FORT HALL, Idaho — The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel marked a new chapter in its dining offerings Wednesday when the Camas Restaurant held its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, bringing a full steakhouse experience to Southeast Idaho.
The opening came after roughly a year of construction and anticipation. The new restaurant replaces the Camas Sports Bar and Grill, which had operated at the Fort Hall casino since 2012. According to casino leadership, the previous layout left unused space due to complications with liquor licensing, prompting a full reimagining of the concept.
Filling a Gap in Southeast Idaho Dining
Calista Matsaw, CEO of Shoshone-Bannock Casino, said the decision to build a steakhouse came after her team surveyed the regional dining landscape and concluded that quality steakhouse options were scarce in the area.
“We went through a process of elimination and decided Southeast Idaho was lacking in steakhouse options,” Matsaw said in remarks at the opening.
The restaurant has partnered with Snake River Farms, a well-regarded Idaho-based producer known for its American Wagyu beef program. The menu features two wagyu cuts — a ribeye and a New York strip — alongside other steak offerings designed to give patrons a premium dining experience closer to home. For East Idaho residents who have been traveling to larger markets for high-end beef, the new venue represents a regional option worth noting. Fans of locally inspired food and beverage concepts may also want to check out the new Mexican-inspired coffee shop that recently opened in Idaho Falls.
Tribal Staff Bring Culture to the Kitchen
Beyond the menu, casino leadership emphasized the cultural dimension of the new restaurant. The entire staff is composed of tribal members, a deliberate choice that Matsaw said brings both authenticity and culinary talent to the dining room.
The kitchen team’s enthusiasm for their craft extends to the guest experience itself. Matsaw noted that chefs are encouraged to visit tables and discuss the food being prepared — whether that means explaining a cooking technique or talking about the origins of a particular ingredient.
“Our chef will sometimes come out and talk to the tables — it could be about something as simple as a potato,” Matsaw said. “You can tell they have a passion for the technique.”
That hands-on approach to hospitality reflects a broader vision for the restaurant as a showcase of tribal culinary culture, not just a replacement dining venue. The redesigned space also addresses the layout shortcomings of the old sports bar. The new Camas Restaurant includes a designated seated bar area and 30 additional seats compared to its predecessor, giving the venue a more structured and spacious feel suited to a sit-down steakhouse format.
What Comes Next
With the grand opening behind them, casino leadership will shift focus to daily operations and building a regular dining clientele from across Bonneville County and the broader East Idaho region. The Snake River Farms partnership positions the restaurant to maintain consistent access to premium wagyu beef, and the tribal culinary staff is expected to continue developing menu offerings that reflect both professional technique and cultural identity.
The Camas Restaurant is located within the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel in Fort Hall, Idaho, along the Interstate 15 corridor between Idaho Falls and Pocatello — making it accessible to travelers and residents throughout the region. As Southeast Idaho’s dining scene continues to develop, the opening adds a locally rooted, upscale option that casino patrons and community members alike will have the opportunity to explore.
For broader coverage of Idaho business and community developments, visit Idaho News.