John Besh, Aarón Sánchez plan Baltimore restaurant

Celebrity chefs John Besh and Aarón Sánchez have elaborated on their plans to open a restaurant called Johnny Sánchez in Baltimore.

The casual taquería will be located at the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, currently being developed by CBAC Gaming LLC, along Russell Street on the city’s south side. The casino is expected to open in late August or early September, according to published reports.

The menu will focus on ingredients that are “farmed and fished responsibly and locally,” according to a press release from the casino. The beverage program will include tequila, mezcal, bourbon and beer.

Johnny Sánchez will occupy about 6,100 square feet, with space for live entertainment, and seat 222 guests. It will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week.

“We love to cook, eat, drink and make people happy, and that’s why we’re doing this,” said Besh, an award-winning chef and restaurateur based in New Orleans.

Besh’s 10 restaurants variously raise their own chickens, operate their own gardens and source lesser-utilized seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. Besh already operates a restaurant in a casino, Besh Steak at the Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel and Casino. He is also the host of two national public television shows. His latest show, “Hungry Investors,” premieres May 4 on Spike TV.

Sánchez is the co-star of the Food Network series “Chopped” and the star of “Aarón Loves NY” on Fox Life. He is also the chef and owner of Mestizo in Leawood, Kan.

“This is the food that John and I love to cook when we’re hanging out together having fun, and that’s what resonates with people. It’s all from the heart!” he said in the release.

Besh and Sánchez met in New Orleans years ago when both were working under legendary chef Paul Prudhomme. They renewed their friendship after competing together on the first season of the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef.”

Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected].
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