Horseshoe Casino Announces Restaurant With 2 Celeb Chefs

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Construction is well underway at the new Horseshoe Casino downtown. Now two celebrity chefs announce they're opening a restaurant there--one with some serious Latin flavor.

Jessica Kartalija has more.

As casinos pop up around the country, celebrity chef-inspired cuisine is along for the ride. The new Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore is no exception.

Celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez from the Food Network show "Chopped" announced Monday he'll open a 222-seat taqueria with Chef John Besh, who owns nine restaurants.

"Baltimore is one of those cities really going through a renaissance right now. One of the things that really attracted John and I to this market was the idea of sharing Mexican food with an audience that would appreciate it and needs it desperately over here," he said.

Sanchez says the restaurant--Johnny Sanchez, a play on both of their names--will have live music and serve fresh tacos and tostados, as well as cocktails and stiff margaritas.

"We want to have a fun restaurant. We want it to be loud; we want it to be a place that makes a statement," said Sanchez.

They also want to make their mark, as Bobby Flay did at Maryland Live!

Once a chef hits celebrity status, the next step often means opening a restaurant in a gaming city.

"To see the passion that Aaron is going to bring to one of our dining establishments, it's going to create a real experience for everyone who comes to see us," said Horseshoe Casino General Manager Chad Barnhill.

The restaurant opens when the casino opens, which is the end of August or beginning of September.

There will be eight other eateries in the new Horseshoe Baltimore Casino.

Other Local News: