Soulbelly BBQ — Restaurant in Las Vegas

5-Stars. Easy.

An unconventional take on the conventional but (in soulful tradition),done so with flavors that seamlessly pop made from resourceful ingredients that all complemented each other amazingly well. We stopped in to get off the strip and grab a beer in a now-eclectic area (that I remember very differently back in the day). Like the area, this place had a mellow & unforced vibe. We started with the Smoked Nachos and Mac & Cheese Balls, a typical group order expecting a drop-in only. Then the nachos hit. With Escabeche. Unreal.

The Escabeche was absolutely phenomenal & a perfect complement to 'traditional' ingredients as mentioned. A super savvy unconventional take on the conventional. And living in the South, sure we know Mac & Cheese Balls. Not like this we didnt. No idea what was going off on that dish at first but when I read "radiatore and pork parm crumbs" (menu said mix of blended chicharonnes, panko, parmesan) everything suddenly made sense (perhaps in life...ha ha). None of us are foodies per se and most were admittedly clueless on some of the ingredients let alone how they'd mix. Well, let's just say the word "savory" doesn't do that mix justice. So freaking good. Even the chicharonnes had a uniquely tasty feel to them. I was kinda blown away. (I actually got an order to go too & I threatened to metaphorically stab any of my buddies who tried to go near them late night after we all had 'a few' cocktails)

After these two starters....we said (forgive the crass colloquialism) f* this we are staying. We hit the pit for Chef's Choice after that (holy sh, sooooo good) and eventually left a few hours later.... after hearing some super talented local blues band that was fronted by a young caucasian gal who nailed some bessie smith-like notes. Tripped us all out (in a good way). And yes, she pounded a beer like the great Bessie would've done. Needless to say, we were all pleasantly surprised once again; a smooth but not overpowering accompaniment to piquant tastes. Again, more unconventional upon the conventional. And yes, I said "piquant."

Honestly, didn't check out the scene around me too too much. Just left with good feels and a 20-questions-mindset on how the owners/chefs/pitmasters made fresh, everyday ingredients & spices complement bbq dishes in an unpretentious manner. Because there's nothing worse than some 'forced fusion takes' on classic American food. But this place was far from that. Overall, I'd call a lot of the flavors conventionally unconventional; for example, dishes with flavors that were sweet yet complemented the right amount of sour & spice. And all of it from scratch. I like food made with thought. And it yielded food for thought (HEYO).

In summation - - - chill spot, good beer, crazy good food with super well-complemented ingredients/flavors/tastes/dishes along with good sounds. I'm usually too lazy to write reviews (don't write a ton at all) and maybe it's the post-Vegas daze topped with memories of an "at peace" food coma....but I nor anyone with me couldn't recommend this place enough.

We stopped in Soulbelly expecting to hang for 30 for a snack & some beers (conventional), but we stayed for about 2.5 hours (super unconventional for us anywhere but especially in vegas). A must stop for distinctive food in a distinctive area (especially for vegas)....

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Soul Belly BBQ in Las Vegas, and it’s safe to say that this spot has become one of my favorite BBQ joints. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was welcomed with a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the mouthwatering aroma of smoked meats filled the air, setting the tone for a truly memorable experience. Here’s a rundown of what made my visit so great.

Firstly, the ambiance at Soul Belly BBQ is fantastic. The interior decor has a rustic, southern charm to it with touches of modern design, making it feel both comfortable and lively. The seating arrangement allows for a nice mix of group tables and smaller, more intimate settings. It’s a perfect spot for a casual night out with friends or family, and the music was lively without being overpowering, adding just the right amount of energy to the atmosphere. I also appreciated the cleanliness of the dining area and how attentive the staff was about keeping the tables and surroundings tidy.

Now, onto the food! The BBQ here is outstanding. I ordered a sampler platter to get a taste of everything, and I was impressed with every single item. The smoked brisket was tender and full of flavor, practically melting in my mouth with each bite. The pulled pork was juicy, with just the right balance of smoky flavor and seasoning. The ribs were perfectly cooked – tender but not overly so, allowing the meat to still have a nice texture and bite. Each meat came with a selection of house-made BBQ sauces, and they each had their own unique flavor profile. My personal favorite was the tangy, slightly spicy sauce, which paired beautifully with both the brisket and the pulled pork.

The side dishes deserve their own spotlight as well. I tried the mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. The mac and cheese was creamy and had a rich, cheesy flavor without being overly heavy. The collard greens had a great balance of savory and tangy flavors, seasoned to perfection, and tasted homemade. As for the cornbread, it was moist and slightly sweet – a perfect accompaniment to the BBQ meats. They clearly put a lot of care into the sides, which often gets overlooked at other BBQ places.

Service was another highlight of my experience. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They made great recommendations based on my preferences, and I appreciated their willingness to answer my questions about the different cuts and sauces. They checked in on my table frequently, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. It felt like genuine hospitality, and it’s clear that customer satisfaction is a top...

I wanted so badly to like this place for several reasons but I would be dishonest if I said it was worth the visit...for food.

However, the ambiance, decor, stage, and overall feel to it,...amazing! I would definitely come back here for a few drinks and to enjoy some live music on the weekends.

Service simply did not exist. When you walk in you order your food at the cashier then are prompted to give a tip... I usually don't tip at the time of placing my order but I had high hopes on this occassion and left a tip, much to my chagrin. After getting my food and drink, I never saw another staff member again, that was it, the end...like, 'here's your food' [end scene]. I even had to go to a server station to get my own takeaway containers which was weird because there were staff members watching me, one was actually right behind me. Maybe this is what they do here, let customers run around the restaurant grabbing their own stuff, IDK!? It just seemed weird to me that no one was willing to offer assistance. There was no refill, no follow-up with food quality and no offer to provide to go containers all of which was disappointing. :-(

Food was ok, like meh. I love brisket and that's usually my go to order for BBQ but this stuff was deeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy. Bummed on the brisket to say the least. My second meat choice was the ribs which were very tender and pretty good actually. The BBQ sauces were obviously made in house but still, there wasn't one BBQ sauce I would try again, and I tried them all. They just seemed cheap, or too generic, not what I would expect from a BBQ place. Their version of gurkensalat ala Hofbrauhaus was way too vinegar forward, ate a few bites and tossed it. The most satisfying part of my 2 Meat Combo was the mac n cheese...DELICIOUS!

So one star for the ambiance, decor, vibe, etc. and one star for the mac n cheese. That's about it folks. 'But what about the ribs, you said you liked them?' I did but the strange BBQ sauces negated that little positive in the overall experience. So in conclusion, I will most likely never return for the food, BUT I will return for drinks and music, with the hopes that I can actually get a drink instead of possibly having to pour my own.

P.S. My two-meat meal combo and housemade lemonade ($5) with %18 tip was $37.... A little steep for no service and below average food.

My suggestion, eat elsewhere and...