Black Oak Grill

BRANSON, MO, May 27, 2013 – “One thing’s for certain,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), “with about 242 restaurants, offering over 37,000 seats and serving everything from Sushi to BBQ and fast food to fine dining, when it’s time to eat in Branson there’s something to please just about every palate.” Johnson suggests that the following list of restaurants, most of which BTC offers in its “packages” and sells Dining Certificates for, is an excellent cross section of the various dining opportunities Branson offers. They are listed alphabetically and each contains a brief description and a link to its menu:

Black Oak Grill

The black oak tree has taken root throughout much of America, creating a common but distinctive and richly colored backdrop to our country. Black Oak Grill finds its roots in urban grills, neighborhood cafes and corner taverns. Start with Idaho Trout Deviled Eggs. Savor favorites like the Baldknobber Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mom’s Meatloaf or the Grilled Flat Iron Steak. Finish with the handmade Rum Runner Coconut Cake. The bar features hand crafted cocktails, easy-drinking wines and premium beers celebrating the great American tradition. The atmosphere is relaxed and the people are friendly. Come as you are, bring an appetite, be thirsty and we will take care of the rest. Take root with Black Oak Grill tonight, located in Branson Landing. Click here for Black Oak Grill Menu.

B.T. Bones

B.T. Bones Steakhouse has been a Branson favorite since 1992. Serving aged, hand-cut, flame-grilled steaks, Prime Rib, BBQ Ribs, Seafood, Fish, 1/2 pound Steakburgers, sandwiches, salads, & soups, this “Real Branson – Real Food” experience is highly recommended.

Over the years B.T. Bones Steakhouse has attracted guests, who seek an experience in dining and fun unique to Branson, and one that leaves them delightfully pleased. Many of our friends have made a meal at B.T. Bones Steakhouse a must during each and every visit, and we look forward to their time with us. Open daily at 4:00 pm. Click here for B.T. Bones Menu.

Famous Dave’s

At Famous Dave’s you’ll enjoy the most succulent meats, savory seasonings and lip-smackin’ sauces around. Twenty five years of tastin’ and cookin’ make Dave’s ‘Que the best ever. Dave’s ribs are classic, St. Louis-style spareribs, hickory smoked to perfection, and Dave’s award-winning Rich & Sassy sauce is made from a secret recipe – even his mother doesn’t know! Located at Branson Landing. Click here for Famous Dave’s Dine In Menu.

Gilley’s Texas Cafe

Why Travel all the way to the Lone Star State when you can get that one-of-a-kind taste of Texas right here in Branson? Head south of the border with our El Toro Burrito; kick back with our All-American Texas-sized burger; or celebrate, here on Country Music Boulevard, with one of many delicious salads. Don’t forget to get the fiesta started with a refreshing frozen Margarita or 25oz. draft beer, sure to get your toes tappin’ and your boots rockin’. Located adjacent to the Mickey Gilley Theatre. Click here for Gilley’s Texas Cafe Menu

Indian Clay Oven

Great Indian Cuisine Selection! We are fairly new to Branson and offer wonderful Indian food. Start off with an appetizer like Chicken Tikka, Vegetable Pakoras or Alloo Tikki. Then try our chef’s special Chicken Delhi Special Masala, or Chicken Dhaniya-Cilantro, or Tandoori Chicken. We also offer vegetarian dishes like Paneer Bhurji, Palak Paneer or Navratan Korma. We offer a large menu with chicken curries, soups and sides, fresh indian bread, rice specialties, vegetarian, seafood, lamb, desserts and indian soft drinks. Try our lunch buffet or regular menu from 11:00am to 3:00 pm. Dinner is from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Located in the Vista Ridge shopping center on Hwy 76. Click here for Indian Clay Oven Menu

Jackie B. Goode's Uptown Cafe

Jackie B. Goode’s Uptown Cafe

The cafe features a 50’s-60’s theme with Rock & Roll music playing on the jukebox near the old time soda fountain where you can have a malt, shake, sundae or banana split among other concoctions. A large common area has been created for serving large groups and Branson’s most beautiful stage has been added where live musical performances are held daily.
The cafe is in like-new condition, is completely smoke-free and is the cleanest restaurant in Branson. One of the few restaurants in Branson that stay open late (open from 7am to 11pm daily), located just south of the Titanic Museum Attraction on Highway 165, Jackie B. Goode’s Uptown Cafe is Branson’s place to go after the show! Although the cafe is family oriented, patrons may still enjoy beer, wine and pre-mixed cocktails seven days per week. Click here for Uptown Cafe Menu

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant

Come hungry…McFarlain’s features hearty, cooked-to-order breakfasts possibly even Branson’s Best Country Breakfast, plus lunch and dinner entrees ranging from homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and their own special slow-cooked pot roast‚ chicken, ribs, shrimp and steak. A popular lunch item, the McFarlain’s Special to be exact, is a heaping portion of that slow-cooked pot roast, atop good old white bread, topped with gravy and a side of luscious creamy mashed potatoes. It’s the epitome of comfort food and no one makes it better! Don’t forget about McFarlain’s Famous Honey Cornbread, Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Green Beans, Sweet Potato Fries and scrumptious Cinnamon Rolls. They offer a special kids menu, too. Located in the IMAX Complex. Click here for McFarlain’s Menu.

