Aloha Specialties Closes After 41 Years at The Cal

A four-decade-old dining staple in downtown Las Vegas is closing. Aloha Specialties will vacate its mezzanine space inside the California Hotel and Casino on November 22, severing a historic tie to the Hawaiian islands, and will permanently close on Sunday, November 22, 2026, ending its 41-year run at the property, also known as The Cal.

The restaurant built its following on Hawaiian comfort food, including saimin, Spam musubi, loco mocos, kalua pork, teriyaki plates, and curry and rice bowls. Its history at The Cal began in 1985, although the business dates back to 1980, when Herb Yamagata established Aloha Specialties as a beef jerky operation. The restaurant was developed under Larry Yamagata, a former executive chef with the Sheraton hotel chain in Hawaii, and it underwent a major renovation in 2016.

The closure is confirmed, and the reason isn't. Boyd Gaming, which owns The Cal, confirmed the closure to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Neon. The restaurant's owners announced the decision in a social media statement thanking customers for their support and shared memories, and they didn't disclose a reason for the closure. Boyd Gaming also didn't provide an explanation, although it told KHON2 that an announcement about what will occupy the space would be made soon.

The loss lands on a specific community. The restaurant became part of a relationship between Las Vegas and Hawaii — the city is frequently called the Ninth Island because of its popularity among residents of Hawaii, and Boyd Gaming describes The California as a favorite destination for thousands of Hawaiian guests each year. Speaking to KHON2, Las Vegas visitor Jack Moananu recalled how frequently his group visited the restaurant: "We always went there every day almost."

There's still a place to go, just not downtown. The owners' announcement directs customers to their sister business, Ross J's Aloha Grill, in Henderson, at 4650 E. Sunset Road, Suite A. Ross J's has operated since 2001 and serves Hawaiian-style food, including plate lunches and other island favorites. The closure will leave a gap in The Cal's dining lineup and remove a familiar food stop for returning Hawaiian visitors.