It only makes sense that Sammy Hagar's Red Rocker Bar and Grill would be located inside of a casino, with the sights and sounds of the party always going, non-stop, seven days a week. That seems in line with the man was the front man for Van Halen and created Cabo Wabo tequila. The Sammy Hagar name, and brand, is synonymous with a good time.
My visit to Southland Park Casino was purely to eat at Sammy Hagar's, and nothing else. Merely walking through the door proved to be entertaining, as I was carded before I made it to the restaurant. I was flattered. I'm 33, and the guard was shocked. That was a highlight.
The concept at Sammy's is as uncomplicated as a somewhat upscale sports bar can be: Good food, moderate prices, and games to watch on the TV. But concepts mean little without the proper execution. The Red Rocker, for the most part, gets it right.
My favorite detail of the place is not the layout, it's the menus. One look at the menu is enough to make you channel This is Spinal Tap and ask, "Does it go to 11?" The creative touch on the menu itself is emblematic of what they're trying to do with the entire restaurant: Be creative, be entertaining, be simple, do it right. There is a lot to be said for such things.
The two entrees I had the chance to sample were prepared well, and the serving size was ample. The Philly Cheesesteak is indeed a legit Philly, as opposed to what most outlets offer, that being a steak and cheese sandwich that is not a true Philly. This sandwich can be ordered with Provolone but, like a true Philly, is offered with cheese sauce, and optional peppers and onions. I like my Philly simple: Meat, cheese sauce, mayo. The twist that moves away from tradition but is certainly worth is try is that the Philly at the Red Rocker is served with a side of au jus. Put those simple pieces together and the flavor of the shaved prime rib absolutely explodes.
The catfish dinner is quite good in its own right, and considering the restaurant is just across the Mississippi from Memphis, Tennessee, it better be. Anything less would be an insult to the region. Make no mistake, between Memphis, West Memphis, and Southaven, Mississippi, there are countless outlets offering catfish and virtually all of them are excellent. Great catfish is as much a staple of the region as excellent barbecue. Is this particular catfish necessarily exceptional by comparison? No, but it holds its own. The outside is crunchy, the inside moist, the seasoning effective, and the portion large. Catfish is a milky fish, thanks to its nature as a bottom feeder, and that means that it must be cooked expertly well. On this visit, it was.
Among the side items, French fries are standard fare. I want them crispy, I want them seasoned, and I want plenty of them. Sammy's is three for three. The X-factor for the fries is the Dixie Dust that is used to season the French fries, sweet potato fries, and several other items on the menu. Whatever makes up this concoction, it is a winner. The Dixie Dust has just enough salt, mixed with a subtle sweetness that offers a flavor that is difficult to pin down or replicate. Too much of this seasoning would easily be overpowering so a dusting of the Dust is ideal.
The service was relatively fast and attentive but not exactly perfect. The restaurant had plenty of customers but was not full by any means. My order was brought out incorrectly, after having been placed correctly by the server as evidenced by the ticket. The mistakes were basic, such as no mayo on the Philly, onions still on the sandwich, and regular fries instead of sweet potato fries, but it does show a lack of focus in the kitchen. These mistakes could have had a more potentially dangerous result, related to a customer's food allergy, for instance. I was offered the chance to change out the items but declined, seeing tables filling up behind us and having already waited a considerable time to be served at that point, and enjoyed what had been brought to the table, although the mayo did come for the sandwich once it was brought to the server's attention.
Sammy Hagar's Red Rocker Bar & Grill is what it claims to be, and what it is expected to be. It is more than a sports bar, less than fine dining, but enough to leave every diner full and satisfied on the way out the door, or out onto the floor to throw some more money into the slots and pray for sevens. Make no mistake... you'll have better luck with the food.
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