Branson- the Food

 One of the best parts of going to Branson is that there are so many good restaurants with delicious food.   When we went to Branson a few years ago, we learned about the Keeter Center- run by college students earning their way through school by working.  The food there is delicious.  We knew we wanted to go there, so we got reservations a couple of weeks before we went for four lunches on four days we would be there.  We were so glad we did.  The reservations fill up fast, and had we waited til we got there, we wouldn't have got in.  We saw people turned away.  They provided some of our favorite meals on the trip, as you will see below.

Perusing the menu at the Keeter Center

As we ate each meal, I made us rank the meals and kept track in my phone.  Ken was a good sport and played along.  So, following, first are my list of favorites, then Ken's.  

Kay's Favorite Meals:

1. Seafood Ravioli at Florentina's- a delicious Italian restaurant. I loved the tomato-cream sauce and the seafood stuffed ravioli.

2. Meatloaf at the Keeter Center was a close second.  It was so delicious, They top it with a sweet chili sauce and each serving is wrapped in bacon.  I ordered it two of the days we went to the Keeter Center.

3. Shrimp, Pork belly, and grits.  This was a delicious dish at the Keeter Center.  Pork belly?  It was delicious!

4.  Mushroom Burger at the Pour House.  Wow!  That was a delicious burger!

5.  I enjoyed the southern cooking meal at Paula Deen's:  Catfish, fried chicken, roast beef (didn't care for that!), mac and cheese, black-eyed peas (so yummy!), broccoli casserole, collard greens, and biscuits.  And there was ooey gooey butter cake for dessert.  It was fun to try the southern foods.  Next time we will go to Paula Deen's at lunchtime as it is cheaper then.

Mac and Cheese

Black-eyed peas: a little spicy and so delicious.

Roast beef and rice?  This was not very good.  We didn't eat it.

Fried catfish

Broccoli cheese casserole- really yummy

Fried Chicken- she's famous for it.  It was ok.

6. Smoked mushroom chicken pasta at the Keeter Center was my sixth favorite.  It was really good.

We didn't really order desserts, but in the Keeter center was a bakery.  The students baked, then sold the delicious treats.  Several of the days we bought a baked good to eat in the evening.  This was a delicious chocolate, chocolate filled cupcake.  It was so good!  We also bought cinnamon rolls and cookies.

7. Barbecue at Gettin' Basted.  The brisket was so tender and delicious.  The cole slaw was good, too.

Ken's Favorites:

1. Ken's favorite was the meatloaf at the Keeter Center.

2. A very close second was the Chicken Fried Chicken at the Keeter Center.  He gave me a bite which made me wish I had ordered it one of the days!  This is their most popular dish.

3.  Third was the smoked mushroom chicken pasta dish at the Keeter Center.

4.  Fourth was the Southern meal at Paula Deen's. It was a cultural experience.

5.  Fifth was the shrimp, pork belly and grits at the Keeter Center.

6.  We didn't actually get a picture of his burger at the Pour House.  He ordered a Hatch Chili burger.  It was delicious.

7.  His seventh favorite was Penne with Italian sausage at Florentina's.  It would have ranked higher, but it was a little spicier than he prefers.

8.  And last, his barbecue meal at Gettin' Basted.

The delicious food was definitely a highlight of our trip to Branson.