The Paddlewheel floating on Lake Taneycomo at Branson Landing

The Paddlewheel

The floating Paddlewheel is conveniently located on the waterfront at Branson Landing. Go back in time with simple, fun, yesterday foods. The Paddlewheel features Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Fries in addition to a full menu and bar! The Paddlewheel has a great atmosphere whether you’re sitting inside or enjoying the beautiful weather on our spacious patio. We are kid-friendly and have plenty of room with a full second floor for seating. Don’t miss a chance to visit this unique dining spot today floating on Lake Taneycomo right off the Branson Landing Boardwalk. Click here for The Paddlewheel Menu.

Pizza World

Offering a vast array of flavors from around the world, Pizza World combines the exciting new concept of gourmet pizzas. Our mouthwatering gourmet pizzas feature toppings from around the world on our own “baked to perfection” crust. We also offer a full range of complementary products, including Traditional Pizzas, Calzones, Subs (Buns Baked Fresh Every Day), Specialty Breads, Tempting Salads and much more. Our customers embrace the quality, taste, and value of Pizza World products and the variety keeps them coming back time and time again. Click here for  Pizza World Menu

Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi

Japanese steak & Incredible Sushi Bar Sit back and relax and watch your personal chef cook steak, seafood or chicken for you. We also offer a variety of fresh sushi as well. You can get a drink from our full bar and relax in our newly opened Japanese dining section. We offer Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine.

Click below for:

Blu Shogun Lunch Menu

Blu Shogun Dinner Menu

Shogun Lunch Menu

Shogun Dinner Menu

Shogun Sushi Menu

For additional information on these and other restaurants or for information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, www.bransontourismcenter.com.

Grand Country Buffet is a favorite breakfast spot for visitors and locals alike.

BRANSON, Mo., January 19, 2013 — “Even with people eating Breakfast at their hotel or lodging as part of the amenities offered, one of the things many Branson visitors like to do while in Branson is go to one of Branson’s many restaurants for breakfast at least once during their stay with some having a family breakfast tradition that spans generations,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Earlier this week we asked the question, ‘Where’s your favorite place in Branson to eat Breakfast?’ on our Face Book Page,” she continued.

The top five listed, out of the 24 people named, in order were:

Grand Country Buffet, 1945 West 76 Country Boulevard – Known for the quality of its food and wide choice, its breakfast is no exception. As one local poster said, Grand Country Buffet “has the best tasting breakfast around. I live in Branson and I have ate in a lot of places for breakfast. The best place and friendless place in town. Every time we have company come in that’s the only place I will take them for breakfast.”

Billy Gail’s Café, 5291 Hwy 265 – It’s the only one of the five not on the Branson Strip. Billy Gail’s is particularly noted for its humongous pancakes, is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. One poster opined, “Billy Gails, is always the best if you can get in the parking lot.”

Bob Evans, 801 West Main Street (Highway 76) – Ok so technically, it is two blocks south on Highway 76 of where most people consider the Branson Strip starts. Bob Evans, a national chain, is noted locally, for the variety and quality of its breakfast offerings and its specialty breakfast items as reflected by one poster who said, “Bob Evans for their sausage gravy and biscuits- unlike any other!!!”

IHOP Restaurant, 3120 West 76 Country Boulevard – A national chain, located on the western edge of the strip at the junctions of Routes 76 and 376, IHOP is famous for the variety and quality of its pancakes and French toast.

Belgian Waffle and Pancake House, 3120 West 76 Country Boulevard, – Another favorite of locals and visitors alike. One poster noted, “I love their French toast!!”

Only two of the top five are national chains. Interestingly, even with the addition of “Cracker Barrel” there are only three national chains listed in the top 10 which includes “Clocker’s Cafe,” “Silver Dollar City Breakfast Buffet” and the “Farmhouse Restaurant.” Johnson suggests that while the answers to the question do not constitute any kind of valid scientific study there is a correlation between the answers and the names of spots where locals and  visitors eat breakfast commonly appearing on other reviews and forums such as the 1Branson.Com Dining Forum. One thing appears certain however, a great Ozark Breakfast is never  very far away in Branson!

OK, so it's not a turkey, but it is the Great American Steak & Chicken House one of the Branson restaurants that will be open Thanksgiving Day not requiring reservations.

BRANSON, Mo., November 20, 2012 –“With a lot of Branson’s Restaurants being open Thanksgiving Day, visitors to Branson should have no trouble having a great Thanksgiving meal,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. Johnson goes on to point out however, that many require advance reservations and are booked solid.

