Customers at Silver Slipper’s Jubilee are seeing red (velvet)

John Ferrucci moved from New Jersey years ago when casinos were legalized in Mississippi, and he brought some of his roots with him.

Now the general manager of Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County, Ferrucci has combined some of his favorite foods from the Northeast with favorite dishes from the South on the menus at the casino’s restaurants.

One dessert on the Jubilee Buffet provides a choice of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch-style funnel cakes and the flavor of the South’s red velvet cake.

Customers were surprised to see the red funnel cakes being cooked to order in a pan on the buffet along with the familiar golden variety.

“It was something different,” Ferrucci said, very popular and made every day. “On the weekend, there’s a line.”

Both varieties come with powdered sugar, whipped cream, sprinkles and other toppings if desired.

Along with sweets, Ferrucci brought the makings for one of Philadelphia’s most famous dishes to the Silver Slipper.

“We put out an authentic Philly cheesesteak in the Palm Court Cafe,” he said.

They’ve just added a Cuban sandwich to the menu that also features Cajun boudin. Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches that are popular in the North are made with sausage from a butcher shop in Louisiana, and Ferrucci said and he’s found the best bread for these sandwiches.

At the Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, lobster with corn and potatoes is the special on Friday, as it is at restaurants along the shore from the Carolinas to Maine every weekend

Sunday brunch provides a choice of shrimp and grits and omelets made with shrimp or crawfish — and also fresh bagels with cream cheese that are a staple in the New York and New Jersey areas.

Ferrucci said he doubts they serve much red velvet funnel cake in the Amish country of Pennsylvania, but he shares favorite tastes of the North and South with his customers at Silver Slipper Casino.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Customers at Silver Slipper’s Jubilee are seeing red (velvet)."