I Thought Seeing Roy Choi Would Be the Story. I Was Wrong.
The best thing he did all night was make sure nobody was talking about him.
Celebrity chefs have become one of my biggest pet peeves in Vegas.
Somewhere along the way, the chef became the attraction.
The food became the supporting act, and if you’ve followed me for more than a week, you’ve probably heard me say it.
Then I had dinner at Best Friend…
Roy Choi showed me exactly why most of these guys piss me off by doing the complete opposite.
During the week of the Stanley Cup Finals, we reserved a spot at Best Friend because it was close, we were hungry, we knew we were watching the fireworks that night, and honestly… we didn’t feel like overthinking dinner. Come-as-you-are spot. Staff in custom Adidas jumpsuits. Retro LA vibe with the lights and music. Kind of nightclubbish with a DJ and 90’s hip-hop vibe.
We were sitting at a table inside, not crazy far from the entrance, right across from a walled-off room in the back. Food kept coming out of there all night, big orders, serious celebration energy. You could tell somebody important was back there. I honeslty thought about asking if we could move just to avoid it.
Then the cake came through.
A gigantic LA-themed cake. Couldn’t miss it.
That’s when I noticed the security posted outside the doors.
Someone said,
“That’s Roy.”
Four women at the next table got excited, jumped up, and started walking toward the room. Security stopped them.
“Roy’s celebrating tonight. We’re not doing photos, ladies, sorry.”
Roy looked over.
Smiled.
Waved.
“Thanks for coming.”
That was it.
That kind of respect is also why I didn’t take any pictures or videos of the area as well.
Roy Choi Wasn’t Trying to Become the Experience. He Was Protecting It.
That was the moment I understood why his restaurant feels different.
If this had been most other celebrity-chef spots, the whole night would’ve revolved around the name on the sign. Giant portraits. TV clips looping on the walls. Merch for sale. Selfie lines. Sometimes it feels like dinner is the side show.
Best Friend never felt like that. Even with Roy in the building.
Roy Choi changed food culture. Kogi helped launch the gourmet food truck movement. He inspired the movie Chef. He could easily make every appearance about himself.
He didn’t.
That’s confidence.
People who know they’re good rarely have to remind you.
The Best Thing I Took Away From Best Friend
The Korean Wings were fantastic.
The Kimchi Fried Rice and Garlic Chicken is still one of my favorite dishes in Vegas.
The Orange Creamsicle cocktail should probably come with a warning label that you’ll feel like a child with alcohol.
But honestly…
The best thing I took away from Best Friend wasn’t the wings.
It wasn’t the fried rice.
It wasn’t even seeing Roy Choi.
It was realizing the best celebrity chef in the room was the one who refused to act like a celebrity.
Vegas has no shortage of famous chefs.
What surprised me wasn’t finding another one.
It was finding one who trusted his restaurant to speak for itself.
Ironically…
That made me respect him even more.
So sure…. I could have done “another review”…
But I’d rather tell you that you won’t be disappointed by visiting Best Friend; you also won’t have to feel like you’re supporting someone famous for a stupid haircut, or a “chef” famous for yelling at folks and calling them “Donkeys”.. I’m sure you realize that’s all fake, and if you don’t believe that bleeds into those restaurants, you’re sadly mistaken…
Roy started a movement by cooking great food his way, and from my observations on this night, he seemingly still wants the food to speak for itself.
What’s the most underrated celebrity-chef restaurant in Vegas? Or do you think celebrity chefs have become bigger than the food? Let me know.
-Jason
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As always, my thoughts are my own; they are NOT sponsored, I pay for my experiences, and I reserve the right to praise and talk shit about whoever and wherever I feel warranted… Hope you enjoy!