Too cool to sell, Dillinger takes burgers to bank
The Dillinger Food & Drinkery, 1224 Arizona St. in Boulder City, gets its name from an obvious source.
It is in a 1940s-vintage Bank of Nevada building, and more than most people of his time, John Dillinger was partial to banks.
Owner Grant Turner says he originally bought the building to flip it, but became intrigued with the architecture. It was built of steel-reinforced concrete, and the original vault – now used for cold storage – was still there. He also found the original bank sign.
“It was too cool,” he says. “I couldn’t sell it.”
So about a year ago, he opened the restaurant named after the Depression-era gangster.
The Dillinger serves a variety of craft beers, from $4.50 to $8 per 8-ounce glass. Every Monday is Craft Beer Night in which three craft drafts are served and patrons can learn about them.
The restaurant offers a selection of gourmet burgers featuring half-pound patties, such as its signature Dillinger burger topped with cheddar, applewood smoked bacon and beef brisket ($11).
For big appetites, there is the Widow Maker, a double Dillinger ($19), and the Gauntlet burger, a double Dillinger with fries, sweet potato fries, slaw and homemade bread pudding ($35, but if you eat it in 30 minutes or less, it’s free). All burgers and sandwiches are served with fries or Asian coleslaw.
The Dillinger also offers a kids’ menu with such items as chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (each $5 and served with fries).
The eatery seats 49 people inside and 16 outside. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Appetizers: Chicken wings or chicken fingers with a choice of plain, medium, hot or blazing ($8.25 wings, $8 chicken fingers); fire roasted artichoke ($8.25); sweet potato fries ($4.50); nachos ($10)
Soups and salads: House salad ($7.25); Caesar salad ($8.25; add $2.50 for chicken); chopped salad ($9.75); Oriental chicken salad ($9); seafood bisque ($7.95); chili without beans ($7.25)
Burgers: Yakuza, topped with Asian slaw, cheddar cheese and a “secret Asian sauce” ($9); The 45 Special, with cheddar, Jack and Swiss cheeses ($8.75); Bonnie Melt, served on grilled rye bread topped with grilled onions and Swiss cheese ($9); The Portabella, portabella mushroom burger with roasted red peppers, Swiss cheese, grilled onions ($9); veggie ($8)
Sandwiches: Barbecue brisket with creamy horseradish on fresh-baked roll ($9); Reuben ($9); Chicken with a Twist, chicken, avocado, tomato, greens in chipotle ranch dressing served in a spinach wrap ($8.75); T(BLT)A Melt, turkey, bacon, lettuce tomato, avocado and melted provolone cheese ($9)
Desserts: Homemade cheesecake in a variety of flavors, homemade bread pudding ($7 each)
Information: 293-4001
