Reno made the Esquire Top 100 this year… twice. The first entry at #12 covers Reno itself, and while it presents an overall positive picture, it makes Reno seem a little more backwater than it is. For example:

“There are people who want to make Reno a destination again. But the nice part is that when you’re there, you are off the grid. I flew in on a propeller plane, which added to my sense that I was headed to a sort of backwater. There aren’t cameras everywhere like in Vegas, and even the pit bosses don’t seem to track you as hard. Maybe they’re just grateful for the action.”

Yeah, I doubt the majority of tourists arrive via turboprop. I don’t see the dealers begging for your bets or telling you how gracious you are for plopping down your five bucks. I’m also sure we can’t compete with Vegas in sheer camera density, I would still say there are in fact cameras “everywhere” downtown.

The author seems to enjoy the word “seedy”; he uses it to describe everything from the town in general to dining at the Nugget to the “whorehouses that dot the perimeter of the city.” Huh? Is this 1976? Maybe I’m missing the new definition of seedy. Classy but not pretentious? Yeah that must be it. Someone call dictionary.com and tell them that “poorly kept; run-down; shabby” and “somewhat disreputable; degraded” aren’t current.

It would seem he missed a few areas of town during his three day tour. No mention of any of the non-casino attractions other than a quick word or two about “the mountains” and “the lake”. Well he does briefly mention the National Bowling Stadium. Apparently Reno is composed of the two blocks either side of South Virginia; “You can walk from one end of the city to the other, pass six decent casinos….” Yeah, you missed a block or two.

Despite the misguided perspective, the article certainly doesn’t bash Reno (if we ignore the excessive use of “seedy”); in fact it includes a lot of compliments. I suppose this isn’t the worst writeup we could ask for.

http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/reno1007

The second mention, at #13, goes to Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs. According to Esquire, “The Best Breakfast in America.” Alright, I’ll buy that.

http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/bestbreakfast1007