El Segundo Sol focuses on tacos, margaritas
If you are among the locals who cried a collective "noooo!" when Cafe Ba Ba Reeba closed, take heart: El Segundo Sol has planted its own Latin roots in the same location.
Instead of tapas, it's tacos that reign supreme at El Segundo Sol, in the Fashion Show mall spot where Cafe Ba Ba Reeba served up Spanish-style small plates for years.
El Segundo's parent company, Lettuce Entertain You, has a long history in the Las Vegas restaurant scene; the company owns Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas and also owned Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
People constantly asked, "When are you opening a Mexican restaurant?" says Terry Lynch, executive chef of El Segundo Sol.
"It's been the number one request we've had as a company over the years," Lynch notes.
El Segundo Sol, which opened in March, focuses on tacos and margaritas. But not fast-food tacos; these are made with a variety of ingredients, including mahi mahi, lobster and beef short ribs.
The dining room, which seats 125, is designed to make diners feel like they just stepped off the beach in Mexico and walked into a tacqueria, Lynch says. The food is meant to be interactive; guests can order the guacamole, which is made tableside with peppers that are given a heat index on a scale of one to five, with five being the hottest.
Tacos and fajitas are served platter-style, too. Diners are given the fillings for tacos and can build their own. Taco meats tend to be braised, while the fajita meats are usually grilled, Lynch says. Taco plates come with fresh, handmade corn tortillas, salsas, guacamole, sour cream, black beans, cilantro rice and a choice of meat.
The fajita platters are the same but come with additional vegetables, Lynch says.
If you're more of a quesadilla person, they have those, too.
Reservations are not required. The restaurant at 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South is open daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Specialties: beef short-rib tacos, $15.95; grilled mahi mahi tacos, $15.95; chicken fajitas, $16.95
Appetizers: Tableside guacamole, $8.95; chips and three salsas, $2.95; crab tostada, $10.95
Soups and salads: Chipotle Caesars salad, $5.95; Mexican chopped salad, $7.95; tortilla soup, $6.95
Entrees: chili relleno with rice and beans, $12.95; agave-glazed salmon with cilantro rice, chayote and wilted greens, $17.95; red snapper a la plancha, $17.95; steak fajitas, $18.95
Desserts: Tres leche cake, $5.95; flan of the day, $4.95
Information: 258-1211
By SONYA PADGETT
