I never thought I would ever be typing these words, but it's the end of an era--hopefully not permanent. I've been eating here since 1970 when menu was written daily on a small blackboard on the wall and plate lunches were $1.25, drink included. I left the area in '84 but have returned frequently ever since. Las Vegas is always my first stop, and last night was no different, meeting up with ten family members for dinner. Our server, Elizabeth, was superb. When I saw the menu, I was concerned. It was six or eight pages, with dishes I never expected to see here. But I understand why, even though my first thought was, "I hope they haven't messed with the traditional dishes." I've always maintained the cheese enchiladas here are among the three or four finest in the world, if not THE finest. That's what I always order. I also ordered panchos and guacamole. My wife ordered beef enchiladas. The guacamole was very good. The nice thing about LVC is they don't use much (if any) cilantro. This stuff ruins guacamole. Their homemade chips are beyond incredible and so is the salsa. The panchos were terrible. Way too much cheese. Ratios are important. The refried beans and rice were very dry. And finally, the cheese enchiladas. They were not good. There was very little gravy (this is what makes them so good) at all, and the gravy wasn't right. They have changed the recipe. There was also way too much cheese on top. Ratios are important. The medium (soft, medium or crispy taco shell) ground beef taco was perfect. My wife said her enchiladas were also disappointingly dry with bland gravy. I ate the taco and about half the rice, beans and enchiladas. I paid what might be my final tab here, and picked up everyone else's check. 56 years ago, I paid less than two bucks out the door. Last night's tab was over $250 with tip. Times have changed. Unfortunately, so has their food. The women's restroom was repulsive. I won't go into detail about the trash can. read more

I ordered this on Door Dash, so one never knows how fresh it's going to be when it arrives. Fortunately, it seemed to show up at my hotel room door about as fresh as if I were at the restaurant. I ordered a plate that had a cheese enchilada, rice, beans, guac, a beef fajita taco and I got a carne guisada taco on the side just to try it out. I also got chips & queso because I wanted to try that, too. I think I'm too used to crappy fast food Mexican food like Taco Cabana, because I was expecting everything to be on the smallish side. I was dead wrong. The tacos are large and the carne guisada one was stuffed to overflowing. Two people could easily split the dinner, and the extra stuff was just wasteful on my part. I ate a fraction of what came. As far as the food goes, the rice is seriously good and so are the beans. That's typically where most restaurants just throw some filler on the plate and call it a day. The guacamole was good, too. The homemade chips are also delicious. I did enjoy the queso, but wouldn't put it too far above average restaurant faire. The fajitas were very good as was the carne guisada, although I thought the beef chunks were extremely large. I didn't care for the enchilada sauce, so I ended up not eating those. But, that's just personal preference, so take it with a grain of salt. Overall, I thought it was good food at a good price and I'll probably order it again when I come back through Harlingen. read more

Authentic Mexican food at an affordable price. Always hot and made to torcer. Customer service is pleasantly friendly. The ambiance is folkloric with classical style paintings of Diego Rivera. read more

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After so many years in business, Las Vegas Restaurant is still a good place to meet and eat with family. Enjoyed the enchiladas for dinner and the tea was amazing. read more

Good food. Always crowded. Friendly and attentive staff. Recommend this harlingen staple. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Carne guisada lunch plate with tea. - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

Look no more and check out this joint. Love the Mom and Pops place, atmosphere, friendly staffs especially the hard working servers. Authentic TexMex food plenty of choices. Definitely coming back. read more

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Ridiculous Mexican food. Probably the best in the RGV. Worth the 20 minute wait on a Friday at noon. Awesome and fast service to boot. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Panchos, nachos, cheese enchiladas and Mexican Cokes. - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

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Yum yum and food comes out hot straight from the kitchen. That's exactly how I prefer. Service is more than adequate. This is another example of what it's like eating with friends and family read more

I ordered charro beans NOT one bean in it chunks of dried meat tomatoes onions and peppers "disgusting ". Husband got taco plate with rice and beans got it home had French fries. Called them about and manager was supposed to call back but didn't. Lady in front me had issues with order to go also. Guess they dont care​ read more

My colleagues in Texas surprised me--a Las Vegas local--by taking me here for dinner last night. The restaurant was packed, and we even had to wait about five minutes for our table. The chili and chile con queso I ordered was bomb (and what I'm basing this review on). I also ordered two tacos, and they were not memorable at all. read more

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The food never disappoints! The mini Mexican plate was a perfect portion. Quick efficient service, attention to our needs. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Mini Mexican Enchilada Plate - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

Sooooo delicious the service is great it's always packed so if you wait on a table most of the time it's not long at all. The food is fresh and cooked with alot of love read more

