The Dinner Belle has been a long-time favorite in the community of Belle, Mo for over a decade, and after closing its doors in 2020, it’s now back with new owners and new branding, but the homestyle favorites haven’t changed.
Located on Main Street and offering homestyle cooking that soothes the soul, topped off with homemade desserts, new owners Kyle & Crystal Opfer are excited to re-open the doors.
Formerly of Belle, Crystal decided to move back to her hometown after she learned the restaurant had become vacant. In January 2021, Crystal’s brother, Chris Wright, was killed, and though it was a devastating time for her family, it was also a time of great reflection and relationship building. She wanted to continue that growth and come back to her hometown roots.
Crystal is the granddaughter of Harold “Wimp” & Virginia Woolley, former owners of Woolley’s Shopping Basket, once located only a few hundred feet from the Dinner Belle, which closed in 1999. Kyle & Crystal hope to keep Wimp’s legacy alive, as well as the Woolley entrepreneurial spirit.
Belle residents and new guests will see some changes to the Dinner Belle, but some have stayed the same. The Opfers have updated the branding with a new logo, new menus, and a fresh new website. They’ve even added a mascot, “Wimpy” the bell, named after Crystal’s grandpa “Wimp”.
Some of the popular menu items have stuck around, but with some name changes. The “Cowboy Burger,” a ½ lb. burger topped with Texas toothpicks, grilled onions and peppers, Swiss cheese, and jalapeno ranch sauce on Texas toast, is now called the “Wimpy Burger”. The “Outlaw Burger,” a breaded buffalo chicken breast with bacon and Swiss cheese on a kaiser bun, is now called “Tooty Mae’s Fav.” One popular item that’s been added is “Kyle’s Favorite,” a ¼ lb. burger stacked between two grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s already become a customer favorite.
Stop by the Dinner Belle today for some homestyle cooking and yummy desserts. Kyle and Crystal are looking forward to serving the community. For more information visit thedinnerbellemo.com.