As competitors, judges and attendees start to prepare their travel plans to the World Food Championships, we have created a series of blog posts highlighting some of the fun things to do and see in Downtown Las Vegas.  Click on the links to check out the previous posts in this series:  Andiamo Italian Steakhouse.

As an outsider coming into Downtown Las Vegas you hear a great deal about the “renovation” that has been taking place recently on Fremont Street and throughout the surrounding areas.  Downtown has become a unique juxtaposition between old and new, vintage and modern.  Park on Fremont is the embodiment of this juxtaposition and an excellent example of what the new Fremont East Entertainment District has to offer.

Located at the entrance to Fremont East, just across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Fremont Street Experience, Park sits where a parking lot used to be.  After an entertaining evening at Park on Fremont, Joni Mitchell may be due for a re-write as they paved a parking lot and put up paradise.

Upon walking into Park on Fremont you’ll be presented with your first major choice…. where to sit?  The main bar area is a busy mixture of patterned wallpaper, copper-topped tables and striking Neo Gothic art that lines the walls.  A quick skip and hop through the main bar area leads to a fabulous patio that is best enjoyed at dusk or in the evening.  The ambient lighting and comfortable atmosphere welcome visitors to set up shop and spend hours enjoying libations and a relaxing good time.

Sweet Potato Teeter Tots are a ‘must’

The menu at Park on Fremont won’t blow you away with options, but what they do, they do well.  The Fried Egg Burger helps perpetuate the common understanding we all share that eggs and burgers are great together and should hang out more often.  The Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, Cuban and Philly Mac and Cheese Steak are three sandwiches that jump off the menu as creative fare and great dining options, depending on what you’re craving. But the star of the kitchen is hiding in the Sides section at the bottom of the menu. Park’s Sweet Potato Teeter Tots are a must-have with whatever entree you choose.  Crispy, sweet, dense and perfectly fried in all their glory.

As far as cocktails, Park has a handful of taps, a bunch of bottles and some creative signature drinks that would be worthy entries into the (maybe someday) World Cocktail Championship at the World Food Championships. Which, if that ever becomes a “thing,” consider this my formal application to judge. Rarely do restaurants with great signature cocktails ever offer them during Happy Hour, but Park doesn’t dance to a conventional beat.  Top-shelf cocktails for $5, plus $1 chips and salsa to start and a $5 Philly Mac and Cheesesteak sandwich make for the perfect Happy Hour combo.  Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 7, then a Reverse Happy Hour happens from 10PM to Close every Monday through Thursday.

Keep an eye on the WFC Blog for more “Things to Do” during your stay in Downtown Las Vegas.