Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe

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  Great hospitability and great pastry and breads.  They did not have coconut cakes on our visit and my mother has been getting there for over 60 years.  We will get them next time.

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  Posted on 07.04.13 Jeff B.

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  I make fairly regular trips up on the plateau for my other hobby, nature photography. A few weeks ago I was photographing Foster Falls, which required a drive through Tracy City. I noticed Dutch Maid Bakery but did not stop. This was a mistake. I returned to Foster Falls this morning for some additional photography, due to poor conditions on my last trip. It was cold, but the photography went well, and I was back on the road well earlier than I expected. As I passed through Tracy City, I remembered it was Small Business Saturday, and gave it a what the heck. I'm glad I did.
  
  Dutch Maid Bakery is located in an attractive older building. There is street parking, and there appears to be a side lot, although that could be for deliveries. The interior is covered in tchotchkes of a rural nature. Maybe too many, as the store is a little confusing at first. Then the mental filter kicks in and you detect food. This morning, the smell of bacon wafted in from the attached restaurant. Yes, a restaurant. Your smells may vary. The store is ringed by glass display cases. Each is carefully concealed behind various tchotchkes, so there isn't that meat locker feel that some bakeries have. There are also tables in the center with baked items, and more tchotchkes. At the back, artfully concealing the entrance to the restaurant, is a wooden shelf holding bread.
  
  A quick survey revealed breads including sourdough, salt, and pumpernickel. I purchased the sourdough. Decent, although it is a little industrial in shape and packaging. The right of entrance display case had brownies, cinnamon twists, and various other sweets. I purchased some cinnamon twists. They are very tasty, if a little sticky. The center table had pies and similar items. I did not want pie, so no pie procurement took place. However, I did notice strawberry cider. Strawberry you say? Yes. It is from Rock Pile Farm. I purchased this. It is like liquid strawberry candy. Awesome. They also had several other favors. It isn't cheap and comes in wine bottles. The left of entrance display case had turnovers and the single greatest cookies I've ever tasted. I bought cheese turnovers and had then for lunch when I got home. They are excellent. I'm especially impressed by the lack of grittiness in the cheese...so many places over sugar the cheese and get it all gritty. I also bought sugar, gingersnap, and peanut butter cookies. The sugar cookies and ginger cookies are my new favorite cookies. There is an initial hardness...you think, is it stale? Nope. Then it crumbles and dissolves. Score! Butter! Well done! They are large and thick, but I ate most if them in the car for breakfast. The peanut butter cookies were also very good, but softer and less of a textural wonder.
  
  Some constructive criticism... They were understaffed this morning. Someone didn't show up for work on time. The register had issues. And, some prices were not clearly marked...but most were. But, everything was handled with grace and a smile, so I'm not concerned. Just don't be in a rush...thankfully I wasn't. ;)
  
  Overall, I'm very impressed by Dutch Maid Bakery. If you are up hiking on the Gizzard, hitting Savage Gulf, visiting one of the local falls, or just passing through Monteagle on I-24, take the short detour to Tracy City and give them a try. I'd even consider driving all the way from Nashville just to visit them, for a special occasion, and I wouldn't think twice about it from Chattanooga. 5/5!
  
  **5/11/13 Update: Nothing has changed with the food. I did want to point out that you better be assertive if you go during the breakfast rush, because apparently the staff is shared between the cafe and bakery, and the cafe seems to be the priority for the staff. Makes sense because they are probably getting tips, but unacceptable from a business standpoint. I was ignored and alone in the bakery for nearly a half hour today. I'm not changing my review, but I did want to express my frustration, and also tip off potential customers that you better make an effort to keep the staff from forgetting you...

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  Posted on 11.24.12 Joshua S.

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