Page 7 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2023

Nearly 700 associates featured in this issue!
opened this summer at Horseshoe Tunica with the promise of bringing big, bold flavors to Tunica, it created a lot of excitement. Guy Fieri, the spikey-haired Food Network star, is a favorite in homes across the country. Many, including this editor, have watched him from the time he was a contestant on the “Next Food Network Star” way back in 2006. Since winning that competition, he has become
a rock star, only he plays a griddle rather than a guitar. He has enjoyed success on the network with a variety of shows, including such favorites as “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.”
As a big fan of Guy, I had to get over to Horseshoe
to check out Fieri’s restaurant, the first to open in Mississippi. It’s impressive, and his trademark personality shines through every design detail, from signage of famous catch-phrases like “flavortown” to skull-and-cross-bone napkins and the playful way the forks and spoons are arranged. Once I arrived there the choice of what to order was easy — Guy’s signature bacon mac-n-cheese burger. The award-winning burger was as advertised— big, bold and, as Guy would say, “funkalicious.” Also, it would be remiss of me to not mention the staff at Guy’s. They are friendly and engaging, much like the famous chef seems to be.
Players at Hollywood Casino Tunica may have noticed lots of activity in the area where the buffet was once located. Currently it is out with the old as deconstruction takes place. Hollywood is playing it close to the vest as to what will be the “in with the new.” We do know the target date is December 2023, and the casino is teasing it will be a new concept in dining that promises easy access, lots of food options, and affordable, enjoyable cuisine. Sounds enticing.
Since Cherokee Nation Entertainment entered the Tunica market with the $450 million purchase of Gold Strike Casino Resort, lots of eyes have been trained on
the property. Gold Strike is quite a prize, with such popular dining spots as Buffet Americana, Sweet Tea eatery and the award-winning Chicago Steakhouse, more than 1,100 luxury guest rooms, a theater, an impressive high-limit gaming area, and a first-class sports bar, grill and sports betting facility that will no doubt be a popular haunt for sports fans this football season.
It’s good to see that Cherokee Nation Entertainment hit the ground running at Gold Strike by upping the action with a Corvette and a Mercedes giveaway during the summer, adding big-name entertainers and an Elvis tribute show to the theater lineup and by booking three bands a day to play at the STAGE2 lounge. During recent visits at Gold Strike, there seems to be a real connection with guests in this market and the energy is good on the casino floor.
Lori Beth Susman (loribeth@m2mediacorp.com) is executive editor of Mississippi Gaming News and David Grisham (david@m2mediacorp.com) is contributing editor.
MISSISSIPPI GAMING & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
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JACKSON OFFICE
P.O. Box 4479 Jackson, MS 39296
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LARRY GREGORY
Executive Director lgregory@msgaming.org • 601-940-3236
FALL 2023
MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS 7