Friday, October 9, 2026

Food Festival: Lebanese American Festival at St. Sharbel runs Oct 9–11

Lebanese American Festival · St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, 10325 Rancho Destino Rd · South valley · Other

The 18th annual Lebanese American Festival takes over St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in the south valley from Fri Oct 9 through Sun Oct 11, open 4–11 p.m. on Oct 9 and 10 and 1–9 p.m. on Oct 11. It’s the parish’s big yearly party, with homemade Lebanese food cooked by church volunteers, live Arabic music and dancing, kids’ games and church tours, and the money goes to St. Sharbel’s programs and community outreach. Food runs on tickets (the site lists a ticket at $1 and notes prices can change), so a falafel sandwich is 10 tickets, chicken or beef shawarma is 13 or 14, and the kabob combo with kafta, chicken kabob, rice, fattoush, hummus and pita is 20. Save room for baklava, maamoul or a square of knafeh, and check the festival website for entry details before you go.

Opening / coming soon

Fried chicken with a waffle and a bowl of cheesy grits at Gritz Cafe (official photo) — Credit: Gritz Cafe

Coming 2027: Gritz Cafe adds a second spot at The Good Word on the Westside

Gritz Cafe · The Good Word Social Club, 1122 D St · Historic Westside · Downtown

Gritz Cafe, the soul food spot Trina Jiles opened on the Historic Westside in 2008, is expanding for the first time. The Las Vegas City Council approved a lease on Oct 7 for two stalls at The Good Word Social Club, a city-backed dining and community hall taking shape at 1122 D St (at Madison Ave), and Gritz plans to open there in 2027, less than 2 miles from the original. Until then, the Stella Lake St. restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., for peach cobbler waffles, catfish and waffles and build-your-own grits bowls.

Deals, happy hours, pop-ups

A chef plating small bites at a tasting table (official Rio photo) — Credit: Rio Las Vegas

Grand Tasting: Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival at Rio on Sat Oct 10

Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival · Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd · Strip · The Strip

The Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival’s Grand Tasting sets up in the Rio Convention Center parking lot on Sat Oct 10 at 8 p.m., with chefs and participating restaurants plating bites next to a big lineup of wine and spirits. Your ticket covers all the food and drinks, it’s 21 and over only, and tickets can’t be refunded or transferred, so leave the shorts, flip-flops and strollers at home. Rio is also bundling tickets with hotel stays (one ticket for a one-night stay, two for two nights) if you’d rather not drive home.

Vegas Food News