Arthur & Sherri's Restaurant Guide

Reno locals Arthur and Sherri Chenin provide a fan's eye view of places to eat while you're in town.

Louie's Basque Corner

Louie's Basque Corner serves food with a traditional Basque feel. It's a family style restaurant, with long tables convenient for a large group, though couples shouldn't feel afraid to give it a try. If everyone's in a convivial mood, complete strangers become good friends by the end of the evening. The food is also served family style - large portions that you dish up yourself. Bread, soup or stew, many side dishes that include vegetables and meat, AND your main course - usually steak or chicken. In most places you can order a 'meatless' meal, meaning you get everything but a main course. For someone with a smaller appetite, this is a smart choice. It's all served with an inexpensive house red wine, which perfectly compliments the meal and really makes it better. You should feel happy and stuffed by the time you roll out.

Bertha Miranda's on Mill Street (Mexican)

Bertha Miranda's is a Reno institution. It is THE place to go for good Mexican food. The chicken mole is to die for! It's got a large dining room, able to accomodate large parties, with a partially glazed roof, and tile floors, so it offers a nice, cool respite from warm weather.

El Pescador (Mexican)

El Pescador offers many yummy fish dishes, but my favorite is their chips and dips that arrive before the meal. The beans and cheese are so good, as well as the salsa and salsa verde. They often have a live musician, who does not roam the room, providing fun music to accompany your meal. This place is also frequented by many Latinos, always a good sign.

Sushi Club

Sushi Club, which is just a step away from the Atlantis, is a very popular all you can eat sushi place, offering both a large bar and tables. I took a non-sushi friend here to walk him through some dishes, and he was quite pleased with the offerings. They have the standard sushi bits as well as their own rolls and dishes. A very yummy way to fill yourself up. Good thing it's not far to walk back to the hotel!

Zagol (Ethiopian)

This Ethiopian place is relatively new to Reno. But what a fun eating experience. It is a cab ride away, but worth it if you are an adventurous diner. Injera is the spongy bread used to pick up bits of vegetable and meat dishes, both spicy and not. The traditional honey wine is served, as well as honey beer in both light and dark varieties. This is a fun place to relax and enjoy good conversation over amazing food!

The Purple Parrot at the Atlantis

The Purple Parrot is a great 24 hour café. My favorite is the all you can eat soup and salad bar. It's small, but just filling. All the standard salad bar goodies are there to make a nice green salad. There's potato and seafood salads, as well as others and fresh fruit. There are always two soups, and one is always an amazing clam chowder. Along with the salad bar you get your choice of a large slab of soudough bread or cornbread. An inexpensive and filling meal.

Peg's Glorified Ham and Eggs (Spanish)

This is a small diner just off Virginia Street that is always packed, but very efficient. The portions are large, artery clogging, and very yummy. They serve breakfast and lunch. Fabulous and filling - if you're the kind of fan who really appreciates a long, serious breakfast, this is the place to go!

My Favorite Muffin and Bagel

My Favorite Muffin and Bagel is a chain, but I have to mention it. It's just around the corner from Peg's. Good bagels are hard to find in NV, but these are as good as any. What I really enjoy about this place is the patio. I spent two hours over one bagel and coffee chatting with a friend. It was cool, green, urban, a nice respite from busy-ness.

Heidi's

This is a small chain with locations in four NV towns with a Swiss decor theme. It's only open for breakfast and lunch (closing at 2 pm). The Reno Heidi's is on Virginia Street just up from the Peppermill. All of the food is good, in large portions and they are great about special orders. The omelettes are normally three egg, but I've ordered with two. They also use Egg Beaters on request. The breakfasts are more filling than the lunches, and they feature specials of the day.