**RECEIVED 2018 BLOGGING BRANSON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE**
Out of the mouth of babes! It’s amazing how a simple little pronunciation mishap among toddlers can become something so popular and fun to say! Inspired by what he heard spoken by young family members, Nolan Fogle discovered how something like the word “pasghetti” could become a famous name for one of the restaurants in his hometown of Branson, Missouri!
I was invited as media by Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center to explore and enjoy Branson. However, all opinions are 110% mine and mine alone. This post also contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure policy for more information.
Yup! I’m about to share another restaurant review from the Blogging Branson whirlwind trip in November! Get those taste buds ready! This was a new venue even for those of us who had been to the area in April and, while we didn’t have much time there, it was easy to soak in the ambiance.
🎵 On Top of Pasghetti’s 🎵
Oops – sorry!! My bad. I bet you’ll be singing that for awhile now!! Yikes!
Pasghetti’s is a family-owned local restaurant situated on HWY 76 (a.k.a. – The Strip). The two story brick building is extremely conspicuous as there is a ginormous meatball with a fork stuck in it at the front entrance. Not to mention the fact that the giant tomato and green pepper stuck to the building are quite attractive from the road! Seriously – nobody can miss it! Of course, while it’s inviting from the outside, the inside is where you need to be as this is where you will see more of the story.
Let’s Travel Back A Few…Decades
When entering the restaurant, you are walking back in time to 1920s New York. It’s everywhere ~ from the walls to the furniture ~ well, except the music. For some reason, that was more contemporary. Despite that, you actually feel like you are walking down Nostalgia Blvd.
I kid you not, I wanted to see the manager come out dressed in a black pin-striped suit, jet black shirt, white tie, shiny black dress shoes and a fedora. Does that not set the scene or what?
Once inside the restaurant, there is plenty of seating for guests. However, be warned. I do hear that it can fill up to capacity at times (particularly during the holidays). Now, what’s fascinating about this two story venue is that, to make the visit more of an “experience,” they designed seven of the dining rooms with a “Days Gone By” theme. Each section is unique and creative, giving you something to explore and keep your senses occupied as you enjoy your meal.
Of course, having the sectioned off dining rooms also makes it easy to book group dining and special events.
The main dining area gives you the feel of eating outside at night, as you are surrounded by the facade of various buildings and store fronts. Since we were there during the holidays, we had the pleasure of also seeing a gorgeous 25 foot Christmas tree situated in the center of the room.
Now, should you find yourself seated in the main dining room, take the time to look around at the “scenery.” The walls just happen to highlight the other restaurants owned by Mr. Fogle.
FYI: You saw that I wrote that Pasghetti’s is a two story venue, right? Those of you who read this and find stairs a challenge or an obstacle, have no fear. There IS an elevator to transport you up and down.
So, Let’s Talk Food!
While the menu obviously boasts Italian cuisine, there are also other options to satisfy a variety of appetites. Of course, the most popular thing to order on the main menu is the Pasghetti & Meatball ~ and we’re not talking a handful of tiny, little one-bite-sized pieces of meat. We’re talking one large 5 oz meatball!
Nope – you’re not walking away hungry from that one.
However, should your taste-buds not crave the most popular thing on the menu, there are also chicken, fish and steak entrées, as well as salads from which to choose. Oh, wait – don’t forget the appetizers, though! The Toasted Cheese Ravioli is dynamite!
Party of 20 or more???
Since we were there as a 20+ unit, we had the opportunity to dine off their specialized group menu. Something like this is put into place to simply expedite things when a strict schedule is involved. We were pretty quick in and out for this one because we had back to back events to attend, so having just a few options really helped to narrow down choices and get things out quickly.
On the group menu, we had a choice between:
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Meatball Sub
- Alfredo Pasta
- Spaghetti & Meatball Sauce
I personally chose the Alfredo Pasta because for some reason I was just not into red sauce that day, but I totally would love to devour anything else on this list right about now. The Alfredo Pasta was pretty basic and creamy, no meat involved at all. It was pretty good and filled my tummy up!
**Interested in taking a closer look at the menu? Click here!
A Guest Speaker!!
While we dined, our team had the privilege of hearing a few words from restaurant owner, Nolan Fogle. This was a unique opportunity and we really appreciated the time he took to share his journey to entrepreneurship with us. It was fun to listen to his personal story and why he chose to go the route he did. His entire focus in life is his family (very popular in Branson, by the way). He didn’t want to miss a single second of his children growing up. In order to make that happen, he determined to drive hard in the beginning and create an enterprise that would basically allow him that freedom in just a short time.
