Some dinners are worth a little extra time on the highway, and one of them sits just outside the Twin Cities in Prior Lake. Inside a busy casino hotel, past the slot machines and the crowds, there is a quiet dining room where servers set fresh silverware for every course.
The star of the plate here is a bacon-wrapped tenderloin that servers happily suggest to first-timers. Families book tables for Easter, couples come for anniversaries, and groups stop in before a big show down the hall.
The menu leans classic, the wine list is long, and the dress code is relaxed enough that nobody gets treated differently for skipping the suit. It is not a cheap night out, and that matters.
Keep reading to learn what to order, when to go, what the bill looks like, and why this steakhouse earns a spot on your next special-occasion list.
A Steakhouse Hiding Inside a Casino
Casinos are famous for buffets, but this one keeps a proper steakhouse tucked inside its walls.
Mystic Steakhouse sits within Mystic Lake Casino Hotel at 2400 Mystic Lk Blvd, Prior Lake, MN 55372, in the United States. Prior Lake is a short trip southwest of the Twin Cities, which makes the drive manageable for most Minnesotans.
The restaurant calls itself a classic steakhouse. That means steaks, seafood, and a sizable wine list served in a warm setting.
There is no gimmick here. The focus stays on familiar dishes done with care, the kind of menu that has worked for steakhouses for generations.
Guests often pair dinner with other things on the property. Some come after a lucky round at the slots, some before a concert in the showroom, and some after an afternoon of golf at the venue next door.
That mix gives the place an unusual energy. One table might be marking a 40th birthday while the next is grabbing a quick, polished meal before a show.
The address is easy to plug into any map app. The tricky part is deciding what to order once you arrive, and that is where the tenderloin comes in.
The Tenderloin Worth the Mileage
Servers here have a favorite suggestion, and it comes wrapped in bacon.
The bacon-wrapped tenderloin is the dish that turns a casino dinner into a destination meal. One Easter family gathering landed on it after a server recommended pairing it with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and the whole table left planning a return trip.
The combination makes sense. Tenderloin is the leanest, most tender cut on the menu, and the bacon adds richness that a plain filet does not have.
Diners who order the filet on its own also come away happy. The 10-ounce version arrives cooked to a true medium rare, tender and full of flavor, with a béarnaise sauce on the side.
Even the bacon gets attention on its own. Some guests have called it the best they have ever eaten, which is high praise for a side player.
Asparagus is the natural partner on the plate. Diners describe it as cooked just right, and it balances out the heavier items nicely.
Ask your server about doneness and sauces before you commit. The staff knows the menu well and will steer you toward the right combination for your appetite.
Other Cuts on the Board
Not everyone at the table will want tenderloin, and the menu is ready for that.
Prime rib is one of the most talked-about orders. The king cut has been named the best some diners have ever had, especially on birthday nights.
Ribeye lovers have plenty to cheer about too. Diners call the ribeye steaks excellent, and a dry-aged T-bone has earned praise for being cooked and seasoned perfectly.
Beyond beef, the kitchen offers a dry-aged Duroc pork chop that has won over even tough critics. Longtime regulars name the pork chops and prime rib as their reliable favorites.
Bison short ribs show up as a standout as well. A veal chop and double-bone lamb chops round out the heavier options.
Results are not perfect every night. A pricey dry-aged bone-in ribeye has disappointed some guests, so asking your server for the current favorites is a smart move.
The takeaway is simple. There is a cut for nearly every taste, and the tenderloin is just the friendliest place to start.
Lobster, Halibut, and the Sea Side of the Menu
Steak may be the headliner, but the seafood list draws its own crowd.
Lobster comes up again and again in conversation about this place. Diners describe the lobster tail as cooked perfectly, though a few feel it runs a bit high on cost.
Halibut has fans who call it the best they have eaten. Others found it dry on an off night, so it is worth asking how the kitchen is preparing it.
