CT restaurant has new menu, cocktails and sports fans. ‘Best place of it’s kind on the East Coast,’ guests say
Kenny Mollicone can bet on sports and horse races from home or at work on a cell phone app, but there’s no place he would rather be for that activity than Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook.
It beats like facilities, even those in Las Vegas, Mollicone and other fans say.
“Everything is easy, comfortable. There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Mollicone said. “I go there because you get to see the guys you know.”
Mollicone, who said he bets on games, “but I love the horses,” considers the food to be “great” at the sportsbook and he loves that at Mohegan there are so many other restaurants as well, and if it gets too late the hotel is right there.
“It’s like going on a vacation,” he said.
Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook, which opened in September 2021, is home to the largest video wall on the east coast — 140 feet — and more than 225 seats for viewing all the big games across all the major sports. The venue stretches 11,000 square-feet, features a mezzanine level that will be enhanced in the coming months and has 39 betting kiosks available 24/7.
General Manager Brad Bryant said everything is geared to guest experience.
That includes the food and a recently expanded menu.
For the betting there are various ways to do it for beginners and the most experienced, with lots of servers to help. Guests don’t even have to move from their chair.
“We want to create the ultimate guest experience, So we do everything,” Bryant said.
Wagering on sports used to be about the point spread, but these days a person can bet on just about anything, including who will score the first touchdown or homerun, how many strikeouts will be in a game, Bryant said.
“It’s extremely popular,” Bryant said of Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook. “If you come into Sportsbook there are 10 people working, meeting, greeting, helping to wager, ready to serve food.”
Bryant said camaraderie is part of the draw, with people rooting together, sometimes for opposite teams, making it even more fun.
Recently they’ve expanded the food and drink menu.
“There’s no better escape than coming here for the full experience,” Bryant said.
As the variety of food they serve expands, Mohegan Sun visitors who come for the concerts or other events, often choose to eat at Sportsbook where they have tasty food at a good price, Bryant said.
“Instead of fighting the crowds they have food and cocktails with us,” he said.
Andrew Prince, another guest/fan of the Mohegan FanDuel Sportsbook, called the facility, “unparalleled”
“It’s a palace,” he said, noting one can bet on horses, walk two feet and bet on sports.
“It’s the best place of it’s kind on the East Coast,” Prince said, noting the food is “terrific.”
“The food is really good for what I consider bar food,” Prince said.
He said they’ve added chopped salads to the menu and recently put on a chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet that is, “glorious.”
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Another customer/fan, who asked not to be identified, said of Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook that is has a variety of food offerings, generous portions and, “It’s a really exciting atmosphere.
“I think they’ve done a really good job of making it very open and customer friendly,” he said. “They’ve built off of what Vegas started years ago and incorporated all the modern technology.”
Bryant said among his favorites recently added to the menu are a pulled pork sandwich with bourbon BBQ sauce, jalapenos, mac and cheese and served with tater tots, as well as Po Boy fried shrimp sandwich with lemon, Old Bay aioli, lettuce, tomato and pickles.
They also added a jumbo hot dog with ketchup, mustard and relish on a New England roll with optional chili and cheese. They are also adding salmon sliders and quesadilla pretzels.
They have also started monthly specials that include a burger, wing and hot dog of the month. This month the wing flavor is Bourbon Bacon BBQ, the burger a French dip type with caramelized onions, Swiss and cheddar cheese served with a side of au jus and fries for $20. The hot dog this month is a Cuban Style dog with candid pepper bacon, pickle slices and whole grain mustard, served with fries for $15.
The all-day menu includes a Nashville chicken sandwich; Philly cheesesteak sandwich made with shaved ribeye, garlic butter, fried onions and aged provolone cheese.
Among the options for dessert is a crispy fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Nutella and marshmallow cream dipping sauce.
They have also have added shareable options and small bite options.
The venue also offers all kinds of perks and food and beverage specials, as well as NFL season giveaways.
Bryant said he loves what he does.
“If you love sports it’s the best job in the world,” he said.