AURORA, IL — With about two months until the new Hollywood Casino opens in Aurora, parent company Penn Entertainment Inc. announced two new restaurants joining its stacked offerings.
Urbanbelly and Tabo Sushi — the former a longtime Chicago establishment — will join Lucky Goat, Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Five50 Pizza and Dailies.
Urbanbelly, which originally opened in Chicago in 2008, specializes in dumplings, noodles and more Korean-American dishes. The restaurant is part of the Chicago-based hospitality company Cornerstone Restaurant Group, whichis also behind restaurants such as Michael Jordan's Steakhouse and The Table at Crate.
With Tabo Sushi, Hollywood Casino will restore the counter-service restaurant that once lived in the Wells Street Market in downtown Chicago. James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi is behind the concept.
"When [McClain Camarota Hospitality] set out to create Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, we were excited to return to our roots in Chicago and reach out to some of our closest friends and greatest chefs we know," Shawn McClain, James Beard award-winning chef and founder of MCH, said in a statement. "Building on the success at Hollywood Casino Joliet, we can't wait to open our doors in Aurora with the additions of Urbanbelly and Tabo Sushi."
The new Hollywood Casino, 2500 N. Farnsworth Ave., is expected to open June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals, representatives said. The $360 million land-based casino, adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets, replaces the riverboat one in downtown Aurora. It will pack a 226-room hotel, more than 1,200 table and machine gaming stations, a sports betting operation, a spa and an event center onto nearly 19 acres of land.
Penn Entertainment broke ground on the Aurora casino in November 2024.
In preparation and as a sneak peek, the casino is hosting a "Taste of Hollywood" event April 25 at the outlet mall. From noon to 2 p.m., guests can sample bites from Urbanbelly and Pretty Cool Ice Cream in addition to indulging in photo opportunities and other activities.
"As we start counting down the days to opening, Hollywood Aurora is thrilled to offer this sneak peek to the community with delicious samples from Urbanbelly and Pretty Cool Ice Cream," Greg Moore, vice president and general manager at Hollywood Casino Aurora, said in a statement. "This pop-up event is a great way to officially roll out the Hollywood Oasis experience and help get people excited for our opening this June."
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