Review of DAM Bar & Grill in Lexington, South Carolina

DAM Bar & Grill

1605 North Lake Drive

Lexington, SC 29072

(803) 808-0882

DAM Bar& Grill

North Lake Drive in Lexington, South Carolina is a five lane road that was built as a result of the Lake Murray Dam. Lake Murray is a magnificent site and the dam is a man-made marvel. With recently building a retention wall that allows you to drive literally in between the dam on one side and along the top of the dam on the other, you will follow the dam for the almost 2 miles that it spans. Near this midlands landmark is an establishment known as the DAM Bar & Grill. In the past I have been to this place for a few drinks with friends and family, but never to eat.

DAM Bar

On this football Saturday we decided to stop in for lunch. With the estimated 25 television screens playing the in state rivalry, there was a crowd of people pulling for their favorite team. As far as the crowd goes, they were busy but not packed. There was no wait for the booth we grabbed; as a matter of fact we changed our mind of where we wanted to sit and there was no problem finding another table to sit at. They do offer bar seating, high top seating and fat man friendly booths. Some of you may wonder what a fat man friendly booth is, well if you have crossed that threshold of being too fat to ride a roller coaster then you need to be aware of booth seating. If a booth has a stationary table and seats then some of us on the larger end may not fit. Sure it is funny to a thin person to watch us as we struggle to get in, out, or even comfortable in this situation, but we like to have the opportunity to just move the table or the seats.

Wing Chips

Some people will remember in National Lampoons Vacation (also later mocked by Bevis and Butthead) when they toured the Hoover Dam as the guide asked the group if they had any dam questions. The reason I bring this up, is that the DAM Bar & Grill has managed to carry on this tradition by offering the DAM starters for appetizers, the DAM wings, DAM wraps, DAM salads, best DAM burgers in town, DAM baskets and items from the DAM grill. Oh and I cannot forget that they have a special section on the back of the menu for the DAM kids.

We decided to start with a DAM side of wing chips as a starter. They offer them as a ‘raw’ chip (meaning not too well done) or as a crispy chip. In essence this is a thicker than usual potato chip. The server recommended using the salt and malt vinegar on them. Rhonette actually had ordered a salad as well with ranch dressing. I thought I would dip a chip into the ranch, and ohhh buddy, that was good!

For my main item I actually had considered getting the DAM hot wings, but went with the 5 Napkin Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. If you are from Pennsylvania then I know that a southern version of your sandwich is an injustice. However, this is the absolute best Philly Cheese Steak sandwich I have ever tasted. There was nothing super special about the preparation of this sandwich. My belief is the ingredients were fresh and properly made. The 5.N.P.C.S. is described in the DAM menu as shaved hot Angus beef, sautéed onions A& peppers, with provolone on a toasted hoagie roll. When you have a place that offers one of these sandwiches but has their own special sauce or extra ‘thing’ to it, they are just overcompensating for an average sandwich. But these guys make a meal that is worth going out of the way for. My food was served with hushpuppies that were wonderful.

 For my thickly stuffed sandwich the cost was $7.99 and the side of wing chips was a full basket for only $2.75. The sodas are $1.95 with ‘free refills’. I use the quotations in free refills due to the fact that for two bucks it better be refills. This is an area that frustrates me because the margin of profit for a soda is huge. Ok, Ok, Ok I am preaching here…. The food is great and I highly recommend your take yourself to the DAM Bar & Grill. The cost for the quality of food is great considering that it is bar food, really, really good bar food. If you decide to get something for the DAM kids then all the items are $3.95 and you get the options of grilled cheese, corn pups, even varieties of chicken.

 Next time I am in Lexington, South Carolina I will be back at the DAM Bar & Grill, ohhh they even have a late night menu for after 10 pm. I like this place……

Review by Pie, email:  pie@piesplate.com