Wheelhouse Catfish and Wings

Stay away from this place, seriously.

We stopped in on a Tuesday a few minutes after noon and even though only one other table was being used we had to wait nearly five minutes to be seated.  Not a good start.

We all decided on cheeseburgers since everything was priced higher than we would normally spend on lunch and the kids meals are priced ridiculously high compared to what other places charge.  The burgers were on the small side, not as big as what you would get at other restaurants.

We did however get a few laughs from the menu as they served "stakes" instead of steaks and the children's meal inlcuded a drink they called "milke".

The only thing that keeps me from giving it one star was the waiter, Tony.  He was very friendly and always kept our glasses full.

This is your basic southern restaurant with...well, what it serves is stated in the name.  We ordered both with a side of coleslaw and cheese curds.  The catfish was fresh (not frozen) and a thicker cut than a lot of other restaurants we've been to.  We personally prefer bone in catfish, but this was still good.  Since we had AYCE catfish at the Farmhouse the night before, it was inevitable that we would compare.  It basically came down to better quality fish, but fewer quantity or less quality (Farmhouse's fish was thinner and the breading was flour), but a heck of a more filling dinner.  The win goes to Farmhouse.  You just can't compete with AYCE...unless you had large bone in whole catfish...that would be a different story.  Anyways, the chicken wings were judged to be incredible by my husband.  He likes it just cooked and very moist, and that is what he got along with a pretty tasty jamaican sauce.  The coleslaw was good though you got a meager amount.  The hushpuppies were house made, and fine.  The cheese curds were...well, i thought that cheese curds were a natural by-product of the cheese making process.  These appeared to be american cheese...and we all know that's not cheese.  Skippable.  

So the food was average, but what makes this place stand out is that it's just so...organic.  Though it was not that busy for a Friday night, I could see that locals come here to enjoy the atmosphere.  There was a country duo onstage that was getting a few of the locals to rip it up on the dance floor.  People were just hanging out, enjoying their evening.  I really had fun.

The restaurant has a bit of an unfinished quality to it.  Perhaps b/c it only recently opened.  There were plastic tubs lying on the table, and the space seemed quite large for its function.  The staff had not been completely trained yet.  Our server forgot our silverware, and took a long time even getting us napkins.  It's likely that she had no waiting experience.  

I would think that this restaurant will gain popularity as it works out the wrinkles and some lackluster items on the menu.  We would def consider returning for the music and atmosphere.  Reasonably priced considering that it is Branson and you are getting live entertainment.  O, a little quirk with the menu that I forgot to mention:  There is an entire indian page.  I didn't consider ordering it b/c it was a bit expensive and...well, come on.  Catfish and Wings is what we came here for.