Reno’s premier casino resort continues major transformation with $55 million in resort upgrades and enhancements for 2022, more than $330 million since 2011
RENO, Nev. (June 13, 2022) – Reno is getting its first Chickie’s & Pete’s, voted ESPN’s No. 1 sports bar in North America. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) is bringing the Philadelphia hometown flavor and world-famous Crabfries to the Biggest Little City this fall as part of a $10 million renovation to the Race and Sportsbook already underway.
“GSR looks forward to providing the elevated experience of enjoying sports and dining by delivering the No. 1 sports bar in America to the Reno-Tahoe region,” said GSR General Manager Shannon Keel. “We could not be happier to add to our growing list of first-class amenities at GSR!”
Founded in 1977 by Peter “Pete” and Henrietta “Chickie” Ciarrocchi, the crab house and sports bar has cemented itself as a Philadelphia staple and their world-famous Crabfries have become synonymous with game days in the Northeast. The first West Coast outpost opened inside GSR’s sister property, SAHARA Las Vegas, late last year.
“We’re thrilled to be continuing our West Coast expansion with our second Nevada location at the iconic Grand Sierra Resort," said Pete Ciarrocchi, Chairman and CEO of Chickie’s & Pete’s. "It’s an honor to be working with Alex Meruelo on our second project in a year. We can’t wait to bring our Philly classics to Reno!”
The menu will feature signature seafood creations like mussels in red and white sauce, baby lobster tails, Chickie’s Style Hot Shrimp, and the specialty Crabfeast featuring one pound of snow crab legs, one Dungeness crab, king crab legs, and corn.
In addition to crustacean classics, the menu boasts game day go-tos with a unique twist like Philly Cheesesteak Nachos, Chickie’s Wings, and a lineup of juicy burgers including the Ultimate Tailgate burger featuring a jumbo lump crab cake on a seared burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion.
It wouldn’t be Chickie’s & Pete’s without their proprietary creation that made them famous, Crabfries. The crinkle-cut French fries are sprinkled with a secret blend of crab spices and served with the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind white creamy cheese sauce for dipping.
Adjoined to Chickie & Pete’s is a 3,000-square-foot state-of-the-art William Hill race and sportsbook. Fans can watch multiple sporting events on the expansive 45-foot-wide LED viewing wall or at any of the spacious race stations with 24-inch personal TV monitors, individual lighting and USB connectivity ports.
In addition to the $10 million Race and Sportsbook upgrade, capital improvements are happening throughout the casino resort with more than $55 million slated for this year alone.
Other 2022 additions to GSR include the renovation of more than 600 rooms, a new Starbucks, revamped 2nd Street Express quick-serve restaurant, and modifications and expansion of the resort’s Funquest arcade and bowling alley to include eight VIP bowling lanes, as well as two new food trucks to service the expanded pool.
Since assuming ownership of GSR in 2011, Alex Meruelo has invested more than $330 million in resort upgrades. Nearly every inch of the property has been enhanced, including renovations to GSR’s 2,000 hotel rooms and casino floor; a transformation of The Pool, a year-round outdoor oasis; renovations of its 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; an all-new Infinity High Limit game room; an applauded renovation of its historic Grand Theatre; the creation of the wildly popular LEX Nightclub; the addition of northern Nevada’s largest race and sports book; enhancements to the front porte-cochere; new restaurants and more.
For more information, visit grandsierraresort.com.
ABOUT GRAND SIERRA RESORT
Located in the heart of the beautiful Reno-Tahoe region, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) is an all-encompassing casino-resort with nearly 2,000 newly-renovated guest rooms and suites, 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, 1,400 slot machines, 50 table games, a poker room featuring seven tables and the Infinity High Limit Room. The destination’s premier gaming property offers visitors a wide variety of amenities including the 2,500 capacity, critically-acclaimed Grand Theatre, home to Reno-Tahoe’s finest entertainment experience, exhilarating nightlife at the spectacular LEX Nightclub, more than a dozen delectable restaurant and dining choices including Charlie Palmer Steak and Lounge, a spa, branded retail shopping, a remarkable year-round outdoor pool and fire pit experience, Reno’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a two-screen cinema, a 50-lane bowling center, adrenaline-pumping rides and an aqua golf driving range. GSR players can also enjoy the perks of an Infinity Rewards membership, a joint loyalty program between GSR and its sister resort SAHARA Las Vegas, that gives players the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards across both destinations. GSR is a minority-owned business certified by the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. For more information, please visit grandsierraresort.com or to make reservations call 1-800-648-5080. For the latest and greatest news on GSR, find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.