Rusty Rooster Breakfast and Lunch — Restaurant in Lake Ozark

*Update 2025 We’ve been here several times since 2022 and have only ever had the best food and service. It’s almost always just my husband and I. Yesterday 11/1/25 we came with a group of 6. We could see from the lot that this place was packed. We lucked out though and a 6-top was open so the hostess, Angela got us right in. Our friends (from out of town) commented on how kind the hostess was and how great it was to get right in. I wish I could remember our servers name because she also deserves a huge shoutout. I know she had some gorgeous tattoos and quite possibly the greatest personality of any server I’ve ever had. Her recommendations were spot-on! She was attentive, quick, and took great care of us. Our food was quick, fresh and absolutely out-of-this-world delicious! I always wonder how places like this will do when you throw larger groups at them in the middle of a rush. Not only did Rusty Rooster handle our group, they blew us away. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the stellar service and food. They’re already talking about coming back just to eat here again!

2022- Best French toast I’ve ever had! The pictures don’t do this place justice. You’ve gotta see it and experience it in person. It was pretty busy (9:15am on a Sunday during bike fest). We were immediately greeted by Angela. She was friendly and informed us of the wait and seating options. The wait was about 1/2 hour for groups of four or more but my husband and I were able to snag some FCFS seats at the bar. We opted for bar seating which was immediately available. Madison was our bartender and despite being very busy, Madison kept up with the crowd flawlessly. I had the French toast and ordered a side of bacon and a side of home fries. My husband ordered the biscuits and gravy, home fries, and a pancake. I also had hot tea and a mimosa. French toast used to be my favorite breakfast meal until I ordered it over and over at restaurants only to be disappointed. Other restaurants overdue the seasonings, don’t cook it properly and then load the top with thawed out fruit that drench the breeding and make it soggy. I’m not sure what made me give it a try here but I did. Rusty Rooster sets the bar high. This was perfect. The home fries were the freshest, most delicately cooked potatoes with the perfect seasoning. There was just enough crisp without making these crunchy. Everything we ordered was perfect. Truly delicious. I’ve found my new favorite breakfast place. Can’t wait to come back and try their...

My family and I had a parry of 10 the day after my wedding. The waitress served everyone at my table except me, basically. She never brought me my actual order of biscuits and gravy, seemed not to acknowledge me at all, never apologized. When I said I was missing my order, she brought me 1 biscuit on a small plate with a side of butter. Then came back after a long while and I said I needed gravy. Then she comes back with a small side of gravy. The biscuit was cold and after she brought me a plate big enough all my food was cold. Never was acknowledged about screwing up my entire order. But don't worry, I got charged for the meal she never brought. We also were not allowed to pull our tables together for our party of 10, and they sat us right in front of a singing person that was way too loud and we couldn't even have a conversation. My Dad has cancer and was not able to talk over the music, and I was not able to enjoy one of the last dining experiences he will be able to have for quite some time after he starts treatment. I was highly disappointed in this place. We come down to the Ozarks very often, but I'll avoid this place.

In response to the restaurant, 5 stars means absolutely nothing and bringing that up in each response is pointless. Supporting local musicians great...but sitting people directly in front of that is extremely loud. I could barely think and had to go outside, all I wanted to do was leave that place. I couldn't talk over the music to even try to talk to a manager. I had to scream just to talk to the person next to me. It was truly an awful experience.

I want to go ahead and update my review to let the owners and customers know that was the last time I ever got to share a meal with my dad. The awful experience will forever be etched in my mind because that opportunity to enjoy the last normal thing with my dad was robbed from me. Don't worry, though, this place has 5 star reviews so in theirnopinion, it...

I am going to be one of the only ones that were slightly disappointed by the food here. If you come here and get one of their main meal items, you will not be disappointed by the taste nor the presentation. BUT if you come here just wanting a simple biscuits and gravy with an egg like I did, you will be very disappointed. I ordered one biscuit w/ one egg and sausage gravy (because my thinking is if I did not order sausage gravy specifically then I would be presented with just basic no meat added gravy like most places do). My waitress kindly explained to me that I did not need to do that and there was sausage in all the gravy already. I then asked ‘is this the typical small barley anything there sausage in the gravy or is it real sausage & gravy with chunks of meat?’ she told me that it was the best sausage gravy and there was a lot in it and I would be very happy…. Ok so then I receive my biscuit, w/ ‘sausage gravy’ and egg. Now as you see in the pictures bellow either the waitress unknowingly lied and I did in-fact need to order a side of sausage gravy (which is my hope) or this is the SADDEST sausage gravy I have literally ever seen or had. I would have been fine with the gravy if I was properly prepared and not expecting more than I got. Not to mention why were everyone eggs SWIMMING IN OIL!? Ew. Very disappointed. Otherwise everyone else's food was good, the atmosphere and staff were wonderful, the prices were good, the drink sizes were great, and the wait time was bearable, establishment clean.

Edit since I got a reply: I came with some friends at about 9:30am on Sunday June 23rd, 2024. Not the day this was posted, so the reply about running out today (July 7th), does not apply to my review. Disappointed in the lack of empathy in your response. Only stating you are glad others are happy without any type of apology or care toward the three other people at my table that felt the same. I will drop from 3 to 1 star for...