.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a great place to eat in downtown Las Vegas, then Eat: The Breakfast and Lunch Joint is a solid choice. Sure, the menu was small and you couldn’t make modifications, but the food I tried was flavorful and fresh. And, the service was great.

What I enjoyed about this brunch spot was how inviting and cozy it felt. It felt like a local diner which would be hard to find at any mega resort on the Las Vegas Strip. And, that is what made it great.