Dinner Bell Restaurant — Restaurant in Benton

I wish I could give a 10/10 stars.........phenomenal meal. My family and I came in from Chicago for vacation on Kentucky Lake. We had been to lunch and dinner on several occasions and NOT ONE restaurant off the lake, or in the city of Benton even COMPARED to The Dinner Bell. The staff was patient and kind with our large & loud group of 8 stumbling in 30 minutes before closing. They had a absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD spread of both warm & cold food. The salad bar was unbelievably fresh. The tomatoes were incredible....the lettuce and condiments were great too (the fact that I mention something as simple as salad condiments, you just know the place is good.) Cole slaw, potato salad, banana cream pudding, apple pie, cherry pie, baked cinnamon peaches...........the cube steak, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, corn, fried chicken.......corn bread, muffins, hush puppies...AND EVERY SINGLE THING IS HOMEMADE!!.....I swear it was one of the best meals I've eaten in a long time. If you've gotten this far in my review then let me tell you people, THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO. Every night they switch their meals up. So, if you go on Sunday it's going to be a different meal then when you go on Wednesday. The thing you need to account for is that this is a buffet, not a menu restaurant. You get what they serve that night. I'm sure EVERYTHING they pump out of there is good though, so I wouldn't worry what day you go. But if your worried about what they are serving I would just call ahead and ask. I'm judging that off of a single meal, but I would hope you'd all trust me at this point after my long review here. Joking aside, this place is the real deal. You are missing out if you don't stop at The Dinner Bell if you are...

Our first time here but we have drove by and seen people waiting outside for them to open. It's because there is very limited seating and if you don't get there before the tables get filled up, you'll wait another 30-45 minutes until tables begin to clear. I'm sure the regulars know how to time it. Arrived about 15 minutes before opening. They rang the dinner bell at the opening time. Scared the crap out of us! 😂 We were seated right away. Salad bar was very fresh and taste great. The food was all hot! I had a little of everything! Fried catfish, piece of chicken, white beans, mashed potatoes, fried okra, french fries, small salad, coleslaw, and a hushpuppy. All of that food was really good except the chicken, surprisingly. Very bland. No seasoning at all. Thought for sure that a country cooking restaurant would have a nice seasoned crust. Sadly, no. Everything else was awesome. Drinks kept coming and the plates were picked up quickly and all were nice people. Not sure we'll be back but overall the food was very good....

First time here. Hours are on the door in the first photo. If you go there, get there at least 30 minutes before they open as it does limited seating. Roughly, about 50 with picnic style tables. Great atmosphere. The food was fabulous. It is a buffet style restaurant where you go get your own items. They were constantly refilling drinks and were absolutely polite. They do have a salad bar.I had the Salisbury steak, green beans, mashed potatoes,sweet potato casserole, and white beans with ham. Salisbury steak was the tenderness I have ever had. White beans with ham, delicious, and tender ham pieces. Sweet potato casserole, spot on with flavor. I also had cherry cobbler, peach cobbler, and banana pudding. All were good. The price is VERY well worth it and reasonable. $15.95 for an adult, There were 2 kids prices, but I forgot them, but they were reasonable. Also, I had the sweet tea, which I don't like really sweet, and it wasn't. It had the right level...