Dobyn’s Dining

We came during the Christmas break so it was not fully staffed but the service was great, the food tastes great and the ambiance was nice for a student run facility. We got here early so enjoyed the museum and plan to hit the creamery afterwards. The best part of this experience is that the students run the show in a work/​education exchange. We really like the college model for students working for their tuition versus going in debt for it. Impressive all around.

So sorry to have to complain about customer service but we will not be visiting this place again. Previously have had wonderful food and service but the last two times we couldn’t even get in the door. First time –our bad– didn’t call to make a reservation. This time we tried to call and only got a ringing phone– no answer of an kind. Decided to stop by and we were curtly told there was a 1 – 2 hour wait. As we looked into the almost empty dining room we had a problem with that and asked why they didn’t answer the phone. I was told «0h we don’t answer when we are busy». Seriously? That is the the kind of customer service they are teaching these kids? A phone answered would have saved us a trip and allowed us to make other plans.

Probably the best meal you can find anywhere near Branson. Great menu, food and service. Very enjoyable and a great value!

The whole family went to dinner here, and everything was delicious! We all enjoyed the food and appreciated that so many ingredients were local, fresh, and ethically raised. We had their in-​house made ice cream for dessert, and it was heavenly!
The service was also excellent; our waitress, Alexis, was kind and knowledgeable. Even though we were stuffed, we had to grab some cupcakes to go in our way out.

The facility: It is obvious that this place is well maintained and clean. Everything was really nice.
The food: I had the ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ burger. It was ground beef mixed with bacon and fried. The flavor was awesome. This burger also included a slab of breaded and fried cheddar cheese (WOW!!!), sautéed onions, tomatoes, lettuce, fresh red onions, and kosher pickles. Everything was fresh, tasty and the portion size was more than enough. It came with fries and some type of slaw which I personally didn’t care for. It had cabbage, corn, bell peppers etc.
My wife ordered a salad and added grilled chicken to it. The salad was fresh and she enjoyed it. However, they forgot to add the chicken, and even though they eventually got it to her, it was overlooked and was very late in the meal. I had already finished my burger and she had finished ¾ of her salad. The waiter was apologetic and did not charge us for the chicken or our drinks.
Unexpectedly we were brought a special anniversary dessert. It was very good. Chocolate cake with whipped cream. We ordered coffee, but the waiter kept forgetting to bring it, so we decided not to get coffee after all.
The service: the young man that waited on us was very pleasant and was trying very hard, but seemed a little overwhelmed. Although, the service was not perfect, his pleasant demeanor and apologetic attitude earned him a nice tip. We know these are students working their way through college and we appreciate anyone doing their best to make a way for themselves without a handout.
Overall, this was an enjoyable experience and we will return in the future.

What a great place to get a farm fresh meal in the Ozarks.
My Dad had become familiar with Dobyn’s, located in the Keeter Center, at the College of the Ozarks because of a job he has in the area. He made reservations (which are highly recommended as they are quite popular) for us to eat lunch on our first day in the Branson area.
All the workers are students of the college as they are working to pay their tuition. COTO is a unique education where the students work 15 hours a week. Our waiter was super nice, very talkative and made sure to let us know we could ask questions about anything on the KC or the COTO and he would make sure they get answered.
The menu is huge and honestly everything is recommended. With 7 of us eating, we all ordered different things and got to share a little bit with everyone. I ordered the caesar salad with a side of their homemade chips while my husband got the pulled pork barbeque cornbread sandwich with sweet potato fries. You could taste how fresh the lettuce was and that it was served to you right away. My husband loved the bbq flavor and the cornbread blended in quite well.
We were stuffed but were recommended to try their homemade desserts. We each got scoops of their ice cream which was creamed to just the right perfection!
The views from the dining room are spectacular and be sure to check out the Keeter Center and see all the fun things it has to offer.

Fantastic Sunday Brunch! Desserts, waffles, fresh fruit and salads, breakfast, carving station, pasta bar, sundae bar, and lunch options. Everything we ate was fresh and delicious. My kids ages 4 and 1 year loved the food, especially the desserts!
The restaurant is nice with white tablecloths and stemmed glassware. It was an unexpectedly nice dining experience, even with kids who wouldn’t sit still. The servers are all college kids working their way through the College of Ozarks – so tip well. I highly recommend stopping here for a meal.

Fine dining is not the connotation that we usually envision when thinking of Branson, but Dobyn’s is elevated dining with a southern flare.
The Keeter Center is on the right, as you enter the campus of the College of the Ozarks. The Keeter Center encompasses a beautiful lodge, gift shop, creamery, pastry and coffee bar and the restaurant Dobyn’s.
Just past the main dining area, through the French doors, there is an outdoor patio with beautiful panoramic views. This would be the perfect spot for a Spring or Fall lunch. Or perhaps, Dinner in front of the large stacked stone fireplace.

The menu choices are varied and interesting. Presentation is thoughtful and portions are generous in most cases. The sauces are made from scratch, as well as the fabulous pickled radishes that accentuated my Asian chicken lettuce wraps. And, while they did not sell the delightful pickled radishes, they do sell many of the handmade jams, sauces, etc. be sure and visit the mill to purchase fresh ground grain or loom woven table runners!
The staff at Dobyn’s are students, who pay for their education by working 15 hours a week and one 40 hours work week every semester. They are all very pleasant and eager to please.
Even if you are not looking for a full course meal, stop and try their wonderful desserts. I devoured the brioche bread pudding with crème Anglaise, while my dining companions shared the blackberry cobbler with house made vanilla ice cream. Oh! And by the way… they have their own dairy cows, so the ice cream is luscious and fresh. Do yourself a favor, and indulge.