Don't waste an occasion on this place,
This was a birthday visit so I thought we'd splurge at the Rouge River Steakhouse inside the Chinook Winds Casino. I didn't expect buffet cheap, but New York City pricing was a little surprising. But, it's a birthday event and I figured it was worth it.
NOT.
The restaurant wasn't very busy, though there were a dozen or so diners. We were seated at a table with an ocean view - though at 9 o'clock at night the view was more of the motel. I'm sure at sunset it would have been very nice, though a bit crowded.
My wine was served in a glass that was chipped and cut my lip. It was replaced, but hardly an I'm sorry. It took three requests to get a glass of water, then the busboy seemed to be very rushed.
The salads were really good and satisfying, though mine was dropped on the table and slid off the plate. Randy finished his before mine was replaced. Randy then got to watch while I ate mine.
Entrees arrived, mine the Whisky Strip Stake, Randy's a Halibut fillet. Mine looked great but it was raw (I ordered medium, it wasn't even 'rare' it was cold and bright red in the center). We had to ask another waiter to find our waitress. She never seemed available. By the time I sent my steak back as Randy had all but finished his dinner. Randy said his halibut tasted a little old and slightly fishy, but edible. Mind you we were sitting at a window overlooking the ocean, the waitress said it was 'flash-frozen' and shipped in (at least she was honest). It was also the size of Macdonald's fillet of fish patty ($29). Finally I gave up and said I didn't want the dinner, it was taking forever.
When the check arrived, the waitress said they had removed my dinner. The bill was still $51. (2 salads, a glass of wine, an iced tea and the halibut.)
I tipped the waitress 20% at Randy's insistence, though I wasn't impressed with her. I asked to speak to the manager before I left and a heavyset dark haired woman said she was the manager, and she had 'comped' my dinner (comped - I never had a dinner to comp) and quickly told me she wasn't really the manager once she realized I has an issue. She said she was the bar manager covering for the restaurant manager who had gone home. She said she would address the broken glass with her staff. She made it very clear she could have cared less about our experience and that I should be happy she comped my steak.
Now, having read the other reviews, it's no surprise. The casino isn't interested in being a quality venue, they just want you to gamble. They assume they 'have' you since you are there already.
I'll probably return to the casino but I'll make dinner reservations elsewhere. Don't waste an occasion or your money at the Rouge River Steakhouse.