Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino Restaurant Blends Asian and Cajun Food
Posted on: March 6, 2026, 11:37h.
Last updated on: March 6, 2026, 11:37h.
- A new restaurant at Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino has opened
- Aroi blends Asian and Cajun cuisines
Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino in Iowa is betting on a new restaurant that blends the flavors of Cajun and Asian cuisines.
Located just inland from the Missouri River and the Iowa-Nebraska border, Horseshoe, operated by Caesars Entertainment, recently opened Aroi Asian & Cajun Fusion Cuisine.
Blending Thai-inspired dishes with Cajun spices, the restaurant’s menu highlights include a papaya salad with pickled crab and tomato, shrimp fried rice, Cajun crawfish, and seafood combos with snow crab legs, headless shrimp, green mussels, and sausage.
“We are thrilled to introduce Aroi to our guests and to welcome Chef Jay Joynoosaeng to the Horseshoe family. His passion for innovative cuisine and exceptional hospitality shines through in every detail of this restaurant. We are excited for our guests to experience this unique fusion of flavors,” said Horseshoe Council Bluffs General Manager Thomas Roberts.
The Joynoosaeng family is prominent restaurateurs in the Omaha area, specializing in Thai cuisine.
Restaurant Attractions
Casinos, especially ones in regional markets such as Council Bluffs, rely on restaurants to attract guests who might not otherwise venture into a gaming facility.
The role of casino amenities is an important issue for casino operators and developers seeking to maximize gaming revenues, space utilization, and return-on-investment,” the International Journal of Hospitality Management wrote in a 2011 research paper.
The study found that popular restaurants play a significant role in propping up a casino’s gaming revenue.
The impact on dining volume on low-end slot play was especially strong in the local market casino, resulting in a substantial financial contribution,” the analysis concluded.
Aroi is a middle-priced restaurant, with main entrees ranging from $22 to $35. The Asian-Cajun eatery brings an upscale option to the casino’s culinary offerings, which is highlighted by Jack Binion’s Steak House on the high end and JB’s Café and Slice Pizzeria on the low end.
Aroi marks the fourth restaurant at the Caesars-run casino.
Horseshoe Iowa Casino
During the 2025 fiscal year, Horseshoe Council Bluffs reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $178.6 million. That ranked second among the 19 casinos in Iowa behind only Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino at $234.7 million.
Horseshoe’s more than 1,100 slot machines accounted for the bulk of the casino’s win, with GGR of $147.8 million from the terminals. Horseshoe’s 57 table games won $30.8 million from players.
The casino that is today Horseshoe Council Bluffs opened in March 1995 as the Bluffs Run Casino. Harrah’s Entertainment, today Caesars Entertainment, bought the property through its acquisition of Harveys Casino Resorts in 2001.
The company rebranded Bluffs Run to Horseshoe Council Bluffs in 2006 through an $85 million overhaul and expansion of the racetrack property. Greyhound racing ceased in 2015.
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