Here’s a list of 12 Branson Restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving Day and do not require reservations with contact information and sorted alphabetically:

Andy Williams Moon River Grill
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
417-337-9539

Baldknobbers Restaurant
Thanksgiving Dinner
11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
417-334-7202

Denny’s Restaurant
Open 24 Hours
417-339-3670

Fall Creek Steak House
11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
417-336-5060

Florentina’s Italian Ristorante
11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
417-337-9882

Golden Corral
Thanksgiving Buffet
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
417-336-6297

Grand Country Buffet
Thanksgiving Buffet
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
417-335-2434

Great American Steak & Chicken House
Breakfast: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.; Lunch & Dinner after 11 a.m.
417-335-6699

Lone Star Steakhouse
12 p.m.. – 8 p.m.
417-336-5030

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant
11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
417-336-4680

Montana Mike’s Steakhouse (Hwy 76 and Hwy 248 Locations)
11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hwy 76 – 417-334-2766
Hwy 248 – 417-334-5893

Paradise Grill and Steakhouse
Thanksgiving Buffet
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
417-334-5405

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson reminds Branson visitors that, at times, there can be long lines and suggests factoring that in when planning Thanksgiving Day activities. “And there’s a lot more to factor in,” she said, “because with all there is to see and do in Branson There’s more than turkey cooking for Thanksgiving in Branson.”

Branson's newest restaurant, the "Burger Shack" opened this week on the famed Branson Strip.

BRANSON, Mo. When I noticed that the Burger Shack had opened, diet or no diet, I had to stop by and try it. I very seldom write restaurant pieces, but as I was eating my burger, facing back toward the “fry” station and noticed the way it appeared that they were making their fries, I realized that it was just possible that I was looking at the equivalent of the “Branson Trifecta” for burgers, fries and shakes. That piqued by curiosity and I decided to check it out after I finished eating.

As things worked out, I talked with Jon Rasmussen, the General Manager of the Burger Shack and the son of one of the partners, who was kind enough to sit down and chat with me for a few minutes even though it was the lunch hour. When I asked him why they decided to open another burger place in Branson he said, “Burgers are one of those things that everybody likes. Everyone wants a good burger. There are good burgers in town, but we thought we could do things our own unique way.” As the interview progressed, it became very clear that burgers are not the only thing done in a unique way at the Burger Shack.

Everything at the Burger Shack involves high quality ingredients and freshness. Every Burger Shack Burger is made from 100 percent fresh ground chuck that is ground locally; is always fresh, never frozen and is cooked after it is ordered. This takes about eight minutes and is one of the primary reasons they don’t have a drive through. Another unique feature of the Burger Shack is that they have free peanuts guests can help themselves to while waiting for their order.

The burger is just under a quarter of a pound uncooked. Rasmussen said, “Gentlemen should get doubles and the ladies singles. From my perspective, the cheeseburger, with mayo, green peppers and grilled onions I had, along with an order of fries and diet coke, was plenty big enough.

As you order your burger there is a list of about 15 condiments and other things that you can top your burger with from the standard catsup, mustard, mayo, lettuce and tomatoes to mushrooms, grilled onions, green peppers and more; the possible combinations are endless. Rasmussen said you can add as many as you want without any additional charge.

Typically, to me, a burger’s bun is just to keep my hands from getting greasy while I eat the burger, but in this case the bun was delightful. It was warm and soft yet not soggy and really noticeably added to the overall enjoyment of the burger. When asked about the bun, Rasmussen said that it is all part of what makes a Burger Shack burger unique and special and it didn’t just happen. He said, “I have eaten a lot of buns in the last three months.”

The in house start of the Burger Shack's "famous "natural cut fries.

About 50 years ago this writer worked part time in a McDonald’s when they made their fries from scratch, that’s right, from the raw potato to the finished fries right in the store. Well, those days are back again at the Burger Shack.

When asked what makes their fries “famous” and so different from most others, Rasmussen said, “The amount of effort we put into them. Those boxes of potatoes that you see stacked when you come in are the potatoes that will become the fries that we serve.” Rasmussen took me back into the kitchen where the potatoes were being washed, sliced and made ready to go out for the multiple step “frying” process. The one difference between the McDonald’s fries of 50 years ago and the Burger Shack’s is that McDonalds took the skin off the potato, but the Burger Shack’s fries leave the skin on. One thing for certain though, the Burger Shack’s process sure adds new meaning to the term “natural cut fries,” and, speaking from personal experience, they were delicious.

Even their milk shakes are made the old fashioned way. Each is made from ice cream, not mixes, that is hand dipped. In deference to my diet, as I scoffed down the cheese burger and fries with gusto, I washed it down with a Diet Coke and did not get to try a milk shake, but they looked really really good. They also have a full selection of soft drinks and will be offering, bottled beer within a couple of weeks.

The Burger Shack is located in the building where Schlotzsky’s, followed by Gloria Jean’s Coffee, used to be, on the south side of Highway 76 across from the Grand Country Complex. It is open seven day a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. right now, but will have extended hours during the summer and holds about 88 inside. Rasmussen said that during the summer they will also have patio seating and special parking up front for “cool cars” and hot rods.

It is basically a self serve restaurant with the customer placing the order, getting a number and drink cups which they fill themselves. When their number is called they go up and get their order. Although the Burger Shack serves some other items such as a Salmon Burger and has a kids menu, it’s the burger, fries and shakes that their menu emphasizes. The single cheese burger that I had, with a soft drink, regular order of fries came to $8.81. The cheese burger alone was $4.49 without tax.