Gateway to Ground Zero

Gold Strike Casino Resort

After enjoying the facilities at Tunica we checked into the majestic Gold Strike Casino Resort, a hotel/casino which is part of the MGM group. In fact, at 31-stories it is the second-tallest building in Mississippi, a local landmark visible for miles around and is only pipped in stature by itss sister MGM hotel, the Beau Rivage in Biloxi.

As one would expect, the service was friendly and efficient and the 1,100+ rooms and 125 suites are exceptionally comfortable and well appointed.

The casinos throughout northern Mississippi are the direct descendants of the legendary gambling riverboats, with the casinos themselves “floating” on barges inside the hotel to meet the local legal requirement that they be physically separate from nearby communities. This is done so discretely that it’s not even apparent where the land ends and the “boat” begins (somewhere in the lobby) and with 50,000 sq ft of casino floor it all feels pretty stable.

We met up with the hotel and regional MGM management over dinner in the superb Chicago Steakhouse. This is rated the best restaurant in Tunica and it’s easy to see why. This takes the best features of the Chicago-style steak restaurants (first-class cuts, the freshest seafood) and adds a subtle southern twist to the appetizers, sides and sauces. Perhaps the best quality meal of the trip, and the accompanying wines made this steak dinner a real highlight of a trip which had countless culinary peaks.

Visitors familiar with Macau will feel right at home here; there’s nothing more convenient than having the best food, accommodation, entertainment and gambling in the area under one roof.

A quick circuit of the casino floor revealed some interesting themed slot machine areas: one with a massive Ellen DeGeneres overseeing everything, and another with “Walking Dead” graphics, which was the hint required to retire for the night!