We're Bringing the Flavors to Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD CASINO JOLIET AND AURORA PARTNER WITH MCCLAIN CAMAROTA HOSPITALITY TO BRING PROMINENT CHICAGO CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS TO NEW PROPERTIES

James Beard Award Winner Shawn McClain’s MCH to Operate Boulevard Food & Drink Hall featuring Chicago culinary star Stephanie Izard, Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream

To celebrate, Chicagoans get a FREE “Taste of Hollywood” on May 2 from NOON – 2 p.m. at participating locations

CHICAGO, IL -- May 1, 2025 -- Hollywood Casino Joliet and Aurora are pleased to announce a partnership with McClain Camarota Hospitality (“MCH”) to bring prominent Chicago chefs and restaurants to the all-new land-based sites in Aurora and Joliet. The new Chicagoland locations will feature the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall (“Boulevard”), a dynamic dining experience highlighted by local favorites, including an all-new burger concept from celebrity chef Stephanie Izard alongside Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. The Boulevard locations are designed and operated by MCH. 

To celebrate, Hollywood Casino and the featured restaurants are giving away a FREE “Taste of Hollywood” on Friday, May 2 from noon – 2 p.m., while supplies last. Enjoy favorites from each location alongside opportunities to receive Hollywood Casino and Stephanie Izard merch, enter-to-win giveaways, live radio remote and more. Participating locations include: 

• Two free tacos at Antique Taco Wicker Park at 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave. and Antique Taco Bridgeport at 1000 W 35th St.
• One free ice cream pop at Pretty Cool Ice Cream in Logan Square at 2353 N. California Ave. and Lincoln Park at 709 W. Belden Ave.

Boulevard will be accessible to all ages at the completely reimagined casino and entertainment destinations and will feature: 

• Lucky Goat— an all-new Stephanie Izard burger restaurant that will feature specialty burgers, fries, milkshakes and more.
• Antique Taco— the first suburban locations for the popular gourmet taco restaurant that will feature its signature handmade tacos, the customer-favorite Antique Taco Salad, chips and guacamole and salsa, and specialty drinks.
• Pretty Cool Ice Cream — the fourth and fifth locations for the contemporary ice cream shop, which also has storefronts in Logan Square and Lincoln Park along with a walk-up window opening in Lincoln Square this Memorial Day weekend that will feature its unique flavors of ice cream bars, popsicles and cookie sandwiches.
• Five50 Pizza — a New York City-style meets Neapolitan pizza concept offering a fun, casual experience from the fine-dining chefs at MCH.

Boulevard at Hollywood Casino Joliet, currently being constructed at the Rock Run Collection development and expected to open in Q4 2025 (subject to regulatory approval), also will feature a breakfast and bakery counter serving locally roasted Big Shoulders Coffee, a mid-century Hollywood inspired bar with local brews and on-tap signature cocktails, and seating options for more than 100 guests indoors with additional seating on the seasonal outdoor patio.

MCH was founded by Midwesterner Shawn McClain, a renowned James Beard Award winning chef. His portfolio of celebrated dining concepts includes the award-winning Sage in Las Vegas, Chicago’s Green Zebra and Spring, and Highlands Detroit. McClain and business partner Richard Camarota, an acclaimed chef and restaurant operations director with ties to Chicago, bring world-renowned experience and a commitment to hands-on execution to deliver high-quality guest experiences at each Boulevard location.

“We’re proud to feature local area chefs and restaurants at the new Hollywood Casino Joliet,” said Ruben Warren, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino Joliet. “Boulevard food hall will offer premium dining options, and we can’t wait to introduce our guests to this new social space later this year.” 

“Boulevard is designed to be a lively place for customers to gather and enjoy great food and drinks,” said Greg Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora. “Bringing in local establishments that our customers know and love is an excellent addition to our new best-in-class property.” 

"It's an honor to partner with Hollywood Casino to usher in a bold new era while celebrating some of the greatest culinary talents in Chicago. It’s a dream come true to return to Chicago alongside chefs Stephanie Izard, Rick Ortiz of Antique Taco and Dana Cree of Pretty Cool Ice Cream. We are thrilled to showcase iconic dishes and introduce new items at Boulevard,” said McClain. 

“I’m so excited to be partnering with MCH to bring a new concept, Lucky Goat, to Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet. Chicago is home to my original Goat restaurants, which makes it such a great fit to launch a new, fast casual Goat in the region,” said Izard. “Boulevard Food Hall will house a handful of great restaurants in one beautifully designed space with a fun atmosphere. Burgers, chicken sammies, shakes and more were the way to go to create a fun, chill Goat spot." 

The Boulevard announcement comes on the heels of an announcement of a restaurant partnership with Giada De Laurentiis. De Laurentiis will bring world-class quality restaurants Sorella by Giada and Sorellina by Giada to the new Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet, respectively.    

Visit www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com and www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com for more information and to explore open job positions at the careers page on each website. 

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About Hollywood Casino Joliet 

The new Hollywood Casino Joliet, expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2025 (subject to regulatory approvals) is located within Rock Run Collection, a new super-regional commercial and residential development adjacent to the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange in Joliet. The best-in-class facility will feature approximately 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, including high limit slots and table games, a baccarat room, a retail sportsbook, high quality bars and restaurants including Sorellina by Giada and Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, an approximately 10,000 square foot event center with meeting areas, and approximately 1,330 parking spaces. Hollywood Casino estimates its construction of the Joliet facility will support 450 construction jobs and 615 permanent jobs at the new facility, growing the current team in Joliet by 200 team members. 

Hollywood Casino Joliet’s riverboat casino is currently located off Interstate 80 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com

About Hollywood Casino Aurora 

The new Hollywood Casino Aurora, expected to open in the first half of 2026, is being developed adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets, located near Interstate 88 in Aurora. The best-in-class facility will feature roughly 1,200 gaming positions, approximately 220 guest rooms, a retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment area, full-service spa, high-quality bars and restaurants including Sorella by Giada and Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, an approximately 12,000 square foot event center with meeting areas and approximately 1,700 parking spaces. Hollywood Casino estimates its construction of the Aurora facility will support 700 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs at the new facility, nearly doubling the current team members in Aurora. 

Hollywood Casino Aurora is currently on the Fox River, located near Interstate 88, in Aurora, Illinois. For more information, visit: www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com

 Contacts:

Jessica Gallen

Laughlin Constable Public Relations 

[email protected] 

312-995-8598