Las Vegas, Orlando, September 14, 2025
News Summary
Phil Rosenthal, host of a culinary travel series, has recently named Las Vegas and Orlando as underrated culinary destinations. He pointed out their vibrant food scenes, driven by immigrant communities and diverse small eateries that extend beyond typical tourist hotspots. During an interview, Rosenthal encouraged visitors to explore beyond the main attractions to discover authentic local flavors, including various international cuisines. He underscored the significance of family-run establishments and neighborhood dining options in shaping the local culinary landscape.
Las Vegas — Phil Rosenthal, host of a culinary travel series, has identified Las Vegas and Orlando as underappreciated culinary destinations, citing vibrant, immigrant-driven food scenes that extend well beyond the cities’ major tourist attractions. The declaration came during a recent interview in which Rosenthal highlighted both cities’ diverse restaurants, family-run eateries and neighborhood food halls as sources of authentic local flavor.
Key takeaway
The most important point is that Las Vegas and Orlando are being framed as hidden culinary hubs where food culture is shaped largely by immigrant communities and small operators. Rosenthal emphasized that visitors who explore beyond the Las Vegas Strip and theme-park areas in Orlando will find high-quality, diverse dining options, including Filipino, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisines.
Orlando: what stood out
Rosenthal said he arrived with skepticism about Orlando as a food destination but was surprised by the breadth and quality of offerings. The seventh season episode filmed in Orlando focuses on local eateries and mom-and-pop spots rather than amusement park food, showcasing neighborhood businesses and community markets.
- Sampaguita: A Filipino ice cream shop noted for halo-halo–style sundaes and inventive flavors such as ube-latte and coconut-pandan.
- Kook’n with Kim: A family-run restaurant in Eatonville serving Asian-inspired soul food rooted in local tradition.
- Crocante: A kitchen featuring housemade items like chicharrón, Latin-style porchetta, and plantain tacos.
- East End Market: A community food hall with a range of options from artisan meats to ramen and other small vendors.
Additional context for Orlando: the city hosts the largest Puerto Rican population outside New York City, a demographic detail that plays a significant role in the city’s culinary landscape and contributes to its diversity of flavors and ingredients.
Las Vegas: neighborhood flavors beyond the Strip
Rosenthal reported being pleasantly surprised by Las Vegas’s food offerings and noted that many visitors do not venture past the Strip to discover its neighborhood dining scene. The eighth season episode filmed in Las Vegas highlights restaurants that have contributed to the culinary reputation of local districts and family-run food institutions.
- Milpa: A modern Mexican café known for tacos and tortillas made fresh daily.
- Big Dan Shanxi Taste: A noodle shop that received recognition from the culinary establishment and operates within a Chinese supermarket environment.
- Esther’s Kitchen: An Italian restaurant credited with helping to develop the city’s Arts District dining scene.
- Gritz Café: A longtime spot for Southern comfort dishes, including sweet potato waffles paired with fried chicken.
- Luv-It Frozen Custard: A local frozen dessert shop in operation since 1973, known for homemade custard.
Common themes and culinary priorities
Across both cities, Rosenthal identified Mexican, Chinese and Italian as top cuisines visitors should try. He stressed the importance of the stories and people behind the food, highlighting the influence of immigration and community entrepreneurship on local dining scenes. The broader recommendation is to seek out neighborhood institutions and small businesses for authentic experiences that are often absent from heavily promoted tourist menus.
Related professional activities
Rosenthal has additional projects in development, including a new cookbook, a debut restaurant in Los Angeles, and a national tour scheduled to begin this fall with a stop planned in Las Vegas. These initiatives align with his aim to encourage people to explore cities through their local food traditions.
Background and context
The commentary fits a wider trend in food and travel coverage that spotlights immigrant-run businesses, food halls and neighborhood chefs as central to contemporary urban culinary identity. Both Las Vegas and Orlando have seen growth in local food entrepreneurship that complements their established entertainment and hospitality economies.
FAQ
Which cities did Rosenthal identify as underappreciated food destinations?
Las Vegas and Orlando were named as cities with vibrant, often overlooked culinary scenes driven by immigrant communities and small local businesses.
What types of restaurants were highlighted in Orlando?
Featured Orlando spots included a Filipino ice cream shop, family-run Asian-inspired soul food, a Latin-focused kitchen, and a community food hall showcasing artisan and small-vendor offerings.
Which Las Vegas restaurants were named as noteworthy?
Notable Las Vegas venues mentioned include a modern Mexican café, a celebrated noodle shop operating inside a supermarket, an influential Italian restaurant in the Arts District, a Southern comfort café, and a long-established frozen custard shop.
What cuisines does Rosenthal recommend trying in both cities?
He recommended Mexican, Chinese and Italian as top cuisines to sample in both Las Vegas and Orlando.
Are there upcoming projects related to Rosenthal’s work?
Yes. Plans include a new cookbook, a debut restaurant in Los Angeles and a national tour that will include a stop in Las Vegas.
Quick comparison chart: Key culinary features
| Feature | Orlando | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Representative venues | Sampaguita; Kook’n with Kim; Crocante; East End Market | Milpa; Big Dan Shanxi Taste; Esther’s Kitchen; Gritz Café; Luv-It Frozen Custard |
| Influential communities | Large Puerto Rican population and diverse immigrant groups | Various immigrant communities shaping neighborhood dining |
| Recommended cuisines | Mexican, Chinese, Italian | Mexican, Chinese, Italian |
| Visitor tip | Seek local markets and mom-and-pop restaurants outside tourist areas | Explore neighborhood districts beyond the Strip for authentic options |
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Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
