Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Memories of food and Vegas

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at [email protected].

It was inevitable that the Green Shack, Las Vegas' favorite dining place for many years, should close its doors, leaving many of us with fond memories. There are dozens or more great places to dine in Las Vegas today, some of them comparable to the best restaurants in the world.

But what about the earlier times? Take a trip back through memory lane with me and see if you can recall some of the restaurants that were mentioned in a booklet entitled "Who's Who in Restaurants in Las Vegas," dated Nov. 26, 1941.

Wimpy's Drive-In was the hangout for hamburger lovers and teenagers. Operated by James Sill and his sister, Orpha Miller, the place was famous for early morning breakfasts, lunches, late suppers and chili. Carhops Ina Leavitt and Dell Manis served with a smile. Anyone remember?

The Apache Cafe where Jim George held down the night shift was well known to locals and the White Spot Cafe catered to families, as did Verna's Grill. The Market Spot Cafe featured the delectable food of chefs Harold Hunter and Jack Dinghy and the Overland became famous for Chinese food. Remember the Trail Cafe, the Las Vegas Bar-B-Que operated by Lou Du Boise and the old Yucca Club out on Boulder Highway where you could eat all you wanted of Mother Harris' delicious fried chicken?

How about that little spot near the old post office on Third Street? Smith's Root Beer stand offered a "quick bite and a frosty root beer." The State Cafe (Coreys), the Horseshoe and the Silver Cafe vied for customers along with the Nevada Cafe with Tony Pappas at the grill. One of the fancier spots was the Van-der-Bilt in the Hotel El Cortez and there was the DeLuxe Sandwich Shoppe operated by Ray Knearl in the old bowling alley downtown.

And, yes, the Green Shack was the all-time favorite. That was 1941. We've come a long way, baby.

Rumors to the contrary, the Red Rock Visitors Center isn't ready for visitors, especially when the charge to enter the area is $5 a car. Someday, perhaps, it will live up to expectations, but, as one visitor remarked, "this looks like a high school science project."

The problem is that it is trying to conduct business before the building is completed. The same thing happened at the Venetian and look at the mess it is in. The tortoise habitat is OK if you want to stand around for an hour hoping one of the critters will poke its head out for photos, and that's rare.

When the visitor center is completed and stocked with exhibits, the place might hold an attraction, but save your five bucks until then, unless you feel a ride around the scenic loop is worth that amount.

A recent column urging parents to make their children behave brought some interesting responses. One reader, who will remain anonymous for fear of retribution, wrote:

"Amen. Amen. But don't hold your breath. My kitchen window is at the front of the house. I watched children riding their bicycles over mine and neighboring lawns; the grass was still wet and soft from the recent deluge. Tire marks everywhere. Finally I went out and told them to stop. I was told by one child, who could have been no more than 5, 'you can't tell us what to do, we know our rights.' When we were children we were told when you step on the rights of others you lose yours. I didn't waste my time and effort to speak to the child for the very simple reason the mother was standing watching them have their fun."

And another:

"During the Depression my father had a lot on his mind, I'm sure, so if I didn't follow directions, out came the razor strop. One time in grade school I talked when I should have been listening. My teacher sent me to the cloak room and then (wrote) a note to my parents. Yep, the old razor strop again. He made it clear I was never to disrespect my teachers. I'm pleased now that I had some rules to live by that, in my house, were definitely enforced."

It's obvious that the three "R's" -- reading, writing and arithmetic -- could use some additions, like respect and responsibility.

A warning from the Nevada Animal Society: "Never leave children or pets alone in parked cars. The temperature inside a car can change rapidly and drastically. Leaving a window cracked is not enough. Just don't do it." And that's good advice.

It seems like only yesterday that Bernie Yuman, publicist for Siegfried and Roy, was carrying a beautiful little girl in his arms as he proudly introduced his daughter, Sydney Michelle. Sydney and Bernie were regulars at the basketball games in the glory days for UNLV. Saturday that little girl will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

An elderly friend claims he has a photographic memory but his flashbulb doesn't always work.

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