Virgil's Real Barbecue Rumored for MGM's The Park

The Park, the esplanade going in between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo with a 20,000-seat arena going in the back, is about to get some big news from the world of barbecue. Virgil's Real Barbecue is rumored to be one of the tenants going in the promenade that expects to open in 2016.

The Southern fare restaurant hasn't signed on the dotted line, but a source close to the project says it's pretty much a done deal.

Already Virgil's has locations in New York City, the Bahamas and at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The restaurant, a sister to the massive Carmine's at the Forum Shops at Caesars, serves up comfort food and smoked meats such as brisket, pulled pork and more. Virgil's smokes all their meats at a low temperature over indirect heat for up to 10 hours with a mix of hickory, oak and fruit woods. Traditional sides here include barbecue beans, coleslaw and cheese grits and Southern-style desserts such as banana pudding and Key lime pie.

Virgil's beer list features 16 beers on tap including Virgil's own recipe lager brewed by Magic Hat Brewery in Burlington, Vt., by the glass or the pint along with 75 bottled beers.

Other restaurants going in The Park include Bruxie, the Orange County sandwich shop that uses Belgian waffles as the bread; Sake Rok, which not only promises sushi and private label sakes but a "part culinary, part performance … inspired by Japan's vibrant pop culture and fashion movements;" Beer Garden with bocce ball, darts and outdoor pingpong and a craft beer list and "sustainably raised farm-to-table meats;" Robert Mondavi Jr. Wine Experience with more than 100 wines will be on hand by the glass, in flights, poured from carafes and more; Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, an American gastropub from the country star; and Philadelphia-based Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar with more than 100 premium and flavored varieties and specialty cocktails.

Also on tap, Shake Shack and Tom's Urban, both going in New York-New York.
· Six New Restaurants Heading to The Park [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of The Park [~ELV~]