Las Vegas’ Peppermill is a lot of things, but the neon-drenched diner will never be mistaken for a fine dining establishment. And yet, the 52-year-old haunt was just showered with a James Beard Award, arguably the most prestigious honor in the entire restaurant industry.

On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation named the Peppermill as the Southwest region’s 2024 America’s Classic Award winner. This particular category is meant to recognize locally owned restaurants that serve good food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities.

The Peppermill, which is open 24 hours Friday through Sunday and keeps long hours on the other four weekdays, does that and then some. On the restaurant’s 50th birthday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal called it “a remarkable assault on the senses — even by Las Vegas standards” and reported that patrons often referred to the Peppermill as “Denny’s on crack.”

The menu, portions, and cocktails are all massive, with the 64-ounce Scorpion — containing two shots of cherry brandy, two shots of rum, and two shots of vodka — “bigger than a baby’s head.”

Where the King held court

The Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge is at least as famous as the restaurant itself. 

Dark and cheekily romantic, the television sets behind the bar play a seemingly endless loop of obscure live concert footage, sporting events be damned. The lounge has appeared in several movies, most notably Martin Scorsese’s Casino, and has been a favorite haunt of celebrities like Elvis Presley, Penn Jillette, Jerry Lewis, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine, Tony Orlando, Liza Minnelli, James Caan, and Nicolas Cage.

Having opened in 1972, when the mafia still held considerable sway over Sin City, the Peppermill was also frequented by wise guys like Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Anthony Spilotro, Frank Cullotta, and Tony Montana.

Photo: Chris Weeks/WireImage