Big Ern’s BBQ brings down-home flavor to Fiesta Rancho

When you head to Big Ern's BBQ, you had better bring your appetite. The servings are plentiful, and the flavors will have your taste buds crying for more.

Nothing fancy here — the down-home cooking spot is known for its barbecue fare. The original location is at Downtown Container Park, 707 E. Fremont St., and Big Erin's recently opened its second Las Vegas Valley location inside the Fiesta Rancho, 2400 N. Rancho Drive. The one is shuttled back near the gift shop, but patrons don't seem to have any trouble finding it.

Big Ern (real name: Ernie Loya) hails from Los Angeles, which is not the sauce-slathering part of the country that generally comes to mind when the word "barbecue" is bantered about. But he had a passion for making his own barbecue sauce and salsa, and when he came to Las Vegas to work at Zappos, he would sell bottles of it to co-workers. Enter Tony Hsieh and Fred Mossler of Zappos, who were keen on redeveloping downtown Las Vegas. Big Ern's BBQ got a prime location in the Container Park, and the word of Loya's cooking style spread, prompting another location.

The menu is simplicity at its best. Dinners start at $9.95 and include brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and hot links. Platters come with a dinner roll and two sides. Choices include fried okra, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, side salad, potato salad, sweet potato fries, collard greens, and jambalaya. Sandwiches can be made with any of the meats and include one side. The Big Ern Burger is also available, using the eatery's special sauce and onions. Salad lovers will find a garden salad that has the option to be topped with meat.

One of the things that sets Ern's apart is that one can buy its meat by the pound to take home (and claim that you slaved over the oven yourself).

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For the Downtown Container Park location, call 702-834-7845. For Fiesta Rancho, call 702-631-7000. Visit bigernsbbq.com.