Ever wondered how you'll make it home at night after an especially delicious and filling meal? How many diners have finished off a bottle of wine, a too-large steak, or a towering piece of chocolate cake only to immediately desire a good, long sleep? At these Oklahoma hotels and resorts, guests can let loose with the knowledge that home for the night is a luxurious room just a few steps from some of the state’s most unforgettable culinary offerings.

Enter the massive facility at Choctaw Casino & Resort on the ground floor, and there’s no question where you are. The flashing lights, the ringing bells, the hum of the ever-present crowd—the only other thing it could be is a carnival. But carnivals don't have food like this. Within the sprawling casino complex, visitors can find more than a dozen restaurants and bars serving everything from fast food-style burgers and beer to racks of lamb, lobster and Parmesan cream pasta, and cocktails made with a Maker’s Mark whiskey specially created for the casino.

The Blackened Shrimp BLT at Salt & Stone Photo by Jason Ward

One restaurant in particular walks the fine line between classic comfort and upscale indulgence. Salt & Stone combines the best of the ocean and the plains for a surf-and-turf-focused menu that’s overflowing with so much Southern flair the dishes practically call to diners, “Y’all hungry?”

When the restaurant opened in 2021, it leaned heavily into seafood dishes that local diners had trouble connecting to, says Salt & Stone sous chef Ivan Gamboa. But when the chefs and owners refocused on elegant comfort foods and pared the menu down to a manageable size, it was a hit.

Treating yourself to a sumptuous breakfast is easy with dishes like the Butcher's Steak and Eggs at Salt & Stone. Photo by Jason Ward

It’s hard to imagine shying away from innovative culinary fusions like the blackened shrimp BLT. The Creole-inspired dish pairs thick-cut bacon with blackened shrimp, adding a zesty remoulade sauce to crank up the heat and hefty slices of juicy tomato and crisp romaine leaves to cool it back down. Butterflying the shrimp creates more surface area for the blackened spice to cling to and helps the sandwich lay flat while ensuring every bite includes some of that juicy, perfectly seasoned seafood.

Those more interested in the turf than the surf might opt for the Butcher’s Steak & Frites, which includes a ten-ounce sirloin and a massive pile of Parmesan truffle fries. The appetizers and desserts are plenty large, too. One order of the Cheesy Brussels & Bacon Dip is big enough for a table of four to share in the creamy indulgence of roasted Brussels sprouts and kale mixed into a gooey cheese sauce and topped with perfectly cooked lardons of bacon without anybody leaving hungry.
If there is still, by some supernatural mercy, room for dessert, the Southern Peach Cobbler Cheesecake is a culinary chimera whose time has come. Standing tall, each slice is firm enough to hold its shape but creamy enough that a swipe of the spoon can deal a mortal blow. It’s not overwhelmingly sweet, but the notes of ripe stone fruit and sugary cobbler crust are present in every bite.

Once the meal is over, there’s plenty to keep guests occupied. The District is for gaming without gambling—a massive arcade with an attached twenty-lane bowling alley and first-run movie theater. In the Spa Tower, guests can indulge in a single or couple’s massage, visit the salon, or hang out in a relaxation lounge with a waterfall mineral bath. There are swimming pools in and out—some for families and others solely for adults—and an art gallery showcasing original pieces by a different Choctaw artist each season.

Southern Peach Cobbler Cheesecake at Salt & Stone Photo by Choctaw Nation

But once the elevator doors close as guests ascend the Sky Tower, the resort disappears. The hallways are quiet, and the rooms are tranquil little havens of luxury. All the usual amenities are here—big-screen TV; large, comfy bed; and a spacious shower with strong water pressure. If a trip downstairs suddenly seems too taxing, visitors can order a variety of dishes from the connected restaurants for delivery or call for an in-room massage. After all, the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant is all about indulgence, and there are few things as gratifying as having all the best parts of a vacation brought to your room.

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.