Meet Chef Daniel Ontiveros: Best of Las Vegas Local Chef at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
Texas-born culinary inspiration, Daniel Ontiveros, is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and has developed his craft under the guidance of top chefs, such as the legendary Thomas Keller and Joel Robuchon.
Chef Ontiveros’ latest efforts have earned him the recognition as Las Vegas Weekly’s Best Local Chef according to the digital magazines 2025 Best of Vegas – Reader’s Choice Awards.
Who Is Chef Daniel Ontiveros, and What Is His Culinary Background?
At a young age, Chef Ontiveros knew that his passion was cooking, and that he wanted to forge a future rooted in hospitality, serving up incredible flavors and award-worthy dishes.
Today, his visions have come to life as he is the current corporate executive chef for the rock-star team, Carver Road Hospitality. His wealth of experience brings a renewed, fresh, and flavorful twist to popular American favorites served up at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, located in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. You’ll also find his influence in popular steakhouse Carversteak in Las Vegas as well.
His unique skill set in the kitchen, restaurant vision, and understanding of what diners want has helped create the foundation for the incredible dining experiences Flanker is known for.
What Inspires Chef Ontiveros’ Approach to the Menu at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar?
Both flavors and traditional American dishes merge beautifully here at Flanker, and it’s under the guidance of Chef Daniel that popular sports bar food transforms classic dishes into irresistible flavors that help create a dining experience like no other on the Strip.
Having worked with legends, and with a rich culinary background, including a portfolio that includes Bouchon and Joël Robuchon, Chef Daniel’s vision has been guided by thoughtfully crafted dishes that explore bold flavors, while relying on the best ingredients and culinary methods available.
His expertise comes together at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, creating a lineup of flavorful dishes ranging from his award-winning Wagyu burgers to his flavorful sharable tacos, and his variation of trending Dubai chocolate-style pancakes.
Must-Try Dishes at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Las Vegas
There’s no shortage of incredible dishes to try here at Flanker. However, there are some must-try dishes that define the experience, whether you’re a local or a visitor just stopping by.
With his expert-level knowledge of steak cuts, and different culinary methods, you’ll find popular favorites like the New York strip and fries entrée, served with parmesan truffle fries and garlic butter.
Other signature dishes include our award-winning Wagyu smash burgers. Our bacon smash features bacon onion jam, American cheese, and garlic aioli, while our truffle smash elevates the flavor with caramelized onions and truffle cheese.
There’s also a great selection of starters and shareables that make the best sports bar food on the Strip. Classic American favorites, like pizza rolls, pigs in a blanket, and crispy pork belly are offered alongside fan favorites, like street tacos, lobster caviar rolls, and ahi tuna tartare tacos. Of course, we can’t forget about our crispy wings, shrimp ceviche, and tailgate nachos either.
How Does Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar’s Kitchen Operate Behind the Scenes?
At Flanker, the focus is on providing a one-of-a-kind sports bar dining experience, perfect for an impromptu outing or celebratory event. Behind the scenes, our kitchen coordinates with our event staff, putting together thoughtfully paired menus for all our game-day events.
From our Happy Hour menu, to our Weekend Brunch menu, to our Halftime menu, you’ll find an array of flavors and dishes to complement the unique dining experience you’re looking for.
If you’re booking a private event, you can expect our staff to coordinate one-on-one with you to curate the dining experience you’re looking for.
What Sets Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Apart in the Las Vegas Dining Scene?
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar in Las Vegas is not your typical sports bar. You can say goodbye to greasy meals and lackluster flavor profiles, and say hello to elevated dining the way you want it.
Chef Ontiveros’ spin on classic American favorites kicks up the flavor, bringing you dishes that simply set us apart from any other sports bar in the area.
What’s Next for Chef Ontiveros and the Restaurant?
It’s clear that whatever Chef Ontiveros touches turns to gold, and his operation and ownership of Caviar Bar, along with his influence over Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, is a testament to that.
Under his leadership, menus will continue to be bursting with flavor, contain quality cuts, and offer artisanal dishes that will inspire your taste buds. As one of the most popular and notable Las Vegas chefs, his future is as bright and bold as the dishes he whips up.