From gaming thrills to delicious meals, Eureka Casino Resort offers a riveting, unforgettable getaway

A chef cooks steak on a grill inside Gregory’s Mesquite Grill, Mesquite, Nevada, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Eureka Casino Resort, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT —“Place your bet,” the screen tells you. You breathe in as your finger hesitates over the button. Here goes nothing. Exhaling, you push down slowly.

Gaming at the Eureka, Mesquite, Nevada, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Eureka Casino Resort, St. George News

In a matter of seconds, animated coins fly across the screen as escalating triumphant tunes pulsate. Your heart jumps. The neon lights encircle you. As the quick rush of adrenaline and excitement takes over, you realize: you just made it big.

Jackpot!

While this may seem like a faraway fantasy, it’s all possible just a short 30-minute drive south of St. George at the Eureka Casino Resort, which is where I recently visited for a fun-filled staycation.

I was excited to visit the resort and even took my mom as my plus-one for a rare girls’ getaway. (I’ll never be too old to hang out with my mom.) And from the second we checked in, we both felt at home.

The friendly staff chatted with us like old friends and even made recommendations on what we should do. I soon found out why the feeling was different: Eureka Casino Resort is 100% employee-owned. In fact, it’s the only casino in the nation to be owned by its employees.

Both former Las Vegas residents, my mom and I could tell just by walking in that this casino was different from the ones in Sin City.

Stepping onto the casino floor, we expected to be immersed in the saturated stench of cigarettes; but instead, we both commented on how clean the air was and how we could barely smell any smoke at all – a refreshing surprise. They also offer a complete non-smoking section with slot play, for those that prefer to avoid lingering smoke altogether.

Next, we sat down with VIP host Erin Mosher, who set us each up with a Gold Club player card. These cards allowed us to earn points, comps, tier credits and free play by simply putting them in each machine we played. Outside of the regular rewards, I was surprised to learn that Eureka has also partnered with Amazon, allowing members to shop online with their rewards.

Mosher also gave us a full tour of the casino, where she pointed out each of the on-site restaurants, the gift shop, the different gaming options and more.

Relaxing by the Eureka pool, Mesquite, Nevada, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Eureka Casino Resort, St. George News

For a quick bite to eat upon our arrival, we enjoyed Mason Street Courtyard, a cute and popular hot spot that features a casual dining menu with friendly service. I ordered the chili topped with melted cheese and a side of crackers. It tasted just like homemade chili and hit the spot.

My mom had never played any type of slot or table game, so she loved watching me show her the ropes. We sat down at a variety of fun machines. The Game of Thrones-themed machine was my favorite, complete with interactive animations, chair movement and bright imagery. 

Teaching my mom how to play blackjack was one of the highlights for both of us. We sat down at a video table, where she had a blast hitting the “bet” button while learning the rules. It was thrilling to watch her get excited each time we won the dealer and “Boo” every time we lost.

The best part about the whole trip for both of us? The food – all the food!

Gregory’s Mesquite Grill, a fine dining restaurant located inside the Eureka Casino, offers mesquite wood-fired grilled steaks and seafood with Italian specialties and is rated No. 1 on TripAdvisor for a reason. My adorable mom “oohed and aahed” throughout the entire meal, even finding the lemon with its own strainer fascinating. (Did I mention she’s the cutest?)

As a starter, we received flower-shaped butter paired with soft, warm bread that had a hint of salt. It was addicting. I could’ve eaten my weight in pure carbs and been perfectly happy. Next, the crisp house salad included cucumber, tomatoes and homemade croutons. Then came the best part – the main course. I ordered the Surf & Turf, which included a staggering half-pound of crab legs paired with a 6-ounce-steak filet accompanied by a side of vegetables and potatoes.

Gregory’s was literally some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life. The steak was perfectly cooked and juicy with a rich wood-fire flavor. The crab was precut, which made it surprisingly easy to eat. The tasty crab hit next-level amazing when dipped in butter, kept warm by a flickering candle that set the mood.

Along with the incredible meal, the dessert did not disappoint; it was quite literally the raspberry on top. A hybrid between cheesecake and regular cake with layers of raspberry intertwined and topped off with white chocolate flakes and a drizzling of raspberry and white chocolate sauce. And when I say it was amazing – it was that melt-in-your-mouth, leaves-you-wanting-more kind of dessert I’ll never forget. 

Opulent accommodations at the Eureka, Mesquite, Nevada, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Eureka Casino Resort, St. George News

While that may seem like an overstated review of the restaurant, I assure you, it’s not. With its mood lighting and upscale atmosphere, I highly recommend going to Gregory’s for any special occasion. Whether you’re going on a date or riding solo, it’s the optimal place to treat yourself.

Aside from being blown away by the food, as a big sports fan, I was equally in awe of Eureka’s new William Hill Sportsbook area. Being Mesquite’s only official NFL Sportsbook, it’s set up on a raised area in the casino, which means you’re just steps away from large screens offering all the game-day fun. They’re prepared with all the details, including a tailgate menu and ice-cold beer.

As for its “resort” name, Eureka offers much more outside its casino.

Located in a completely separate building from the casino, you’ll find 241 rooms and suites. I found this both unique and genius, as the separation prevents the hustle and bustle of the casino from interrupting a much-needed, sweet slumber.

The resort also offers a sparkling resort pool surrounded by lush gardening and many seating options, including cabanas. It’s the perfect way to cool off from the desert heat while relaxing your mind and body.

Eat, drink, play, relax, or party – whatever you’re into, Eureka Casino Resort has it all.

Written by JESSI BANG for St. George News.

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