Iconic video game inspires new cafe pop-up in Chinatown Vegas

This is fast food.

Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe, which celebrates the iconic video game starring the supersonic blue hedgehog in red shoes, is popping up on Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown Vegas. The cafe is the latest collaboration between Sega, the global gaming brand that owns the Sonic franchise, and L.A. restaurateur Andy Nguyen of The Lunchbox Group.

The cafe, opening Oct. 17 at 5600 Spring Mountain Road, Suite A, occupies the same space as the former One Piece Cafe, which drew inspiration from the One Piece manga and anime franchise. That restaurant, another project involving Nguyen, closed on Oct. 2 after 2½ years.

On the menu

Speed Cafe features Sonic the Hedgehog decor and Vegas-only dishes such as a Vegas Casino Night Dog topped with shaved prime rib and horseradish peppercorn crema; a bacon-wrapped Neon Palace Dog; Shadow’s Ultimate Sandwich; and Big’s Tackle Box featuring classic fish and chips made with beer-battered Icelandic cod.

The menu also features fan favorites from previous Speed Cafe pop-ups, such as a Classic Chili Dog, a Knuckles Sandwich with Power-Up Rings, plus character-inspired drinks such as Sonic Boom Lemonade and a Chaos Emerald Refresher. Sweets such as Amy’s Strawberry Smash Blondie and Tails’ Tropical Takeoff Tart round out the menu.

Vegas merch

Orders arrive in colorful custom packaging sporting Sonic characters. There is also Sonic merchandise sold only at the Vegas pop-up. The Oct. 17 and 18 opening weekend will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day and includes giveaways and a Sonic the Hedgehog meet-and-greet.

Speed Cafe debuted in San Diego in July 2023, followed by pop-ups elsewhere in California and in Texas, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri.

Contact Johnathan L. Wright at jwright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.