The Keeter Center-Dining

Waiter was not completely correct about description of items on the menu, especially regarding the fried green tomatoes. They were prepared completely different than what we had last year and not very good. The pastries that were served early did not seem very fresh. Sandwiches were okay. Service was not as topnotch as we had experienced on previous visits.

Fantastic food and great service in an awesome environment for a quiet special meal. Everything was perfect, we had reservations and were seated immediately, the hostess was gracious and professional. Our server Rainbow was attentive and helpful with a big smile, she suggested the special which was lamb chops which was delicious. She checked on us often making sure all of our needs and wants were satisfied, and at the end of the meal as she presented the dessert menu she asked if we were celebrating something on our trip to Branson. We replied sort of, we’re here because I had surgery for kidney cancer and we were cerebrating that I had made it through the surgery and had been told that they got all the cancer and I wouldn’t have to have more treatments. When she returned with our dessert she had another plate with her that had a delicious piece of cheese cake with a note written on the plate congratulating me on making it. It was wonderful and we were so surprised, it made our whole trip! What a great reminder that there are caring, wonderful, beautiful young people in this world!!!! As we left Rainbow was standing by the exit to the dining room with the other servers, my wife gave her a big hug and not being a demonstrative person myself I couldn’t help but give her one too. We try to eat at the Keeter Center every year if we get to Branson and have never been disappointed! We have been telling everyone that if you’re going to Branson make sure to go to the Keeter Center, absolutely the best dining experience in Branson!!!!!

We are locals and have been going to the Keeter Center Dining for many years to celebrate special events in our lives. We go mainly for their Prime Rib weekend special. Every year we have gone the meal was excellent and well served. No so this year, do not know if its the economy, new head Chef or what, but they were way off. For a $48.00 meal it just was horrible. One of the main condements for Prime Rib is Horseradish either a sauce or raw cut. In the past they had a nice horseradish sauce the way it was ment to be. This year they served us something white, hard and not taste. At first we thought it was hard sour cream. The staff brought out another cup saying it was horseradish sauce that students made. Again it was a flat tasting bowl of white who knows what. I told the main server that the "Chef should be ashamed to serve something like this", well they whipped up something that was still white but did have horseradish in it, problem solved. I could have over looked the balance of the meal if the Horsersfodj was truely Horseradish not some white paste tasting stuff. The loaded baked potatoe was barely done and almost at room temp when arrived. Now lets talk Prime Rib the 10oz mine was med. rare while my wifes was to be med. ended up almost med well. The slice of rib meat was almost thin enough to see through, not much flavor for a smoked Prime Rib. This dinning experience was only held together by the great floor staff, who made sure we were taken care of to the best of their ability. The back of the house a different story. This meal was just not up to the Keeter Center standards for what ever reason. Do not make my not so good review keep you away its worth the wait.

We’ve dined at Keeter Center many times over the years, but our recent experience left us very disappointed. They have a new chef, new menu and higher prices. We weren’t thrilled with the new menu selections. The 10oz. prime rib was good, but not exceptional. Definitely not worth $48. Our server was ok, but seemed to have an attitude. The manager was very flippant and didn’t exhibit good customer service skills. Sadly, we have crossed this restaurant off our list. They have changed & not for the better.

We'd made the reservation weeks ago and were so looking forward to a delicious meal. My husband and I ordered the prime rib special on a Friday night with a recommended 7:30 reservation following the 3:30 showing of David at Sight and Sound Theater (would recommend). We arrived by 7:00 and had no problem waiting around a bit and checking out the student merchandise for sale. We even met a nice couple from northeastern Arkansas while waiting by the stone fireplace. It was chilly in the entry way. For the most part, the servers were enjoyable to watch and worked hard for their customers. I even watched a server wipe off every chair at a table he was cleaning to prepare for the next customer. Our server was a pleasant enough young man, but he was quite shy and didn't have a whole lot to say as far as trying to carry on a conversation with us. One could tell he was not very comfortable doing the job he was doing, but he still was trying to do his job even though we could his heart wasn't really into creating a wonderful first time experience for us. Now for the food. I thought the prime rib tasted quite bland. When you get the special of the night and pay $48 each for two cuts of meat, that prime rib should melt in your mouth! That was not the case. The baked potato was dry and overdone. It was large, but I couldn't hardly eat it because it was so overdone - tasted like it had been sitting around all day. A few pieces of asparagus came with the meal on the plate, but it was not tender as it should have been. The two choices of bread that came with he meal were just ok - one was cinammon- cranberry combination. We opted out of dessert - $12 seemed a bit much for a slice of in season apple cobbler. We did leave a 20% tip, but it was a disappointing evening and most likely, we will not be back.

