There’s something to be said about a good hometown bar and grill. At Clary’s Bar & Grill on South Virginia Street, that’s just what you’ll get.
It opened in 2009, and I can’t help but feel that Clary’s has flown under the radar. I’d never been there and honestly never heard anyone recommend it. But when I walked in, almost every table—and the entire bar—was full.
So, I guess I was the one missing out.
I’m never sure what to expect from a place like Clary’s. It’s quintessential Nevada: The bar is equipped with video poker, and the atmosphere is lively. There is seating both indoors at high tops and outside on the patio.
A simple lunch and dinner menu includes staples like burgers, sandwiches, salads and some appetizers, including wings and nachos. Clary’s also serves a full breakfast until 1 p.m.
I was more than pleasantly surprised when the food arrived. Sitting at the counter, the bartender served us quickly, and despite a full dining room, the food didn’t take long to come out.
We split a couple of items to get a food feel for the menu, and the truth is, everything was pretty delicious.
The Turkey Parmesan Sandwich was the best thing I tried. The sourdough bread is grilled nice and crispy, with a flavorful layer of parmesan melted into it. Then, it’s filled with sliced turkey breast, fresh avocado, juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon and melted cheese (it comes with Swiss, but feel free to substitute). It was honestly a simple, straightforward sandwich, but it was truly delicious. Let’s say it was elevated from anything I’d be whipping up at home.
The French fries are also good. There’s nothing particularly stand-out about them other than the taste. They are a traditional cut, just slightly greasy in the way you want French fries to be.
We also tried a cheeseburger—another usual suspect on a bar and grill menu. Cooked medium, the burger (topped with cheese, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and pickles) was delicious. The meat was juicy, and the cheese was thick. The toppings are offered on the side as the burger is open-faced for your own assembling.
The bun is toasted, so it’s slightly crispy when you bite into it. And this one I did with a green salad on the side. Served with your choice of dressing, there are small hunks of tomato, sliced onion and shredded cheese.
The bar serves everything from beer and wine to bloody marys and mixed drinks. A full brunch menu boasts omelets, benedicts, pancakes and more.
In my opinion, there’s no one menu item that puts this place on the map, but it’s decidedly underrated. I imagine if you come in often enough, everyone will know your name. Even as a first-timer, the friendliness was evident. I felt like an old friend even though I’d never met the staff before in my life.
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2780 S. Virginia Street
(775) 823-9444
