Seeking Feedback - Dining in Branson

[TimeshareVon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimeshareVon]

What are the best "value" restaurants in Branson? Any reports on how the food is at Shorty Smalls? I'm considering picking up a GC from Restaurant.com for a future trip to Branson.

Thanks!

[dolly1504 Member Find all posts View Profile Close dolly1504]

We ate at Shorty Small's last fall and were very pleased with the food and service. They were busy. A tour group came in while we were there. It's near the Wyndhams' in Branson.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

IMO, as a general rule, dining in Branson is not very good. Especially at the locally owned restaurants. Over the years we've tried a number of them and have always found that we're better off with the national chains such as Olive Garden or Red Lobster. Even the chain restaurants aren't all that great in some instances.

To me this is really a crying shame as this area cries out for good Bar-B-Que or homestyle cooking. We have not tried Shorty Smalls and my FIL/MIL were just in Branson and ate at McFarlands, another restaurant we have not tried. They had a favorable opinion of McFarlands. Perhaps this next trip Shorty Small's and McFarlands will make our list of local joints to try.

Last trip it was B.T. Bones for our local restaurant to try. It was one of those first and last trip type of experiences. We also were not impressed with Sadie's Sideboard or Penelope's on past trips. The Farmhouse in downtown Branson is fare at best and we've eaten there more than once. The Branson Cafe isn't bad for breakfast but not much more. Clockers wasn't horrible but isn't a place we'll seek out for breakfast or lunch again. There's an Irish pub on the Branson Landing that didn't kill us to eat there but isn't worth the effort of a second trip. Right now that's about as much as I can remember although I'm sure there are many more since we make 2 to 4 trips to Branson each year (mostly weekend getaways).

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Shorty Smalls was our favorite during a week there two years ago. Most of the rest we tried, that weren't the usual national chains, were at best so-so and some were downright bad. Overall the food in the area was not the best feature (nor were the shows, but thats a different post altogether).

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

If Dobyns at the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks is still in Restaurant.com, do it.

Rather than listing all the ones that suck, off the top of my head here is where we would eat, and do:

Dannas BBQ
Famous Dave's at Branson Landing
Rib Crib
Dobyns Restaurant
Olive Garden
Golden Corral
Cracker Barrel
RubyLena's Tea Room
Any Timeshare Branson show preview buffet we get invited to.
Sadie's Sideboard, based on the quality of their buffets at timeshare events.

Yup, that's about it, really! Dining in Branson is so frustrating that most of the time when we are running around we will just stop at McDonalds and get a #2.

Watch your timing. Don't try to eat at the same time the masses do.

Best Value: The two-meat combination platter at Danna's BBQ. $15.95 but enough for 2 people, with leftover.

My favorite: Ribs at Famous Dave's, naked, or course, so I can put on just the right amount of sauce.

Springfield dining is an entirely different situation, with many, many great choices.

Folks coming to this area should try the Springfield specialty, cashew chicken, at one of the chinese restaurants that is on about every other corner. Our favorite is Hong Kong Inn, one of which is now located at the HWY 14/Ozark/Quik Trip exit.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Perhaps the wrong restaurants and the wrong shows. There are bad of both.

There are also good of both.

Overall the food in the area was not the best feature (nor were the shows, but thats a different post altogether).

[Art Member Find all posts View Profile Close Art]

I agree that the restaurants aren't great. However, a lot of them seemed to have a fruit cobbler for dessert. For me, that made up for some deficiencies.

Art

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

If the Shack is still open downtown I'd recommend that for a locals place. I ate there 3 times during my stay. The Roark recommended it. shaggy

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Lambert's II



We have lived in Cape Girardeau, MO for 35 years, which is 30+ miles north of Sikeston, MO on I55 and have enjoyed Lambert's Cafe for years.

Lambert's Cafe - The Only Home of Throwed Rolls

They have a Lambert's II in Ozark, MO just south of Springfield, MO, off of US 65. You might want to time it right and stop there. They can be really busy at normal meal times.

Lambert's Cafe II - Ozark, Missouri

[TimeshareVon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimeshareVon]

Thanks!

I appreciate all of the great ideas and suggestions!

Timeshare travelers are the best!!

[dopeyfav Member Find all posts View Profile Close dopeyfav]

Branson Restaurants

We go to Branson apprx. 6 times annually & enjoy several restaurants.

Shorty Small's is great & with the coupon it is a great value, it is close to FF Resorts as well. I believe it isn't only valid during the week, so be sure to check.

For pizza, we love Luigi's, which is in near the FF Welcome Center across from the Mt Vista Resort. They also deliver to the FF Resorts, which is nice.

Landry's seafood is great if you enjoy seafood, it is located on Hwy 76.

The best place for breakfast IMHO is Golden Corral, the selection is the biggest, the price is good & the food is as good as any other place we have eaten breakfast. It is located on Shepard of the Hills Expressway.

For a general buffet, (excluding breakfast) Grand Country on the strip is good & the prices are OK. They always have coupons in the local flyers.

If you have any other questions, let me know.
Rhonda

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

We have lived in Cape Girardeau, MO for 35 years, which is 30+ miles north of Sikeston, MO on I55 and have enjoyed Lambert's Cafe for years.

Lambert's Cafe - The Only Home of Throwed Rolls

They have a Lambert's II in Ozark, MO just south of Springfield, MO, off of US 65. You might want to time it right and stop there. They can be really busy at normal meal times.

Lambert's Cafe II - Ozark, Missouri

While Lamberts is unique and worth at least one meal if you're in the area, I'm not sure I'd drive out of my way just to eat there. The food is, at best, only fair IMO. The rolls they throw on the other hand are some of the better hot rolls I've had. I could probably just make a meal out of them.

One thing about Lamberts, no matter what you might think of the food you should never go away hungry. They try harder than any restaurant I know to make certain you're satisfied with your meal and, if it wasn't enough, there's always seconds. They also keep bringing a variety of side dishes around to top you off......just in case you're still hungry.

All that food, reasonable prices and rolls thrown across the room at you make it worth the experience.

[sjudge Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sjudge]

Keeter Center in Branson

Dining at the Keeter Center at the School of the Ozarks was tremendous. They have a great lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. My father-in-law turned me on to this my last visit to Branson, and it was TREMENDOUS> you will not be dissapointed.

[TimeshareVon Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimeshareVon]

Shorty Smalls

They are one of the restaurants on restaurant.com that has limited availability. I was able to pick one up this morning with the new month inventory being released.

We look forward to our upcoming visit. Thank you to everyone who provided input and advice.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Hopefully you can work in a visit to the Margaritaville dock and a ride on the BTSRN.