Permanent Partnership Shapes Restaurant's Direction Durango Social Club, the 55-seat Spring Valley restaurant from Chef/Owner Dan Krohmer, has named Executive Chef Crystina "Mama" Nguyen to lead the kitchen permanently. The move solidifies the restaurant's evolution from a series of culinary collaborations into a dedicated Vietnamese comfort food destination. Located at 3655 S. Durango Drive in the same shopping center as Krohmer's Other Mama, the restaurant has operated since August 2025 with a rotating cast of guest chefs. Nguyen, known locally for her tenure at District One Kitchen & Bar, now brings a permanent vision centered on approachable à la carte dining. "I've always envisioned Durango Social Club as a place where hospitality professionals could create, collaborate and build something meaningful together," Krohmer said. "Over the past year, the restaurant has continued to evolve, but the vision has always been the same. Now that Mama's 'home,' it feels like we've found exactly what Durango Social Club was meant to become."
Menu Balances Tradition With Personal Touch Nguyen's approach emphasizes Vietnamese traditions with her own culinary perspective. Signature starters include Mama's Gỏi—shredded chicken, shrimp, fried tofu, cabbage, fresh herbs and crispy shallots served in a black sesame rice paper bowl—and Chả Giò, crispy pork and shrimp spring rolls with fresh herbs and housemade nước chấm. Rotating Bánh Bột Lọc (tapioca dumplings wrapped in banana leaves with seasonal fillings) and a rotating Vietnamese-inspired soup round out the starter offerings. Entrées feature the Bánh Mì Fried Mortadella with crispy mortadella, pickled daikon and carrot, cilantro and roasted jalapeño aioli on a French baguette; Bò Né (sizzling marinated beef with eggs, pâté, blistered tomato and baguette); Surf & Turf Vermicelli Bowl with marinated ribeye, shrimp, fresh herbs and roasted peanuts; and Cơm Gà Roti, five-spice crispy chicken served with tomato jasmine rice, cucumber salad and Thai chili chimichurri. The Vietnamese Egg Coffee Pie, created with Pop & Pies, anchors the dessert menu alongside traditional Vietnamese iced coffee. "My goal has always been to cook food that makes people feel at home," Nguyen said. "Vietnamese food is rooted in sharing, comfort and bringing people together around the table. Working alongside Dan gives us the opportunity to build something lasting, where guests know they'll always find great food, genuine hospitality and something new to discover."
Full Bar Complements Kitchen The mixology program features signature cocktails including the DSC Martini, Lychee Cooler and Chente, complemented by curated wines by the glass and bottle, beer, zero-proof beverages and seasonal offerings. Durango Social Club is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (725) 205-9846 or visiting durangosocial.com.
Why It Matters
For Las Vegas operators, this partnership demonstrates how anchor chefs can stabilize concept-driven restaurants initially built on guest collaborations. By establishing permanent culinary direction while maintaining a neighborhood-focused identity, Durango Social Club positions itself as a destination for repeat traffic—a strategy increasingly critical in competitive markets where rotation fatigue can erode customer loyalty.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
