Las Vegas Mixtape v2: Diving Into the City’s Culinary Gems and Top-Shelf Entertainment

Track #6: La Vecindad Pico de Gallo at Commercial Center

Head to the steadily resurgent Commercial Center on Sahara Ave east of the Strip for hidden culinary gems. Among them are soulful eatery Sista Kim’s Kitchen (noted for their feel-good shrimp po boi, pastrami, and fried chicken sandwiches) and Pasabocas Colombian Bakery (try their high-quality coffee and puff pastries filled with cheese and guava). Add La Vecindad to the list, with its truly authentic Mexican cuisine and over-the-top ambiance.

The whole restaurant is an art piece, with “unique handmade décor” (per their website) and colorful visuals everywhere. The oversized dining room is designed like a Mexican cityscape, right down to a clothesline with garments hanging above a table. Recently, on a buzzing Friday night, a Day of the Dead-costumed DJ was spinning Latin hits like “Las Manos Quietas” by Carlos Perez (my Shazam app again proved helpful).

With all that going on, focusing on the expansive menu is a challenge. On my first visit here, I ordered the chilaquiles verdes (one of seven “breakfast anytime!” choices). This time, I went with a superb taco salad that was impossible to finish. The large taco shell was filled with chicken, pico de gallo, and rice and beans, topped with abundant avocado slices. For my return visit, I already have my eyes on the Torta Hawaiiana with pineapple, a nice nod to Vegas being the “ninth island” of Hawaii.