He succeeded ~ and that story honestly left all of US inspired to keep driving forward!
Yes ~ Take The After Dinner Walk
While we as bloggers / writers did our walk through in the beginning to expedite time, I can only encourage you to take a leisurely jaunt around the venue after you’ve completed your meal. Why? Because while Pasghetti’s is a restaurant, it also calls itself an attraction! There is more to see than just the decor on the walls!!
On that second level, there’s a trolley car that makes for some great photos. I believe I even heard it was the backdrop for some wedding photos at one point.
There is also an area towards the front of that top floor that is designed to look like a little Coney Island. While not a tremendously spacious area, Guests can go up and enjoy a few arcade style games together or even ride on a miniature Ferris wheel.
Yes – seriously – a Ferris wheel INSIDE the restaurant!
No – I did not get the chance to ride it (insert sad face). I’m so bummed!
Our time there with the Blogging Branson event was brief and we all wish we had more opportunity to enjoy our surroundings. However, we did walk away full and did enjoy the service very much. Now, would I go back again?
Well, that’s a funny story……
A FEW WEEKS LATER…..
Just after I had returned from the Blogging Branson event, I had the chance to visit the area again – this time with my family in tow. This was the first time any of my boys had been to Branson and stopping at the restaurant with the Giant Meatball was a MUST for them!
We added it as a lunch stop during one of our busy days and we dined off the regular menu. Between the five of us, we feasted on bread sticks, Toasted Cheese Ravioli (see above), Papa’s Lasagna, the Meatball Sub (see above), a seafood mac and cheese dish, and the Steak Alfredo Pasta. To be quite honest, the winner for “best dish” was a toss-up between the lasagna and the meatball sub . I personally could have eaten the Toasted Cheese Ravioli all day long!
When it came to feeding our son who has food allergies, we were met with success. It wasn’t his first choice of entrées and the chef was much more into playing it safe, but he ate well and did walk away pretty stuffed.
**If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, be sure to check the menu link (I’ll add again here) – they have gluten-free options!
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Soooooo, my friends ~ if you’re visiting the Branson area and looking for a creative environment to enjoy a good meal, give Pasghetti’s a try. Just look for the Giant Meatball and Fork on the strip!! It has a fun, unique atmosphere and a lot to keep your attention while you’re there. Besides, someone really needs to ride that Ferris wheel in the Coney Island area for me and tell me what it’s like! I need to know!!!
For more information on Branson’s Pasghetti’s:
- Address: 3129 West State Highway 76 Branson, MO 65616
- Phone: 417.335.0690 / 888.363.9880 (Groups)
- Hours:
- 11 AM – 8 PM: Mon – Thurs and Sun
- 11 AM – 9 PM: Friday – Saturday
- Website: https://www.pasghettis.com/
- Socials:
- Facebook: Pasghetti’s
- Twitter: @Pasghettis65616
- Instagram: Pasghetti’s Branson
Check out my Facebook Live done during our visit!
Live at Pasghettis!!! Let's tour this 1920's New York Style restaurant together! Shall we? Are you ready to see the miniature Ferris wheel and the 25 foot Christmas tree? ___ #bloggingbranson #stonecastlepartner #bransonambassador #footprintsinbranson #ozarkmountainchristmas #pasghettis
Posted by Footprints in Pixie Dust on Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Looking for more restaurants to check out in Branson? Check out these two!
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- Facebook at Footprints in Pixie Dust by T.M. Brown
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Oh my goodness that looks like a place I want to visit! I love everything about it. The decor is amazing. My ultimate goal is to own a venue and I have so many ideas and they keep getting bigger when I find cool things like this. And the food looks delicious. I think I need to go visit. 🙂
Oh, wow! What a terrific goal and dream to have, Karie! Yes, as a food allergy mama, I just beg of you to consider ensuring that you take food allergies and dietary restrictions into consideration. What kind of venue do you dream of having? Oh, and yes – definitely give this a try!! 😉
Okay, yep – having Italian for dinner tonight 🙂 I love that you got to meet the owner!
Now I want it, too! Sooo – what’s for dinner? LOL!!! It was quite the honor to have Nolan take a few minutes to speak with us.
The food looks amazing! You are triggering my pasta addiction!
Oops!! I’m sorry?? Lol 😉
This looks like such a fun place and the food looks delicious! I love the 20s theme
What a fun looking place! I want to go just for the giant meatball out front and the atmosphere! I’ve never been to Branson but heard it’s a really fun weekend visit.
