The Gold’ N Silver Inn Reopens — and Reno Isn’t Sure About it
For nearly seventy years, Reno residents could expect that at any hour of the day or night, the Gold ‘N Silver Inn would be open, then it closed and now it has reopened after a year.
Jul 02, 2026
The iconic Gold 'N Silver Inn diner on West Fourth Street first opened in 1956 and became one of Reno’s local institutions. It was a favorite stop for casino workers, graveyard-shift employees, college students, politicians, police officers, and anyone looking for breakfast at 4 a.m.
Now, after more than a year of closure and extensive renovations, the historic diner has reopened under the ownership of Jacobs Entertainment as part of its ongoing redevelopment of the West Fourth Street corridor.
The reopening was intended to celebrate a Reno landmark, but it has sparked an emotional debate across social media.
A Reno Institution Gets a Makeover
When Jacobs Entertainment announced plans to renovate the restaurant, company representatives emphasized their intent to preserve the history and nostalgia of the Gold' N Silver while modernizing the facility.
Renovations included replacing the seating with new retro-style booths and tables, adding a gaming room, and installing a large, trendy bar in what had been a private party room. The redesigned concept is intended to appeal to both long-time customers and newcomers to the area.
For many Reno residents, anticipation grew as they waited to see whether the city would get its diner back. The project took far longer than anticipated.
The restaurant closed in June 2025, with plans to reopen before the end of the year. There were delays in the delivery of furnishings and other issues related to a major renovation of an old building. It finally opened in the middle of June 2026.
This is the front side of the new menu with breakfast. The back side has lunch items, including burgers and pizza. Click the image to visit the website and see the rest of the menu.
A New Menu, Comparable Prices
The menu has been changed up considerably. People noted that some favorites are gone, including:
Country-style dishes
Tri‑tip sandwich
Croissant breakfast sandwich
Dinner entrées
Chicken pot pie
The frustration wasn’t just about missing items. It was about the promise that the old favorites would remain.
The G’nS is having a pancake breakfast fundraiser this Saturday, July 4th. Click the image for further details on Facebook.
Not Expensive… But Not What It Was
Several users noted that the new pricing is “on par with anywhere else.”
But that wasn’t the point. The Gold' N Silver wasn’t “anywhere else.” It was a dive diner — the kind of place where:
You could get a full dinner for less than the price of a cocktail elsewhere.
The food didn’t need to be perfect because the experience was the draw.
The value proposition was good enough for a good price.
The fear isn’t that the Gold’ N Silver is too expensive. The fear is that it is something different.
The old meeting room in the back has been remodeled into a bar with an extensive snack menu. It was almost full on Saturday night.
Nostalgia and Realism
The thread revealed a divide: was the old Gold’ N Silver actually good?
Some insisted it was: “Top-tier chili, pie, shakes, and that tri-tip sandwich.”
Others countered: “It wasn’t good; people had major nostalgia about it.”
But even those who admitted the food was hit‑or‑miss still mourned the loss of the experience — the late‑night pancakes, the old-time charm.
One commenter captured the core: “The drunken nights with pancakes will forever be a cherished Reno memory… Sad days.”
You can get small bites and drinks at the bar in the evening. It seems popular from what I have seen. Click the image to see more.
Remembering Mel’s Diner
Before the Gold’ N Silver overhaul, Reno already had a preview of what Jacobs‑style “modernization” looks like. When Jacobs Entertainment took over the Sands Regency and rebranded it into the J Resort, one of the first casualties was Mel’s Diner.
This 24‑hour staple had anchored the property for decades. Mel’s wasn’t fancy. It was reliable and affordable burgers and such, qualities locals say they liked.
The Sands had always been a working‑class casino, and Mel’s was part of its identity. When it disappeared, replaced by a higher‑priced, more “elevated dining concept called Hanna’s Kitchen, locals noticed.
My breakfast was served quickly, hot, and tasty. The price was similar to other places, so I didn’t have any complaints.
My Take on the New G’nS.
I had been to the old Gold ‘N Silver a few times in 2019, and I remember what people are talking about. I decided to visit again and went to see the new look for myself. I recognized elements of the old place, but saw a modern, clean version of it. It struck me as the difference between an original hot-rod and a modernized restomod.
The first time I got there early for breakfast, there weren’t many people, but people started coming in, and it began to fill up. My breakfast was served quickly, hot, and tasty. The price was similar to other places, so I didn’t have any complaints.
I talked with the manager, and he told me that the ingredients are mostly locally sourced and are top quality, including coffee from Hub Coffee Roasters, meats from Sierra Meats, and ice cream from Sierra Nevada Creamery for the milkshakes.
My server told me that she had worked at the old place and had been waiting a year to come back. She seemed quite pleased with the new look and features, and showed me the new barroom. Other servers looked familiar.
I came back on Saturday night, and the bar was almost full. They had an extensive menu of bar snacks and burgers that looked good, and they seemed to be selling well. I tried the quesadilla, which was filling, and I took half home.
A group of former employees came in to try the new place. I talked with their organizer, and they were excited to check it out. The reaction was mixed.
On Monday night, I tried a burger, and it was good too. I live a mile away, so I imagine that I’ll be back again. It’s nice to have a bar with food so close.
I’m covering G’nS because it is an old Reno establishment now owned by Jacobs, and I write about developments in their “Neon Line.”
The burger with sweet potato fries was good. I’d try it again.
What Happens Next
A few commenters said they’ll still try it. Some said they won’t. I was pleased with my experience, and I will come back to try the lunch and check out the bar again.
I think that the reopening could succeed on its own terms as a new restaurant with a modern style. We shall see as the word gets out. The G’nS will also benefit from Jacobs’ ability to promote the place, as we saw in the recent newspaper coverage.
Do you have a story to tell? Write to me at: mike@mikesrenoreport.com
Support independent journalism. Click to donate to Mike’s Reno Report.