Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at Branson Landing

Located at the end of the Branson Landing Shopping District, just across from Belk is Paula Deen's, offering Southern-style entrees served in what they call a family-style setting. This means everyone at the table partakes in the main entrees and side items collectively. They serve both lunch and dinner with the same menu, however, there is a price increase with dinner, so keep that in mind. All of your meals include unlimited refills except the dessert. Once you are seated with your family or friends let the waitress know that it's your first time there and they will explain it all to you. 

The menu is broken up into two main sections, in the top section you can choose how many main entrees you want (two, three or four) then the bottom half has your actual choice of entrees and side dishes. No matter how many entrees you decide to get the meal comes with four side items. They do not offer take-home boxes, therefore what ever you order you must eat there. They do give you the option to take your desert home which is what my girlfriend and I chose to do. 

Entree choices Ol’ Fashion Southern Meatloaf, Georgia Fried Catfish, Chicken and Dumplings, Spare Ribs, Country Fried Steak and White Gravy, Chicken Fried Pork Chops, Beef Pot Roast and their famous Best Ever Southern Fried Chicken. Side item choices are Green Beans, Creamed Potatoes, Collard Greens, Fresh Candied Yams, Creamed Corn, Buttered White Rice, Coleslaw, Poppy Tossed Salad, Baked Mac and Cheese, Corn on the Cob, Broccoli Casserole, Fried Okra and BBQ Baked Beans. Fresh garlic Cheddar Biscuits were given to us as well. Desert options include Seasonal Cobbler, Banana Pudding, and Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.

The Biscuits came to the table pipping hot and were divine. For our entrees, we picked Ol’ Fashion Meatloaf and Southern Fried Chicken. The Best Ever Southern Fried Chicken is well-named and we can see why they could be Famous. The batter was crispy and flavorful while the chicken was plump, tender and juicy. I wish I could give the Meat Loaf praise as well but unfortunately, I can not. I will say that it wasnt dry however, it lacked a fresh flavor and was smothered with a bland tomato sauce. 

Our slides were BBQ Baked Beans, Creamed Corn, Fried Okra, and Creamed Potatoes. We enjoyed all of our sides except the BBQ Baked Beans. According to the recipe on Paula Deens website pork and beans are supposed to be used however, they used what appeared to be a white bean like a Northern or Navy Bean. The choice of beans wasn't the issue, it was the lack of everything else that goes into BBQ Baked Beans. In fact, the only thing we could taste was bell pepper. The flavor of bell pepper was so overwhelming that you couldn't taste mustard, ketchup, maple syrup or bacon. 

Except for the Meatloaf and BBQ Baked Beans the meal was delicious and worth the $25 a person for all you can eat. The desserts were enjoyable as well. My girlfriend had the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and I had the Apple Cobbler. I am sorry Paula Deen, however as good as your Cobbler was, it can't compare to my family recipe, but maybe I’m a bit prejudiced. 

The atmosphere of the restaurant was spot-on Southern decor and the wait staff was friendly and helpful. Kimberly Rachael was our server on our visit and she did fantastic. The shop has over 3,000 quality retail items picked by Paula Dean.

Paula Deens has a few other locations that I am aware of including Nashville and Pigeon Forge TN and Myrtle Beach NC. We plan on visiting one of those in the future.