Our Place not as welcoming as expected

By Ebony Horton
Published: August 13, 2008

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While the food was good, I have to admit I was not as impressed as I expected to be with the service at Our Place in Ozark, especially on my first trip there.

The first time I had planned to take my guest for some old-fashioned chocolate milkshakes and maybe one of the hand-made burgers advertised on a board outside the restaurant.

The mood dampened a little when I stood for a while before eventually asking a customer — not the waiter who passed back and forth without acknowledging me — if we were to sit down or wait for someone to seat us.

I found we could sit wherever we wanted and then asked our waiter (who was nice; just busy, I guess) what was recommended. The waiter said he had to tend to the drive-through window before I could be helped.

Geez.

By the time the waiter came back I had decided to try the hand-made country-fried steak and mashed potatoes (I think it was a little more than $6), while my guest decided on a cheeseburger and fries.

The steak and gravy had a more peppery taste than I preferred, and my waiter forgot to bring my salad.

The burger (about $5) and fries and true mashed potatoes, however, were actually great. We had to eat the burger pretty fast because the bottom bun was a little soaked, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I also liked the rolls.

My guest and I left the restaurant somewhat disappointed about the total experience but I decided to give it — and the shakes — a chance on another day, thinking maybe the initial experience was just due to some bad timing.

The food and the service the second time around were better.

I had a Philly cheese steak (about $6), seasoned fries (which I wasn’t given the option of the first time), and the chocolate shake ($2.99) my guest and I were waiting for.

My, the shake brought back some old, sweet memories. The Philly cheese was OK. The fries were awesome.

I wrestled with giving the restaurant a third try for another shake and some fries, but decided not to.

I do hope others feel differently. There were quite a few people eating there on both occasions I went, so maybe they do.

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Our Place
Location: 2751 S U.S. Highway 231
Phone: 445-2777
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (Opening Mondays beginning Aug. 18)
Vegetarian selections: Yes
Options: Dine-in and drive-through
Smoking: Non-smoking inside, tables outside
Rating: Two out of four stars