Introducing Circa’s Restaurant Lineup
Circa Resort & Casino brings a whole new level of dining to Downtown Las Vegas with five incredible, original restaurant concepts from a collection of chefs and proprietors revered both locally and around the world. From mouthwatering delis to glamorous steakhouses, Circa’s culinary lineup celebrates both global inspiration and local legends. As Las Vegas’ first ground-up casino resort since 1980, Circa has made waves with not only its gaming and entertainment, but also with a dining scene that promises something for everyone in search of unique Downtown Las Vegas restaurants.
Curated by CEO Derek Stevens, original concepts from Paul Saginaw, Barry S. Dakake, American Coney Island’s Founding Family, Dan Coughlin and more, each restaurant at Circa brings something different to the table, from sizzling sports bars to unforgettable Asian fusion experiences:
- Barry’s Downtown Prime, the first Downtown venture from Chef Barry S. Dakake.
- Saginaw’s Delicatessen from Detroit restaurateur Paul Saginaw, marking the first new restaurant outside Michigan from the masterminds behind Ann Arbor’s famed Zingerman’s.
- Project BBQ by Chef Rex Bernales, the first permanent food truck and Carolina barbecue joint on the Fremont Street Experience.
- Victory Burger and Wings from American Coney Island’s founding family Chris Sotiropoulos and Grace Keros, the first new concept from the family in more than a century.
- 8 East, the first pan-Asian restaurant from Chef Dan Coughlin.
“While each owner brings a diverse background to Circa, they are united by the common thread of having a passion for customer service and the Downtown Las Vegas community,” said Stevens. “In addition to incredible food, they all deliver that spirit of fun and community that is integral to the Circa experience.”
Read on for a closer look at the amazing Circa Las Vegas restaurants that have become must-visit spots!
Downtown Las Vegas Restaurants at Circa
Barry’s Downtown Prime
Vintage glamor and hospitality meet modern innovation and design at Barry’s Downtown Prime, the steakhouse concept from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality. Barry’s Downtown Prime delivers the city’s finest steaks and seafood, fresh tableside preparations, creative cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a memorable service experience. It’s even become the official steakhouse of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Evoking a throwback vibe worthy of Downtown’s legacy, Barry’s brings guests back to the classic cool of the 50s and 60s when great music and sounds of clinking martini glasses filled the air, the chef greeted you at the table, the bartender knew your favorite cocktail, and everyone felt like a VIP.
Barry’s Downtown Prime was developed by 980 Restaurant Consulting partners Barry S. Dakake and Yassine Lyoubi, who merged with Marco Cicione and Donnie Rihn to create Make It Happen Hospitality. Boasting longstanding careers in the Las Vegas food and beverage scene, Chef Dakake was at the helm for restaurants N9NE Steakhouse and Scotch 80 Prime for nearly two decades. Lyoubi served as general manager for N9NE Steakhouse and Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and held the title of director of fine dining at the Palms Resort & Casino.
Saginaw’s Delicatessen
Conceptualized by Michigan legend Paul Saginaw, Saginaw’s Delicatessen is his first restaurant outside of the region. A lifelong fan of Downtown Las Vegas, Saginaw has collaborated with Stevens to introduce a family style deli touting sandwiches “so big, you’ll need two hands to eat them.”
Saginaw is known worldwide for the iconic Zingerman’s Deli – an Ann Arbor institution he opened with partner Ari Weinzweig in 1982 – that’s consistently ranked among the world’s best sandwich joints. A college-aged Stevens used to line up early for the restaurant’s buzzed-about sandwiches, and later opened the Coffee Stand at the D Las Vegas, proudly serving Zingerman’s Coffee – which is also served at Circa at Jack Pots.
Saginaw’s menu includes his famous Reuben and several more of the creative sandwiches for which he’s known. Traditional delicatessen favorites round out the menu, including matzo ball soup, onion rings, salads, latkes, shrimp cocktail, breakfast specialties, and more. Better yet, it’s open 24/7 for all of your Las Vegas deli cravings, whether you need some fuel for the casino or are looking for a hangover cure!
Project BBQ
For a laid-back, mouthwatering experience, Project BBQ is a one-of-a-kind stop at Circa. Serving up Carolina-style barbecue with all the fixings, Project BBQ is the only permanent food truck at the Fremont Street Experience, and is its first Carolina BBQ joint.
