SoulBelly BBQ Expands to the Strip While Downtown Soul Food Spot Closes After Break-Ins

Las Vegas’ dining scene is seeing big changes this month, with one local favorite expanding to the Strip while another is forced to close its doors. SoulBelly BBQ, the award-winning smokehouse created by Chopped winner Chef Bruce Kalman in 2021, has officially opened a new counter inside the Miracle Mile Food Court at Planet Hollywood. The Strip location debuted on Friday, April 24, marking a major milestone for the downtown-based restaurant.

“Expanding SoulBelly onto the Strip is a major milestone for us,” said Kalman, celebrating the move. The new spot offers the same mouthwatering brisket, ribs, and Southern-inspired sides that earned the original location a cult following. Meanwhile, just a few miles away, a different story is unfolding: a popular downtown soul food eatery has been forced to close after repeated break-ins, leaving regulars disappointed and the owners searching for solutions.

The contrast highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Las Vegas restaurants—from high-profile expansions to the harsh realities of operating in the city’s ever-changing landscape.