A Sweet Homecoming to the Strip

Vegas Annie

Official Verified Account

Staff

posted on 2 hours ago

A Sweet Homecoming to the Strip

Honey, I've been watching this town change for decades, and let me tell you - when I heard Salt & Straw opened their doors on New Year's Eve at Paris Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas, it brought back memories of all the sweet treats that have graced our Strip over the years. Back in my day, we had simple ice cream parlors tucked away in casino corners, but this artisan ice cream phenomenon? Now that's something my grandkids would line up for - and honestly, so would I.

Salt & Straw made their Vegas Strip debut on December 31st with something they‘re calling “The Icons Series,” and if you know anything about this Portland-born brand, you know they don’t do anything halfway. Founded by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek, this isn‘t your grandmother’s ice cream shop (though I bet she would have loved those Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons flavors). These folks have been turning ice cream into storytelling experiences, and now they're bringing that magic to two of our most iconic resorts.

“Bringing Salt & Straw to the Las Vegas Strip is a dream realized,” said Co-Founder and CEO Kim Malek in the press release. “We started this company to build places where people could come together, connect and celebrate life over a scoop of unforgettable ice cream.” I remember when the biggest excitement was getting a sundae at the coffee shop - times sure have changed, and mostly for the better.

Location, Location, Location - Vegas Style

Now, let me tell you about these locations because they picked two spots that know how to draw a crowd. The Paris Las Vegas shop sits right at the foot of that replica Eiffel Tower - you know, the one that‘s been lighting up our skyline since 1999. I’ve watched countless marriage proposals happen in that area, and now couples can celebrate with Birthday Cakes & Blackberries ice cream. It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., perfect for those late-night Strip strolls that never seem to end.

The Flamingo location has me feeling particularly nostalgic - that property has been part of Vegas history since Bugsy Siegel‘s days, though it’s been through more makeovers than a showgirl's wardrobe. Situated next to Gordon Ramsay Burger, this Salt & Straw stays open until midnight, because in Vegas, the night is always young. Both shops offer that convenient sidewalk access along Las Vegas Boulevard, so you can grab your scoop and keep walking - just like we used to do with those old frozen banana stands.

The official Salt & Straw website shows they're bringing their full experience to Vegas, and Sean McBurney from Caesars Entertainment mentioned in the announcement how these shops fit perfectly with their culinary collection. After seeing what they've done with their restaurant lineup over the years, I believe it.

The Flavors That Tell Stories

Let me tell you about these flavors because head ice cream maker Tyler Malek has put together something special for our Strip debut. The Icons Series includes some combinations that would have made the old Vegas restaurateurs scratch their heads - Pots of Gold & Rainbows with hand-sorted rainbow marshmallows in cereal-steeped ice cream, and Chocolate Chili Crisp Peanut Butter Cups that sound like something my adventurous granddaughter would dare me to try.

But here's what I appreciate about Salt & Straw - they haven't forgotten the classics. Their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons and Double Fold Vanilla remind me that sometimes the best innovations build on solid foundations. I've seen too many restaurants come and go on this Strip because they forgot that good food, at its heart, should make people happy. These folks seem to understand that.

The Honey Lavender and Arbequina Olive Oil flavors show they're not afraid to get creative, and that Death by Chocolate Chocolate Cake (which is vegan, by the way) proves they‘re thinking about everyone who walks through those doors. In a town where we’ve learned to cater to every taste and dietary need, that kind of thoughtfulness goes a long way.

More Than Just Ice Cream

What strikes me most about Salt & Straw's arrival is how they‘re continuing Vegas’s tradition of turning everything into an experience. Back when I was raising my kids here, a trip for ice cream was just that - ice cream. Now my grandkids expect every outing to be Instagram-worthy, and these shops deliver with their monthly rotating flavors that tell stories about local artisans and seasonal ingredients.

The brand has built its reputation on what they call “boundless creativity,” and honestly, that fits right into Vegas culture. We've always been a town that celebrates the unexpected - where else can you see Cirque du Soleil, eat at a celebrity chef restaurant, and now enjoy Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream all in one evening? Check out the Paris Las Vegas dining options to see how Salt & Straw fits into their impressive culinary landscape.

This isn‘t just about adding another dessert spot to the Strip - it’s about continuing our evolution as a destination that surprises and delights. I've watched this city grow from a place where you came for the casinos to somewhere you come for world-class everything, and these ice cream shops are just the latest chapter in that story.

Vegas Annie
Official Verified Account

A Vegas native who’s seen it all — from Sinatra to Celine and dirt roads to the 215. Annie’s been loving this town long before it was shiny, and there’s nowhere else she’d ever call home. Equal parts sweetheart and straight-shooter, she brings a lifetime of stories, laughs, and old-school Vegas charm to everything she writes.