Beau Rivage Launches New Buffet
As most casino goers probably know, casinos have enhanced and upgraded culinary offerings in recent years and a wide range of eateries have become more important for gaming companies. Las Vegas offers a wide range of options – from high-end celebrity chef restaurants to gourmet coffee to talented mixologists ready to serve up some delectable cocktails.
There seems to be something for every palate. One property recently made some changes to a signature dining option that may offer some real insight to just how important restaurants are to casinos. Mississippi’s Beau Rivage, operated by MGM Resorts and located in the city of Biloxi, recently spent millions of dollars transforming the property’s buffet.
“We’re thankful to be able to reopen the buffet in time for the holidays and provide an updated experience for our guests and their families,” the property’s executive chef Kristian Wade recently told NOLA.com.
Beefing Up the Buffet Experience
Buffets have become a casino staple since the first all-you-can-eat dining option debuted in Las Vegas in 1945 at the El Rancho casino. The buffet became a regular option at the property after casino floor worker Herb McDonald sought a late-night bite to eat. He produced some cold cuts, cheese, and bread to make a sandwich at the bar. Hungry casino guests began asking for a sandwich of their own too.
“Realizing a full meal would take them away from gambling, McDonald laid out a spread — a Swedish sm?rg?sbord for the hungry gamblers,” Food and Wine magazine notes. “It was a hit. Soon, McDonald and El Rancho Vegas launched their all-you-can-eat-dinner 24-hour spread, the ‘Buckaroo Buffet,’ costing customers only a dollar.
“The casino lost money on its buffet (for the most part, they still do), but profits weren’t the point. The whole objective was to keep patrons inside and gambling as long as possible.”
Decades later, the buffet remains a key amenity for hundreds of casinos around the country. While many buffets were shut down for a few years, a large number have returned offering just about anything a hungry gambler might desire.
At the Beau Rivage, the new buffet was officially unveiled on Thanksgiving with a new look and over 30 new entrees. The venue features a bright atmosphere and several new serving stations. The property enhanced numerous aspects of the buffet experience including a complete revamped interior.
As a city on the Gulf Coast, the casino also has made seafood even more a part of the experience. Diners will find plenty of royal red shrimp, Cajun shrimp, fried catfish, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and other popular coastal cuisine. There are also numerous Southern favorites as well.
The multimillion-dollar additions and renovation of the buffet serve as an example of just how critical restaurants have become to the casino experience. Buffets allow players a quick bite to eat before returning to the slots and table games. Economically, on-site restaurants and even ancillary dining establishments can benefit from casino visitors, according to those in the industry.
“As regulated gambling significantly contributes to the economy, it provides substantial employment opportunities,” The Nation reports. “Casino executives and dealers have steady jobs with good salaries and benefits. Related industries, such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers, also benefit from gambling. For instance, tourists visiting casino hubs such as Las Vegas or Macau need accommodation and often dine in local restaurants, generating income for numerous businesses.”
Another Virginia City Seeks Rejected Richmond Casino
After voters recently rejected a casino plan for the city of Richmond, Virginia, there appears to be interest in the neary suburb of Petersburg, located just 25 miles to the south. City officials recently submitted a request to Virginia’s General Assembly for a casino referendum in 2025.
Previously, Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham said casino developers, including some behind the Richmond proposal, have contacted the city officials about possibly bringing a resort to the Richmond suburb. At a recent council meeting, officials spoke about how a casino could boost economic activity and job opportunities in Petersburg.
The Virginia city faced a major financial crisis in 2015 and is still feeling some repercussions from that. City officials have said revenue remains “insufficient to meet the demands of the city’s high-poverty population, address health challenges and improve K-12 education and workforce training,” according to WRIC-TV.
State Sen. Joe Morrissey (D) recently lent his support for the plan as well. He is looking to draft legislation for allowing Petersburg to consider a proposal.
“Petersburg is the best location … now that Richmond has declined,” Morrissey told the Associated Press. “Losing the referendum in Richmond was a tragedy. But the silver lining may be relocating that casino to Petersburg.”
