Dean's Diner
March 11, 2008 - 9:24am — ecooley
Location(s)
Dean's Diner
2175 Rte 22 Hwy W
Blairsville, PA, 15717Perfect Slaw, Pie, and Grilled Cheese
My family traveled back and forth from Ohio and Michigan to visit my grandparents. Along the way we would pass an old Diner called, Dean’s Diner. It was a welcome site because it meant we were so close to home. In later years it served as a frequent spot to stop for apple pie and coffee and as good as that thick, sweet, slice of Pie is, nothing can beat the coleslaw.
I blame my wife for this undeniable infatuation with finding the best slaw. When we would go on a date, she would always sample the coleslaw. Ranking the mayonnaise based cabbage salad as either "good as homemade" or better. It was a fun activity and made the experience all that more enjoyable. So now every time I stop at a restaurant I savor and rate two things the coleslaw and the pie. At Dean’s Diner the coleslaw is the stuff dreams are made of.
For those who love Diners, Dean’s Diner is no disappointment. When you sit at the counter, the green Formica is worn down white where prior customers have rested their elbows. The service is fast and friendly, almost too fast. At Diners I usually get grilled cheese, soup, and a side of coleslaw. Everything was tasty. The grilled cheese is made with thick bread, real butter, and real cheese. The soup hot and soothing and full of flavor, and like I said the best coleslaw in town, I eat light to save room for pie. Large, thick, perfectly cut pie from the glass cabinet at the front of Dean’s Diner.
So if you find yourself on the road between Pittsburgh and Altoona on Route 22, may I suggest a stop at Dean’s Diner for some creamy coleslaw and hot coffee.
Comments
COME TO OUR DINER
Great location
When I was a student at Indiana University of PA in the 1970s , this was always a good stop returning from some adventure in Pittsburgh. It was just the right distance from Pittsburgh and just the right distance back to the campus. And on a student's budget, you couldn't beat the burgers!
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Dean's after midnight...scarrrryyy
One night Cory and I were on our way back from Pittsburgh from seeing a comedian and a piano bar. Feeling the munchies because our dinners at the comedy club were miniscule compared to the price, the lights of Dean's Diner called to us, like the light you're supposed to see when you're being called to heaven...ok, well, maybe not THAT dramatic, but you get the picture.
So, we stop in for a late night bite, and the first thing we see is a sign on the door about a reward that's being offered for the arrest of someone who had murdered a prominent doctor in the area. Not really something all warm and fuzzy when you're just looking for a slice of American Pie.
We ordered our food, joked with the waitress, and had some peanut butter pie. While we were sitting there, this creepy kid, probably late teens, early 20's, trench coat, and cold stare walks in and sits at the counter. Ever get the feeling there's just something not right about someone? All Cory and I are thinking is this kid's going to pull a sawed-off shotgun out of his trench coat...he was even getting nasty with the waitress. It was just us, him, and the waitress in the place. I could see the news stories the next day about our last moments....yuck.
We waited to see what he would do, then did what every other normal American would do: Waited till he went into the bathroom and headed for the hills!
Didn't hear about any waitress massacre, so we probably were just stereotyping.
But honestly, Dean's is pretty freaky that late at night.
Cousin Mike
isn't it funny?
How food can adhere a relationship?
you guys bonded over cole slaw, and Al & I were in total agreement about the banishment of mayonnaise from the planet. SO never fear that the Hogan's might eat it all up...blech. Ain't happenin!!
Would you beleive I've never been to Dean's Diner??? Course, I've not gone that way too much, and now there is a Valley Dairy in Blairsville that we meet our family 'halfway' at.
save Room For Pie
Valley Dairy is hard to beat. However if you get the chance stop for Pie at Dean's Dine you won't be disappointed.
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Dean's Diner
Today was my first visit to this site. What a fun surprise to see everyone talking about Dean's Diner!! I assume it still exists. Great memories of stopping there on my way back to school in Pittsburgh. I think I always got the meatloaf sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy poured over everything. Only in Pennsylvania can a person get that.
Thanks for the smile!!!
Ahhh! Yes I do remember
Ahhh! Yes I do remember being excited to see Deans Diner on our return from Ohio or Michigan. It always soothed the soul to see our glorious mountains and the diner!!