Several casino restaurants are preparing to reopen Friday. Last week the State Gaming Board gave permission to open to casino restaurants who submit a reopening plan for approval. Duke's Steakhouse told us it turned in its plan the next day, and one week later is now set to reopen.
"We so excited to open here. We've been waiting and waiting.," said Duke's Steakhouse chef Douglas Maquoy. He's turning up the heat on preparations to get Duke's Steakhouse open on time. It's been closed during the pandemic, but the reopening plan the casino submitted to the state gaming board must have had the proper ingredients.
"I submitted the plan by early afternoon and heard by late afternoon that we were approved to open," said Casino Fandango and Duke's Steakhouse President and General Manager Court Cardinal. "My reaction when I found out was to ask if I can come now and start prepping. That's what I said," said Maquoy. Despite Maquoy's excitement, its taken about a week to get the restaurant ready, including new procedures for employees.
"All of our team members whether its in the kitchen or the dining room are going to be screened each day as they come to work. They are going to have their temperature taken and make sure they are healthy. They will be given a wristband that will reassure the guest that all of our team members that are working that day are healthy. They will all be wearing face masks and gloves.," said Cardinal.
For customers, it's reservations only, even if the call is made last minute. Every customer will have their temperature taken before entering the building. "As long as they are under 100 degrees they can come on in. We do have masks available to give to them but it's not a requirement," said Cardinal.
Customers will be spaced 6 feet apart while waiting, and seated every other table to create social distancing. Menus will be a single page and disposable. "Since we're printing menus on a daily basis, we'll be able to add or delete anything as we need," said Cardinal.
On top of new cleaning procedures, casino restaurants are required to have an entrance and bathrooms separate from the gaming floor.