I understand that this is a student run restaurant. But I still think you needed this feedback. My husband‘s dinner was cold. My aunt was just a salad, and I asked for the dressing on the side and when it arrived, I asked for a different dressing and that took almost 20 minutes to appear at the table, and by that time my husband had pretty much finished eating dinner, and that was very awkward as we both just stared at each other eating. When we initially sat down, I ordered iced tea and my husband ordered coffee. The coffee took 10 minutes to arrive and the iced tea took 20 minutes to arrive. I think it’s unfortunate that the (Kitchen) is so far away from the dining room, but I do want to note that it was not a busy night. The restaurant was less than half full. I think you need this type of feedback to make that experience better.

Generally, the breakfast food is fine. The desserts are quite good, and the salads are better. The main dishes leave a lot to be desired. The ones I've tried tend to need some sort of seasoning. . .any would help. They're also often dry. My best advice would be get a salad as a meal, or just go there for dessert. The service is "luck of the draw." I've had some servers who you just fall in love with, and some who are distracted, cold, and utterly lack people skills. When they welcome you, the insincerity is clear, when you ask for more coffee or water (you shouldn't have to ask), they smile brilliantly while giving you the side-eye, and take so long to return that you're done with your dried-up piece of meat and don't need it any more. And I'm not talking about peak, busy hours. But some of the servers are just the best. So go to that really expensive restaurant, and take your chances.. At least it's a pretty building.

This is by far the best place to eat in the Branson area. I’ve been to this restaurant several times over the years and it never disappoints. The service is wonderful, the atmosphere is top notch and the food is amazing. Highly recommend!

From the moment we walked in the Restaurant we were impressed. The food was wonderful & our server Joy was an absolute sweetheart. One our group had a Birthday & and the group that sang to her were a choir…absolutely beautiful voices! The meals were all delicious, could not of been more impressed with the overall experience.

The Keeter Culinary Center Restaurant is absolutely beautiful in a stunning setting. Professional presentation in appearance and service. My wife wanted to treat me to a special outing and knew this was supposed to be a special place. Yes, the cooks are College of the Ozarks culinary students but they should be overseen by teacher/chefs to see that everything is proper. Sadly, on our visit, that was not the case. The appetizers were good, a type of nacho. But they were completely out of a Kale Salad with no salad substitute. My wife wanted something lite, so she ordered a simple Chicken Salad on fresh croissant. Very sad sandwich on a very tough croissant that was so dry, she had to have the waitress bring mayonnaise (which took over 5 min to receive). Even then, it was below average. I had a sauté shrimp/smoked salmon pasta that literally looked like a plate of slop when it was put on the table. I should have sent it back, but didn’t. There 4 small to medium size shrimp were over-cooked (tough), and simply looked boiled. Seriously, never found the salmon. Very, very poor presentation that should have been embarrassing for the chef. No, won’t be going back, despite the beautiful setting.

Absolutely wonderful place to eat !

We had a group of 10, and the Keeter Center dining room staff was excellent. This was our fourth time to eat in the Center, and we will come back again. The students who serve are charming. Our server this year made an error with our order, but the staff made it right immediately (correcting the error and providing free replacement meals), as well as providing desserts free-of-charge for the whole table. There was also an excellent student pianist providing mood music, and he was happy to play a request for us. I always expect an exceptional experience when I visit the Keeter Center, and this year's visit did not disappoint!

If you are traveling, the Keeter Center is your go to for exceptional dining at the most reasonable $. If you make reservations, you will be in and out in an hour and walk out and say WOW, wish I new about this place last time we were here. The meals are prepared to perfection, service is top notch and a wonderful experience all around. I bring all of my out of town guests here for dinner and they are never disappointed. We celebrate all our birthday's, anniversary's and monthly date night here at the Keeter Center. I have Celiac and never ever had a reaction. I enjoy picking up a GF piece of cake, muffin or cookie to go if they are available to take home after dinner. Also, my husband enjoys an afternoon snack and this is the only place that we can go for him to have homemade ice cream and a GF cookie for me. Get there early to enjoy visiting the college, gardens and gift shops.

Have been to Keeter several times for special events and the usual time for a nice meal. However, the Valentine meal was very disappointing this year with the food line up. Starting off with the quail, starter plate, very disappointing, missed the regular salad. Bread was delicious as usual. The entree selection was great, but the actual dish was terrible. The wife's pork entree was very fatty and gristley. My beef was very, very rare and did not have much of a flavor. Service, music and restaurant was fabulous as usual, but for what was served and quality was very overpriced. First time was disappointed at Keeter.

Incredible place to visit... Food is too die for!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Braised Osso Bucco, Brussel Sprout Nachos, Charcuterie Board, Crispy Brussels Sprouts