You really hit the nail on the head!

You completely BLEW your credibility by including Binion’s Steakhouse on your list. The Ranch Steakhouse is a PERFECT example of how the “once” mighty have fallen.

What used to be a really nice room with large portions, REAL gulf shrimp and quality service is now just a dreary experience with below average food and disinterested servers.

It would be better if whichever hedge fund that owns the hotel these days decided to gut the place and rent it out for bar mitzvahs and Quinceañeras.

Come on, there has been progress here lately with the First Friday Art Walks, the development of Fremont East as a boho/hipster/alternative nightlife scene, and the good new restaurants opening like Tinoco’s and Firefly. Yes, Downtown will NEVER be like The Strip. It just wasn’t made (and remade) to compete with the flashy glory of The Strip. But come on, is that always a bad thing?

Sometimes I just prefer to let loose and relax to some tapas at Firefly or a quiet Italian dinner at Grotto before taking in a cheesy-but-fun Fremont Street video show and playing real nickels at a nickel machine. Why is that a bad thing?

NEWSFLASH – A HELL OF A LOT OF QUALITY PEOPLE WOULD MISS FREMONT STREET IF IT WERE GONE. JOHN CURTAS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WOULD MISS ELV. TAKE THE DRIBBLE ELSEWHERE MR. CURTAS – THOSE OF US WHO ARE ACTUALLY DOWNTOWN SUPPORTERS (AS YOU CLAIM TO BE) AND NOT POSERS DON’T NEED YOUR TYPE OF “SUPPORT”.

Mr. Curtas, let me tell ya, I travel this country for a living and I have never seen, heard or read anyone who espouses to be a legitimate critic of anything who comes across as the complete and total moron that you yourself seem to portray here so perfectly.

Job Opportunity: LAS VEGAS FOOD CRITIC Job opening: Immediate, PLEASE!

“food critics” who attack only the things and people who can’t help them in order to self-promote and bring attention to themselves.

“food critics” who seek and crave the celebrity status of the chef and restauranteur asses that they kiss deeply and regularly.

“food critics” who use their bully-pulpits to spit venom selectively, only at the people who you don’t need or don’t need you, a great way to bring attention to you and your fake brash, no-holds-barred, self-promoting bs journalism at the expense of unsuspecting, often undeserving businesses.

“food critics” who espouse blowing up all of the “poor” people and the places they go and stay. because the strip and the rich people at the Wynn are so great!

you are so relevant, john curtas! so in the know and hip! so controversial! such a douchebag!

Thank you! Shouldn’t we be supporting efforts to bring more culture into Downtown? The First Friday Art Walk is always a blast, and Fremont East has some surprisingly hip clubs. And getting back to the food, Triple George Grill really is one of those hidden gems… Along with Grotto at The Golden Nugget.

And again, Firefly was great! While it does stick out like a sore thumb at The Plaza, at least the new owner is trying to bring some quality food to Fremont.

As I said earlier, I honestly doubt Downtown will ever be like the epicurean nirvana that The Strip has become. But hey, maybe it’s not a bad thing. Not everyone likes what The Strip has become, so we should give tourists and locals the choice of an alternative destination Downtown.