Winner Winnie and Ethels 1940s Downtown Diner Is Now Open
Winnie and Ethels, a round-the-clock American eatery of the 1940s and The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway winner, is now open near the Huntridge Theatre.
The classically charming diner – named lovingly in honor of Head Chef and Co-Owner Aaron Lee’s grandmother, and CEO and Co-Owner Mallory Gott’s great-grandmother – promises to bring the warmth and nostalgia of grandma’s cooking to the Las Vegas community.
The $1 Million Diner
It started in 2021 when Chef Aaron and Ms. Gott submitted their plans for Winnie and Ethels to Dapper Companies’ The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway. After being selected as one of only six finalists chosen from nearly 90 submissions, the pair was hard at work creating and presenting business plans, design concepts, financial projections, menus, and more for the chance to win a grand prize valued at nearly $1,000,000 – including a brand new, 3,000-square-foot, custom-designed restaurant located in the historic Huntridge Center on Charleston Blvd in Downtown Las Vegas.
After a successful pop-up, where a taste of Winnie and Ethels menu and aesthetic was introduced for the first time to community members, friends, family, and judges, the concept was awarded the downtown diner prize package.
Since then, Chef Aaron and Ms. Gott have been hard at work bringing Winnie and Ethels to life, creating a locals-oriented diner intended to put an alluring twist on quintessential Americana and a welcoming place for downtown Las Vegas neighbors and friends to gather. A homage to the halcyon days of the roadside eatery, the classic cafe, and grandma’s kitchens everywhere, the concept of a 40s-themed, ‘round-the-clock diner is now a reality.
“Think back to a time when you felt full of love and a home-cooked meal. That’s the exact embrace we chose to replicate upon learning about and entering The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway,” says Gott. “We’re here to deliver delicious food in a beautiful space, creating a welcoming place where our Las Vegas family can gather, break bread, and forge bonds that build community any time of the day or night.”
Food and Drink
Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner is a haven for classic comfort food enthusiasts. Diners can indulge in a menu filled with familiar favorites, including the return of Chef Aaron’s famous Nutter Butter French Toast and Meatloaf Sandwich from The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway popup.
Traditional diner favorites like the Biscuits and Gravy – with scratch-made biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, and Steak and Eggs – a 4 oz skirt steak with a side of cowboy butter, scratch biscuit, and a crispy fried egg grace the menu, while new flavors like the Sticky Bun Pancake – a cinnamon pancake with candied pecans and a side of maple butter, and the Babka French Toast – chocolate swirled Babka with candied pecans, and orange syrup with a side of maple butter will be newfound breakfast staples.
Guests are encouraged to stay for lunch and enjoy Pickled Egg Salad – red hot pickled eggs, iceberg lettuce, smoked tomato, chopped bacon, red onion on sliced potato bread; or the WE Burger – made with ground chuck, topped with bacon jam, iceberg lettuce, smoked tomato, provolone cheese, and Worcestershire on a bun, as well as other hardier bites. Pair these plates with a choice of sides ranging from shoestring fries, shells and cheese, smashed potato salad, and more.
With a delightful selection of breakfast and lunch offerings and an inviting array of sides, Winnie and Ethels aims to invoke the timeless flavors of the past and one that cannot be forgotten is Grandma Winnie’s Award-Winning Chocolate Pudding – the perfect end to every Winnie and Ethels meal.
A variety of beverage options, including freshly brewed and bottomless hot coffee available for only 25 cents with any $8 or more entree, soft drinks, locally crafted bottled and canned beers, a selection of signature cocktails, and classic bar drinks will be available for guests to pair with all their favorite dishes. And no diner experience is complete without a Malted Milkshake. Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner offer the classics, of course, including peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
“Growing up, the sweet smells and savory flavors from my grandma’s kitchen are what made me fall in love with being in the kitchen,” says Chef Aaron. “Being awarded my dream diner and having the ability to share my passion with the community, the way my family did with me, is everything younger me could hope for.”
The Design
Designed by Ms. Gott with consulting support from RAD Studios, Winnie and Ethels mixes textures like tin ceiling tiles with dark wood and vintage-inspired fabrics and patterns, creating an elegant yet familiar space. Cozy banquettes line the room, while tabletops and counter seating provide enough seats for everyone on any occasion. Its nods to post-WWII diners combined with influences of art deco details that pay homage to Las Vegas’ beloved Huntridge Theatre, allow guests to be taken on a tasteful adventure through Las Vegas’ history and design with a nostalgic visit to grandma’s kitchen.
About Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner
Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner is now open by co-owners Chef Aaron Lee and CEO Mallory Gott.
Modeled after the iconic, round-the-clock American eatery of the 1940s, Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway winner, Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner draws upon the rich history and legacy of the Huntridge Theater, which first opened its doors on October 10, 1944. The concept is simple and classic: Deliver the best food, design the best space, and create the best place.
On December 3, 2023, Winnie and Ethels expanded the menu and hours to include dinner service, open Wednesday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Stay connected with the latest from Winnie and Ethels Downtown Diner on Instagram and by visiting their website.
They are located at 1130 E Charleston Blvd #140, Las Vegas, NV. See the Google map below.
