Copper Rock Steakhouse: Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, Michigan
Copper Rock Steakhouse: Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, Michigan
There was a point in my life where I was absolutely feral for food. Molecular gastronomy, tasting menus, no-name popups, Chicago’s “best of” lists, Michelin starred restaurants, Alinea, and just about everything in between. If it was hyped, hidden, weird, expensive, brilliant, or allegedly life-changing, I was there with a fork.
Which is why when Next announced its Chicago steakhouse, I went in expecting greatness and walked out thinking… wait, that’s it? I paid how much to miss Carmichael’s for this?
Which brings me to one of my favorite accidental finds: a legit hidden gem sitting in New Buffalo, Michigan aka the unofficial “weed capital” for America and Illinois tax escape routes. Seriously, this place has more cannabis dispensaries per square mile than common sense. If you’ve ever searched “cheap weed near Chicago” “cheap weed near me” or “Michigan dispensaries near Indiana border,” you’ve already been digitally funneled here.
But I digress.
Inside Four Winds Casino like most casinos you expect a steakhouse. What you do not expect is one of the best Wagyu value plays anywhere near Chicago.
Copper Rock Steakhouse has this monster:
AUSTRALIAN WAGYU STRIP 16 OZ
Cabassi Farms Purebred Black Kuroge, Beef Marbling Score 10–12 for $142
And a
Kagoshima A5 Wagyu, Japanese Black Wagyu of Highest Available Grade
And if you know Wagyu pricing in Chicago, you already know, that’s borderline ridiculous. Not ridiculous expensive. Ridiculous like… who forgot to add another hundred bucks?
This thing is delicious. Rich, buttery, melts in your mouth, barely needs a knife, and honestly feels disrespectful to regular steak. It’s the kind of steak that makes you pause mid-bite and reconsider every overpriced dinner you’ve ever defended. Back when I used to gamble enough to get comps, I’d even get one to go and feed some to my dog because frankly, she had excellent taste and deserved luxury too.
New Buffalo might quietly be one of the highest searched cannabis border zones in the Midwest and somehow also hiding one of the better Wagyu plays you’ll find outside Chicago.
So here’s the move: if you like steak, like Wagyu, or just enjoy finding places that quietly embarrass bigger city spots, Copper Rock is worth the trip. And the trip is not exactly punishment. In the summer they’ve got the outdoor pool bar, New Buffalo has solid lake-town vibes, there’s plenty to do nearby, and the casino runs shows too. So check the calendar, make a day or night of it, and go eat the steak.
Rating: 8/10 fucks given.
🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
It loses a couple of fucks only because it’s a bit of a hike. But once that Wagyu hits the table, distance becomes a very theoretical problem. Make sure you check out their sides while you are there!
11111 Wilson road, new Buffalo, mi 49117
https://fourwindscasino.com/newbuffalo/dining/copper-rock-steakhouse/
https://fourwindscasino.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5522-11_CR_Dinner_Menu.pdf
There’s also a dispensary right by the entrance, Rolling Embers, and while Michigan has been evolving its stance on consumption spaces, let’s just say the experience around there feels very… accommodating.
11261 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, Mi 49117
Not that I’d ever suggest this, legal reasons, obviously, but New Buffalo does seem to have an impressive number of dispensaries and an equally impressive number of “first-time customer” deals… every time.
Next thing you know you’re Santa Claus for your pot-loving friends and family year-round.
Just be careful with that sleigh in Indiana… that’s a different kind of surprise ending.
