Individual hot pots and the “cracken” giant squid debut at Alleyway Hot Pot | Eater Vegas

"I noticed an inflatable maneki-neko (beckoning cat) outside, so Alleyway Hot Pot is easy to find; despite a low-key debut in the southwest it has already drawn a steady stream of diners with an individual hot pot concept and a soon-to-be-famous giant squid appetizer. Located in a Sprouts-anchored retail center near Rainbow Boulevard and Warm Springs Road, the bright, industrial interior features modern art, two full-size Street Fighter arcade games, and both booths and stand-alone seating, with individual heaters at each table to keep soups warm. Broths can be prepared from mild to flaming hot and include tonkatsu, sukiyaki, Thai tom yum, stinky tofu, Korean kimchi, coconut curry, and a sea salt cream tomato creation served with beef and fish balls; add-ons include pork intestine, mussels, crab, seaweed, quail egg, and fried tofu skin. Appetizers include scallion pork gravy rice, pork belly, honey chicken wings, and the ready-for-social-media “cracken” — a fried giant squid on a skewer priced at $11 and larger than two human hands. Alleyway Hot Pot is at 7385 S. Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 120, and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; phone 725-205-3661." - Bradley Martin