THE HISTORY OF FIREFLY…
Chef and Creator of Firefly, John Simmons, began his culinary journey when he was just 15 years old as a dishwasher and prep cook at a Jewish Deli in his neighborhood in the Chicago area. Little did he know then, but it would be the beginning of a lifelong career and mission in the culinary industry.
John worked his way through high school and college in various restaurants, earning a degree in economics from the University of Illinois along the way. After graduating from college and toiling away in an office for a few years, the kitchen was calling him back.
He quit his job and enrolled in the Culinary School at Kendall College with the ultimate goal of opening his own spot one day. After stints in kitchens from California to Chicago, John found himself running a popular French bistro in Chicago when he received a fateful call, an offer to open a huge project in Las Vegas with a former chef and boss of his and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
John jumped at the chance and soon found himself working his tail off in Sin City, helping to put together the kitchen operations at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel. Mon Ami would become a huge hit and game-changer in Vegas as well as one of the highest-grossing independent restaurants in the country.
Something else happened though as John worked and the restaurant gained notoriety. John fell in love. He fell in love with the city of Las Vegas. Vegas had become a culinary mecca, attracting the best chefs and discerning palates from around the world. Additionally, it is an industry town, packed with people like him who live and breathe hospitality for a living.
Chef John saw an opportunity to open a hip, fun, casual restaurant with seriously good food to cater to the industry folks who needed a place for when they got off of work on the strip to unwind with a drink and a bite. There were no tapas restaurants in town at that time. Most people had no idea what “tapas” even was. Many people thought it was a “topless” restaurant seeing as it is in Sin City and all.
It took a lot of work by the Firefly team, but it became a hit, not just with local industry people, but as a dining destination for visitors from across the country and around the world. Firefly became the talk of the town. There was often an hour wait until midnight in those days.
Eventually, Firefly took over the place next door and after 10 years moved a couple of doors down into an even larger space, one that could accommodate the huge following we had generated as well as space for banquets and catering operations and other events that we put on at the spot. Meanwhile, in the original Firefly location, Chef John combined his lifelong love of Mexican food and the hot trend of craft beer and opened Tacos & Beer, which has been a massive success, winning many accolades and fans over the years.
Next up was Firefly Southwest! Doors opened in October 2019 to a great reception by the community. The new location is something of a local clubhouse for nearby residents and features a fantastic patio and indoor-outdoor bar in more of a boutique setting than the original location on Paradise Road.
Now you can also come experience plant-based dining at its finest - visit Graze Kitchen, our little sister restaurant serving up delicious, next-level plant-powered cuisine.
Come see us at any of our locations. Locally and independently owned since 2003, the Firefly family will make you happy!