1991 Kitchen Grand Casino
Since starting this program ten years ago, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley have served nearly 45,000 free meals to veterans and active military. At Grand Casino Mille Lacs: 1991 Kitchen will serve a special menu for veterans and active military from 7 a.m. 777 Grand Avenue Onamia, MN 56359 800-626-5825 Directions ›› HOURS OF OPERATION. Sunday – Thursday: 8 a.m. Friday & Saturday.
Artist's rendering of the new gaming floor at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia Minnesota. Image from Mille Lacs Band
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its flagship casino with a series of property upgrades. The Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia opened in 1991. Since then, the tribe has opened a second facility in Hinckley and both will be seeing significant new investments. “Twenty-five years ago, the Mille Lacs Band had a vision of what Grand Casino Mille Lacs could contribute to the Mille Lacs area, but few people could have imagined how significant that impact would become,” said Joe Nayquonabe, Jr., the CEO of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, the tribe's business arm. “When a business approaches a large milestone anniversary like this, you often think of what else could be.' Nayquonabe was 'thrilled' to announce new food, dining and entertainment offerings at both casinos. Onamia will be seeing a Brand Burger Bar, a 4,600 square-foot haven for sports fans, and 1991 Kitchen, a 7,075 square-foot casual eatery named in honor of the facility's opening.
Artist's rendering of the new Grand Provisions food hall that will be coming to the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia and Hinckley. Image from Mille Lacs Band
1991 Kitchen Grand Casino Mille Lacs
At Hinckley, the tribe is bringing the Stories Diner to the facility. The 7,425 square-foot eatery, which will be located near the entrance of the convention center, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Both casinos are also seeing upgrades to their buffets. They will be known as Grand Provisions and will be styled as food halls serving a wide variety of cuisines. “We knew we could make that experience even better and the improvements we announced today will really raise the bar for dining in the region,' said Tracy Sam, the general manager at Onamia. Additionally, the gaming floors at each facility will get complete overhaul, from top to bottom. “Everything from the ceiling and light fixtures to the wall treatments, carpet and property signage will be upgraded,' said Mel Towle, the general manager at Hinckley. Rendering of the new offerings can be found at grandcasinomn/pip.
Hunting. Fishing. Gathering. Amid deep lakes, wild rice fields, majestic maple trees, and wild and bountiful berries, the Ojibwe thrived in the mid-1700s, following the cycle of the seasons. A profound respect for nature was instilled in every child.
Pressures from non-Indian culture led to hardship and poverty, but the Ojibwe worked hard towards a better future.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs 1991 Kitchen Menu
In 1988, the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act helped those dreams become a reality. The Mille Lacs Band opened Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley in 1991 and 1992, creating thousands of jobs and generating revenues that benefit the Band, its nearly 4,600 members, and its non-Indian neighbors.
Casino revenues have helped the Mille Lacs Band build and improve schools, health care facilities, community centers, a water treatment facility, roads, ceremonial buildings, and more. Millions of dollars have also been donated to food shelves, schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations that serve the entire community. The casinos have also attracted new residents to the area, boosted tourism, and created dozens of new businesses across the region.