O'Farrell Sisters of Okoboji

O'Farrell Sisters of Okoboji Try our world famous pancakes or any of our classic menu items! Breakfast is served all day until 2pm. Back then, all fries were made from fresh potatoes!
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The O'Farrell Sisters story (as told by Sharon London):

The O'Farrell Sisters restaurant was born in 1949 at the bridge on Hwy 71, between East and West Lake Okoboji. Edna Mae and Arlene O'Farrell bought the business from Ike Kissinger who was running for Sheriff of Dickinson County. In the early years the girls were open seven days a week and had a booming business in no time. The fried chicken dinners on Sunday evenings were especially popular. There were times when the line waiting to get in was so long they'd have to lock the door and would often run out of chicken! As children, Linda, Sharon, and Ruthie Gipner loved to play "dress up". We'd dress our kittens in doll clothes and wheel them to the restaurant in baby buggies. Restaurant patrons got a kick out of seeing us get served as regular customers. As we got older, we'd get home from Sunday school, change clothes and rush to "The Joint" as the regulars affectionately knew it. Our duties included washing dishes, peeling potatoes or whatever Mom and Edna Mae needed. As teens, Linda, Jo Ann, and Joyce steered toward being watresses and I opeted to stay in the kitchen where I helped make pies, bread, soups, the famous pancakes and lots of burgers and fries. In 1959 Arlene married and moved to Tallahassee, Florida with her husband, Furman Henderson. Edna Mae and Ferne continued in the restaurant, moving to its present location that same year. This spot had a garden and chicken coup, which was moved to our house across the street. It became a playhouse for Ruthie, Linda, and I. Edna Mae's nieces were the mainstay of help through the 50's and early 60's. Marriages and children and careers found us all leaving the fold in the mid 60's. Ferne died in 1974 and Edna Mae in 1978. Arlene sold the business to nieces Joyce Gapinski, Jo Ann Anderson, Charlotte Sarvie, and Cheri Petersen (these are married names). The nieces successfully ran the restaurant from 1979 through 2003. After losing Jo Ann in 1997 and Cheri in 2002, Joyce and Charlotte decided to sell after the 2003 season. The rest is "To Be Continued..."

We’ve got something special for Homestyle Thursday!Beef stroganoff made with steak tips and homemade sauce 🤤Only $11 whi...
09/24/2026

We’ve got something special for Homestyle Thursday!
Beef stroganoff made with steak tips and homemade sauce 🤤
Only $11 while supplies last!!
Open 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day
Lunch at 11a

🌧️ What’s the best cure for a rainy Monday? A Giant Cinnamon roll and a cup of homemade chili for only $8!Open Thursday ...
09/21/2026

🌧️ What’s the best cure for a rainy Monday?
A Giant Cinnamon roll and a cup of homemade chili for only $8!
Open Thursday - Tuesday 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day lunch at 11a

It’s Homestyle Thursday and nothing says comfort food quite like Tater Tot Casserole! 🤤A classic, cozy favorite with cre...
09/17/2026

It’s Homestyle Thursday and nothing says comfort food quite like Tater Tot Casserole! 🤤

A classic, cozy favorite with creamy, savory goodness topped with golden, crispy tater tots — just like the kind you grew up loving

Open Thursday-Tuesday 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day
Lunch at 11a

🌮 It’s Taco Tuesday!Homemade Fry Bread TacosWhile supplies lastOpen 8a-2pBreakfast All DayLunch at 11a
09/15/2026

🌮 It’s Taco Tuesday!
Homemade Fry Bread Tacos
While supplies last
Open 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day
Lunch at 11a

‼️New this Fall‼️Introducing Fresh Fix Fridays🥗 Every week we will feature something fresh and crisp to finish up your w...
09/11/2026

‼️New this Fall‼️
Introducing Fresh Fix Fridays
🥗 Every week we will feature something fresh and crisp to finish up your work week
🥙 First up, The Chicken Caesar Wrap
Served with your choice of side for $10
🥣 Today’s soup ~ Baked Potato
Open 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day
Lunch at 11a

Homestyle Thursday with a lighter twist🍋 Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast with Roasted Potatoes and asparagus for only $11Ope...
09/10/2026

Homestyle Thursday with a lighter twist
🍋 Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast with Roasted Potatoes and asparagus for only $11
Open Thursday-Tuesday 8a-2p
Breakfast All Day
Lunch at 11a

Starting Tuesday, September 8th! 🙌
09/08/2026

Starting Tuesday, September 8th! 🙌

09/08/2026
⛵️ Summer may be wrapping up this weekend, but we don’t have to say goodbye!O’Farrell Sisters is open year round!⏰ Fall ...
09/04/2026

⛵️ Summer may be wrapping up this weekend, but we don’t have to say goodbye!
O’Farrell Sisters is open year round!
⏰ Fall hours starting Tuesday, September 8th
Open Thursday - Tuesday 8a-2p
CLOSED Wednesday
Daily Specials are back too …. Stay tuned for updates on Pasta Night toward the end of September
Thank you all for a wonderful summer!!

Address

1109 Lake Shore Drive
Okoboji, IA
51355

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 2pm
Tuesday 7am - 2pm
Wednesday 7am - 2pm
Thursday 7am - 2pm
Friday 7am - 2pm
Saturday 7am - 2pm
Sunday 7am - 2pm

Telephone

+17123327901

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