Council Oak Steaks and Seafood

Chicago Chef Jason Hedin Moves Casino Dining at Hard Rock in Gary, Indiana | Eater Chicago

"Led by chef Jason Hedin, this new 100-seat steakhouse opens inside the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana with the rest of the property on Thursday, May 14. Hedin — who has cooked with notable chefs and ran River North’s Joy District — focuses on serious, dry-aged steak program sourced from Purely Meat Co. (the same vendor as Gibsons), aging meat on-site and finishing with Himalayan salt, with plans to add imported Japanese beef. Diners can even peer through a refrigerated meat room to choose the exact chop they want. Hedin controls roughly half the menu and tailors offerings for a casino clientele (expect a few more well-done steaks), while the restaurant aims to feel brighter and less smoky than typical casino dining with windows and an open kitchen. The casino operation emphasizes safety and scale — HEPA and advanced filtration, 50% room-capacity rules, and being one of five restaurants within a large, high-volume property — which Hedin sees as providing stability and resources for a refined steakhouse approach." - Ashok Selvam