GREAT LOCALS SPOT! Las Vegas Restaurant was highly recommended by one of the employees at a hotel that we were staying at nearby! This is definitely one of the old school diner places that you must visit while in Harlingen. Be ready for the wait to get in because like many diners out there, it is busy and well there is no online check ins. You have to make sure you go in and put your name down for a table. We waited about 30 minutes but there are plenty of seating areas indoors and outdoors to kill some time. The venue does not offer complimentary chips and salsa, which is the first that I have seen in a while, however, it is offered as an appetizer. We didn't mind it at all. I ordered the Las Vegas Plate while my husband ordered the Tex Mex Plate. Both dishes come with enchiladas, rice and beans of your choice and the type of main course ( fajita tacos on the Vegas or Carne Guisada for Tex Mex ). Wow! My tacos were amazingly good and the carne guisada was so soft. Enchiladas were good too, made with a roux or gravy like sauce. But the winning dish were the beans! Wow, there is so much love put into this, you can taste it ! If you do not like pork stay away but if you do this is heaven! These are perfect dishes that will give you that " Welcome Home " feeling. Also not, the price point is very affordable. I mean compared to Vegas Prices lol. Service was personable and ambiance had that Tex Mex Vibe ! Make sure to give it a try! read more

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Truly the best Mexican food in the valley. It was my first time in Brownsville and here. The waitress was super sweet. I ate alone and felt comfortable. Get the cheese enchiladas! Everything authentic. Great ambiance with decoration read more

Every time I visit I have to hit up Las Vegas Restaurant and never have I been here when they're isn't a line out the door of at least 20 people. This restaurant is popular and they don't take reservations. You have to go in, give your name to the host and get placed on the waiting list. You can give them your phone number and they will call when it's your turn. This place is the heart of Tex-Mex food. From fresh home made flour and corn tortillas to fideo, beef fajita tacos, refried beans (the way grama used to make) to the school cafeteria style cheese enchiladas (famous dish) , carne guisada, caldo de res (beef soy) and last but not least, super sweet tea Texas style. I could go on and on about all the dishes I grew up eating but I'm getting hungry thinking about the hearty food that is prepared here on the daily. The cheese enchilada plate is my favorite. I order it with sliced fresh onions and the jalapeño; it just hits different that way. It comes with your choice of tortillas or crackers. I get 2 flour tortillas to have with my refried beans. It tastes good with the crackers too; it's just a childhood taste thing to add a piece of cheesy, beefy, gooey enchilada on top of them crackers and wash it down with that Texas sweet tea. (Sigh) those good old memories. Thank you ladies that work here, they're always super sweet and they all work so hard. My tea is always topped off and they always move around restaurant checking on customers to make sure they have everything they need. That's why I keep coming back. Service is impeccable and the food is on point. If you ever come down this area you have to try this place; it's a local favorite. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Cheese Enchiladas Plate with beef and toasted top. - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

I love Las Vegas Restaurant! Best cheese enchiladas I've ever had, (period!), and the carne guisada is like a kiss from Abuelita. Chips and Salsa are extra but it's too good to pass up. Las Vegas restaurant is welcoming, & the food is consistently delicious. Because of all these things, there is an occasional waitlist but it moves quickly. . read more

This is what we wish still existed in this country. Las Vegas Restaurant serves up the best Mexican food at 1990's prices. Amazing service - great food - even better atmosphere. It's the busiest restaurant in Harlingen but you'll get seated quickly. read more

LVC is greasy and tasteless. Many locals highly recommend LVC, as for me I find their Mexican style of cooking unappetizing.

Great Food! Sweet Tea is amazing. I'll still give 5 star cause the food is amazing but service needs a tad work. But overall Amazing!

I was given two places to try during my time here, and I sure wish I would've gone to the other place; Las Vegas was such a disappointment. When we first got there we were met with a bustling restaurant filled with chatter and lively families and friends. We had to be put on a wait list which thankfully didn't take long at all. Once we were sat our waitress came over immediately to take our orders. I decided on a smoked sausage taco and the meal from the grill that came with 2 fajitas, a quesadilla, beans, rice, and guacamole. Let down number one was the taco. All it was, was a smoky kielbasa sausage on a tortilla. I was flabbergasted that they didn't put any of the normal taco fixings inside of it. Disappointment number two was the food I ordered. On this plate you can only see a quesadilla. Maybe I was completely confused but 2 fajitas in addition to quesadillas was what I was expecting whatever that may mean. Last thing to top it off is they had the gall to use sour cream packets. The cherry on the ice cream was that the food was pretty bland and flavorless. After we ordered it took 30 minutes for us to get our food (party of 3), and you would think it would have tasted better. Not a good experience at all. read more

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The absolute best Mexican food in the RGV. They have delicious refried beans and cheese enchiladas.

