Raul A.
Google
After decades of visiting Las Vegas, there is one restaurant on the Strip we return to with the loyalty of homing pigeons: Canonita at the Venetian. Now that we happily reside here, the luxury of dropping in whenever we wish makes the experience even sweeter.
At first glance, it may seem improbable to find genuinely good Mexican cuisine tucked beside the Venetian’s faux-romantic canal. Yet from our very first visit, La Canonita proved us wrong, and promptly hooked us. The menu draws inspiration from the cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula, and our perennial favorite is their take on cochinita pibil, known here as Santa Rosa Barbacoa. Guajillo-chile-rubbed pork arrives wrapped in a banana leaf, accompanied by chipotle BBQ sauce, cilantro rice, black beans, and corn tortillas. It’s deeply flavorful, comforting, and so satisfying that our biggest complaint is how rarely we order anything else.
Determined to broaden our horizons, we recently arrived early enough to explore the brunch menu, and were glad we did.
We began by sharing the Braised Short Rib Chilaquiles, a generous composition of corn tortilla chips layered with tender short ribs, asadero cheese, eggs over easy, salsa roja, crema, and pico de gallo. The short ribs were plentiful and well-distributed, the chips retained just enough crunch, and the flavors came together harmoniously. While I personally would have welcomed a bit more heat from the salsa, it’s understandable that the kitchen aims for broader appeal.
Next came a classic Huevos Rancheros, featuring two eggs over easy, Monterey Jack, corn quesadillas, potatoes, black beans, and ranchero sauce. Here, the sauce and potatoes stole the show, rich, well-seasoned, and grounding the dish. Combined with the eggs and accompaniments, the plate offered a pleasing variety of textures and flavors in every bite.
Though it was too early for cocktails on this visit, past experiences with their margaritas and Mexican beers have been consistently excellent.
With its picturesque canal-side setting and reliably strong execution, Canonita remains a standout on the Strip. Whether for brunch or dinner, it’s an ideal choice for a relaxed, romantic meal, and a reminder that good food can still surprise you, even in the most unlikely of places. Keep it firmly in mind the next time you’re craving a memorable Mexican meal in Las Vegas on the Strip.