Photo courtesy of Studio T Images
by Amanda Bretz
It’s the most recognizable landmark on the Bagnell Dam Strip, other than perhaps the dam itself: Malted Monkey has been swinging unique fun & fabulous food for six years at Lake of the Ozarks!
Established in 2020, Malted Monkey is centrally located on the Bagnell Dam Strip at 1345 Bagnell Dam Boulevard. The outdoor ropes course situated in front makes it hard to miss this lively restaurant and family fun spot.
You may be drawn in by the towering outdoor ropes feature, but after play time, you must stay for the food! The menu focuses on elevated “smash burgers,” fries and shakes, including the boozy variety, as well as cocktails, beers and massive freshly baked cookies.
To Eat
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Farm Truck
Bacon and burgers just belong together. The Farm Truck is a cheeseburger topped with bacon, BBQ sauce and caramelized onions that, when taken in together, add a smoky, sweet flavor to the well-seasoned patty.
Brunch Burger
Once you try this smash burger topped with bacon and a fried egg, you may consider reclassifying burgers as a breakfast food. Crowning the patty with the egg adds sumptuous flavor and a creamy texture, with the bacon bringing a salty, hickory finish.
Grilled Chicken BLT
Tender grilled chicken breast and bacon slices are met with the classic BLT toppings: lettuce, tomato and mayo, and the finished product is a delectable sandwich that holds its own against the eatery’s smash burgers.
Cookies
Malted Monkey’s giant cookies contain all the elements of a perfect cookie: sweet and buttery with crispy edges and soft, chewy centers. Available in four core varieties of brown butter chocolate chip, ultimate peanut butter, confetti and the signature malted monkey, as well as four rotating flavors.
To Drink
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Lady Gaga
A milkshake fun and colorful enough to be named after the iconic pop star herself. Vanilla ice cream is blended with Fruity Pebbles cereal and marshmallow cream to create a creamy, sweet, fruit flavored treat topped with whipped cream, cereal bits, maraschino cherry and the outer rim of the cup is covered in more marshmallow cream and rolled in rainbow sprinkles.
Happy Monkey
If you can’t resist the combo of chocolate, peanut butter and banana, then this is the drink for you. Vanilla ice cream, Nutella, peanut butter and fresh banana blend together to give this shake a tasty, can’t-get-enough-of-it flavor.
Salted Caramel (21+)
This tipsy shake is a caramel lovers dream. It’s creamy, decadent and loaded with buttery, caramel flavor. A vanilla ice cream base is joined by caramel sauce and Ole Smoky Caramel Whiskey, topped with whipped cream, maraschino cherry and more caramel sauce, with a graham cracker coating on the outside of the cup.