The iconic Pancake House is located at the intersection of State Hwy KK and Osage Beach Parkway. The converted former Sonic Drive-In building is hard to miss. What is so special about The Pancake House? The pajama drive-thru! For vacationers, crawl out of bed from your hotel or condo, jammy pants and house shoes, jump in the car and drive up to a window that serves your breakfast to go without getting out. That is one family-friendly breakfast! Eating in, kids are also treated extra special by getting whatever toppings that they desire on their colossal pancakes, french toast, or waffles. It is a truly indulgent, unique breakfast experience for carb lovers. They do make amazing savory dishes such as their overstuffed omelets, with the favorite being The Greek Omelet with gyro meat, feta cheese, and sauteed veggies. A few extra things that you don’t want to miss, the kids will love my lifelong friend and former owner Genny with G’s freshly made stuffed muffins. They were a favorite with her kids, grandkids, and The Pancake House. Some are stuffed with cookie crumbles or peanut butter cups, and others with pineapple, or sweet cream cheese. They are a standard available in a case on the counter and she still comes in every week to make them. Genny and Dave Heimerl bought The Pancake House from her Aunt Helen who owned it from 1962. They have since sold it to the fine folks that own Bonnie Cafe, Buffet, and Grill down the road in Lake Ozark. The menu choices at The Pancake House were created by Genny and Dave, from Aunt Helen’s traditions that fed over 3 generations and 20 grandchildren in the lake area.
Choclate Chip Plate Sized Pancake The Pancake House Lake of the OzarksPhoto byThe Pancake House Facebook
Drive up, or dine at the breakfast counter, with table seating small but available. The patio is now open for the season. Lunch is great too, but breakfast is always available. It is located at
5980 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO, where they are serving “The Hottest Cakes at the Lake.”
The 5 Diner
The 5 Diner Gravois Mills, Missouri Lake of the OzarksPhoto byThe 5 Diner Facebook
I hesitate to tell you about The 5 Diner. It is my private oasis, in the tucked-away vintage community of Gravois Mills. The area feels so much like the 1930s, with Jacob’s Cave nearby and the mom-and-pop resorts, that I don’t want to share. But an incident at The 5 Diner prompts me to. The little cafe with counter seating, black and white floor tiles, vinyl booths, and records on the wall remains in throwback mode. It is one of the best values and some of the best short-order cooking at the Lake of the Ozarks. The 5 Diner is a local favorite; a year-round resident hangout. But they treat vacationers just fine, especially kids. A family from Kansas City ordered their breakfast and brought their chocolate chips in a ziploc bag with them. They requested them to be put into their kids' pancakes. The chef not only obliged, but he made them Mouse Ears shaped. Now, The 5 Diner still allows smoking and is not everybody’s vibe, but that one act cemented them as the most family-friendly restaurant that I have ever seen. Nonsmoking is in the dining room where the kids sit. On the menu is a light breakfast that is my go-to order with half a piece of ham, egg, and small toast, all in a small portion, for less than five bucks. That order is great for kids, but they have their own kids' menu, as well. Open for breakfast and lunch, a new menu this year offers breakfast all day with lunch starting at 10:30 am. A daily lunch special is usually posted.
The 5 Diner is located at 25718 State Hwy 5, Gravois Mills, MO.
Little Vinny’s Fine Home Cooking
Little Vinny's Restaurant Laurie, Missouri Lake of the OzarksPhoto byLittle Vinny's Facebook
Little Vinny’s is another local gem, a favorite of longtime lake residents. The atmosphere is simple. The salad bar is fresh with homemade German-style sides such as pickled cucumbers and onions, bean salads, and authentic potato salad. Vinny’s is the best deal for dining with a family on the West Side of Lake of the Ozarks. This is hearty food with a twist. It’s homestyle, but a bit of European thrown in. A steak dinner is hard to find under $20 but at Little Vinny’s it is always on the menu. Recently, a Porterhouse steak, side, and salad were only $17! The whiteboard menu daily specials are big enough for two kids to split within the family. Brats and kraut are a favorite special. Pork is king at Little Vinny’s and you will never go wrong ordering the pork steak or chop. On occasion, a family fried chicken special is offered with 16 pieces and sides for $30, great to grab and go to the lake house with.
Little Vinny’s Fine Home Cooking is located at 713 North Main Street, Laurie, MO.
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