By Jacqueline Monahan
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Chēba Hut: One Fine (Food) Joint Opens Near UNLV
Here’s the answer to your first question: Chēba: A green leafy substance that adds flavor. Banned in many countries because it can also be smoked. (Urban dictionary.com)
Yes, that substance. You know, medicinal, recreational, and legal in the state of Nevada since 7/1/17.
Established in 1998 in Tempe, Arizona, Chēba Hut is a franchise with a totally unique spin on food. Is it even possible to be totally unique AND part of a franchise, you ask? Oh wow, man, yes, it is!
Right across Maryland Parkway from UNLV, in a large, inviting space (formerly occupied by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf) the newest Las Vegas Chēba Hut, known for toasted subs and epic munchies, opened its doors to media for a generous sampling of a menu geared toward food that’s good enough to satisfy anyone from young families with children to those who truly seek a post-inhalation nosh.
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The urban chic interior – wood, metal, industrial ceiling fans, walls full of local art, are complemented by friendly staff who are works of art themselves. You’ll see tats and piercings, studs and gauges of all kinds. It’s all part of an atmosphere of cultured counter-culture.
Order, please
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
You order at the counter from the massive wooden menu above your head. It will tell you the sequence, the ingredients, the sizes and more. Tongue in cheek names like Magic Mushroom and Acapulco Gold add to the fun.
Menu
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
A full bar on the premises offers Cottonmouth Cures, specialty drinks like the Hash Can, Bloody Mary Jane, and the Dirty Hippie. Red, purple, or blue Kool-Aid can be spiked. There' also a selection of local beer and spirits.
Kitty Root- Bartender and Alex Menichino - Bar Manager
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The menu is as fun to read as the food is to devour. It’s not just a sub shop, it’s an attitude. Everyone’s mellow and ready to help you through your multiple choices. Your humble correspondent along with a half-dozen members of the media, ordered an embarrassing number of sandwiches, salads, sides, and desserts just so we could report on the taste and variety of the offerings.
Interior View
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The toasted subs (all bread is proprietary Parisian) are listed under three categories, as follows:
Chicken and Turkey – we sampled the Apollo 13 (Greek Chicken) and the Kali Mist (turkey breast with chipotle mayo, pepper jack, jalapenos, bacon, and avocado). Both were splendid combinations of flavors, but the kick of the Kali Mist, coupled with its melted pepper jack was the star of the evening. Other sandwich names in this group: Thai Stick (teriyaki chicken) Jamaican Red (spicy chicken) and White Widow (chicken and ranch) among others.
The Apollo 13
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Kali Mist
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Veggie – our group contained gluten free/vegetarian members, so these subs were made into salads. In fact, any Chēba Hut sub can be served in a bowl. A large stainless-steel bowl with an attractive arrangement of sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers, tuna salad, etc. Yours will be different and the possible combinations – special requests taken – are almost too vast to be counted. The Humboldt (guacamole and veggie) The Griefo (cream cheese and veggie) and the Power Plant (guacamole and hummus) arrived like attractively styled gardens almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Silver Haze as a Salad
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Griefo as a Salad
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Power Plant as a Salad
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Meat – Carnivores in the group opted for the 5-0 (All The Pig, Baby) and the KGB (roast beef). The consensus: “Oh, we’re coming back here.” Other inventive names are The Chronic (BBQ Roast Beef) and the Kush (BLT) among others.
The 5-0 (All The Pig, Baby!)
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The KGB
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Munchies – include Bowl O’ Balls (meatballs, 3 ways) Rice Krispie Bars (incorporating other cereals, too. Think Twix, Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch) Goo Balls (peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey, Rice Krispies) Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies (of course) Hummus Platter (cucumber, tomatoes, olives, toasted flatbread) Loaded Not’chos (Nacho Cheese Doritos with melted cheddar, jalapenos, onion, black olives and hot sauce) Pretzel Nuggets (soft and warm, served with honey mustard) and French Onion Soup that was an elegant, impressive addition to the menu.
Not'chos
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Assorted Munchies
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Hummus Platter
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Nothing is fried at Chēba Hut, except perhaps “an occasional customer” according to their motto. The homegrown here is really primo, bud. That’s how they roll.
Cheba Hut
4550 S. Maryland Parkway Suite 1
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
Jocelyn Parra, General Manager
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Bowl O' Balls, Marinara Style
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
Pretzel Nuggets
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
French Onion Soup
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