Spicy shrimp is a popular pick for date nights. One server even brought a small tea light to keep melted butter warm for a guest’s shrimp, a thoughtful touch.
Shrimp and barramundi arrive surrounded by a variety of condiments. Walleye, a Minnesota classic, has also appeared on the menu for anniversary dinners.
Oysters have earned excellent marks too. They make an easy opener for a seafood-leaning table.
Surf and turf fans can build their own pairing by adding a lobster tail to a steak. That turns a regular dinner into a true celebration plate.
Opening Acts Before the Main Plate
Crab cakes get things rolling for many tables, and they arrive beautifully presented.
Diners mention them often as a favorite starter. They pair well with a round of conversation while everyone studies the steak list.
Fried calamari is another strong opener. Birthday guests have called it some of the best they have tasted.
Fried Brussels sprouts come with a mustard-based condiment around the bowl. They are a bit of a gamble, though, since some batches have come out too crisp.
Deviled eggs are on the list for anyone curious. They have drawn mixed reactions, so treat them as an adventure rather than a sure thing.
Salads fill out the early part of the meal. The Caesar has been praised for crisp greens and just the right amount of dressing, while the wedge salad comes with blue cheese and a generous portion.
Regulars note that appetizer choices are fairly limited. Pick one or two to share and save room, because the sides are coming next.
Sides Built for Sharing
Here is a tip that saves money: one side can feed two or three people.
Steaks come à la carte, so sides are ordered separately. The portions are generous enough that a small group can share a few and still have leftovers.
Au gratin potatoes earn steady praise and are often described as perfect. Creamy mac and cheese is another crowd favorite that shows up on many tables.
The loaded baked potato and the sweet potato with cinnamon butter both have fans. Mashed potatoes, the classic tenderloin partner, are well seasoned.
Sautéed mushrooms deserve a spot on the order. The mix includes trumpet, enoki, button, and portabella varieties.
Creamed spinach has been called the best some diners have ever had. Wild rice, a nod to Minnesota, is rich and creamy.
Choose a starch, a vegetable, and one wildcard. That combination rounds out the tenderloin without overloading the table.
Bread Basket Surprises
Some dinners are remembered for the steak, and some are remembered for the bread.
The bread basket brought to the table has its own fan club. It includes a cheese roll that guests mention as a highlight of the evening.
Even diners who had mixed feelings about the rest of their meal singled out the bread and butter as a favorite. That says a lot about how well it lands.
Birthday guests have also praised the bread basket alongside their calamari starter. It sets a friendly tone before the bigger plates arrive.
A word of advice: pace yourself. The rolls are tempting, but a bacon-wrapped tenderloin and shared sides still need room.
Bread service is a small detail, yet it reflects the classic steakhouse style the restaurant aims for. Fresh rolls at the start signal that the evening is meant to be relaxed, not rushed.
Grab one, save one for the sides, and let the meal unfold.
Desserts and a Little Birthday Magic
Saving room for dessert pays off here, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Crème brûlée is a standout, described as silky smooth and light. Chocolate lava cake makes a fitting finale for family holiday meals.
Cinnamon swirl cheesecake has won serious affection. Birthday diners have raved about it.
Celebrations get a special touch. One couple received a complimentary truffle raspberry cake with a chocolate bar reading Happy Birthday and lit candles on top.
Free dessert comes up more than once in conversations about this restaurant. Staff have offered a complimentary sweet to make up for a mix-up during a meal.
Mention your occasion when you book. Anniversaries and birthdays are common here, and the team seems glad to mark them.
Coffee with real half and half rounds things off nicely. It is a quiet way to stretch the evening a little longer.
Service That Notices the Small Stuff
Fresh silverware with every course is the kind of detail that defines this team.
The staff is often called the best part of the restaurant. Servers are described as friendly, polite, and meticulous about drink levels, fork placement, and plate temperature.
Servers also know the menu deeply. They give helpful guidance on allergies and make strong suggestions, like steering guests toward the tenderloin.
