Rock Island casino celebrates food service history of new owner Delaware North Companies
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (March 1, 2012) – Jumer’s Casino and Hotel in Rock Island, Ill., is set to open a new restaurant at 4 p.m. today that celebrates the long history and achievements in food service of Delaware North Companies, which purchased and began operating the casino in 2011.
The Blue Square Café, created in the space previously occupied by the Lakeside Café and Top Hat Deli, takes its name from the blue square that is the main element of the Delaware North Companies logo.
The new restaurant is a celebration of Delaware North’s achievements in food service. Delaware North Companies has grown from a small theater and ballpark concessions business founded in 1915 in Buffalo, N.Y., by three young brothers to become a global leader in hospitality and food service. Today, Delaware North is one of the most admired hospitality companies in the world, with expertise in food service, hospitality management, lodging, travel hospitality, retail, sports facilities management, gaming and racetrack operations.
At Blue Square Café, guests will be able to enjoy some of the most popular, unique and delicious food items prepared by Delaware North at places such at Soldier Field and U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Texas and TD Garden in Boston, which Delaware North owns and operates.
“As a leader in food service management, Delaware North operates busy kitchens at some of the most famous sports and entertainment venues and travel destinations in the world,” said Therrin Protze, president and general manager of Jumer’s Casino and Hotel. “The company serves millions of people each year at everything from quick-serve concession stands to elaborate banquet catering to some of the finest restaurants in the country.”
Delaware North Companies Sportservice, the oldest name in sports concessions, has been recognized by Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, and many other media for the delicious fare it serves to make the game-day experience special for millions of fans every season.
The Blue Square menu features special selections that represent some of the favorite food items found at the venues where Delaware North operates and highlights those venues throughout the menu. Among them are the New England lobster roll served at TD Garden, the bratwurst with Secret Stadium Sauce from Miller Park, Buffalo chicken wings from First Niagara Center and the Chicago Hot Dog served at U.S. Cellular Field.
The restaurant will be closed to the public on March 8 until 3 p.m. for a private, invitation only grand opening celebration. Regular operating hours are: Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9.p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-10.p.m.