Conceptualized by Chef Rex Bernales, along with partners Rob Baker, Mo Pierce and Steve Hamlin, Project BBQ’s menu offers classics like pulled brisket, pork, chicken, and more. You even can get extra Southern with it with an order of BBQ popcorn gator bits. Its signature “Garbage Bowl” includes handmade potato chips covered in meat and decked out with a trio of Carolina BBQ, beer and cheese sauce, then topped with bacon and coleslaw.
Situated on Circa’s exterior, Project BBQ spills out onto the Fremont Street Experience with a built-in “backyard” for communal gathering and great times. Guests can dine on picnic tables and sip on cocktails from Circa Bar as they enjoy spectacular light shows from Viva Vision overhead and live music from surrounding concert stages. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, get the Champion’s Pack – for $1000, feed a group of up to 10 guests with premier meats from Omaha Steaks.
Victory Burger and Wings
Overlooking the sportsbook, Victory Burger & Wings Co. is an all-star Las Vegas sports bar experience. Developed by Chris Sotiropoulos and Grace Keros – the third-generation owners of the 102-year old Detroit’s American Coney Island – the menu offers simple items, executed flawlessly. Staples include burgers, wings, and appetizers. Following the same business model that made American Coney Island successful for more than a century, this Vegas burger joint features fresh, high-quality ingredients, made to order, in a fun and lively atmosphere.
The star of the show is the Victory Burger, featuring a ½-pound patty made with a proprietary blend of Angus beef, short rib, and brisket topped with a secret Victory sauce. In an homage to the late nights of Las Vegas, try the hangover burger stacked with French fries, cheddar, bacon, caramelized onions, crispy onion straws, creamy blanco cheese, boom boom sauce, and a fried egg. Diners can enjoy the hearty portions of wings and signature dipping sauces, and no meal is complete without Victory fries and a pour from the excellent beer selection.
Guests can watch the sports action via TVs throughout the space, in addition to a prime view of the massive three-story screen in Circa’s sportsbook. The venue even has its own radio booth, where fans might spot their favorite sports talk show conducting a broadcast on game day.
8 East
Inspired by metropolitan Asian food markets, 8 East offers Chef Dan Coughlin’s creative takes on Pan-Asian cuisine. Spanning Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai dishes, 8 East has a hip, high-energy atmosphere punctuated by great music and communal dining.
A key player in sparking the Downtown food movement with hotspot Le Thai, Coughlin uses new fusion dishes and techniques at 8 East that he’s kept in “the vault” – previously tested both at his Thai restaurant and at home for family and friends. His menu is full of shareable dishes such as Coughlin’s chicken pot stickers, dumplings, wontons, and skewers. Each is served with signature Chinese, Szechuan, Shangdu, and Thai sauces, amongst others, offering unique flavor combinations for guests to explore. For entrees, be sure to try the fried rice bowls, ramen, and steak noodle salad.
To enhance your Las Vegas Asian dining experience, a beverage program curated by Sonny Ahuja and Don Welch of Downtown Las Vegas’ Bin 702 features rare Japanese whiskies and sakes, in addition to specialty cocktails. Open late into the night, 8 East is a perfect spot for delicious bites that hit just right.
More Things to Do at Circa Las Vegas
Beyond its stellar restaurant lineup, Circa Resort & Casino offers a range of amenities that elevate the Las Vegas experience. Relax and cool off at Stadium Swim®, a year-round pool complex with six temperature-controlled pools and a 143-foot HD screen showing the biggest games and events. For sports fans, the Circa Sportsbook is a dream come true, with its massive three-story screen that makes it the largest sportsbook in the world, and top-notch seating to enjoy all the action.
And if you’re looking for nightlife, Vegas Vickie’s is an iconic spot where you can grab a drink with one of the stars of Downtown Las Vegas – the fabulous neon Vegas Vickie herself! Or, head up to the Legacy Club rooftop bar. With breathtaking views of the city skyline, craft cocktails, seasonal events, and a modern ambiance, Legacy Club is the ideal spot to end the night.
After a day of excitement, unwind in Circa’s luxury rooms, Las Vegas suites, and premium suites, featuring plush bedding and stunning views of Las Vegas. With its mix of dining, entertainment, and luxury amenities, Circa stands out among the top destinations for Las Vegas restaurants, relaxation, and unforgettable memories while you have the time of your life.
