For the sixth consecutive year, William B’s Steakhouse at Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa in Michigan City has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, given by the magazine to recognize a well-curated wine list that will appeal to wine enthusiasts.

William B’s is one of just a few Northwest Indiana restaurants to receive such recognition.

Patrick Cullars, Blue Chip’s restaurant manager and sommelier, is credited with selecting the more than 100 wines from California, Spain, France, Italy and South America that complement William B’s classic steakhouse menu.

“I tell our guests, whether you’re enjoying a prime New York strip or seared Ora King Salmon, we have a wine that will satisfy every palate,” Cullars said.

Wine Spectator is considered to be the most influential source of wine information, with more than 380,000 wine ratings and a digital and print audience of more than 6 million.

William B’s Steakhouse, which has earned a deserved reputation as the culinary crown jewel at the Blue Chip property, opened two decades ago at this Boyd Gaming property, which has grown into a destination that consists of a 65,000-square-foot, single-level casino, two hotel towers with a total of 486 upscale rooms, varied restaurants, a spa, full-service salon and fitness center, two gift shops and the 20,000-square-foot Stardust Event Center.

While chatting with me Wednesday as a guest on my weekly Wednesday WJOB radio show, Cullars, who lives with his wife Josie and their 17-year-old son Pat Jr. in Munster, told me he owns a collection of more than 3,000 carefully preserved and alphabetized menus.

Many are now treasured items from favorite landmark restaurants in Chicago and Northwest Indiana that no longer exist, such as Phil Smidt’s in Hammond and Vogel’s in Whiting, as well as Strongbow’s Inn in Valparaiso.

Cullars is ready to celebrate his 17-year anniversary at William B’s, and he considers Blue Chip a dining and entertainment oasis on the shores of the blue waters of Lake Michigan in Michigan City as his “home away from home.”

Cullars also admits he loves the color blue, which is embraced every day as the theme for the gaming space.

Legendary “Blue Velvet” crooner Bobby Vinton, 86, headlined a show at Blue Chip’s Stardust Event Center a few years ago on the same stage where iconic rock band Blue Oyster Cult has also played.

And at William B’s, the fine-dining, white tablecloth steakhouse serves a signature blue martini and option of steaks crusted with bleu cheese crumbles.

Over the years, Cullars has also welcomed many famed names to the steakhouse because of the legendary roster of talent who have performed at the casino. That group includes Chubby Checker, Bret Michaels, Blake Shelton, George Jones, Vicki Lawrence, Wynonna Judd, Pauly Shore, Wayne Newton, Tiffany, Bill Cosby, Backstreet Boy Jeff Timmons, Kenny Rogers, The Chippendales Dancers, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain, Gallagher, Joan Rivers and New Kids on the Block lead singer Jordan Knight.

For more information, visit bluechipcasino.com or call (888) 879-7711.

Hitting a jackpot

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa helped kick off the Salvation Army of Michigan City’s sixth annual doughnut-eating contest this summer with a $50,000 check presentation in June to help the charity cause.

The National Doughnut Day fundraiser featured municipal, corporate, nonprofit and school leaders vying for top honors in the doughnut-eating competition. The Blue Chip Casino donation will go to The Salvation Army of Michigan City’s general operations fund.

“The Salvation Army of Michigan City will play an important role in bringing back in-person social service programs as local residents in need begin to transition from pandemic restrictions and we are pleased to offer our support,” said Brenda Temple, Blue Chip vice president and general manager.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.