Southern California’s Panini Kabob Grill is bringing its Mediterranean menu to the Las Vegas Strip, with a new full-service restaurant expected to open at Fashion Show Mall later this year.
Panini Kabob Grill, a Southern California-based Mediterranean restaurant group, is preparing to launch its first full-service Las Vegas Strip location at Fashion Show Mall. The new restaurant is currently under construction at 3200 S Las Vegas Blvd and is expected to open before the end of the year, according to company statements and recent development filings.
The arrival of Panini Kabob Grill marks another addition to the Strip’s evolving dining landscape, offering visitors and locals a scratch-to-table Mediterranean menu focused on fresh, high-quality ingredients. The company, which operates more than 30 locations primarily in California, has built its reputation on preparing all dishes in-house daily, including sauces, dressings, and spreads, without relying on pre-sliced, frozen, or off-site prepared ingredients.
What to Expect at the New Location
The Fashion Show Mall restaurant will be Panini Kabob Grill’s first full-service eatery in Las Vegas, following its earlier introduction to the market through a ghost kitchen and virtual food hall setup on Louis Avenue. The new venue will feature the brand’s signature Mediterranean dishes, including kabobs, paninis, salads, and vegetarian options, all made from scratch using antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins and organic produce when available.
Founded by Mike Rafipoor in 1977 as Panini Café in Corona del Mar, California, the concept evolved to emphasize kabobs and grilling, reflecting Rafipoor’s focus on nutrition and preservative-free cooking. The company remains privately owned and does not franchise its locations, maintaining direct control over food quality and operations.
Expansion and Las Vegas Dining Trends
Panini Kabob Grill’s move onto the Strip comes as Las Vegas continues to attract regional and national restaurant brands seeking to reach both tourists and local diners. The Fashion Show Mall, located at the heart of the Strip, has become a hub for new dining concepts, joining a wave of recent openings and planned projects in the area.
While Panini Kabob Grill’s founder was not available for comment before publication, the company’s website emphasizes its commitment to fresh, flavorful Mediterranean meals prepared daily in scratch kitchens. The Las Vegas location is expected to follow this model, offering a menu designed for health-conscious guests and those seeking affordable, high-quality dining options on the Strip.
Timeline and What Happens Next
Construction is underway at the Fashion Show Mall site, with the opening targeted for later this year. The exact launch date has not been announced. Once open, Panini Kabob Grill will join a growing roster of Strip restaurants catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets.
The Strip’s ongoing restaurant expansion mirrors broader development trends across the Las Vegas Valley. For example, retail and dining growth is also underway in North Las Vegas, where new shopping centers are attracting national brands and reshaping local business corridors.
Panini Kabob Grill’s debut at Fashion Show Mall is part of a larger pattern of hospitality-driven investment along the Strip, as operators respond to strong visitor demand and evolving culinary preferences. Vegas Report will provide updates as the opening date approaches and additional details become available.
