BBQ Mexicana — Restaurant in Paradise

I have heard nothing but good things about the food here from the other volleyball dads at the SCAA Red Rock Tournament that happens every year here at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Wish I could say the same. Really do. I grew up in the Bar and Restaurant business. Father was a master commercial contractor in Az, Nv, Ca. Took the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Track Turf Paradise and developed it into one of the finest clubs in the nation. Del Mar and Turf were designed by the same architect. Fine dining was a key draw for the business. Hospitality is paramount to the success of any establishment. Your front line is who represents you, your values, or lack thereof. I was impressed with the design and quality of the presentation. Heard great things about the burnt ends Burrito. Stood in line for one. Got to the register only to have the white male teller declare with an air of indifference “ last customer, we are not serving any more food.” That was it. Game over for me. To be met by someone who showed so little care and concern for his job told me all I needed to know about the management involved. They probably have a great story, and a great chef who has put his heart and soul into the design of the menu, and the crafting of the food… but if they can’t even get their front line hospitality straight. These people are too...

I was at the Mandalay Bay Hotel for a convention, and walked by this place a few times. We were finally lured in by the smell (amazing!), and the intrigue of barbecued Mexican food. My husband and I both ordered the smoked brisket burrito, and my mother ordered the brisket lover bowl and oh my goodness! It was soooo good. The brisket by itself was perfectly smoked and tender, the coleslaw added a slightly sweet element, the crispy potatoes added the crunch, and everything else together with the tangy bbq sauce.... Oh man. You gotta try it. We asked them if they would come to LA, because we would definitely be regulars, but alas, the answer was no. If you're ever at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, please stop by. You will not be...

Kept seeing this spot on the corner while going to and from the convention center and finally decided to give it a try.

I’d never heard of cowboy caviar before, and it piqued my interest. Went with the Brisket Lover Bowl and asked for extra avocado—because why not?

It absolutely hit the spot and was way better than any of the convention food. For anyone who doesn’t know, cowboy caviar is basically a bean salad. The bowl was a little heavy-handed with the sauce, but still very...