Our story
Soulful. Southern. Comfort.
Soulful — Food born from literally putting your whole self and soul into it!
Southern — A way of life that is subtle but strong and polite. Always polite.
Comfort — Food that makes you feel at home and eases your mind.
We decided long ago that we wanted to be in the restaurant business. Just one of those things I guess. While in high school I worked as a dishwasher, then a busboy. Finally I made it to the kitchen. My first real kitchen job was in a Mobile 4 star restaurant. I was in heaven, literally soaking up the knowledge.
Years later I opened my first restaurant and several would follow. I always concentrated on fine dining and enjoyed it. One day I decided I just didn’t enjoy it as much anymore. I loved my customers but something was missing.
I decided it was time to get back to basics and opened Dean’s Restaurant and Bakery in Oak Ridge. Simple, fresh, sustainable foods that I loved growing up. Something about pot roast and chicken and dumplings suddenly grabbed my attention. It sounds simple but to do it right is really a balancing act.
So Come On In
Leave the balancing to me and just come and enjoy the simple freshness of our restaurant. I’ve been doing farm to plate for so long now it’s just natural for me. Even our green beans are fresh. Yep, we string them year round and I have never had to tell a customer that we are out. Canned beans would certainly be easier but there is no way we’re doing that. It’s just a continued commitment and a personal promise from me to my customers.
Lastly, I wanted to bring value to my customers. I want people to eat with me time after time and I think value is important.
Thank you for looking.
Soulful. Southern. Comfort.
