Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner

Have you ever ridden by a restaurant several times a month for two years, looked at the name, laughed at the name, but never stopped in to find out what it was all about? That is what happened to my husband and me. Over the last two years we have ridden by the Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner and chuckled at the name. Of course we made all the usual comments such as, "Oh that dam place!", or "I wonder what kind of dam food they sell?",or "I bet their food is dam good!"

Not long ago I decided to check out the Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner on-line. Luckily for me, their website was up and running and I had a quick peak at their menu. I had assumed, and assumed wrongly, that the Dam Deli only sold deli sandwiches. According to their menu they do sell deli type sandwiches, but they also have "Blue Plate Specials" every day of the week that they are open. They are currently closed Wednesdays, which we found out the hard way.

Last Wednesday we decided to take the short ride, about 2 miles, to the Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner. When we saw the empty parking lot we assumed they were closed for the season. Wrong! The sign on the door indicated they are closed Wednesdays, so we continued on to a different restaurant. We didn't give up on the Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner and decided to go another day and we are sure glad we did.

The Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a fancy place. It's a spot on the main drag to the white water rafting area, the Ocoee River. It's a great place for the white water people to grab a bite to eat before or after tubing or rafting on the Ocoee River.

There is only one other restaurant in the vicinity. If you are hungry, chances are you will stop at one of the two. My choice is the Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner. The Ocoee River is very close and the TVA Dam (the real dam!) is only a few miles east of the diner, which could be how the owners chose the name Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner.

It's not a fancy place, very casual in fact. You don't have to dress up to eat there, that's for sure. Shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops are totally acceptable. As you enter there is a large sign that tells you to sit wherever you want. That was verbalized by a few of the staff also when they greeted us. It is not a very large restaurant, and seating is limited. They have an outdoor eating area and they do take out orders.

Our server greeted us but she spoke so quietly that we didn't catch her name. She took our drink orders and left us with the large and very interesting menu. I headed for the 'Blue Plate Specials' and decided on grilled chicken breast. The Blue Plate Specials comes with two sides; I chose mashed potatoes and pickled beets.

They have 6 or 7 Blue Plate Specials each day including: pot roast, roast beef, grilled chicken, baked chicken, fried or grilled fish, country fried steak and a few others. Sides are: buttered corn, applesauce, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried sweet potatoes.

Besides those options there are various hamburgers and sandwiches such as the Hiawassee Dam Burger, Polk Dam Patty Melt and many others. There are wraps, appetizers, breakfast items, and the list goes on. The menu is much larger than the building would suggest! Prices are very reasonable, the Blue Plate Specials are all $7.19 and my husband's large sandwich was $6.25.

The food was very good. I love mashed potatoes and they were good. The picked beets were mildly picked and the grilled chicken was delicious. My husband's Blow-Me Down Dam BBQ pork sandwich made him smile when he saw it and he's still smiling. He loved the home made chips too.

The Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner has been in existence for approximately 5 years. The owner stopped by our table and we had a nice conversation. She asked how the food was and if we were 'locals'. With our New Jersey accents people assume we are just visiting Tennessee! Everyone was friendly, the food was very good and the atmosphere was fun and casual. They refill your drinks so fast you don't have a chance to say 'yes'!

You will have to take my word for it as their website isn't working right now, but give it a try at www.ocoeedamdeli.com and maybe it will back up and running.

The Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner now has two new customers. To think of how many times we could have eaten there! We will just have to make up for lost time. If you live in the area, or are traveling to or through Cleveland or Ocoee, Tennessee, remember the name and stop in. Maybe we will see you there!

Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner

1223 Highway 64

Ocoee, TN 37361

Phone: 423-338-8184

Source:

Personal experience

Ocoeedamdeli.com

Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner take-out Menu