Black Hat and DEFCON are quickly approaching! One of the biggest annual cybersecurity events held in Las Vegas, cyber executives, security engineers, and even hackers attend to learn the newest updates in the field. It’s an exciting place to be if you have even a curiosity in the cyber space. However, frequenting the trainings, briefings, and expos can leave attendees feeling tired and hungry. So where do you eat?
What some people don’t realize is that Vegas has some of the best food in the world. From buffets to specialty restaurants, Asian to European, there are hundreds of options to choose from. Below are some of the restaurants that Airiam and Semper Sec’s frequent attendees love to eat at.
Breakfast for Black Hat and DEFCON
When you begin your day, begin it with a good source of energy. Whether you’re fresh and fit from a good night’s sleep or soaking up the remnants of last night’s after-party, Black Hat and DEFCON will be much easier on you if you start your day with a good meal.
Blueberry Hill Family Restaurants
A Vegas breakfast staple since 1966, the Blueberry Hill Family Restaurants have made their pancakes from scratch with the good ol’ taste of buttermilk from home. Known for their blueberry pancakes, they also have awesome options like Tennessee Fried Steak and Eggs, Honey Coconut Chicken and Waffles, Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes, and a Blueberry Hill Style Monte Cristo Sandwich. If you’re not a sweets or breakfast kinda person, they also have a selection of burgers and sandwiches that might hit the spot. Recommended by Rob Carson from Semper Sec, a Las Vegas frequenter, this place has been proven to give a great bang for your buck.
Wicked Spoon
You can’t say you’ve gone to Vegas if you haven’t been to a buffet, and if you want to experience one of the most unique buffets out there, you should be looking at the Wicked Spoon for breakfast or brunch. Open 8am-2pm at The Cosmopolitan, you could start your day with crab legs, prime rib, eggs benedict, duck wings, chocolate-covered strawberries, and so much more. With made-to-order items like the hotpot and ramen or pizza oven counter, diversity in cuisine ranging from gourmet tacos to juicy chasu pork, and even a long spread of desserts that could convince you they came from a jewelry box, there’s no way you’re leaving this buffet unsatisfied. A hot tip: make sure to make a reservation for the Blackhat and DEFCON weekend if you can grab one!
Eggslut
The name of this must-visit breakfast location might be a shock to few, but if you’re in Vegas, are you actually surprised? Eggslut, as you can guess by their choice of name, specializes in their innovative recipes with eggs. Their specialty is their Slut, a UK-inspired coddled egg on top of house-made potato purée with gray salt, chives, and served with sliced baguette. This creamy and decadent dish is iconic and should be accompanied by one of their just-as-decadent sides, like the truffle hashbrowns, arugula side salad with Manchego cheese, or (to cap off your meal) the salted chocolate chip cookie. Another attention to their epic detail is that all their bread is made locally and delivered fresh daily, and they provide a gluten-free bun option, too.
Hidden Gems of Blackhat and DEFCON
While Vegas has many famous restaurants the world may know about, there are some places the locals and frequent fliers might be keeping to themselves. The few below may not be Michelin-star restaurants, but you might plan another trip back to Vegas after Black Hat and DEFCON to eat there again.
El Dorado Cantina
Do not let the location of this restaurant fool you. With some of the best Mexican food Rob Carson has ever had, El Dorado Cantina has a whopping 4.4-star rating with over 5,000 reviews. Come here and experience an explosion of flavor from their carne asada tacos, fresh, table-side guacamole, and feast of their juicy steak fajitas. If you’re looking for something unique to try, look no further than their Queso Fundido, a Mexican 3-cheese blend with mushrooms, chorizo, grilled veggies, and pico de gallo served hot and bubbling on a skillet. Dip your tortillas or chips into this creamy blend and feel it melt away your stressful thoughts. You’d also be doing yourself a disservice if you walked away without their crispy and soft churros, covered in cinnamon and sugar.
POP’s Philly Steaks
Another bald, bearded, businessman recommended location! Open 24/7, you can satisfy your cheesesteak craving any time of day. Established in 2002, POP’s aimed to bring a truly authentic Philly cheesesteak experience to the desert. With a selection of hoagies, sides, and other sandwiches (like the Pastrami & Swiss grinder or the Breakfast grinder), you can eat your fill for a great price. Honestly there isn’t much more to say except you get exactly what you expect, a fast, always available, filling, delicious hoagie. It’s perfect for a conference like Blackhat and DEFCON.
Lima Limón
If you’re questioning how good Peruvian food could be in a desert, I hear you, but Lima Limón is exactly what a hidden gem is. The Lomo Saltado is huge and comforting. The ceviche is light and flavorful. The Papa a La Huancaina is spicy and rich. Besides the food, introduce yourself to their range of drinks, including Peruvian sodas, traditional Chicha Morada or Maracuya, and Emoliente. Customers have noted that the portions are large, and an average group of 3 could share a dish each, and still leave (happily) with leftovers. You might be surprised to find authentic Peruvian food in Las Vegas, but the real surprise is that you aren’t driving to Lima Limón already.
