Page 19 - Jackpot Magazine South ~ September, 2026

of rum, I went for the classic Caribbean
mojito and was immediately transported
to an island paradise. The list of cocktails
and the choices at the bar is varied
and complete, something for everyone,
including alcohol-free cocktails. For a
few more dollars, the craft cocktails
are served in a collectible glass, a fun
souvenir to take home.
We had a chance to speak to one
of the managers, Jimmy Stump, who
enthusiastically talked about the
restaurant’s scratch kitchen — just about
everything at Hard Rock Cafe is made
from scratch: dressings, sauces, the
rubs for the ribs, tortilla chips and
so much more. If it is on the menu,
chances are it is being prepared
fresh by one of the hard-working
members of the kitchen crew.
Stump told us about the new
Made to Share options, which
include lemon-and-lime black
pepper chicken wings. While that
did pique our attention, we instead
chose the sweet and tangy wings as
one of our appetizers. The signature
slow-roasted wings, a selection of
flats and drums, were truly meaty
and delicious, covered in that sticky,
flavorful glaze that had plenty of zing.
From the Made to Share menu, we
selected the barbacoa beef queso dip
— cheese dip topped with barbacoa,
a tender Mexican shredded beef with
chipotle peppers and tomatoes. The
crispy corn tortillas served with it were
house-made and perfect for scooping
up the thick, creamy dip and holding
a nice bit of the beef mixture. Each
chip with cheese and beef made for a
(Clockwise from top left) Sweet and
tangy chicken wings; barbacoa beef
queso; Thai peanut Brussels sprouts; the
Dragon Burger and seasoned fries.
perfect bite.
We also had the new Thai peanut
Brussels sprouts, which can easily serve
as a side dish or a meal starter. We chose
it as a starter and enjoyed the crispy
Brussels that had ginger and soy flavors,
finished with crushed peanuts, toasted
sesame and scallions. What a great way
to eat Brussels sprouts.
Other appetizers include the classic
See Hard Rock Cafe, Page 20
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com September 2026 • JACKPOT! MAGAZINE 19