| Branson |
| Written by Sarah Ann | |
| Tuesday, 07 February 2006 | |
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Branson Dinning Casual, Moderate Price BBQ, Steaks, Fish, classic American food Friends of ours love this place so we gave it a try last time we were in Branson and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere is very welcoming, starting with a huge outdoor porch with comfy chairs to cool your heels while you wait for you table or your friends. It’s a great place for large groups, with lots of seating and very roomy booths. It complies with the Applebee’s theory of decorating with miscellaneous crap everywhere, but hey at least it gives you something to look at. Thankfully, the food lives up to the restaurant’s overdone atmosphere. You have to try their “onion loaf” similar to the Outback’s onion thing but much tastier. The bar-b-que chicken and ribs were fantastic! Service was very friendly and prompt. This is on the south end of the Strip as you head out of town towards the dam. Danna’s BBQ 8 out of 10 stars BBQ! This is a very casual, down-home kind of place. Red-checked tablecloths and paper napkins are on the tables and the portions are pretty generous. You can dine-in or get carry out. We haven’t had the chance to eat in yet, but their carry out service is lightning fast. The BBQ is really great, slightly on the spicy side but it totally lived up to our discriminating KC tastes. They also have pretty good fries and the usual BBQ sides. This place is just down the hill from Shorty Smalls in the “Fall Creek” area, look for the white sign on Highway 165. Sweets of all kinds Your sweet tooth will thank you for this one. It’s a great 50’s style ice cream parlor with the added bonus of funnel cakes, pies, and shakes all homemade. The apple pie is great! It can get pretty crowded at night, because it’s right on the strip across from the Grand Palace. But it’s completely worth the effort. McGuffey’s Restaurant and Saloon 5 out of 10 stars Steaks, misc American food. Everything about this place is mediocre, nothing to go crazy about. The décor and fixtures are a little outdated and everything seemed grimy. There’s hardly anywhere to sit in their lobby so it’s kind of annoying if you have to wait for a table very long. Service was pretty terrible, food was middle of the road, there are so many better places to eat in Branson, I wouldn’t waste my time here again. Just north of Shorty Smalls on Highway 165 towards the Strip. Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House 6 out of 10 stars As you can tell from the creative name, they serve steak and catfish here. If you’re a steak lover, leave this place off your to-do list. The steaks were severely riddled with fat, even the green beans were greasy. In an attempt to be “unique” they throw bread at you and give you an entire roll of paper towels at your table. I guess we should have known how greasy everything would be. It’s “family dining” at its worst with a huge open dining room that means you can hear every single conversation and screaming child in the place. Oh, and did I mention that the bread-tosser also sings? It was cleaner than McGuffey’s, so it earns another star. But again, you can get a lot more bang for your buck at other places in Branson. This place is right down the road from Danna’s BBQ on Highway 165, next door to the Fall Creek Inn. Fine Dining, Moderate Priced Top of the Rock Restaurant 8 out of 10 stars This is an extension of the Top of the Rock golf course, which is associated with Big Cedar Resort. It’s a more upscale experience than most Branson eateries. The restaurant is literally on “top of the rock” nearly teetering on a bluff overlooking Lake Taneycomo. It’s great for a relaxing lunch or a romantic dinner with gourmet American cuisine. Everything was very fresh and tasty, service was impeccable and the view is fantastic. The décor is reminiscent of a turn of the century lodge with all the right upscale touches to make it really inviting and comfortable. Tip: If you’re a golfer, check out the pro-shop downstairs.
Lodging Fall Creek Resort Moderate Priced 7 out of 10 stars. This is a condominium resort outside of town near the Table Rock dam. They feature one bedroom units and multi-room townhouse style condos, and everything in between. The property is very well cared for. We were pleased with our one bedroom unit which had a kitchenette and couch with an extra bed. There is an indoor pool, tennis court, playground and fitness room on the premises. The room was very clean with updated finishes. It’s also well outside of town closer to Table Rock dam so you don’t have to fight traffic coming and going from the resort. Tip: This is a condo resort so you will get a timeshare pitch when you check in, however they were not pushy at all when we declined. Since it is a condo resort, you have to request housekeeping services if you stay for less than a week. If you’re there for a weekend and you value privacy I think this is the way to go. Also, make your reservations through a travel website as we got a great rate that way. Fall Creek Inn & Suites Moderate Priced No rating available We have several friends who stay here on a regular basis and really like it. It’s a family owned hotel with no frills but very clean and well cared for. There is a small outdoor pool, barbque grills and a free Continental breakfast in the lobby every morning. You can request a room with a microwave and refrigerator for an extra charge. This is also away from the crowds, between Danna’s BBQ and Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House on Highway 165. Radisson Hotel Branson Moderate Priced 8 out of 10 stars We really lucked out on this one because they put us in the Penthouse room on our first stay here. So needless to say we thought it was great. The penthouse floor features a private lounge with a complimentary happy hour and continental breakfast. There are a variety of suites on this floor including rooms with whirlpool tubs and very spacious showers, kitchen facilities and balconies. The standard rooms are also top notch as far as chain hotels go; generic décor but very clean and quiet. The lobby is very spacious and comfortable; a nice place to rest before heading out to the attractions. The concierge desk is very helpful and can book show tickets for your or just offer advice. All the staff was very friendly and helpful. There is a heated indoor / outdoor pool and hot tub as well as fitness room in the basement of the hotel. They also have a “grill & bar” and a coffee shop in the basement. Tip: Parking is a bit of an issue because of tour busses hogging a lot of spaces, but we thought it was a small price to pay for nicer accommodations. It’s also just off the strip so the traffic around the hotel is a little busy.
Attractions Table Rock Lake This is one of Branson’s most beautiful “natural” attractions; with more than 800 miles of shoreline you can go boating, skiing, scuba diving, and fishing. Table Rock State Park has campsites, nature trails, a public marina, and a visitors center with exhibits on local history. The visitors center is free and features a nice picnic spot that overlooks the lake. There is a short hiking trail that starts at the visitor’s center and winds through the woods along the lake’s shoreline. It’s a nice respite from the crowds. Catamaran rides, parasailing, and scuba diving excursions can be arranged through the park’s marina. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor’s Center at the foot of Table Rock dam has a small fish hatchery where you can feed the baby bluegills. Admission is free and the center has a lots of exhibits on local history and wildlife. This is a nice stop off the beaten path for families.
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