Stuffing Or Mashed Potatoes: The Votes Are In And There Is A New Winner

We haven't even finished the election, but there has already been an upset at the polls. And it has to do with Thanksgiving. Apparently one side dish has taken over another side dish, and surpassed the clear winner for many years.

Stuffing or mashed potatoes. The holidays are around the corner, and Campbell's Soup released their annual poll on the Thanksgiving sides we're looking forward to enjoying the most. And in a shocking upset, stuffing has overtaken mashed potatoes for the top spot. RIGGED!!!

It's election season, and every day there's something new, and surprising at the polls, but nothing is quite as earth-shattering as this news.

Campbell's Soup released the news this week, on America's favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. "Stuffing or mashed potatoes?" has been a debate since the pilgrims came over on the Mayflower, at neither of them, and then started the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

It was a major upset for mashed potatoes, unfortunately. They are not number one this year. They fell to number two this year behind - I can barely say it - stuffing! (insert sad emoji here)

I have been a mashed potato lover - REAL potatoes - since as far back as I can remember. Stuffing is fine, but if I had to choose one over the other, not even a question - mashed potatoes! Honestly if I only had turkey, and mashed potatoes, I'd be in heaven!

We all have our favorite sides. Potatoes, stuffing, cranberry goo shaped like the can it came out of. Being Italian, we'd start with ravioli. Probably why I was a chubby kid, but I digress.

What are Americans' top favorite Thanksgiving sides? The Top Five are:

Although I love the green bean casserole, I have to think they polled a little older demo, or the green bean coalition. Because I can't believe kids would put green bean casserole ahead of mac-and-cheese.

I think part of the reason mashed potatoes dropped to second place, is the fact that not a lot of people use real potatoes. They use the crappy boxed potatoes, and those don't even compare to REAL mashed potatoes. And on the flipside, I think that most people just accept the crappy boxed stuffing, as real stuffing, and their fine with it. Booooo!!

But here's a fact that doesn't surprise me. 56% of Americans say they like Thanksgiving sides more than the actual entrée. So turkey, ham, or some sort of tofu cotton ball nut loaf (if you're vegan), really isn't a priority. And 38% of Americans say they'd be fine filling their plate with just side dishes.

Stuffing, or mashed potatoes. Whatever your preference, I hope you enjoy. I also hope that mashed potatoes campaign harder next year. Potatoes/Gravy 2025!

It doesn't seem like it in Las Vegas, but fall really is right around the corner. That means some big new, very highly anticipated, restaurant and bar openings.

Las Vegas is looking ahead to the fall season, which is actually the most beautiful time of the year in Las Vegas.

And that last quarter of the year moves fast in Las Vegas. Raiders football, Formula One racing, a big implosion, and holiday celebrations galore. The last quarter of the year will also see a handful of exciting new restaurants making their debuts.

Caesars Palace has turned its food court into a bunch of very cool celebrity chef quick-service restaurants. The Forum Food Hall says they make it easy and affordable to feed the whole family. With a large variety of cuisine types to satisfy everyone's cravings.

Gjelina, a new Venice, California restaurant, is moving into the Venetian, and I peeked in when I was there this past weekend - it looks really nice. It opened in Venice Beach in 2008, and set the standard for sustainable restaurant practices. It is said to be a premier case study for sustainable dining today. Gjelina is moving into the Venetian's Restaurant Row area and will be open for lunch and dinner.

Tiki rooms are hot everywhere, and that includes Las Vegas. The Golden Tiki, and Frank's Tiki room are very popular Las Vegas bars. A new Tiki bar will open in downtown Las Vegas, and honestly - it's about time.

Glitter Gulch Tiki is finally here!. Glitter Gulch Tiki is local Mexican restaurant chain Nacho Daddy’s first venture into the tiki world. They offer traditional tiki drinks, signature cocktails with lychee puree. And their kitchen will also serve light bites of various items like coconut shrimp and poke nachos on crispy wonton chips.

Here are some other exciting new restaurants and bars, slated to open in Las Vegas in the next few months.

This is Top Chef Season 13 winner, Jeremy Ford's place. He opened in Miami, and is now opening a location at Resorts World in Las Vegas.  Stubborn Seed has a prix fixe menu.  The restaurant’s name refers to  the persistence it takes to open a restaurant - or any passion project, and  to flourish and grow.” Stubborn Seed will incorporate seasonal and local ingredients and a robust drink menu. Opening Winter 2024.

For over a year, Mandalay Bay has had sign on the doors of what will soon be an adults-only mini golf course. The space used to be Light nightclub. Swingers is supposed to have four different golf courses, each modeled after a quaint English countryside. They have locations in London, New York, and Washington D.C.. and they look really cool, and very unique. Cocktails will be delivered by caddies, and pizza, burgers, and tacos will be served at a parasol-covered sunken garden lounge. Las Vegas has a lot of trendy golf-and-play attractions, but Swingers promises to be the ritziest version yet.

Midday steak and eggs with homemade tortillas and salsa, bowls of pozole with heirloom corn, and American diner staples like eggs over-easy with bacon and smashed potatoes. Chamana’s will have a fancy beverage menu, with espresso drinks from supposedly, the most expensive expresso machine in the world, and sodas with fruit purees like watermelon-basil, guava, and lavender. their website says Chamana’s "draws inspiration from the spiritual and therapeutic practices of ancestral healers providing wholesome cuisine to promote harmony, showcasing culinary creativity in its purest form."

After 20 years, Charlie Palmer closed during the pandemic. Enter Bourbon Steak. This will be  Chef Michael Mina's sixth local restaurant.  A beautiful selection of premium beef cuts and fresh seafood. Fancy trolley carts with shellfish, caviar, chocolate fondue and cocktails will roam  the restaurant. Mina says the restaurant will reflect the energy and essence of Las Vegas.