A Detroit Fast-Casual Restaurant Has Eyes for Las Vegas

Another Detroit restaurant chain plans to tackle the Las Vegas market. The fast-casual 2941 Street Foods describes itself as the Mediterranean version of Chipotle Mexican Grill, with plans to open 25 locations in Michigan in the next five years as well as Vegas.

Which makes sense. Jacques Van Staden, who came to Las Vegas as the executive chef of the London Club at the former Aladdin and chef de cuisine at Alizé at the Palms, and Joe Vicari, who already has Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse at the D Las Vegas and plans to bring Joe Muer Seafood to the city, are two of the people behind the brand.

"Then we're going to go to Las Vegas because we want to enter the West Coast market," Van Staden, a James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef, tells Crain’s Detroit Business.

The restaurant serves "takes on street food from countries including Greece, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq." The decor here features organic materials such as "wood plank walls, long wooden tables and tall bench seating, tile floors and basket-covered lights."

Guests customized their bowls and sandwiches, adding a starch, protein, sauce, torshi or pickled vegetable and salad. Dishes range in price from $7.50 to $16.50. The restaurant takes its name from the longitude and latitude of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Michael Van Staden, currently at 35 Steaks & Martinis at the Hard Rock Hotel, plans to manage the restaurants in Las Vegas.