So Long, El Burro Borracho: Guy Fieri’s Vegas Restaurant Finally Kicks the Bucket
Well, folks, it looks like Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho at the Rio has officially thrown in the tortilla. Remember when this place was supposedly “closed for renovations” back in 2022? Yeah, turns out that was just the beginning of its slow demise. The signage is gone, the restaurant has been scrubbed from the Rio’s website like a bad salsa stain, and it’s safe to say no more Loaded Trash Can Nachos will be gracing any tables. This whole saga started back in March 2016. The Rio was under different ownership then – Caesars Entertainment, remember them? Now it’s Dreamscape’s playground, and let’s just say things have been a bit rocky for the property. And apparently, for its “drunken ass” of a restaurant, because that’s what “El Burro Borracho” actually translates to. Charming, right?
The Pandemic Pounced, and Things Got Weird
Then, the pandemic hit, and like a lot of places, El Burro Borracho shut its doors. It made a comeback in 2022, but anyone who tried to actually eat there will tell you the hours were about as predictable as a slot machine payout. Some folks even said they never saw it open, which, let’s be honest, is a pretty bold claim for a place that was supposedly operating.
More Floors Than Floors? Rio Keeps Us Guessing
Meanwhile, the Rio is busy doing its own thing. They’ve got this new place called High Steaks Vegas, which is in the “50th floor” of the VooDoo Steak spot. Except, you know, it doesn’t actually have 50 floors. Or 51. Apparently, they skip a bunch due to superstition, so it’s really more like 41 floors with some extra hidden ones for staff. Who knew? They’ve also added The Kitchen Table for breakfast and lunch, and Eggslut has popped up too. They even have this new pizza joint called “&Pizza,” which, if you ask me, sounds like a terrible name. We’re trying to get them to call it “Ampersand Pizza” before it opens, just to spice things up.
Was It Worth the Hype (or the Licensing Fee)?
Honestly, it feels like El Burro Borracho never really set anyone’s world on fire, including Guy Fieri’s. These celebrity restaurant deals usually involve a percentage of the gross profits. For a place pulling in serious cash like Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, that’s a sweet deal. But at the Rio? It was probably just nibbling away at an already slim profit margin.
So Long, and Thanks for All the… Nothing?
It’s official now. While we didn’t get a formal announcement *immediately*, it’s confirmed. Another concept is in the works for that space. We’ll let you know when we know. Some people seemed to genuinely enjoy the place, noting friendly staff and decent prices. Others are just sad they never actually made it there, despite the allure of KISS-themed putt-putt and the promise of Fieri’s name. You know, the name that supposedly guarantees deliciousness. The reality is, for many, El Burro Borracho was just another mediocre Mexican joint, easily replaceable by something you could get anywhere, even from a fast-food joint. And maybe that’s why it’s finally time for this particular drunken donkey to ride off into the sunset.
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