James Beard Award Winner Shawn McClain’s MCH to Operate Boulevard Food & Drink Hall featuring Chicago culinary star Stephanie Izard, Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream at the all-new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora, opening in 2026.
PENN Entertainment
PENN Entertainment announced a new partnership with McClain Camarota Hospitality (“MCH”) to bring prominent Chicago chefs and restaurants to the all-new land-based Hollywood Casino sites in Aurora and Joliet. The new Chicagoland locations will feature the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall (“Boulevard”), a dynamic dining experience highlighted by local favorites, including an all-new burger concept from celebrity chef Stephanie Izard alongside Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. The Boulevard locations are designed and operated by MCH.
To celebrate, Hollywood Casino and the featured restaurants are giving away a FREE “Taste of Hollywood” on Friday, May 2 from noon – 2 p.m., while supplies last. Enjoy favorites from each location alongside opportunities to receive Hollywood Casino and Stephanie Izard merch, enter-to-win giveaways, live radio remote and more. Participating locations include:
- Two free tacos at Antique Taco Wicker Park at 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave. and Antique Taco Bridgeport at 1000 W 35th St.
- One free ice cream pop at Pretty Cool Ice Cream in Logan Square at 2353 N. California Ave. and Lincoln Park at 709 W. Belden Ave.
Boulevard will be accessible to all ages at the completely reimagined casino and entertainment destinations and will feature:
- Lucky Goat — an all-new Stephanie Izard burger restaurant that will feature specialty burgers, fries, milkshakes and more.
- Antique Taco — the first suburban locations for the popular gourmet taco restaurant that will feature its signature handmade tacos, the customer-favorite Antique Taco Salad, chips and guacamole and salsa, and specialty drinks.
- Pretty Cool Ice Cream — the fourth and fifth locations for the contemporary ice cream shop, which also has storefronts in Logan Square and Lincoln Park along with a walk-up window opening in Lincoln Square this Memorial Day weekend that will feature its unique flavors of ice cream bars, popsicles and cookie sandwiches.
- Five50 Pizza — a New York City-style meets Neapolitan pizza concept offering a fun, casual experience from the fine-dining chefs at MCH.
MCH was founded by Midwesterner Shawn McClain, a renowned James Beard Award winning chef. His portfolio of celebrated dining concepts includes the award-winning Sage in Las Vegas, Chicago’s Green Zebra and Spring, and Highlands Detroit. McClain and business partner Richard Camarota, an acclaimed chef and restaurant operations director with ties to Chicago, bring world-renowned experience and a commitment to hands-on execution to deliver high-quality guest experiences at each Boulevard location.
“Boulevard is designed to be a lively place for customers to gather and enjoy great food and drinks,” said Greg Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora. “Bringing in local establishments that our customers know and love is an excellent addition to our new best-in-class property.”
PENN Entertainment
"It's an honor to partner with Hollywood Casino to usher in a bold new era while celebrating some of the greatest culinary talents in Chicago. It’s a dream come true to return to Chicago alongside chefs Stephanie Izard, Rick Ortiz of Antique Taco and Dana Cree of Pretty Cool Ice Cream. We are thrilled to showcase iconic dishes and introduce new items at Boulevard,” said McClain.
“I’m so excited to be partnering with MCH to bring a new concept, Lucky Goat, to Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet. Chicago is home to my original Goat restaurants, which makes it such a great fit to launch a new, fast casual Goat in the region,” said Izard. “Boulevard Food Hall will house a handful of great restaurants in one beautifully designed space with a fun atmosphere. Burgers, chicken sammies, shakes and more were the way to go to create a fun, chill Goat spot."
The Boulevard announcement comes on the heels of an announcement of a restaurant partnership with Giada De Laurentiis. De Laurentiis will bring world-class quality restaurants Sorella by Giada and Sorellina by Giada to the new Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet, respectively.
Visit www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com for more information and to explore open job positions at the careers page on each website.
