Hard Rock Vegas - Jumbo Combo to die for ! (Hardrock Cafe Las Vegas)

Member Name: sdean

Product:	Hardrock Cafe Las Vegas
Date:	06/03/09 (207 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You won't go hungry - Ever! lots to look at , brilliant service.

Disadvantages: Little pricey if only for lunch- You might miss it if you don't venture off strip!

~History of The Hard Rock Café~

It started with one guitar from Eric Clapton.

Eric Clapton like to eat in an American Diner in London in the 1970's called the Hard Rock Café, apparently in a pretty nice building that used to house a Rolls Royce Dealership. It was run by two Americans Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton. Eric Clapton got to be friends with the boys and loved the café so much he wanted a regular table and asked them to put up a plaque or something - they asked why not a guitar? So he handed his guitar over.
A week later Pete Townshend from The Who sent his guitar with a note "Mine's as good as his. Love, Pete."
They also put this on the wall, and from there the Hard Rock Café was born. Apparently 70,000 memorabilia items adorn the walls and storage spaces of 138 branches of the Hard Rock café's, hotels and casino's in 42 countries around the world.

~Hard Rock Las Vegas~

Visiting Las Vegas in June last year was amazing, I had been before (when I was about 12) and couldn't experience anything on my own. I don't remember much, and it has changed a lot in 15 years. But one place I do remember going and it making a big impression on me was the Hard Rock Café - Las Vegas.

I knew my other half would like it- surrounded by musical memorabilia. He had never been to a 'Hard Rock' before so didn't seem bothered at first.

The Hard Rock Café is off strip, you need to get a taxi there or be picked up by the Hard Rock Café bus which stops near the New York New York hotel. We got a taxi as we weren't sure when the bus came. Approaching the café we saw the giant guitar - which can be seen in 'Honey I Blew Up The Kid' when the baby picks the guitar up and plays it. We were dropped off outside where the gold door handles were in the shape of guitars. Entering it looked very clean, efficient and smart. To the left was the gift shop where you could buy all you Hard Rock gifts. More about that later.
A server approached us immediately gave us her name and seated us. I really fancied a margarita cocktail, but with about 10 to choose from the waitress gave me her opinion on which was the best. My other half ordered a Guinness (which even in the states cost a fortune!) We arrived at the Hard Rock late lunch (about 3pm) we had starved ourselves and were really hungry, but knowing what US portion sizes are like we decided on a shared starter the 'Jumbo Combo' which included the most amazing onions rings, spring rolls, chicken wings, potato skins and lots of sauces to dip. Let me tell you - it was enormous. Considering in the UK we would expect 1 of each per person - this was HUGE !
Half way through eating it we nearly admitted defeat as we had a sandwich on its way as our main course. I had a California Chicken Club Sandwich (which came with fries). This was also huge. I managed to finish the inside of my sandwich and some fries (I left the bread well alone). My other half had an open faced Sirloin Sandwich which was also massive. This included vegetables (mushrooms and onions) and was over garlic bread, which he loved. He didn't manage to finish his either, but we did try - in the interests of research and non wastage of course, (it will be no surprise to you I came home 7 lbs heavier!) We were offered another drink and my other half had another Guinness I couldn't do it and asked to pay the bill when we had finished. It came to approx $80 which at the time was about £40. Expensive for lunch , perhaps, but this was a tourist attraction in itself, and gave us a lovely meal, great hosting in a lovely environment.

On paying the bill we were given two 'Hard Rock Café' Las Vegas pint glasses to take home, which I am pleased to say lasted back to the hotel on the plane and home and are safely in our cupboard.

~The Shop~

Well I had to get something! I purchase a Hard Rock t-shirt in black, tightly fitted with the logo in silver dots. This was approx $25 and a bottle opener for my other half as a little something to keep! Which was in the shape of a guitar, this was about $8. The shop staff were very attentive and helpful with sizes, as all was S/M/L, no specific sizes.

~The Bus~
To save us some money we waited for the bus back to 'The Strip', while waiting we popped over the road, to a non tourist shop for water and beers to take back to our room and couldn't believe the prices off strip. They were easily less than half price which is something you get a lot when in Vegas, you have to try and find the shops the locals use, which is difficult if you are not driving around.

So we waited for what seemed hours for the bus as we had just missed one. I think we waited nearly an hour, but we took pictures of the outside, and sat in the sun for a while before being taken back in the big black van - which held about 20 people and had 'Hard Rock' written in silver on the outside.

All in all it was a great trip and we got to see the outside of the Hard Rock hotel which looked really cool, but a sad bit of rock trivia attaches itself to the hotel, John Entwistle, bassist for the Who, died in one of its rooms on the eve of the start of a tour with the band.

Summary: A fantastic place to go !!