Las Vegas Diner Named One of the Best in America

Nothing beats a fantastic breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Las Vegas diner. Breakfast is actually my favorite meal of the day. Because I'm a vegetarian, I find a lot of great options when it comes to breakfast food, from pancakes to cereal to scones. Now, one Las Vegas diner has been named one of the best in America. What's cool is that this honor is from people who have eaten at diners around the area and across America.

The experts at UpgradedPoints.com have put together a tally of the best diners in America using Yelp ratings. They note that these are great places to get your grub on during a road trip or when you're on vacation. You can also dine here casually, of course, if you live in the area. Either way, these are the tastiest diners around. According to their data, the average Yelp star rating for diners is 3.55 out of 5 across America. Honestly, I would want to see at least a four-star review if I was trying a new diner or other kind of restaurant.

So, there's lots of great news about Las Vegas in this report. According to the report, "Of the cities that shine in staple Americana dining, Las Vegas reigns supreme with an average star rating of 4.29 out of 5." They add that, "As a city known for late nights that run into early mornings and a town lit up by fluorescent signage at every street corner, it's only fitting that Sin City tops the list for best diners." That's so true. After a long night at the bar, you might find yourself in a situation where the sun is coming up and you want to have some breakfast before bed. That said, it makes sense that Las Vegas would have some of the best diners in the country. However, one diner stands out.

What Las Vegas diner was named one of the best in America? It's The Meat Wagon. It received a rating of 4.90, with 184 reviews. I love that this is considered one of the best diners, because they keep things very local. "We take pride in being able to tell you where your food comes from while making you laugh and handing out useless trinkets," they state on their website. "We only use independent farms, ranches, and fishing boats from the USA, who take satisfaction in caring for their animals."

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

When encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.