There’s your run-of-the-mill burger, fries and milkshake, and then there’s Holstein’s. Relatively new on the Las Vegas dining scene, Holstein’s is a high-end burgers-and-shake diner in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. This isn’t the place to go for an on-the-fly patty and drink, but it is where you should stop if you’re on the hunt for one of the highest quality hamburgers you’ve ever eaten and a specialty milkshake.
Holstein’s menu offers much more than your average patty-and-ketchup hamburger. You can order a classic burger, of course, but take the meal a step further and order a burger featuring a vegan patty, Greek spiced lamb or grilled Atlantic salmon. All burgers (which range in price from $13 to $18) come with either shoestring or steak cut fries, both of which are worthy of noshing on in their own right. For the lighter appetite, there are a number of “Tiny Buns” selections available, including meatball grinders, Chicago dos, Maine lobster rolls and the standard sliders.
As for the milkshakes, the restaurant offers a wide selection of flavors and concoctions. The basic vanilla, chocolate and strawberry options are available ($8 each), but if you’re going to order a milkshake, you might as well go for something a bit more dolled up. Choices include the Drunken Monkey (made with Reese’s Pieces, banana, malt and Frangelico), Brown Cow (root beer, vanilla ice cream, pop rocks and Absolut Vanilla), Stout Float (Guinness beer, vanilla ice cream and oatmeal streussel) and Lemon Meringue Pie (lemon cream, salty caramel, meringue and Grand Marnier), all about $11 each. All can be served alcohol-free.
If milkshakes aren’t your forte, dig into the other alcoholic beverages available. Dozens of bottled beers, wines and speciality cocktails round out the menu.
In light of the fact that you’re ordering fairly standard but high-quality pub grub, Holstein’s is a bit pricey. No doubt about it, the food and beverage selections here are versatile and delicious, but I would expect nothing less given the cost. It is not uncommon to rack up a $60.00 bill for two burgers and two milkshakes.
And it really is the food you’re paying for. Holstein’s is located on the second floor of The Cosmopolitan along the main thoroughfare for foot traffic. Large glass windows offer front row viewing of everyone wandering the resort. There is a lounge at the front of the restaurant and then standard table seating at the back, but the space itself isn’t particularly remarkable. Wait staff is plentiful and prompt, so you won’t be wanting for anything during your visit. Employees are also well versed in the menu’s products and are able to provide advice if you’re wavering between the Power Shake or Watermelon Bubblegum Freeze.
All things considered, Holstein’s is the kind of place to eat if you’re looking for a laid back place for a first date or you don’t mind forking over the cash for a really good burger, but it’s not necessarily an appropriate stop for a quick bite on your lunch break or for a family. If you’re just looking for a hamburger or milkshake, there are other, more affordable options in Las Vegas, but if you’ve got a hankering for a specific hamburger experience, it’s a worthy stop.
Photo credit: Dalboz17
