For Las Vegas tourists and residents alike, Boulder City is a popular option when looking to escape the bright lights and chaos of Sin City. Located just 20 miles from Las Vegas, it’s a great place to spend a day. With its quaint atmosphere and historic charm, just strolling around taking in the sites is a wonderful experience.
Well, of course if you spend the day there, you are going to get hungry! And one of the best places in the city to fill you up when you are visiting is the Southwest Diner.
This place symbolizes everything that is cool and different about Boulder City. There is nothing fancy at all about it. Just the opposite, it is an old-fashioned, down home diner that features an amazing array of fresh dishes that will please just about anyone.
The restaurant itself is very eye-catching as you drive by. If the large sign doesn’t get your attention, perhaps the old truck parked on the side of the building will. Inside is more of the same with rustic signs and a country charm that makes you feel right at home.
Looks are great, but what it all boils down to is how good the food is. The menu is simple and to the point. A variety of Mexican offerings, burgers, sandwiches, and full dinners are offered along with salads if you insist on watching your calories. All of it sounded great, and apparently the breakfast is a huge hit too. I was told that it can be ordered at any time as well.
We decided to go with the grilled chicken breast with fries as well as what they call the chili size along with onion rings.
The chicken was moist and perfectly cooked, and the diner-style fries were a perfect accompaniment. It is exactly what you would hope for when getting a sandwich and fries from a diner like this.
The chili size, which is an open faced burger smothered in chili and covered with cheese and onion, was great as well. The onion rings were some of the better that I ever remember getting at a restaurant. The chili on the burger also delivered, as it was clearly fresh, unlike what you often find in diners where they have chili that tastes as though it has been around quite awhile.
What is also fun is that they deliver your drinks in large mason jars. I don’t know why, but an ice cold Coke always tastes better when it comes in a mason jar!
Just when we felt we were ready to explode, Sara, who runs the Southwest Diner along with her mother insisted we try some of the pie which they are famous for. We couldn’t refuse, and although we were full, we were happy we accepted the offer. We chose apple pie (they have others such as peach, pumpkin, rhubarb, blueberry and more depending on the day) with a scoop of ice cream, and it was out of this world! Served warm, the flaky crust and perfect apples inside made a perfect ending to our incredible meal.
Jake, Sara’s brother is responsible for making the pies, and it is obvious why he has many people coming to the restaurant just to try them out. We can’t wait to come back and try the other kinds they have!
And if eating there is not good enough for you, they have many goods that are freshly baked and ready for you to take home. In addition to the pies, they also have some amazing banana bread which we took home with us and other baked goods which are as good or better than anything your grandma used to make.
Overall, this is THE place to go for lunch or breakfast if you are planning to spend the day in Boulder City or go to the Hoover Dam. However, for the most part, it isn’t just little salads that they offer. So, if you are like us, you will feel more than full when you leave. But that is fine, because of the beautiful location they are in, you should definitely just go for a stroll once you are done to work it off and take in the charm of Boulder City. After a walk you are ready to go for the rest of the day.
The Southwest Diner has been in its present location for about four years now. Overall, they have been in service for over twenty years. It’s clear that in that time they have gained quite a local following, as many can be found drinking coffee, enjoying a piece of pie, or having a complete meal while enjoying the surroundings.
Tourists are also well represented. Whether the diner caught their eye as they drove by, or they received it as a recommendation, plenty of people from out of town find their way in. And from the smile on their faces when they leave, it’s obvious they were glad they did.
Southern Nevada has thousands of restaurants to choose from, and many of them are among the best in the world. From fast food to high-end celebrity bistro’s, it is easy for a small diner to get lost in the shuffle. Yet despite intense competition, the Southwest Diner has managed to stand out from the rest. By avoiding gimmicks and just offering great homemade food at a reasonable price, along with friendly service, they have made themselves a destination spot for anybody who heads out to Boulder City.
If you have yet to check them out, I highly recommend you plan a day out in Boulder City just to take a break from the high paced life of Las Vegas. And when it comes time to eat, make sure you drop by the Southwest Diner. Just make sure you save room for the pie!
Southwest Diner
761 Nevada Highway
Boulder City, Nevada
(702) 293-1537
Joele
February 21, 2014 at 5:44 pmLooks delicious! … And the food looks good too! 😉