New Hard Rock Cafe bigger, but features same menu

The new Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip is like the old off-Strip location on steroids.

At three stories and 42,000 square feet, it’s bigger and flashier than the Paradise Road location, which will remain open. The Strip cafe houses more rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, features a venue for live music and has an entire floor dedicated to Hard Rock merchandise.

Still, the cafe offers the same menu that enthusiasts are familiar with, says general manager Greg Thomas.

"The new cafe is really our new showcase for the up and coming Hard Rocks," Thomas says.

The Strip location, at 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South, features interactive technology that diners can use for music, reading up on bands and viewing the memorabilia at cafes around the world. Even the 86-foot-tall guitar sign in front of the property is two feet bigger than the Paradise cafe.

Booths have touch screens so diners can vote for the music they want to hear while they eat, Thomas notes. Memorabilia from various bands and performers are incorporated into the decor.

The first floor is dedicated to the Rock Shop — where you can purchase branded merchandise — while the third floor serves as the live music venue that can accommodate 1,400 people. Two dining rooms on the second floor have a capacity of 900. An outdoor patio seats an additional 80.

The food is traditional American fare, Thomas says, with everything made in-house.

The cafe is open 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays, and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Specialties: Grilled Hawaiian chicken with white cheddar mashed potatoes, $17.95; Twisted Mac and Cheese with Alfredo dressing and chicken, $16.50; Famous Fajitas with chicken, beef or both, $15.50-$17

Appetizers: Quesadilla, beef or chicken, $11; Jumbo Combo with spring rolls, chicken wings, Tupelo chicken, potato skins and onion rings, $18.95; Hard Rock nachos, $10.95

Salads: Citrus salad with a honey citrus dressing, $12; fried haystack salad with chicken, $12.30; Cobb salad with chicken, $12.30

Entrees: South of the Border burger and fries, $14.75; St. Louis ribs with ranch beans and coleslaw, $22.95; pulled pork sandwich with fries, $12.75

Desserts: Brownie with ice cream, $8; apple cobbler with ice cream, $6.95; daily chef’s special, $6.95; Key lime pie, $6.95

Information: 733-7625

BY SONYA PADGETT