The new $8 million Buffet Americana opens at Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss.

TUNICA RESORTS — On May 31, MGM Resorts International’s (NYSE: MGM) Gold Strike Casino Resort made all-you-can-eat history with the grand opening of its new $8 million Buffet Americana.

It’s not just because the buffet – the culmination of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar property transformation – aims to raise the culinary bar in Tunica with fresh gourmet selections, interactive food stations, and an intriguing design concept by renowned Philadelphia-based firm SLDesign.

While those elements are certainly noteworthy, there’s one more detail that’s going to be turning heads – and forks: Your first meal at Buffet Americana is on the house.

Gold Strike’s “The First One’s On Us” promotion will run June 10-13, at which time members of the free-to-join M life club will receive one complimentary meal. To receive an M life card, patrons simply need to go to the M life desk at Gold Strike and register. The process takes less than five minutes to complete.  

The Buffet Americana's design pays tribute to the region.

“We’re so certain that Buffet Americana will exceed our guests’ expectations and have them coming back for more that we’re going to give them their first meal absolutely free,” said Niklas Rytterstrom, general manager of Gold Strike Casino Resort. “America is a great melting pot of diverse cultures and flavors and this authentic dining experience is going to engage, entertain and elevate the concept of the traditional casino buffet.”

The buffet’s design pays tribute to the region. Wall panels, ceiling beams and food stations crafted from Southern Heart Pine, and a large skylight infusing natural light generate a sense of warmth, comfort and familiarity rarely found in a casino dining setting. Arresting art displays inspired by the area’s textile industry are a prominent design component. The authenticity, versatility and widespread appeal of Levi’s 501 jeans provide a significant design inspiration, and denim weaves its way through the space. 

A large skylight infuses natural light.

“Levi’s is in kind of a unique position for an American brand in terms of how universally accepted it is,” said lead designer Chris Sheffield, founder of SLDesign. “Whether out in the nightclub or out in the field, people feel comfortable in those jeans. We want Buffet Americana to have that same kind of broad appeal.”

The new 13,500-square-foot restaurant will emphasize fresh, made-to-order meals at stations designed to recreate the feeling of an upscale specialty food market. Many stations – including those offering pasta, omelets, wood-fired pizza and a customized Mongolian grill, to name just a few – will allow diners to design their own dishes while chefs prepare them fresh on the spot. Buffet Americana will introduce a contemporary cooking concept to the Mid-South with delicious kabobs, Tikka skewers and freshly baked Indian breads prepared in the only Tandoori oven found in Mississippi. Other sections will offer traditional Southern cooking favorites and seafood selections while highlighting ingredients from local farms and suppliers. 

The weekend at Buffet Americana will cater to seafood lovers. For $25.99, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat snow crabs every Friday night and the region’s only all-you-can-eat whole lobster every Saturday night. The seafood buffet will spotlight a variety of seafood dishes such as peel and eat shrimp, fried shrimp, Potato Crusted Salmon, Blackened Tilapia with cheddar cheese grits, Seafood Stuffed Eggplant, Moroccan Fish Tagine, Jonah crab claws, oysters, sushi and much more. Buffet Americana guests’ can enjoy complimentary beer and wine every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night – the area’s only restaurant offering of its kind.

Radio host Rudi Schiffer enjoys lobster.

Buffet Americana is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours of Operation are: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Breakfast is $10.99; Lunch is $13.99; Dinner is $20.99. The Champagne Brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday, features a variety of dishes and complimentary Bloody Marys and Mimosas for $20.99.

Gold Strike Casino Resort, MGM Resorts International's 1,200-room resort located 20 minutes south of Memphis in Tunica, Miss., recently completed the largest renovation and remodeling project in its history. The multi-million dollar transformation included all of Gold Strike's deluxe rooms and suites, hotel lobby, 30,000-square-foot conference and convention center, casino, high-limit gaming area, Chicago Steakhouse and the new Buffet Americana. The resort also features a refreshing spa and salon, the 800-seat Millennium Theatre, Atrium Café and 50,000 square feet of gaming space with 53 table games and more than 1,200 slot machines. For reservations or information, call 888-245-7529 or visit www.goldstrike.com.

The Buffet American recreates the feeling of an upscale specialty food market.

The Buffet American introduces a contemporary cooking concept to the Mid-South region.

This renovation is one of many that have taken place at Gold Strike recently.

Patrons can have dishes made to order at many stations.

Executive Chef Andrew Smith and Gold Strike GM Niklas Rytterstrom previewed the buffet for Jackpot! Magazine.

American Buffet Chef Terrence Ward shows off one of the many impressive cooking areas of the buffet.

 The region’s only all-you-can-eat whole lobster is available every Saturday night.

Are you hungry yet?

The spacious buffet also offers traditional Southern foods highlighting ingredients from local farms and suppliers.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA resort and casino.  For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.