Hard Rock/Guy Rhodes
Jason Hedin has traveled the world and cooked with celebrity chefs like Laurent Gras at Chicago’s L20 and in Australia with Dan Hunter. Now, as the pandemic forced him from his kitchen at River North’s Joy District, Hedin readies to embark on an unusual new undertaking. He’s the opening chef at Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, the 100-seat restaurant that opens on Thursday, May 14 with the rest of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary.
A casino doesn’t exactly follow the description painted by health experts of a pandemic-friendly environment where outdoor dining and social distancing have been stressed. But Hedin says he’s comfortable with the casino’s HEPA filters and a state-of-the art filtration system. Gary’s pandemic capacity rules mirror Chicago’s at a 50 percent limit per room.
Hard Rock Casino President Matt Schuffert gives Times Reporter Dan Carden a guided tour of the new Hard Rock Northern Indiana a week before opening. Connor Burge, The Times
GARY â A new era of gaming, dining and entertainment in Northwest Indiana begins at 5 p.m. Friday when officials press play and open the doors of the Hard Rock Casino to the public for the first time.
There is no stop button.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the speakers will be thumping inside the $300 million casino located immediately adjacent to eastbound Interstate 80/94 at the Burr Street exit in Gary.
John G. Brokopp
Are you familiar with the feeling you get when you walk into a new car showroom? All the latest models, brand new and shiny. Thereâs something about that ânew car smellâ when you take one for a test drive and experience new state-of-the-art technology.
Giovanni Taliaferro, Director of Memorabilia Design for Hard Rock International, uncrated the âGuitar the Changed the Worldâ on Thursday. The guitar will be displayed inside the casino as part of the music memorabilia collection.
Well, thatâs the feeling slot players are going to get when they walk into the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, the very first land-based property in The Region and greater Chicagoland area. The property will open its doors to the public on May 14.
GARY â It won t be too much longer before Hard Rock officials press play on Northwest Indiana s newest gaming and entertainment destination.
Matt Schuffert, president of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, confirmed Friday the $300 million facility, which includes a casino, sports book, five restaurants, a Hard Rock Live performance venue and retail shops remains on track to open this spring adjacent to the Borman Expressway at Burr Street. We should be announcing an opening date pretty soon, Schuffert said. We re very excited to get it open. We re making great progress.
Hard Rock currently is in the process of hiring hundreds of new employees to supplement the Majestic Star Casino workers who will transfer to the new Gary casino once the land-based gaming facility opens and replaces the aging Majestic Star boats located at Buffington Harbor on Lake Michigan.