The Palace Station Oyster Bar
Another 24/7 hidden gem, this location is a personal favorite and recommendation. Located in the Palace Station Hotel and Casino, the Palace Station’s Oyster Bar will have you drooling over the fresh seafood and Cajun/Creole gumbos and stews. The oysters are plump and succulent. Their gumbo has a section on the menu of its own, giving you the choice of 5 options of protein. A must-try is their seafood jambalaya with shrimp, crab, andouille sausage, mussels, clams, rice, and creole spices. You won’t make a bad choice with any of their menu options. If you’re worried about spice, don’t worry; they have a heat scale that ranges from amateur to “we dare you”. Please note, you have to be 21 years of age or older to dine at the bar.
Big Eaters of Blackhat and DEFCON
If you’re like Rob Carson or Art Ocain, Airiam’s VP of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery, you’re a big dude that wants to make sure you can eat your fill for a reasonable price. Don’t make the mistake of wasting your time and money on places like Johnny Rockets or other chain restaurants. You could pay $40 for a mediocre meal that’ll leave you more tired than when you came in. To prevent this abomination of suffering, below are Rob and Art’s recommendations for big eaters.
Island Flavor
Instead of Lilo and Stitch dreaming about Elvis, Elvis must’ve dreamed about Lilo and Stitch! Say “aloha” to Island Flavor, where you taste the big island in the middle of the desert. They have classics like Loco Moco, Chicken Katsu, Kalua Pork, and so much more. With “small” plates like fried spam musubi and Ahi Poke, you can order tons without breaking the bank. It’s a great place to go to refuel after Black Hat and DEFCON. A little bit aways from the strip, this local restaurant is closed Wednesdays and Sundays, but is worth the trip.
Prince Restaurant
What you’ll find is that Vegas is a lot more than life on the strip. Prince Restaurant is a little Mediterranean hole in the wall open until 1am on West Flamingo Road. With great food for reasonable prices, they have lots of items to choose from. A popular option on their menu is their Prince Plate that has a little bit of everything. Keep in mind, this plate was made for a group of 3. If you’re looking for something different, they have their Makedonska Pljeskavica specialty, a sandwich of sorts made with ground steak stuffed with mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, and cream cheese spread. Step back into your grandma’s kitchen when you try the Sarma, or stuffed cabbage.
Wynn Buffet
We love buffets with variety. We’re in love with the combination of variety, amazing customer service, made-to-order crepes for dessert, and the classic Vegas luxury vibe at the buffet in the Wynn hotel. Art Ocain also loves the price for the amount of food you can get there, too. Even for the high price point, the amount of food for the quality it’s at is hard to ignore. Make reservations ahead of time to reduce your waiting time on their website.
For the Gram
“The camera eats first.” Not everyone can be an “influencer,” but anyone can show off delicious food. Below are some recommended restaurants that are not only delicious to taste, but delicious to look at.
Gordon Ramsay Steak
You won’t be an idiot sandwich for eating here. Gordon Ramsay has a list of restaurants all along the strip, but Rob Carson loves this one. A hefty price for a hefty steak, the cuts are aged under a program directed by the international chef. Tucked away in the Paris Casino, the restaurant was opened in 2012 with an elegant, calming atmosphere. Besides their a la carte menu, toting mouth-watering Beef Short Rib, a classic Beef Wellington, and a tender Roasted Branzino, they also have a 5-course tasting menu that includes an amuse-bouche and dessert.
Palette Tea Lounge
A gorgeous, modern take on a Chinese classic, Palette Tea Lounge and Dim Sum is here to impress you. Located right off the strip, you’ll find adorably and painstakingly crafted duck-shaped crispy dumplings (filled with minced pork). Taste their luxurious truffle duck fried rice and juicy lobster har-gow with a syringe of sauce. Be impressed by their gorgeous set of radish cake bricks topped with XO sauce and microgreens. Recently opened in 2023, it was founded by the Ng family who opened the Koi Palace 鯉魚門 chain, Dragon Beaux 俏龍軒, Palette Tea House 彩籠, Palatte Tea Garden 彩苑. With an ongoing history of bringing the experience of “Yum Cha” to the Bay Area and opening their first restaurant in 1996 in San Francisco, the Ng family continues to dazzle the public with their knowledge in Cantonese-Chinese cuisine in their first establishment outside of California.
Humo Barbecue
With thick, juicy cuts of brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs, this BBQ place is where the locals go to take amazing pictures of their food before licking off the plate. Also a recently opened restaurant, Humo Barbecue opened in 2023 with a cool, Mexican fusion theme. The meat has a beautiful char and the sides are perfect to match. Each table has different hot sauces with different spice tolerances for your preferences. Don’t miss their Tostada Flight or Mac & Elote Brisket Bowl either! A 10-minute drive from the strip, the location is great for unwinding after Black Hat and DEFCON.
See What Our Experts are Looking Forward to at Black Hat and DEFCON
Listen to what Art and Rob are excited about in our podcast! Follow the links below!
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