Celebrity Chef Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ Heads to the Palms

Cleveland-style barbecue is headed to the Palms. Celebrity chef, author, and TV co-host on The Chew Michael Symon has been given a huge budget to remodel a front section of the casino and become part of the resort’s yet-to-be revealed “west expansion,” adding new space closer to Flamingo Road.

Previously announced to be bringing an unnamed barbecue menu to Las Vegas, Symon’s affordable and laid-back Mabel’s BBQ is now confirmed to be taking over the Addison Exhibit Hall space, next to the Race & Sports Book on the north side of the casino floor.

Early paperwork has already allocated an impressive $5,883,597 in estimated construction costs, which will include creating a shaded patio beer garden facing Flamingo Road.

Symon’s hometown Cleveland Scene magazine also confirms Mabel’s BBQ is on its way, adding they were told to expect the restaurant to open in September, an optimistic timetable suggested by the current work permits.

While both Symon and the Palms have yet to confirm the expansion, the original Mabel’s debuted last year in April, named in tribute to the chef's late bull mastiff dog. The restaurant has also earned positive reviews for its generous inventory of whiskeys and bourbons.

The Mabel’s house style is to add “Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard into the barbecue sauce” and “Eastern European spices,” then smoke meat “over local fruitwood.” Meat and ribs are served with “Cleveland pickles, Cleveland kraut and rye bread” and the menu includes sandwiches such as the “Polish Girl” made with kielbasa, plus “pig parts” like crispy tails, ears, and cracklin’ and sides such as “hot greens,” spaetzle, and “rye bread, mushrooms and herbs” stuffing.

Earlier this month, a job description for the new position of “Regional Manager” with Michael Symon Restaurants in Las Vegas featured an image from Mabel’s BBQ. Other possible local venues for the growing Symon empire have yet to be uncovered.

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