Given the original Rao’s is over a century old in New York City and the Caesars Palace outpost just turned 10, the brand has become an American institution. You can even buy their famed pasta sauce across the country at most grocers. But there is always something about walking through the doors of Rao’s.

And while the New York original may be the hardest reservation in the world, fortunately the famous meatballs are a bit more accessible here. Rather than run through what transpired at this weekend’s epic brunch at Vegas Uncork’d (read some of the highlights here), we managed to steal a few moments with the iconic brand’s first son, Frankie Pellegrino Jr., and reflect on the reasons behind why tables at Rao’s are so coveted.