Teamwork is visible on the floor. Different staff members bring water, clear plates, and pack leftovers, so tables are rarely left waiting.
Managers often stop by to ask how things are going. Regulars appreciate that the question seems sincere.
No team is flawless on a packed night. A forgotten salad or a slow drink has happened, but staff have stepped in with fixes like a complimentary dessert.
Guests who dress down are treated the same as everyone else. That welcoming attitude makes a formal-feeling room much easier to enjoy.
Inside the Dining Room
Leave the casino floor behind, and the mood shifts quickly.
The dining room is warm and intimate, the sort of space that matches what a classic steakhouse should be. Diners call the room beautiful and the setting polished.
The style leans more formal than most nearby restaurants. That makes it a natural pick for milestones rather than a casual weeknight bite.
Tables can sit fairly close together. If privacy matters, request a specific area when you reserve, and the hosts will work to honor it.
The space is kept clean and tidy. A few small touch-ups could help in spots, but overall the room feels well cared for.
There is also a casual workaround. The Minnehaha Bar just outside the restaurant serves the same menu, which suits solo diners or anyone wanting a lighter setting.
Either way, the tenderloin tastes like an event. The room simply decides how dressed up that event feels.
Wine List and Zero-Proof Options
Long wine lists can feel intimidating, but this one is surprisingly approachable.
The restaurant offers a sizable selection with good choices by the glass. Diners who know their wine appreciate the familiar labels mixed with new options.
Servers can help match a bottle or glass to the tenderloin. Just ask, since the staff is known for solid recommendations.
Not drinking wine? Mocktails are available, and coffee service is a strong finish.
Results on specialty drinks can vary. A frozen mocktail once arrived too icy to sip, though staff fixed it.
The beverage list leans toward pairing with red meat. That fits the menu well and keeps choices focused.
Treat the list as part of the experience. A good pairing turns a great steak into a memorable one.
Who This Table Suits Best
Anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays fill the reservation book here.
Couples mark milestone wedding anniversaries in this dining room. Families gather for Easter and Christmas meals, and partners book it for big birthdays.
Show-goers make up another big group. Dinner before a concert in the casino showroom is a popular plan, even on busy nights.
Companies use it for team thank-you dinners. Larger groups should book early and set expectations with their server.
Budget-focused diners may hesitate. Some feel other restaurants deliver a similar meal for less, so this spot fits best when the occasion calls for a splurge.
Guests with shellfish allergies should know options can be limited. Servers will walk through the menu to find safe picks.
Bottom line: bring a reason to celebrate. The room and the staff are built around making those nights feel special.
Hours, Costs, and Booking Tips
Plan ahead, because this kitchen runs on a dinner-only schedule.
Mystic Steakhouse opens at 5 pm every day. It closes at 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Expect to spend more than $100 per person. Steaks are à la carte, so sides and add-ons raise the total.
Sharing sides is the easiest way to manage the bill. One or two can cover a pair of diners.
Reservations are wise, especially on show nights and holidays. Some walk-ins end up on a waiting list.
Share seating requests when booking. Staff work to place guests where they asked to sit.
Arriving right at opening gives you a calmer room. It also leaves time for a show or a stroll around the casino afterward.
The Case for Making the Drive
So, is the trip to Prior Lake worth it? For the bacon-wrapped tenderloin, the answer leans yes.
The restaurant holds a solid four-star standing across hundreds of opinions. Most praise centers on attentive staff, well-cooked steaks, and generous sides.
It is not flawless. Some dishes vary from night to night, and prices sit firmly in special-occasion territory.
Still, the strengths are clear. A recommended tenderloin, shareable potatoes, great crème brûlée, and thoughtful birthday surprises make a strong case.
Add a casino show or a round of golf nearby, and the evening becomes a full outing. That turns one dinner into a story worth telling.
Order the tenderloin, share the sides, and mention your occasion. The drive home tends to feel shorter after a meal like that.
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