Posted on: April 3, 2026, 01:54h.

Last updated on: April 3, 2026, 01:54h.

Two out of four White Castle locations in Las Vegas have permanently shut down. This includes the only venue ever to serve sliders on the Strip, which opened at Casino Royale back in 2015. The additional closure occurred in Henderson.

White Castle’s headquarters decided to take control of two of its Vegas outlets from its licensee, Terrible Herbst. Following this acquisition, the company chose to permanently close the Strip and Henderson sites while managing the remaining locations directly.

The White Castles located east of the Strip (at Paradise Road and Harmon Boulevard) and in downtown (at the intersection of Fremont and 4th streets) are still operating under corporate management.

Beard Awards Highlight Las Vegas

In January, Las Vegas achieved a remarkable milestone with 14 semifinalist nominations in the James Beard Awards, often referred to as the Oscars for the culinary world. This signifies a major turning point for a dining scene that has evolved beyond its previous identity reliant on inexpensive buffets.

However, only three nominees — comprising two chefs and one restaurant — progressed to the finals, as announced by the James Beard Foundation on Tuesday.

The finalists from Las Vegas include:

• Outstanding Restaurant: Tamba, an Indian dining destination located at the off-Strip Town Square mall.
• Best Chef, Southwest: Sarah Thompson, executive chef at Casa Playa, the coastal Mexican restaurant within the Wynn, marking her second nomination in this category.
• Best Chef, Southwest: Brian Howard, chef-owner of Sparrow + Wolf, a modern American restaurant in Chinatown, also receiving his second nomination.

This performance is commendable but falls short of the city’s all-time best of four finalists in 2011. For a complete list of the 2026 finalists, visit jamesbeard.org/awards. The winners will be revealed on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Dining News Updates

Mr. BBQ, a well-known all-you-can-eat establishment in Chinatown, has officially closed its doors. The owners shared the news on social media with heavy hearts but did not provide a specific reason. Mr. BBQ opened in December 2022 as an extension of its original location in Fullerton, California, which remains operational.

A cherished Lebanese restaurant in Las Vegas, tracing its roots back to the 1960s, has made a comeback. The original Hedary’s on West Sahara was closed in September 2013 following the sale by founder Frank Hedary. The restaurant struggled under new ownership and ultimately ceased operations in June 2015. However, this January, Frank’s sister, Maryse Khoury, revived the brand by reopening Hedary’s at The Gramercy.

Lastly, The Aviary — a cocktail bar owned by Michelin-starred chef Grant Achatz, famed for its inventive drinks and dramatic presentations — is set to take over The Vault at Bellagio on May 19. This pop-up residency will follow the 20th-anniversary event of Achatz’s Alinea at the Bellagio’s Michael Mina restaurant from April 16 through May 17.