Opening date set for New Orleans casino

Friday, July 9, 1999 | 11:59 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS -- Harrah's New Orleans Casino announced that five local restaurants will operate food kiosks in its casino opening this fall at the foot of Canal Street near the French Quarter.

Executives also said for the first time that the casino will open to the public Oct. 28.

The food providers chosen to run the kiosks are Popeyes, Olivier's Creole Restaurant, Louisiana Seafood Exchange, Pampy's and Cafe Buon Giorno.

Casino executives said they wanted to showcase Louisiana foods as prepared by local operators, the Times-Picayune newspaper reported.

Popeyes will sell its signature fried chicken and other items. Olivier's will offer Creole dishes, Cafe Buon Giorno pizza, Louisiana Seafood Exchange po-boys and other seafood items, and Pampy's "quick pick-up items" such as hot dogs, pretzels and sandwiches, they said.

The kiosks will not offer seating but will share about a dozen stand-up tables, forming a sort of food court. Diners at the kiosks will be entertained by a special-effects show with a nearly life-size wrecked ship and occasional thunderous storms.

Under state law, the casino can provide seated dining for only 250 people. The limit was intended to protect local restaurateurs. About 200 of the seats will be in a buffet cafeteria for the public. The rest will be in a nearby area reserved for some of the casino's best customers, the Times-Picayune reported.