After they struck their final pose on Friday or Saturday and after their Sunday photoshoots for their sponsors, the 2022 Olympia competitors were ready to finally break their long diets and eat some “real food,” in some cases, a lot of “real food.” And Las Vegas provided endless opportunities. We monitored this year’s Olympians to let you know what and where they chowed down.
ANDREW JACKED & WILLIAM BONAC
Gen Korean BBQ House, Miracle Mile Shops, Las Vegas Strip
On Sunday, Andrew Jacked (Mr. Olympia, 8th place) and William Bonac (Mr. Olympia, 9th place) were part of a party of nine that included their significant others and fellow pro bodybuilders Stan “Stanimal” De Longeaux and Quint “Beastwood” Eriya. All seemed to enjoy their generous portions of grilled beef at one of the few locations of the upscale West Coast chain restaurant Gen Korean BBQ House.
DEREK LUNSFORD, SHAUN CLARIDA, JESSICA REYES PADILLA, JAMES HOLLINGSHEAD
D & D Mansion, 6425 Darby Avenue, Las Vegas
The people behind Better Bodies and GASP rented the Dreams & Desires Mansion for the Olympia weekend and held cookouts there for their staff and sponsored bodybuilders. Those bodybuilders include Derek Lunsford (Mr. Olympia, 2nd place), Shaun Clarida (202 Mr. Olympia winner), Jessica Reyes Padilla (Ms. Figure Olympia, 2nd place), and newly signed James Hollingshead (Mr. Olympia competitor). At a feast on Sunday evening all four were in attendance as well as others, such as retired bodybuilding legend Branch Warren. Lunsford, in particular, enjoyed his freshly grilled burgers—all three of them! When the cameraman pointed out other food options, Lunsford said, “I’m just focused on the burger.” “Definitely a pretty burger,” the cameraman said. Lunsford took his first bite of his first burger and retorted, “Pretty delicious.”
NICK WALKER
The Cheesecake Factory, The Forum Shops at Caesars, Las Vegas Strip
On Sunday, Nick Walker (Mr. Olympia, 3rd place) visited the nearest Cheesecake Factory with, among others, pro bodybuilder Guy Cisterino. As Walker noted in his Instagram stories, a post-contest Cheesecake Factory meal is a tradition for him and his friends and family. The Mutant downed a bacon cheeseburger with fries and followed it with a slice of cheesecake adorned with bananas and whipped cream.
CHRIS BUMSTEAD
Toca Madera, The Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas Strip
Chris Bumstead (Classic Physique Olympia winner) checked out one of the newest and hottest restaurants in Vegas. The $10 million, luxuriously designed Toca Madera only opened in November, and there are only two others (West Hollywood, California and Scottsdale, Arizona) with a fourth opening next New Year’s Eve in New York City. It calls itself “a modern Mexican steakhouse pairing the highest quality ingredients with bold flavors.” Menu items include Osetra caviar for $180, 40 oz. “chipotle ash rubbed American wagyu” for $215, and truffle Manchego fries for $29. The $50K prize money Bumstead collected on Saturday will easily cover all three. We’re not sure what the four-time Mr. Classic Physique Olympia ate when he was at Toca Madera on Sunday, but the Instagram screen capture of him below was titled “Happy Cbum.”
RAPHAEL BRANDAO & HUNTER LABRADA
Barry’s Downtown Prime, Circa Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
On Monday evening, bodybuilding legend Flex Lewis brought his family and good friend Raphael Brandao (Mr. Olympia, 10th place) to his favorite Vegas restaurant, Barry’s Downtown Prime. Steak and wine were served. And for dessert, the Brazilian Brandao downed an Oreo cake, but only after marveling at it for Flex’s camera. On Flex’s recommendation, Hunter Labrada (Mr. Olympia, 7th place) also dined at Barry’s that night.
BIG RAMY, MOHAMED SHABAAN, MICHAEL DABOUL
Fogo de Chão, 360 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas
On Sunday, members of the KO Squad, including Big Ramy (Mr. Olympia, 5th place), Mohamed Shabaan (Mr. Olympia competitor), and Michael Daboul (Classic Physique Olympia, 10th place) chowed down at the all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, Fogo de Chão, where they carve the grilled meat at your table in a continuous rotation of protein. Fogo de Chão is an upscale international chain with restaurants in Brazil as well as the Middle East and North America.
MICHAL KRIZO
P.F. Chang’s, Town Square Las Vegas
With the EVLS crew, Slovakia’s Michal Krizo (Mr. Olympia, 12th place) took a drive to the outdoor mall Town Square Las Vegas, and dined at the popular Chinese chain restaurant, P.F. Chang’s.
SAMSON DAUDA
unknown restaurant
We’re not sure where Samson Dauda (Mr. Olympia, 6th place) devoured his Monday breakfast, but he sure was enjoying it. The high-calorie, high-fat, high-carb breakfast consisted of steak, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, toast, four pancakes with syrup, and a fruit smoothie. Before his first bite, Dauda slowly, seductively panned the meal with his phone’s camera while he narrated: “Oh boy. Here’s breakfast. Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy. I’m about to get fat. I’m about to get fat. Oh boy. Oh boy.” After a sixth in your debut Olympia, you earned it, Samson.