I've never been disappointed eating here. It's a staple place in Harlingen has been open for 60 years. Of course everyone loves their enchiladas and their chicken salad is huge and delicious. The prices are so cheap and their daily specials are wonderful. You will never feel like you wasted your money eating here. You always get huge portions and the food is always delicious. I highly recommend this place. The service is amazing. The people are very attentive and the ambience is bustling. read more

Their food is delicious, service is nice, and the ambiance is sooo good! This restaurant is really nice! I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!

Best fajitas I've had in the RGV! Super tender and delicious. Service was great but there is definitely a wait. We went at 2 in the afternoon and it was still pretty busy. Overall it's a must stop place while in the RGV! read more

Delicious food very fresh! It was do yummy and they were so nice and quick to seat and serve us! The atmosphere is also pretty great and feels lively! (*´`*)will come back read more

We just moved down here last summer, and have been trying different places to eat at. I must say, I'm disappointed we didn't try this place sooner!! The wait was a little while, but I can see why! The food is amazing! We started with the chicken fajita nachos as an appetizer, and that was fantastic! I had the Tex-Mex plate, and was surprised it was just like my grandmother's cooking! Flour tortillas are homemade and excellent! Do try this place! I can assure you, you won't be disappointed!! Will definitely be back here over and over again! read more

Food was excellent. Service was adequate but slow. Kitchen was very slow. We waited 30 minutes for a table. 10 minutes to order. 45 minutes for the meals. A little too long even though the food was excellent. Not excellent enough for that kind of wait. read more

Anthony who's on the register needs to be more off his phone and pay more attention to the register n stop charging wrong fees.

Food is authentic, large portions and very well priced. Assorted daily specials make it even more affordable. Roughly $10-15 per person. Every member of the staff we interacted with was personable and helpful. Wonderful atmosphere. Even the patrons of the establishment were helpful to the gringos! They gave us suggestions of what to eat and even gave us samples from their own plate! W will definitely be going back before we leave the area! read more

FOREVER..!!! That's what Las Vegas Restaurant is. IT has forever had great food, service,prices, and location. This establishment has roots. Family owned and continues to provide the warmth of genuine hospitality and recipes. You will always have a yearning to continue going back for home sweet home warmth. read more

This was soooo good. Hand made chips and fresh guacamole, all the sauces were legit, portions are generous. Great dinner.

We have eaten at the Las Vegas Restaurant for years and have never had a bad meal or bad service. The only draw back is everyone else thinks it is the best also so at peak times you will have a wait. read more

The wait times to get food is about 25 minutes been there on several occasions not a good wait if you're going for lunch. I have also seen ppl get up and leave read more

Best enchiladas, my husband loves the gentleman's plate! Tea is the best, though I wish they would serve it in glass containers. Used to love their breakfast, but I understand not enough staff. Try it, you'll like the relaxed atmosphere and decent prices. read more

Had been hearing good things about the enchiladas here so I had to go try them. One thing is for sure if cheese is your thing then these are a must try. I had the Cheese enchiladas and my wife and daughter had the botana for 3 my brother had the beef enchiladas while. Y sister and her partner had the flautas and cheeseburger. Everyone was very satisfied. Our waitress did an excellent job refilling our drinks as well. We will be back to try other menu items read more

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I feel like the enchiladas are the only reliable things to order. I tried out the quesadillas and it was basically a taco of fajita sprinkled with a little cheese. Kinda disappointing for a quesadilla with hardly any queso. Service is nice though, but for as far as food goes there's other places that have better quality and a bit cheaper prices. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Quesadillas - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

Excellent food. Truly good as i Approved to enter. there two days in a row! Service was a little slow but they were packed. read more

Waitress was excellent. Went during lunch so waited a bit to be seated and normal noisiness of lunch. Ordered chips and salsa and enchilada plate. Chips and salsa excellent. Enchilada plate was ehh nothing outstanding. Enchilada plate had been hyped up so was disappointed. read more

Las Vegas Restaurant - Enchilada plate chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

Great overall selection. Prompt service, great food. Will most definitely be back. Enjoy! read more

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In town for business and was recommended this restaurant because they had a good variety. I expected being where it is in Texas I would be getting great Mexican food. However this was not the case, I got the "ladies special" For lunch. This included crunchy taco,five cheese nachos, and a Chalupa. The taco was OK nothing to rave about but edible. However the nachos and the Chalupa tasted like they had put craft singles on them. Literally American cheese slices. There's no other way to describe the taste of that cheese except cheap plastic wrapped cheese slices. They did however have the best sweet tea I have ever had. That's the reason they get two stars. Service was fine. Again not great but the server wasn't unpleasant. Just didn't seem bothered with being a server. Took our order brought us drinks and the check. That was it did not see her otherwise. It wasn't a issue of a language barrier, although I don't speak Spanish we had a native Spanish speaker in our party and she spoke English perfectly to us. However she was an unfriendly just didn't seem to really want to wait tables. read more