Reno

We didn’t really know what to expect from Reno, but after two days of long drives, we were hoping it would live up to its motto – “The biggest little city in the world” – and deliver relaxation and refreshments in a big way.

Downtown Reno is a lot like downtown Vegas, but with fewer people. The casinos may have different names, but the style and feel is very similar.

The Truckee River Walk runs through the middle of downtown Reno and is good place to take a mid-day stroll or grab a bite in one of the restaurants along the river.

So did Reno deliver?

We decided to extend our stay from one night to two,
primarily based on a few big surprises we found along the way…

Reno: Biggest Surprise #1 -> A pet friendly casino

Kudos & two paws up to Harrah’s Reno for their Pet Stay package.

We’ve never found a pet tolerable casino before, let alone a pet-friendly one! Kibo happily received a welcome package of bowls, gourmet treats and more upon check in.

We also met several other happy dog owners and their adorable (and very well-behaved) pets.

The accommodations were quite people friendly as well. Granite and marble in the bath, comfy bed with nice linens, plenty of space with two chairs and footstools – all in a standard room – and all at a great price.

Reno: Biggest Surprise #2 -> The food

Not sure if we just hit a few jackpots or what, but we had some exceptional meals. The stand outs:

Hash House A Go Go

Located inside Harrah’s with cool décor, bigger than big portions, reasonable prices, super friendly servers and…

Food presentation so far off the charts that the majority of the restaurant cranes their necks, and some stand up to see, as the servers deliver the creations to the tables amidst “what is that?” murmurs.

And fortunately, the food delivers on quality and flavor as well. We had the sage chicken over pasta and the ribs. Both were great, but the star was the pasta with its rich, creamy mushroom sauce.

We doubled down and went back for lunch the next day.

When I asked the server, “How’s the Portobello sandwich?” she simply said, “Life changing.”

The combination of grilled Portobello, goat cheese, fresh spinach, roasted peppers and pesto on a soft, wheat bun was divine. Then, there’s the BBBLT – bacon, bacon, bacon, lettuce & tomato. Massive and loaded with flavorful bacon cooked to perfection.

A must visit while in Reno.

The Riverroom

Situated along the Truckee River Walk in downtown Reno, the Riverroom is a smartly decorated bar and restaurant that celebrates Reno’s history in a fresh, contemporary way.