Chow Dining Guide - Spring 2010

local food. local flavor.

Terminally Good If you are standing at the corner of Market and 14th Streets, an oddly shaped brick edifice will catch your eye. The Terminal Brewhouse uses this historic space to bring their vision of craft beer and crafty food to Chattanooga.

Inside, you can’t help but be awed by the curiously asymmetrical space, with its large picture windows, exposed brick and ductwork, dark woods and marvelous, warm, butteryellow walls. All the tables are made of reclaimed heart pine and The Terminal is proud of their “approachably green” concept and efforts to act as a responsible part of the community. Just step out into the Biergarten and you will see the green ideas—both figuratively and literally.

The Terminal uses many organic and locally made items in their kitchen, including bison from Eagle’s Rest in Flintstone, Georgia, coffee roasted on Broad Street by Chattanooga Coffee Co., and all of the bread and pizza dough from their neighbors at Niedlov’s. The menu is somewhere between gastro pub and comfort food. Each item is as important as the next, and all maintain the personality that only a neighborhood brewpub can provide.

The menu boasts everything from their already famous “Wild and Crazy Mushroom Soup” to the unbelievable affordable Pepper Smashed Steak. The food is unique and delicious and is priced to keep you coming back for more.

This restaurant is known for its humorous take on its menu items. Take the vegetarian sandwich, the “Dirty Hippy”: No offense hippies. A hoagie stuffed with marinated Portobello mushrooms, onions, red and yellow peppers, provolone, and sprouts served with Cajun mayo and a Phish bootleg. (Phish bootleg only available in Vermont locations.)

The Terminal offers five craft beers brewed in-house year round, and a sixth seasonal tap that changes with the weather (or the brewer’s whim). Whether you want a great session beer like the Rock out with your Bock out Maibock, or prefer a big IPA like the Magnum, PA West Coast-styled Ale, you will find a reason to have another pint.

Or if you can’t stay, grab a growler and take some home. Locals have already embraced the Southsidenstein Stout as the best $4 they have ever spent. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or check out the Terminal’s late-night happy hour from 10-midnight every Sunday through Thursday. You are guaranteed to find some of your friends and neighbors there.

Terminal Brewhouse, 6 East 14th Street, Chattanooga. (423) 752-8090. terminalbrewhouse.com

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Café Heaven Just up Ochs Highway and a short jog down Scenic Highway into Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, you’ll arrive at Café on the Corner. There is very little signage on the quaint white building, but trust me—one visit and you’ll find your way back again and again. Upon entering Café on the Corner, you immediately feel welcome.

With the enormous stone fireplace and the smells of Southern cooking emanating from the kitchen, the ambiance alone is worth the trip up Lookout Mountain. Owner Ruth Oehmig has created an atmosphere to compliment the delightful fare so lovingly created by Chef Sven Lindroth.

You’ll find tempting appetizers like the Southern classic, fried green tomatoes drizzled with a basil aioli sauce and sweet pepper jelly, and spring rolls filled with collard greens, smoked pork, corn, red pepper, red onion and served with a sweet mustard sauce, reminiscent of South Carolina BBQ sauce. A person could just eat appetizers and have a fabulous meal!

But then you’d be missing out on other amazing dishes like Lindroth’s Flat Iron Steak, cooked in a red wine demi-glace and served with cheddar potato gratin and asparagus, or a local favorite, Café Meatloaf, served with thyme brown gravy, mac n’ cheese, honey-glazed carrots and blue cheese slaw, or the must-try Shrimp and Grits, Lindroth’s own recipe that has been published in Nathalie Dupree’s Shrimp and Grits Cookbook.

Whatever you choose to eat, the experience is sure to be pleasing. Trust me, once you traverse the mountain and find yourself seated at Café on the Corner, you’ll know you’ve found a special place, and you’ll tell everyone you know.

Café on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (423) 825-5005.

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King of the Smoke Lots of soul and lots of love are the two main ingredients that make the barbecue at King’s Smokehouse on Main true Southern comfort food. Upon stepping into King’s, one is engulfed by a smell of overnight smoked meats, which is sure to make any meat lover’s mouth water.The barbecue is Memphis Style with Chattanooga flare, says the master barbecue chef and owner of King’s Smokehouse, Allen King, and he claims the secret to the barbecue was “stolen from Beale Street.”

King’s Smokehouse on Main has an old-country,Southern atmosphere with a modern edge. Original wood-grain counter and tabletops, hardwood floors, a mixture of contemporary local art, and photos of music legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. adorn the walls, which give King’s Smokehouse on Main the feel of an old-school barbecue blues and music hall. The friendly staff welcomes everyone to enjoy the food and have a good time.

King’s offers live music every Thursday through Saturday, and has a variety of imported and domestic beers.

King’s specialties are award-winning ribs, chopped to order pulled pork, and beef brisket that smokes up to 24 hours. Wings are available in six flavors: hot, mild, barbecue, honey hot, lemon pepper and smoked. King’s even offers a Memphis favorite, barbecue nachos. “The food is not instant grits, lots of love and soul goes into this food, which makes it perfect,” says the King. “The food is for real, and it’s good.” If you’re not a carnivore, a vegetarian selection is also available, which “is for the suckers,”chuckles King. All dinners come with corn on the cob, a roll from the local favorite, Niedlov’s Bakery, and two sides. The Homemade Mac-N-Cheese is to die for, and if you’re still hungry for dessert, the Applebottom Cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream, and covered in pecans, caramel sauce and cinnamon is a must-have.

