Comedian Gary Owen Doesn't Dine at STK for the Steaks

We've enlisted comedians, some based here and others who spend their time on the road and come through Vegas, to share their recommendations on great places to dine in Sin City for a feature dubbed Comedian Confidential.

Actor and comedian Gary Owen got his start in standup comedy while he was stationed in San Diego, where he served in the Navy for six years and was named "Funniest Serviceman in America.” African-American audiences especially have embraced Owen, who shares his take on being in a biracial marriage and the father of three kids. Ebony magazine recently proclaimed Owen “Black America’s Favorite White Comedian.” He’s starred in films such as Think Like A Man Too and Think Like A Man, and soon starts filming a reality show for BET following his family life. He was seen last year in Ride Along with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart and his hit Showtime special I Agree With Myself is still airing on the network. He performs his fearless stand-up comedy act at The Orleans Showroom Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Here he talks about his first trip to Las Vegas, whether fans approach him while he’s dining and more.

How often do you get to Las Vegas?
I lived there for two and a half months when we shot Think Like a Man Too in the summer of 2013. Now I normally go about one or two times a year.

Do you remember your first trip to Vegas?
Yes. It was New Year’s Eve in 1997 and we thought we were gonna do it up big but when you’re not well known it’s hard to get into places. We mostly walked around a casino and watched people go into nightclubs.

Do you have any favorite restaurants you like to visit here?
I really like STK steakhouse. I don’t go for the steaks, I go for the creamed corn.

Do people approach you while you're dining out?
Yeah, sometimes. It doesn’t happen a lot. Usually people are respectful. And I don’t want to be a jerk but I am eating. Most of the time they don’t come up. They just make eye contact to let me know that they know who I am.

What about nightlife? Do you ever go out after a show to unwind?
I do go out. Now that I’m older I limit it to once a weekend. When I first starting doing stand-up I used to go out every night. But now it’s maybe once a week. The older you get the less you go out.

What was the first thing that shocked you in Las Vegas?
The heat. At night. I understand that during the day it’s hot but even at night? Why is it still 100 degrees? That makes no sense.

What can we expect at your show?
Nothing you’ve heard before. I promise it’s all new jokes. There’s not one joke I’m telling that people have seen on TV in any of my specials.