Gritz Cafe — Restaurant in Las Vegas

We visited this black owned establishment on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. We did not have a reservation prior to, since you can’t make a reservation here. Upon arrival we entered the establishment which was clean, had a southern down-home feel, and inviting. The hostess greeted us and put us on the waiting list to be seated. She said it would be a 20 minute wait, so we got on the list and provided my telephone number. The one thing I didn’t like about the wait was not the amount of time, but how we had to wait. She stated we couldn’t wait indoors and had to wait outdoors where there were fans blowing. She also offered to give us some ice cold water. We sat outside and the fans didn’t even really blow on us. The ice cold water did help some, but it’s unfortunate they don’t have a waiting area indoors for patrons. Las Vegas is very hot this time of year and it was sweltering outside. My other suggestion would be for them to allow people to make reservations. In addition, they also need to implement a one and a half hour seating time limit at the tables. This will allow for other patrons to come in and dine. We waited almost 40 minutes when she came out and informed us it was our turn to be seated. We were seated at a lovely table right in the middle of the restaurant and provided menus. Once we were seated, our waitress came over to us. We ordered the following menu items: Fruit punch, Lemonade, Chicken and waffle plate, Bacon, Grits, Catfish and waffle plate, Potatoes, and Grilled chicken salads to go. The drinks came out shortly after we ordered them and tasted decent. It definitely wasn’t anything to write home about. We’re used to delicious Lemonade and Fruit punch varieties back home in Atlanta. It didn’t take very long for us to get our food to the table. The Catfish was very crispy and delicious. It was seasoned very well and just needed a little dash of hot sauce. The Waffle itself was not too crunchy, not too soft, and was delicious. It tasted very well with butter and syrup on top. The Potatoes were quite crispy. All they needed was some ketchup as a condiment. The Grits were the best part of the meal. They were creamy and rich! All they needed was a bit of salt, pepper, and butter. We did have cheese added to the Grits. I prefer the cheese to already be mixed in, but we didn’t have any issue mixing it in ourselves. The Bacon was pretty crispy and good. My boyfriend greatly enjoyed his Chicken. He stated it was seasoned well and hot temperature wise. They ran out of Greens, so we didn’t have the privilege of tasting those unfortunately. The waitress constantly checked on us throughout our meal. She provided great and efficient service. She was kind enough to give us ample Ranch, Caesar, and Italian dressings for our to go salads at no additional charge. The salads themselves looked and tasted quite delicious. These salads were very well prepared and a great healthy choice for later. I’m glad we were able to patronize a black owned restaurant in Las Vegas. It is located in the historic Westside District of Las Vegas, which is historically black. It is probably about 7-10 minutes away from the strip, which is not very far at all from where we were staying. I did use the restroom at this restaurant, which was clean without any issue doing so. I can see why a lot of people like to place and purchase to go orders here, since the wait time for dine in can be a bit lengthy. I did notice that a lot of the other people that came in after us didn’t really have a long wait. I felt some people were even allowed to sit inside and wait. I’m not sure if this was just because it was during a busier time when we came, but I felt that was a bit unfair. It seems like they have a mixed system when it comes to what is required of patrons while they wait to be seated. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone in Las Vegas who wants to have some down home Southern cooking. Especially to escape the average Las Vegas restaurant that tries to prepare Asian, Italian, or American...

I travel the world. I meet amazing people. I enjoy amazing food.

Never in my life did I imagine having an experience like this.........

I arrive to Gritz Cafe via Uber and was greeted by everyone pictured in the photos below. Unfortunately, when I got to the counter to order, I felt my entire existence reject something but Ididn't know what it was. Suddenly, I felt that I had to vomit so I quickly dropped my belongings and ran to the restroom. Unfortunately I didn't make it in time so I stayed there for a bit cleaning it up off the floor and door until Rose Arnold approached me and told me that she would get it from there. I returned to the main dining area where Freddie Jackson was playing, the ladies were singing, enjoying each other and just providing the best service ever. I then returned to the counter to complete what I started and ordered the Chicken & Waffles with a side of Gritz (with cheese). By the time I got to my table, there was already 3 cups waiting for me as my aunties (in my mind) knew I was sick. The moment I sat down, I was checked on by at least 3 of my aunties. I reassured them that I was okay but they continued to check in and made sure I was drinking my water since the heat was prompting my body to react in this manner.

My food arrived (pictured below) and my life changed in that moment. I began to eat, watched my aunties sing, dance, serve and just love everyone who came through those doors. Needless to say my food was amazing and didn't need anything extra. I was overwhelmed with the love, ambiance and the history of this place.

I knew this place was home when I saw my Forever President and First Lady framed on the wall. The owner is a black woman (Trina Jiles) who (through conversations) is fair with her employees and is an intelligent business woman. Malcolm X is affixed on the wall by a painting that complements the color scheme and magnifies the history of our people. A painting of Mother Africa is hanging on the wall for all to view and truly understand that this gem is a direct result of our ancestors and the fight to advance us all.

In conclusion, you can find good food in so many places and may luck up and get good service somewhere but you'll never experience a life changing moment like I did until you visit Gritz Cafe

This is a gem in our community that we must support and protect with every fiber of our being. Thank you for a life changing experience, I'll be back soon.

I love you all ❤💚🖤

Love. Humility. History. Family....

I went to Gritz Cafe on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant is nestled in an affluent area of the historic Westside of Las Vegas. There is parking on both sides of the street. I went inside, and the hostess took my number and said I would receive a text once a table opened. I returned to my car until I received a text stating my table was ready and I had 8 minutes to arrive.

The inside of the restaurant had Afrocentric paintings on the wall and classic R&B, like “ Nobody” by Keith Sweat, featuring Athena Cage playing.

An attentive, pleasant, and no-nonsense server named Angel took my order. I wanted a waffle, so I asked Angel, “ What’s popular?”

She said the classic waffles are popular but recommended the sweet potato waffles as the most popular—an excellent call! I ordered the sweet potato waffles, cheese eggs, four catfish fillets, grits, peach cobbler, and sweet tea! It took a while to get my order, and I saw a family who sat after me get served before me. However, I had time to spare, so I waited patiently to receive my food. My server Angel approached my table and asked, “ Did you eat?”

I was in thd middle of slurping my sweet tea and said, “ Ummm mmmm.”

Angel frowned up and snapped, “ Ummm mmmm” making a face that showed she felt my wait was unacceptable; she seemed to take my wait personally and immediately walked to the back to I presume tell the cook to put some pep in their step because I have a customer who's been waiting too long. It was a funny moment but I appreciated Angel ensuring that I got taken care of promptly; it shows that she values her customers!

When I got my food it was worth the wait, especially the sweet potato waffle! The waffle was soft and golden, and it contained chunks of sweet potato inside! It tasted so delicious that I can’t return to eating regular waffles again! I enjoyed all of my food, including the scrumptious peach cobbler, and the hostess gave me several refills of sweet tea! When I got a to-go plate for my catfish and peach cobbler; the friendly hostess brought me a box and a small Styrofoam cup full of sweet tea to take! Another friendly female employee or possibly the owner bid me farewell as I exited the door!

The food was mouthwatering, and Gritz Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants! They treated me like I was a VIP, and the free refills and huge portions provided excellent value! I highly recommend Gritz Cafe, if only they were open longer than 7 am...