Our boys thought the meatball was awesome! LOL. It was fun to walk through and so many people take pictures with it. The inside is pretty cool to explore, as well.
What a neat ambiance! I love places like this with character, it’s great to hear it has the great food to match the decor. Thanks also for highlighting that it has GF options. I’m sure you know from your son’s food allergies, but anywhere that offers allergy accommodations always grabs my attention!
It’s always a blessing to see a venue has taken any kind of dietary restriction into account. 😉. And yes! I’m the same way – love a place that adds a little character to their decor! This place did a great job in that department. ✨
I keep reading about Branson and I think I really must go. And maybe Christmas is the perfect time?
I’ll be honest ~ any time is a perfect time (except January or February – lol). I’ve been in spring and fall and hope to go at least this summer. There is just so much to do….but, all things considered, Christmas is a beautiful time to visit this neck of the woods. 😉
Those photos are making me hungry! What a cool place!!
This looks like so much fun!
Great post! We often drive by this place, but my picky husband never wants to eat here. I would love all of the menu items! I will have to work my powers of persuasion to get him to give it a try.
LOL!! I’m surprised he is not captivated by the giant meatball outside!! They do have some good hearty meals, though ~ whether he likes a good traditional Italian lasagna, a chicken dish, steak….any kind of pasta? They even have salads for those looking to eat a little healthier. Here’s hoping you have the power to persuade him to give it a try. LOL. Thanks for the read, Stacey! 😉👣
You know its good when, as I went through your post, I kept saying “oh, I’d definitely order that. Nope, that. Nope, that….”
LOL!! I should have put a warning label on it that this post may induce hunger pains! Out of curiosity, did you find yourself settling on anything in particular? 😉
Sounds like some great food.
This might just be the best thing I’ve ever seen! And the food looks fantastic! I’ll definitely have to check it out! Great post!
Thanks, Laura! The meatball is quite a sight to see and definitely a bucket list item 😉🍝
I will have to visit & will have to try this Resturant next time I’m in the area. Thanks for sharing.
We will have to put this on our list to visit while traveling!
Tina, this place looks so cool! I love the atmosphere. Thanks for the great post about it!
Oh my gosh!!! That meat ball is crazy!!! I miss good Italian food.
I really appreciate your Branson posts as we will be going there this year. Thanks for all the great information.
Aww – my pleasure, Georgette!!! I hope they have been a help and here’s hoping you have an amazing time when you visit one of my favorite places 😉
It seems like I’ve been reading a lot of posts about Branson recently. This might be a place we have to put on our bucket travel list. While my hubby isn’t a huge fan of Italian (except Pizza), I love Italian food. Your description of the venue was fabulous and the pictures of the food look so yummy! Great post – thanks so much for sharing your review!
Aww – thanks, Susan! I’m glad to hear that these posts have piqued your interest ☺💕. Feel free to let your hubby know there are a lot of options when it comes to eating in Branson 😉. I have a few other posts under my Blogging Branson tag that highlight venues such as two steak houses (Montana Mike’s, Fall Creek Steak House), the world’s largest Cici’s pizza and a family restaurant (McFarlain’s) that makes for a memorable meal – lol. Here’s hoping you get to cross it off that bucket list sometime in the near future! Thanks for the read!
That look so fun!! Just the giant meatball alone would draw me in! I love the set up of the restaurant, it’s very unique. If I ever make it to Branson, we will be sure to check it out. I am certain that my daughter would love it!
I love the look of this restaurant and the food looks even better. Italian food is my weakness.
Wow, that food looks delicious! How can you decide what you want? I would have a terrible time deciding. The decor looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, Kathy!! Thanks for the read 😉. Trust me, it’s not an easy task to decide what to eat. LOL. When we dine out as a family, we normally choose different plates so that we share a little of each other’s (minus our son with food allergies).
Oh this reminds me of our Old Spaghetti Factory! I love love love this entire style and menu! Yes!
We had an Old Spaghetti Factory near us when we lived in New York!!! Oh, my goodness ~ I forgot about that place. That had a great design, too!
Our family loves spaghetti so this would be the perfect place for us! I think it’s so neat it’s more than just a restaurant! I also love that the owner started his business so that he could have more quality family time. It can be seen in the fact that its VERY family friendly! We would love to go to Branson’s Pasghetti!
First of all ~ HUGE thanks for the read! You’re right ~ this is a great family place (and more) and there is another aspect to it than just the food. I hope you get the chance to visit this venue some day, Ruth!!