With more than 2,700 exhibitors to visit and
thousands of new products to inspect and admire,
attendees of the 2026 SHOT Show® will have no
problem achieving their step counts as they peruse
the miles of aisles at The Venetian Expo and
Caesars Forum. Pausing to recharge and grab a bite
throughout SHOT Week® will be key — and there are
dozens of options available for convenient meals
near the show floor and out along the Strip and
surrounding areas.
When it comes to dining in Las Vegas, the city has
just about every style of food and price point
available — from literal gilt-edged steaks to
dozens of fast-food chains. Dining on a budget can
be both functional and memorable; we’ll explore
options that highlight both here. For our
purposes, we’re examining dining spots with at
least multiple entrées in the sub-$35/person
range.
(Looking for more budget-saving strategies?
Bookmark
shotshow.org/blog
for insights on
travel,
lodging
and
entertainment.)
Convention Center Convenience
Applying the same concept of the “time is money”
idiom, the more time spent off the show floor for
meals means less opportunities to network, explore
products and glean education insights. So, there’s
something to be said about convenience, even if
it’s not the most extravagant.
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In & Around The Show Floor:
There are several very practical options
available throughout The Venetian Expo and
Caesars Forum (and directly outside both venues,
too). The Venetian Expo has food courts right on
the show floor on Levels 1 and 2 — ranking high
in convenience — as well as in the Level 1
Lobby. Outdoor BBQs are available next to the
SHOT Show Bridge in between both venues, as well
in the Great Outdoors Plaza outside Caesars
Forum. At these locations, everything from
drinks, snacks and meals are available.
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NSSF Member Lounge:
Conveniently located in both The Venetian Expo
and Caesars Forum, the NSSF Member Lounge
provides a comfortable space for NSSF Members to
grab lunch, relax, conduct meetings, write up
orders or connect with peers. For those on a
budget, it’s a both efficient and versatile
option with close access to the exhibit halls.
Inside The Venetian Resort
For those wishing to take an extended break from
the hustle and bustle of the convention hall,
several budget-friendly dining options are
available throughout The Venetian Resort, serving
meals every hour of the day.
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Near
Restaurant Row: One of the
busiest thoroughfares throughout SHOT Week, the
hallway connecting the Venetian and Palazzo to
The Venetian Expo has a collection of
establishments along “Restaurant Row” — most
fall into the high-end category, but Yardbird
(featuring Southern classics) has options
available to suit both budget-conscious and
expensive tastes. Access to Restaurant Row takes
only a couple of minutes (outside of “rush hour”
at the close of the SHOT Show each day) from the
show. Economical options near the vicinity
include: Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer and
Grand Lux Café (a staple for SHOT Show attendees
over the years, open 24 hours a day and provides
a lot of bang for your buck). Via Via Food Hall,
a new budget-friendly venue housing several
eateries, is another nearby option and
was recently highlighted by the SHOT Show
team.
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The Grand Canal Shoppes: Just
steps (or an escalator ride) from The Venetian
Expo, attendees can instantly be immersed in the
streets of Venice — complete with a replica of
St. Mark’s Square, gondola rides and more.
Affordable establishments here include Flight
Club (profiled in the “Entertainment on a Budget” story), Rockhouse (a rock-n-roll style
hamburger-focused venue), BRERA osteria
(Italian), Cañonita (Mexican) and several more.
The Grand Canal also houses a food court with a
variety of quick-serve options, such as
Chipotle, Johnny Rockets, Curry Pot, Social Life
Pizza, Panda Express and Popeyes.
Nearby Hot Spots
The SHOT Show’s proximity to the Strip means there
are literally hundreds of options when it comes to
dining. Here’s a small collection within easy
walking distance of The Venetian Expo for those on
a budget.
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LINQ Promenade: Conveniently
located in between the LINQ and Flamingo hotels,
the LINQ Promenade is a bustling open-air
entertainment district with more than 30
restaurants and shops. It boasts affordable
sit-down and casual options. Yard House, Chayo
Mexican Kitchen, Virgil’s Real BBQ, Flour &
Barley (which also has a walk-up to go window
with a generous combo deal), Off The Strip
Bistro & Bar and Maxie’s (featuring a
diverse breakfast and dinner menu) are all
sit-downs with numerous entrée options in the
$20–30 range. Casual eateries in this district
include In-N-Out Burger, which has a strong West
Coast cult following, Gordon Ramsay Fish &
Chips and Jaburritos (build-your-own sushi
burritos and bowls).
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Secret Pizza: Located in the
Cosmopolitan Hotel, a short Uber or taxi ride
from The Venetian Expo, is an aptly named
“hidden gem” — Secret Pizza. A New York-style
pizzeria with off-Strip prices, Secret Pizza has
developed quite a following thanks, in part, to
the challenge of finding it on the third floor
of the hotel. For SHOT Show attendees up to the
challenge, it represents both a memorable and
delicious dinner option. (The Cosmopolitan and
Bellagio are connected via a pedestrian walkway,
so the Fountains of Bellagio are just minutes
away —
a free entertainment option
to complement dinner.)
-
Tacos El Gordo: On the north
side of the Strip, Tacos El Gordo is a
Tijuana-style taqueria ranking high on flavor
and affordability. It’s within comfortable
walking distance of Circus Circus, Resorts World
Las Vegas and Fountainebleau Hotel. Expect a
line upon arrival and trust there’s a reason for
it!
Other Budget-Saving Tips
As a major metropolitan area and tourist magnet,
it will come as no surprise the Las Vegas Strip
has a high concentration of fast-food chains,
which offer both convenience and affordability.
But fast food isn’t for everyone — and there are
additional ways to save on dining throughout SHOT
Week.
-
Venture Outside The “Resort District”: One way to enjoy a budget-stretching meal is
having dinner off the Strip and outside the
“Resort District.” This will require a taxi or
ride-share service ride to get to these places,
but the savings on entrees and drinks,
especially compared to Strip pricing, more than
offsets the travel expense. The Fremont Street
Experience and Town Square Las Vegas were
highlighted in the “Entertainment on a Budget” post — and both have unique restaurants and
entertainment options for those on a budget.
There are a variety of other dining
establishments in nearby Henderson and
Summerlin, which are frequented by locals.
-
Stock Up On Essentials At CVS &
Walgreens: This is a very basic, but important
budget-saving tip while in Las Vegas. There are
multiple CVS and Walgreens locations on Las
Vegas Boulevard right by The Venetian Expo,
ideal for stocking up on snacks and bottled
water — which can generate significant savings,
especially across several days.
A “Can’t-Miss” Event
The SHOT Show is a “can’t-miss” event — serving as
a launchpad to jumpstart business success in the
new year. Multiple days dining out at a trade show
will quickly add up, but there are plenty of
venues available in and around The Venetian Expo
to help you stretch your budget.
There are additional ways to save, too, during
SHOT Week, including on
travel
to Las Vegas,
lodging
and
entertainment. With just over two months to go until the
opening day of the 2026 SHOT Show, now is the time
to start planning and maximize the value of your
stay.
– Jade Moldé, Director of Content, NSSF
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