06/13/2026
Before there was another modern car wash along East Desert Inn, there was this.
Longtime Las Vegans will instantly recognize the distinctive roofline of the former Gates BBQ from Kansas City, a building that sat on the Eastside for decades and traced its roots back to the 1950s.
By the time I photographed it in 2017, the restaurant had been closed for years. The massive barbecue pit still sat behind the building, a reminder of its past life and the countless meals, conversations, and memories that took place here over the decades.
It wasn’t a famous casino, neon sign, or Strip landmark. It was simply one of those neighborhood buildings that helped give Las Vegas its character.
I’ve always loved this structure. The dramatic roofline, the mid-century influences, and the way it stood out along Desert Inn made it feel like a relic from a different era. It looked like it belonged to the Las Vegas that existed before master-planned communities, chain stores, and endless redevelopment.
One of the things I’ve learned documenting Las Vegas is that history isn’t just found in the big landmarks. It’s also found in places like this. The buildings many people drove past every day without a second thought often end up being the ones we miss the most once they’re gone.
Photos taken during the final days of demolition, June 2017. 😞
