Dean's Restaurant and Bakery

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#2 of 76 Restaurants in Oak RidgeAmerican, Vegetarian friendly, $$ - $$$

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Dean's Restaurant and Bakery

Review

At a glance

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Website

+1 865-481-2071Improve this listing

About

We are located in historic Jackson Square. This property once housed Jackson Square pharmacy. After 55 years in the same family this property became available because the previous owners wished to retire. We were lucky to get it. We renovated and tried to keep as much of the original charm as possible. We hope you like it.

Features

CUISINES

American

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Discover

Free off-street parking

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Parking Available

Seating

Street Parking

Table Service

Takeout

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

239 Jackson Sq, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Street Parking

Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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Hours

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Closed today

Sunday

Closed

Monday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

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4.7

702 reviews

Excellent

547

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Todd H

Rocky Top7 contributions

Great Simple Southern Food

Feb 2025 • family

While it is nothing fancy to look at Dean's has great food. While we had about a 15 minute wait to be seated it was well worth a much longer wait. While the menu is not pages long they also have daily specials and we still both struggled to decide on what to eat as it all sounded so good. My wife took a chance on the Salmon and she was very impressed by how they cooked and seasoned it. I decided on the Special Sirloin and while not the caliber of a good steakhouse stake it was flavorful and cooked just as I asked. For the price you could not beat it. I also had their corn pudding and au gratin potatoes and really enjoyed both. We will definitely be coming back to Dean's soon.

Written February 22, 2025

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George E

Blowing Rock29 contributions

This restaurant makes the Dean's list

Sep 2022 • none

Our neighbors have lived in this area for many years, we are recently from NC. So, locals know where to eat, right? So far, any restaurant our neighbors have recommended has been spot on and what they said it would be. Would Dean's being recommended follow this record? We went as two couples on a Friday evening. Being raised in the UK, your scribe went straight away for the cod & chips, Sorry, it just can't be helped. So did my wife. Our table opposites both went for the Catfish. Along comes our smiling server, Charlotte, and she was very good at her job even during their busy time, she was also happily giving us the answers we needed. Promptly after ordering, the meals arrived. The cod we received was excellent and I even remarked that there might be a few Chippy shop owners in the UK that might learn a lesson or two from the way the cod was presented: hot, flaky, not overly spiced, and fresh tasting within its light batter. Of course, there was the malt vinegar on hand. Eating cod and chips without having malt vinegar splashed over it could be an offence in some countries...but, I digress. Our neighbors enjoyed their catfish as well, and the wood-grilled squash side was superb. We don't know exactly which variety of wood was used, but I'd guess it was Hickory. As we finished up the cod & chips, the entree was rubbed off the menu chalkboard, so, other fish lovers must have agreed with our catch! No desserts, Charlotte, thanks, we were simply too full. But the array of desserts Dean's has did look appealing, and there were other desserts available in the adjoining bakery section. The dinner servings, all in all, are perfectly sized, and we felt well fed and satisfied. The truth in eating out is when the check comes; then we unconsciously think, 'I have to pay this bill, was it worth the price?' Unequivocally, the fair answer is a strong 'yes'. As an aside, this is a well-established restaurant, the decor is well, established, and the families there were having a good, chatty time. Family restaurants, as has been written in other reviews, folks, are places that count. It's their livelihood, and I think, really need our support. Why visit another chain restaurant, if visiting, when you can do the same thing wherever home is? Family-owned eateries don't have the chain money supporting them, so they have to perform and maintain a high standard just to stay in business. Dean's is a happy place to have a good meal, and we are happy, once more, that our neighbors suggested it!

Written September 17, 2022

LukeFortinbras

Buckinghamshire170 contributions

Great food in a warm, friendly restaurant

Dec 2023 • friends

Plentiful menu, including daily specials, with outstanding wood-grilled salmon, pork and beef steaks. The salmon was succulent and perfectly cooked. The salad was fresh and tasty—the other side dishes were similar enjoyable. The service was outstanding, with friendly and attentive staff. Dean himself was also in residence and couldn't have been nicer! It's easy to see why it attracts so many loyal local customers—best to arrive early if you haven't booked!

Written December 8, 2023

Matthew H

Athens40 contributions

Everything was spot on

Jul 2023 • family

We stopped here as we passed through town. Everything was excellent. The waitstaff was attentive, the portion sizes were good (too big for a single meal), the prices and wait time for food were reasonable, and the food was delicious. We had ribs, wood grilled corn, mac and cheese, fried shrimp, everything was done just right.

Written August 1, 2023

Maureen W

Ave Maria80 contributions

Hard to find but well worth it

Apr 2023 • none

A dozen of us came here for an early dinner. A member of our group had been here once before having accidentally found the restaurant and liking it. We all enjoyed our food. Service was good, the food was good, and most of us had desserts to take home (my coconut cream pie had meringue topping and is up there in flavor with Amish-made pies).

Written April 22, 2023

Tim W

Cleburne137 contributions

Excellent food and world's friendliest staff

Apr 2021 • none

Stopped here for lunch on our way through eastern Tennessee. We were greeted by some of the nicest folks we'd met during our stay - which is saying a lot since everyone here seems to be really friendly. The menu is very simple, which obviously gave the owners time to perfect their dishes. My wife ordered pork loin which tasted more like a fine steak than pork, and I had the grilled salmon. Mouthwatering dishes we can truly recommend! Our table servers recommended dessert, which we took a rain check on, but the available items looked much more than tempting. This establishment is definitely worth a trip off the beaten path. Since we're considering a move to eastern Tennessee, we plan to be back.

