Soaring Eagle celebrates openings of four restaurants within new Food District

Four new enticing eatery options are now available to Mt. Pleasant residents and visitors alike within the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort’s Food District. Emulating a food court setup, the Food District space proudly hosts several national brands—many of which are making their inaugural appearance in Michigan.

The Soaring Eagle Casino welcomed the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, Jan. 15, ultimately opening the Food District doors for public dining that morning at 11 a.m. 

The ceremony included music by Onion Creek Drummers, traditional dancers, an official ribbon cutting, and several speakers who contributed to bringing the Food District concept to fruition. 

One of these speakers included Lucas Sprague, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council Sub-Chief. “No longer will the café have 80 people in line after a late night!” he commented during the ceremony.

New Mt. Pleasant restaurants inside the Soaring Eagle Food District include Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy!, Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, and Bonanno’s New York Pizzeria.

Raul Venegas, executive director of marketing, entertainment & sales at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort/Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel in front of the new Chicken Guy! Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant
“You have Bubbakoo’s, which is from New Jersey; you have Ike’s Sandwiches, which is from San Francisco, California—where they originated; Bonanno’s, there's one in Vegas—it's New York-style pizza. And then of course, our Guy Fieri Chicken Guy!,” explains Raul Venegas, executive director of marketing, entertainment & sales at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort/Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel. “So we have four more awesome options for our community overall. And not to mention the additional jobs that were offered to the community as well.”

Venegas estimates over 500 temporary jobs were created in the community during the construction process, plus a couple-hundred permanent jobs.

“Economically, it's wonderful,” Venegas continues. “Already being one of the largest employers in the community, to be able to add to that component and be able to bring folks in—even though these are brands from across the nation—it's still inside of Soaring Eagle, and that ‘Team Eagle’ component. It really brings that fun festive atmosphere and whole ambiance and whole experience. That’s what we’re about so it's great to add to our team.”

New Jersey-based Mexican-fusion celebrates its first Michigan restaurant in Soaring Eagle’s Food District. Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant
The new Bubbakoo’s Burritos offers classic menu items the brand is known for, such as the recently renamed Papi Hibachi (hibachi style steak and shrimp) burrito, Nashville burrito, Burritodilla, customizable entrees and more.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Bubbakoo’s family and look forward to introducing the brand to the community and to visitors at Soaring Eagle,” says Michael Hughes, who co-owns the Mt. Pleasant Bubbakoo’s Burritos in Mt. Pleasant with Lloyd Sugarman. 

“Being able to open the first restaurant in Michigan is an honor, especially since it has been a long time coming,” Hughes shares. “Bubbakoo’s holds a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings. Our goal is to provide a memorable dining experience that will keep guests coming back for more and I'm eager to open our doors to all.” 

“This ain’t your momma’s sandwich shop” is the slogan for the San Francisco-originated franchise. Soaring Eagle Casino is home to the first Ike’s Love and Sandwiches location in Michigan. Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches Mt. Pleasant menu includes locally named sandwiches, including the “CMU” and “Soaring Eagle.” Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant
Ike’s first sandwich shop opened in 2007 in San Francisco, California as a small sandwich shop under the name “Ike’s Place.” Known for their secret “Dirty Sauce” and individual location-exclusive sandwich offerings named in tribute to local icons, the new Ike’s Love and Sandwiches in Mt. Pleasant has “CMU” and “Soaring Eagle” sandwiches on the menu. 
Visitors at the ribbon cutting ceremony check out the menu of Bonanno’s New York Pizzeria in the Soaring Eagle Casino. Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant
With Caputo flour, Ciao tomato sauce imported from Italy, and Grande cheese to top off their pies, Bonanno’s New York Pizzeria in Mt. Pleasant offers artisanal New York-style pizza—plus, breakfast options. 

Numerous sauces are available on the Chicken Guy! menu at Soaring Eagle. Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant
All-natural chicken tenders paired with a wide selection of sauces is a signature staple of Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy! menu. Hand spun shakes are also a noteworthy item on the franchise’s menus. The location within Soaring Eagle is only the second to open in Michigan, following the first Michigan location in Livonia. 

Soaring Eagle staff explore the new menus within Soaring Eagle’s Food District. Photo Credit: Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant