Don McClellan and his team of culinary professionals serve thousands of hungry casino guests every week at the River Cane Buffet inside Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs.
"The variety that my chefs prepare on daily basis truly is a benefit to the gamer and the local community," he said. "We have a busy buffet seven days a week."
Don, director of food and beverage at Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs, said his staff of more than 100 chefs, cooks and stewarding staff are prepared to please hundreds of diners in River Cane every day.
"You have to be prepared," he said. "Some days we could have 400 for lunch and others days it could be 800 for lunch. It just depends. We do what we need to make that happen."
It's the variety of dishes served at River Cane that appeals to casino guests and community members in search of a table to dine... and maybe one to game on.
"Our Italian station and pizza oven are great options," Don explained. "We bread our own fried chicken and also serve fried catfish, which is a big deal. We have several carving stations, whether that be ham, prime rib, turkey ... you name it. They are always popular."
Additionally, the buffet's prices are a value for many guests with the breakfast buffet priced at $6.99, lunch at $8.99 and dinner at $11.99.
"We've been named best casino buffet for the last three years," Don said. "And, our team's house chili has won three chili competitions within the last few years."
Don credits his executive chef and support team for the success.
"I have a fantastic executive chef," he bragged. "Ken Manahl, has been in the industry for 25-plus years. He has a staff of nine chefs underneath him and they are constantly working."
Not only does the kitchen crew turn out dozens of fresh entrees on an almost hourly basis, Don's dessert team led, by Pastry Chef Billie Jean Buckler, is charged with churning out dozens of delicious desserts daily.
"In 2012 (Billie Jean) was able to create her own independent brand called Sweet Treats Bakery," he said. "We have the ability for people from the outside community to come in and order wedding cakes and specialty birthday cakes. We often get requests from the outside to purchase baked goods."
With Christmas just around the corner the bakery is sure to be busy. But, the pastry team is always looking forward to the next holiday on the calendar.
"Valentine's Day is coming up," he said. "We will do chocolate covered strawberries. We will sell 150 dozen on Valentine's Day."
Staking a claim
For Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs guests looking for a different kind of dining experience, the Flint Creek Steakhouse may fit the bill.
"We serve all USDA Choice cuts," Don said. "Sometimes we may offer a prime steak on special. We serve center cut fillets, cowboy ribeye, which is a bone-in ribeye. We have a regular rib eye and a New York strip, too. We also have a 24-ounce porterhouse that you can smother with mushrooms, sautéed onions or blue cheese crumbles. It's a very big porterhouse and one of our top sellers."
Flint Creek offers all of the side dishes a steak fan could want including baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, steak fries, green beans, broccoli, fried potatoes, coleslaw, rice pilaf, fried okra, grilled asparagus, sweet corn and mashed potatoes with peppered gravy. All entrees are served with two sides.
Flint Creek offers a rotating selection of signature desserts as well.
"Billie Jean is changing those on a bi-monthly basis," Don added. "A couple of dessert staples are Oreo cake, a peanut butter brownie and a cast iron skillet cherry pie crumble which is another big seller."
While the menu selection is a draw for Flint Creek patrons, Don believes the atmosphere they have created is a unique draw, too.
"It's rustic," Don said. "We have exposed fans in the ceiling and an exposed rock fireplace in the middle as a focal point. We have exposed brick walls in the back and 100-year-old wood tables and chairs. Just a nice country atmosphere and a nice relaxing place to come in and have a steak."
Good to know: Flint Creek Steakhouse now offers a late night menu from 11pm -- 2am. Showcasing steak nachos, chili dogs atomic fries wings smoked chicken quesadillas and some lighter fare.
Cherokee Casino River Cane Buffet
Enjoy live cooking, showcasing your favorite Italian, Asian, Mexican and local fare finished off with a full dessert station featuring a variety of fresh cakes and pastries.
Breakfast
Sat & Sun, 7am -10am: $6.99
Lunch
Mon -- Fri, Lunch 11am -- 3pm: $8.99
Dinner
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 4pm -10pm: $11.99
Sat & Sun, 10am -10pm, $11.99
Late night
Fri & sat, 10:30pm -- 7am, $6.99
Cherokee Casino Flint Creek Steakhouse
Flint Creek is a high-quality steakhouse with a down-home feel to it. With delicious selections from our appetizers to delicious desserts, Flint Creek serves up the best West Siloam Springs has to offer.
Dinner
Sun -- Thurs, 5pm -10pm
Fri & Sat, 5pm -- 11pm
Bar
Sun -- Wed, 5pm -12am
Thurs& Fri, 5pm -1:30am
Sat, 2pm -- 1:30am
Want to go?
2416 Highway 412
West Siloam Springs, OK.
800-754-4111
Get Social: facebook.com/CherokeeCasinoWSS
Twitter @cherokeecasinos
NAN Dining Guide Cover on 12/10/2017