Written April 20, 2021

eric w

2 contributions

Best Home Cooking!!

Jul 2021 • family

Dean's Restaurant has very good home cooking, and also a tasty Bakery on site. Everything on the menu is tasty and fresh. The daily specials vary each day, and the menu also has permanent choice available everyday. You can choose a meat choice with one, two, or three vegetables option in a tiered price structure. Lots of choices from grilled chicken, fish, steaks, turkey, and others, paired with delicious vegetable options. The wood fired corn on the cobb is a family favorite, as is the sweet potato casserole, and delicious mac and cheese. The rolls and cornbread muffins are great, too. Every member of the family will be able to find something at Dean's. It is a comfortable restaurant with an inviting atmosphere. They offer call ahead seating to shorten the potential waiting time for a table during popular times. We enjoy every visit. Thank you Dean's!

Written July 17, 2021

Missy F

1 contribution

Re opening

Apr 2021 • family

My mom and I went to Dean’s for lunch Tuesday. And due to Covid my mom has not been out in over a year. We were excited. Walked in 12:10 place was dead 3 tables occupied and there was 5 employees standing around. None I had ever seen and I’ve been a regular since they opened. We ordered, when we received our food a different person brought food and my mom had ordered Catfish Mac and cheese and grilled squash. She got catfish mashed potatoes and corn. He took back and it was corrected but the waitress never came said sorry for the mix up or anything. When we we’re almost ready we ordered a Togo meal. And ask for box’s and a Togo cup. There was no Togo cups someone didn’t order them she said She came brought our Togo box’s and order. She laid our ticket down we waited on her to come back I walked up to a gentleman ask if I could pay he said would have to pay waitress told him she was MIA while waiting noticed our ticket was wrong. Tried to explain that to her she apparently didn’t understand so she didn’t change the ticket and we paid for someone else’s order. She laid it down said the bottom copy is yours and walked away. Went to sign and noticed she didn’t change it. They lost money. Was a bad experience. What happened?

Written April 22, 2021

Gary P

2 contributions

A treasure and tradition

Jul 2022 • friends

We’re subscribers of the Oak Ridge Playhouse, and often dine at Dean’s. Theater night it’s always busy and for good reason. The food is delicious, and specials round out a traditional southern menu. In a time of short staffing and sketchy service, Dean’s has managed to have plenty of outstanding staff like our server tonight Samantha. Great advice as well as attention on a busy night.

Written July 22, 2022

Jenny H

Walla Walla104 contributions

Very good food.

Nov 2024 • business

I had chicken tempura with spicy sauce, sweet potatoe cassarole, greens beans with roll and corn bread! All DELICIOUS. The green beans were over salted and I couldn't eat... :( Good lunch portion. Fair price. Good service.

Written November 21, 2024

Brad C

Winchester71 contributions

Good Food

Mar 2022 • none

We were visiting friends who live in Oak Ridge and they took us to Dean's for lunch. The food was good and service were good. I had the wood fire grilled chicken and my only complaint was that the chicken breast had that middle gristle and some other fatty chewy stuff left on it (I remove all of that stuff when I cook my own chicken) and found myself spitting out those pieces when no one was looking (I can't stand it in my mouth). I also had the carrots, which were good. Husband had salmon and said it was good, along with the greens. Sister Shuberts Rolls and cornbread were brought to the table and were quickly devoured by the four of us. After lunch we headed into their bakery and I purchased 3 kinds of fried pies, a pecan pie bar, thumb print cookies and a lemon cookie. All were very good. The thumb print cookies have some coconut in them and the pies dough reminded me of the dough that surrounds Hostess pies - though these were much better. Of the three flavors (peach, cherry, and apple) that I bought, apple was my least favorite; the apples were finely diced. The pecan pie bar was great and was probably my favorite. I would go to this restaurant again, but I would try a different entree.

Written March 16, 2022

Leon67203

550 contributions

Comfort food in a nice surrounding,

Jun 2023 • couples

Comfort food at it's best. Quick service, good selection, fair prices. My wife had her pot roast which is her go-to and the portion was huge. I had the catfish with dilled tartar sauce and it was done up 100%. The grilled squash side was the real highlight of the meal for me. I will have to try grilling squash at home.

Written June 9, 2023

Orguy T

81 contributions

Good, but has gone down

May 2023 • solo

Food is still fairly high quality, but the place is not what it used to be. I ordered salmon patties and they were not hot - obviously had been pre-cooked and sitting around. This is the second time in the month it has happened. One time they weren’t even barely room temperature. So - not hot enough, not freshly cooked, dubious health safety. Also, prices have gone up a lot more than inflation.

Written May 5, 2023

Lisa R

Oak Ridge3 contributions

Amazing food!

Jun 2021 • none

My stepdad and I ate lunch at Deans today. It was our first time ever eating there. I had the roast beef, squash and mashed potatoes, he had the house salad with grilled chicken. Servings are large and everything tasted great! We will definitely be going again!!

Written June 4, 2021

Trent S

3 contributions

Dean’s was amazing!

May 2022 • solo

First off the service was amazing! Jacob took care of me and did a fantastic job. The food was amazing too. Usually when ordering corn on the cob you have to season it, not this wood fired corn on the cob! I had catfish with corn on the cob and broccoli casserole. I topped it with banana pudding! I will definitely be coming back!