About Eat Local Vegas

From Air Force veteran to local business advocate - discover the story behind our mission to celebrate Las Vegas' amazing local restaurants.

Our Story & Mission

Why we're passionate about supporting Las Vegas' local restaurant community

👋 My Vegas Story

Just a native southern (Charleston, SC) beach lover who fell in love with the mountains and the ability to see for miles across the city.

I'm an Air Force veteran who came to Vegas on a 90-day TDY in 2007… and never left.

Embarrassingly, it took me 90 days just to venture west of the 15. Back then, all I knew was the Strip, Nellis, and the stretch of Las Vegas Blvd in between. I was telling everyone Vegas was terrible. Because I hadn't seen the real city yet.

When I finally moved off base, everything changed. I discovered neighborhoods, hidden gems, mom-and-pop shops, community parks, incredible food, and even better people. That's the Vegas I've come to love.

🌟 The Real Vegas

Beyond the Strip lies an incredible community of passionate restaurant owners, family recipes passed down through generations, and neighborhood spots where locals gather. This is the Vegas worth celebrating.

Las Vegas neighborhood street with local businesses
The real Vegas - neighborhood gems and local communities
Local Las Vegas restaurant owners and community
Supporting the people who make Vegas special

🏪 Why I Built This

Eat Local Vegas is just my small way of giving back to a city that's given me so much. It's not a big company. No venture capital. Just one guy trying to help people discover the amazing local businesses that make Vegas special.

Whether you're a resident, a tourist, or someone stuck between duty stations — I hope this guide helps you find something real, something local, and something worth supporting.

18+
Years in Vegas
1200+
Food Holidays Tracked
∞
Local Meals Enjoyed

🎯 The "Eat Local Excuses" Strategy

📧

10+ Years of Experience

I've been using national holidays as email prompts for over a decade across different industries. It's a proven strategy that works.

💬

Pandemic Innovation

During the pandemic, I shared daily food holidays in our work Slack. People loved having fun reasons to try new food, even when stuck at home.

💡

Daily Content Gold

Every day is a food holiday! This gives us 365+ reasons for social media content and daily excuses for people to visit amazing local restaurants.

How It Works

"It's National Jerky Day! Your excuse to try the amazing house-made jerky at [Local Vegas Restaurant]. Support local, celebrate daily!" 🎉

Simple, fun, and gives people a reason to explore local spots they might never have discovered otherwise.

❤️ Just Doing My Part

I'm building this alongside other projects like Vegas Birthday Deals and Shop Local Vegas, because I believe small businesses are the soul of this city.

For Restaurant Owners

Free platform to showcase your amazing food and connect with customers who care about supporting local businesses.

For Vegas Locals

Daily inspiration to explore new flavors, support neighbors, and discover the incredible food scene beyond the Strip.

For Visitors

Experience the real Vegas through authentic local flavors and the warm hospitality of neighborhood restaurants.

Thank You

If you're a local business owner or just a proud Vegas neighbor — thanks for being here. You're the reason this exists.

Together, we're keeping the heart of Vegas beating strong, one local meal at a time.

Join the Movement

Ready to discover your next favorite local restaurant? Every day is a new food holiday and a new excuse to eat local!

Explore Local Restaurants See Today's Food Holiday

Have a story to share or a restaurant to recommend?

Drop me a line - I'd love to hear from you!