Daniel B.
Yelp
I first learned about the Oak Grove Market from the TV show Atlanta Eats in 2013. I'm kind of surprised I hadn't heard of this place until then. It started out as Northeast Meats in 1969 and changed its name to Oak Grove Market in 2000. This is a small, popular neighborhood market that sells produce, meats, and has a deli. One of my coworkers goes to the butcher here for his meats.
I visited Oak Grove for a Saturday lunch around 1:00pm and the business was busy. There were several families, small groups, and middle-aged to elderly folks. This review is based upon my lunch experience, so I can't comment on the breakfast (7:00am-10:00am), butcher shop, or produce. Lunch is available 10:30am-3:00pm.
The market totally has a throwback 1950s American diner theme from the checkerboard flooring to the retro metallic and glossy red cushioned booths and tables. A distinct red couch and coffee table are front and center when you enter the store. A few small flatscreen TVs hang from above in the middle of the dining area. There's limited, covered, outdoor patio seating.
The shelves of produce are limited. You can buy refrigerated items like Oak Grove's pre-made meatloaf. The butcher is in the back and stocks a variety of meats and seafood, mostly beef. There's also chicken, pork, lamb, and veal, along with salmon, tilapia, and shrimp among other seafood.
Next is the deli. You line up and order cafeteria style. The deli's menu is on the wall. Alternatively, you can just look into the deli case and underneath the hot lamps and see what's available. Almost everything has already been cooked and prepared, so the plates are assembled and handed to you on a tray. At lunchtime, they have mainstays of Brunswick stew, wild rice and chicken soup, and chili.
There's a deli case filled with a variety of cold salads. Sandwiches are available using Boar's Head meats. Hot items include burgers, hot dogs, wings, ribs, chicken fingers, pizza, and chicken sandwiches. Nothing too crazy. There are rotating daily food specials. On Saturday, it's the chicken nachos ($7.99). Lunch prices are affordable as almost all meals are under $10 per person.
Similar to a cafeteria, you take your tray to a cashier where he/she will ring you up. Drinks, silverware, and napkins are self-serve. I haven't tried any desserts, but I did notice a King of Pops bin on the way out. Score.
I tried the following lunch items:
Chicken nachos special
Ribs
Pulled pork
Potato salad
Broccoli mango salad
Black bean and corn salad
Coleslaw
Overall, I thought the food was okay. It's straightforward, simple, and classic American foods with a sort of home-cooked quality to them. I'd say the lunch foods are comparable to cafeteria quality, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy eating at some Southern cafeterias.
The chicken nachos consisted of small, deep-fried nachos drenched in a layer of shredded chicken and cheese. The shredded chicken and cheese resembled and tasted like a version of chicken salad. I wasn't a big fan of the chips. They seemed generic, hard, and overly greasy. Perhaps overcooked?
The ribs were disappointing especially since they were the most expensive lunch item at $10.99. I received a half rack of ribs with a side of BBQ sauce. I waited as the ribs were reheated in a microwave before being served to me. I use a microwave at home because I can't cook, but I don't really expect a microwave to be used when go out and order food. I frown upon it like Robert Irvine of Food Network's Restaurant: Impossible frowns upon it. Restaurants should be serving food cooked fresh, not microwaved.
I wouldn't have minded about the microwave as much if the ribs tasted good, but they didn't. The meat was dry and tough and the rub just wasn't flavorful nor appetizing. The ribs definitely tasted like they were leftovers that had been sitting out for a while. I gave away a couple ribs to one of my dining companions. He'll eat anything. He took a bite and put the ribs down. That's how bad they were. Another disappointment was there were no wet naps. Any place that serves ribs should stock wet naps.
The pulled pork fared much better than the ribs. The pork was pulled fine and, when mixed generously with the supplied BBQ sauce, were tender, smoky, and tasty. A solid effort there and this was one of the best items I tried.
I generally enjoyed the various deli salads. I found them to be mostly mild. Not too sour or tangy. The potato salad seems to be one of the most popular salads. They use red potatoes and slather it in plenty of egg and mayo. I liked the broccoli mango salad too. The corn salad and slaw were fine.
One of my tablemates ordered a Boar's Head roast beef sandwich. He thought it was okay, but nothing special. You can get a similar Boar's Head sandwich from a Publix deli.
The staff was friendly and hospitable.
The sole restroom is located in the back, behind the meat section.