Ely sits way out in the high desert of eastern Nevada, and the hotel dining rooms are easy to find. The places where residents actually grab lunch, pick up pizza, or meet friends for dinner take a little more knowing.
This list covers seven independent spots around town, from a gas station burrito counter to a food truck with soup that sells out early in the day. Each one earns its place for a different reason, so you can match your meal to your mood and your schedule.
Save it before your next trip down Highway 50.
1. Racks Bar and Grill, Ely, NV
Burgers are the headline at this downtown grill on East Aultman Street, and the Pastrami Burger is the one that shows up again and again. It is a hearty, no-fuss pick for a road-tired appetite.
Racks runs as an independent bar and grill, separate from Ely’s casino hotels. The atmosphere stays casual and family-friendly, with bar games and screens for catching a game.
Not in a burger mood? The Mac and Cheese Bites make a good shared starter, and the menu leans into comfort food and small plates.
Coffee and dessert are on offer too.
On a nice day, the shaded outdoor patio is the move, and dogs are welcome outside. Free Wi-Fi helps if you need to plan the next leg of the drive.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday. Weekday afternoons and evenings get busy midweek, while Sundays tend to be quieter.
Parking is free and usually easy.
2. Mr. Gino’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, Ely, NV
Plenty of travelers roll past this 1950s and 60s style building without a second look. That is a mistake if you like Italian food.
Mr. Gino’s serves traditional pasta dishes and seafood from its own standalone spot on East Aultman Street. The Bolognese sauce is a standout, and the Chicken Alfredo is a reliable favorite.
Inside, the mood is quieter and a little more polished than most Ely dinner spots, with piano music in the background and attentive table service. I would save this one for a sit-down evening after a long day outdoors.
Save room for cheesecake, since dessert is one of the strong points here. Families are covered with a kids’ menu and high chairs, and vegetarians get a full menu of their own.
Doors open daily from 4 to 9 PM, and reservations are accepted. Expect to spend around 30 to 40 dollars per person.
3. Rolberto’s Mexican Food, Ely, NV
Some of the best burritos in Ely come from a counter next to a gas station. Rolberto’s does not look fancy, and it does not need to.
The doors open at 6 AM every day, which makes it a natural first stop for breakfast burritos before hitting the road. It stays open until 10 PM, so late arrivals are covered too.
Portions are big. The California Burrito and the Rolled Tacos are popular orders, and the menu reaches into Menudo and a beef caldo for anyone wanting soup.
A salsa and toppings bar lets you dress things up however you like. Vegetarian Sopes and custom veggie burritos make it easy for plant-based eaters.
Service is counter-style and quick, with a drive-through when you would rather eat in the car. Most meals land in the 10 to 20 dollar range, and parking is free.
4. Hometown Pizza, Ely, NV
All-you-can-eat pizza and a salad bar is a strong pitch for a hungry family. Hometown Pizza delivers exactly that on the east end of Aultman Street.
The dough is homemade, and the crust comes out crispy with fresh toppings. The Meat Pizza covers the classic route, while the Greek Pizza offers a vegetarian twist.
Chicken wings and breadsticks round out the menu. Big windows look out over the high desert town while you eat.
It is a down-to-earth, clean restaurant with fair prices, usually 10 to 20 dollars per person. Kids are welcome, high chairs are available, and delivery is an option if you are settled in for the night.
Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Weekend evenings fill up, so an earlier dinner is easier.
5. Happy Garden | Chinese Restaurant, Ely, NV
A hardworking couple runs this small Chinese restaurant downtown, and the cooking shows real care. It is the kind of storefront you could easily walk past.
Mongolian beef and orange chicken are the familiar favorites. Dishes come in generous portions with plenty of fresh vegetables and neat presentation.
The dining room is quiet, with more seating than you might expect. Takeout is a big part of the business, which makes it handy for a motel room dinner.
A full vegetarian menu means everyone in the group can find something. Prices stay friendly, generally 10 to 20 dollars per person.
Plan around the schedule: Happy Garden is open 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. Reservations are accepted for larger groups.
6. Shorty’s, Ely, NV
Lunch only, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Shorty’s keeps a tight window, so timing matters.
This food truck on East Aultman Street turns out chef-made sandwiches that go well beyond basic. The Coppa Pesto is a favorite, and the Double Dub and grilled chicken sandwich are solid picks.
Sandwiches can come with a fresh soup, which adds real value to a 10 to 20 dollar lunch. The soups are made with layered flavor rather than heavy salt.
There is no picnic table setup at the lot, so plan to take your meal to go. A park bench or the car works fine.
Since the truck is closed Sunday and Monday, I would build a Tuesday through Saturday lunch around it if you are in town those days.
7. La Fiesta | Mexican Restaurant, Ely, NV
Off the main drag on Avenue H, La Fiesta serves the sit-down Mexican dinner Rolberto’s does not try to be. Think table service, a relaxed room, and generous plates.
Chile rellenos and chimichangas are the traditional anchors. Cheese enchiladas and carne asada fries are popular too, and the fajitas arrive hot on the platter with steak or chicken.
Vegetarian options include the quesadilla and Nachos Deluxe. Finish with deep-fried ice cream for a fun dessert.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and reservations are accepted. Most meals run 10 to 20 dollars per person.
Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM every day. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, so arrive early on those nights.
Between burgers, pasta, burritos, pizza, Chinese, sandwiches, and enchiladas, Ely offers far more than its size suggests. Skip the hotel dining room once or twice and you will see the town the way residents do.
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