SoulBelly BBQ

A great BBQ spot also makes a great, flavorful burger. SoulBelly chef Bruce Kalman grinds brisket fresh daily, using the meat to craft half-pound burger patties, which are then smoked over post oak and griddled with rendered smoked brisket fat. They arrive at the table with American cheese, special sauce, and Kalman's own BK Brinery pickles. The potato bun is buttered and toasted for a light crunch.

Find out why SoulBelly is one of the best barbecue joints in Las Vegas. Chef Bruce Kalman is smoking up a takeaway feast that includes turkey breast, gravy, chestnut and apple dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted broccoli and pecans, candied yams with marshmallows and maple syrup, cornbread, and a choice of pumpkin pie or apple pie.
Cost: Packages are $100 (two people), $195 (four to six people) or $345 (eight to ten people).
How to book: Email SoulBelly BBQ catering by November 19 for pickup from 2–5 pm November 23 (Thanksgiving Eve).

SoulBelly BBQ is the culmination of a long journey for Bruce Kalman—one that saw the chef make impressive appearances on shows like Top Chef and Chopped while earning nationwide acclaim at restaurants like Union in Pasadena. Now in Las Vegas, the chef is serving up barbecue (something he once did alongside Dave Grohl for fun) with a gourmet touch in the Arts District. SoulBelly BBQ is often described as a place you'd see in Nashville or Austin; full of Americana charm with murals painted on the wall and banquettes made of reclaimed wood. There's also a stage for live music and Kalman himself loves to perform. But the tender meats are the real draw, with Creekstone Farms beef and Duroc heritage pork cooked extra long at extra low temperatures over Texas post oak on two large front patio smokers. Kalman does traditional sides the right way, plus sandwiches, burgers, smoked nachos, and even a new take on pigs in a blanket. Wash it all down with a serving of Jiggle Juice, a spicy whiskey lemonade in a plastic bag.