Paula Deen’s Buffet at Harrah’s Casino

Paula Deen has been a staple in Savannah with her restaurant Lady and Son’s and of course as one of the mega-stars on The Food Network.  She now is buttering up Harrah’s Casino with her Paula Deen’s Buffet in Tunica, Mississippi.

Harrah’s Casino (formerly the Grand) recently cut the ribbon at Deen’s newest venture.  This will begin to make many people happy who have longed for Deen to add to her empire more opportunities around the country to dine on Paula’s Southern comfort food.

From the Jackson Sun:

Hundreds of people lined the entrance of Harrah’s Casino hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebrity chef.

“Hey y’all,” Paula Deen said.

“We love you Paula!” screamed one fan.

Most people agree that it’s Paula Deen’s friendly, hospitable and southern style that makes her appealing to folks across the country.

“This stuff will make you drunk,” Deen said as she was handed a glass of champagne to celebrate the grand opening of Harrah’s casino – formerly known as The Grand – and Paula Deen’s Buffet.

After the prayer was said and the ribbon was cut, Deen and her family were whisked away to her buffet on the second floor.

It was time to do what true Southerners know how to do – eat.

Groups of women waited patiently for Deen outside the buffet to get a picture, and if they were lucky, an autograph.

Paula Deen’s Buffet has a each area of the buffet named after family members:

Granny Paul’s Garden.  A full salad bar featuring some of Paula’s favorite salads and signature “Skillet Cornbread.”
Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House. Features menu items served at Bubba’s restaurant in Savannah, including the signature “Char Grilled Oysters.”
Hoe Cake & Biscuit Station. Cooked all day long served with butter and syrup if desired.
Lady & Son’s. Features southern comfort foods such as Paula’s famous Fried Chicken, Collard Greens and Lady’s Cheesy Mac.
Captain Michael’s Smokehouse. Features an assortment of meat prepared using Paula’s rubs smoked daily, BBQ pulled pork, smoked sausage and ribs.
Little Jack’s Corner. A wide array of desserts featuring Paula’s famous Gooey Butter Cake, Grandmother Paul’s Sour Cream Pound Cake, peach cobbler and creamy hand dipped ice cream.

Paula Deen’s success is due to her great food and her dynamic personality.  She is someone who you can’t help but love and her fans feel that they can relate to her:

Cooking is very therapeutic for me,” Deen said. “I love filling the bellies.”

And if you think “the queen of cuisine” – as she is so often called by her fans – hasn’t burned bacon, think again.

She’s burned boiled water, too, she said.

Deen’s ability to relate to her fans makes them feel like she is their best friend.

Her husband told her one day, “People out there just love you ’cause they know that you’re real. They see that you’re real.”

“People can identify with me,” she said. “I traveled a lot of the same roads.”

Her advice to people just learning how to cook is to keep it simple and practice.

“It doesn’t have to be a gourmet meal,” Deen said. “To become a good cook you have to do it more than once a month.”

So, are their more Paula Deen Buffets slated for the future:

Although Tunica is Deen’s first casino buffet, depending on its success, more buffets could be added to Harrah’s in other locations.

“When Harrah’s and I got together and signed the deal, I told the guys ‘I love a big family, and I would love lots of children.’”