King’s Smokehouse, located at 1800 Main, opened in March 2010, and is one of the newest restaurant additions to the revitalized Main Street area of downtown Chattanooga. King is happy to have a local eatery in the area, and is proud to be a part of the up-and-coming neighborhood.

King Smokehouse, 1800 East Main Street, (423) 475-5937.

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Shining (Southern) Star

As soon as I entered Southern Star, I heard cowbell—it was a sophisticated cowbell, though.

I believe this is exactly the image that the owners, Rick and Nancy Adams, were striving for. Don’t get me wrong; Southern Star serves Southern comfort food, but while the restaurant’s roots may be firmly planted in the South, its branches are completely modern. Having eaten lunch at their location in Chattanooga’s blossoming Southside (they also have another Southern Star restaurant in Signal Mountain), I can confidently say that the dishes provided are Southern-fried perfection and that the ambiance is 21st century luxury.

Much more needs to be said about the food.

First off, Southern Star offers a wide selection of reasons to feel full—and trust me, you’ll feel full.

These belly-bulgers include fried chicken, meat loaf, and chicken-and-rice casserole, to name a few. The Roast Beef Sandwich is a traditional favorite served on hearty bread with fresh lettuce, tomato, and beef cooked to pink-perfection, but the best part about this sandwich is the kickin’ horseradish sauce! Try it with a side of the best macaroni and cheese on the Southside. For dessert, banana puddin’. Every day they have new items on various chalkboards hanging throughout the restaurant. This variety is just another reason to make this, at least, a weekly stop.

It isn’t only the food; it’s also the setting and the service that make Southern Star top notch.

The spacious layout allows for privacy without feeling alienated, and the servers are attentive without being overbearing.

Overall, the simple design is pleasing to the eye, and, most importantly, the rich food is comforting to the stomach. Southern Star definitely deserves five out of five stars.

Southern Star, 1300 Broad Street, Mon-Fri:11am-9pm. 1200 Taft Highway, Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm.

(423) 267-8899. southernstarrestaurant.com

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Hello, Deli!

What do you get when you cross big-city deli sandwiches with homemade Southern cooking? The Flatiron Deli.

New owners Amy Alexander and Brandi O’Neal are easy to pick out, whether they are behind the counter making sandwiches or out exchanging dessert recipes with their customers. Their friendly charm and delicious home-cooked recipes make the Flatiron Deli the place to go if you’re craving a good meal in a comfortable place.

Though it's been on Walnut Street for about 18 years, the Flatiron Deli’s look and taste have changed drastically since Amy and Brandi took over a year and a half ago. When the long-time friends saw that the deli was for sale, Amy, a former personal chef, and Brandi, a former CFO for a brokerage firm, jumped at the opportunity to venture into the restaurant world. The partners redecorated the deli and spruced up the menu to include only the finest, made-from-scratch sandwiches, sides, and desserts.

Lunch time at the Flatiron Deli brings in a steady crowd of regulars and new faces alike, making it a place where anyone can feel welcome.

“A lawyer told us he liked to come in after the trial because he would come in here and both lawyers, the jurors, and the judge would all be in here eating together,” said Amy. The Flatiron’s menu consists of a variety of cold deli sandwiches and hot paninis, with homemade desserts and specials that change daily.

Planning an office party or a get-together with friends? Amy and Brandi are also Schnooks & Cookie Catering Company, available to give the food at your next private party that homemade touch.

Flatiron Deli, 706 Walnut Street Chattanooga, TN. flatiron-deli.com. (423) 266-2620.

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America’s Original Coffee House

The glazed goodness, the jelly-filled bliss…the flakey, cakey fantastic. You know when you need a donut and since 1948, America has known where to get its fix.

Dunkin’ Donuts has stuck with one simple philosophy since it started: “Make and serve the freshest, most delicious coffee and donuts quickly and courteously in modern, well-merchandised stores.” philosophy still holds true today and is the foundation that has enabled Dunkin’ Donuts to grow into America’s favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a leading retailer of hot and iced regular coffee-by-the-cup in America, and the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world.

The original Dunkin’ Donuts experience was a single cup of coffee with a donut, Today Dunkin’ Donuts offers a wide range of coffee, coffee-related beverages, baked goods, and an expanding all-day Oven-Toasted menu. Dunkin’ Donuts is still using the original proprietary coffee blend recipe established by its founder. With coffee leading the charge, beverages accounted for almost 60 percent of Dunkin’ Donuts’ 2008 U.S. sales. The remaining 40 percent of sales are bakery items such as donuts, bagels, muffins, as well as new Oven-Toasted products, including hash browns and new Flatbread sandwiches.

With their famous coffee on your mind, it’s interesting to note that Dunkin’ Donuts has passed along a moniker of quality to the entire coffee industry. The designation Dunkin’ Donuts Quality, or DDQ, has become a universal standard in the industry for superior grade coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts uses 100 percent Arabica coffee beans and has its own coffee specifications, which are recognized by the industry as a superior grade of coffee. Their coffee is freshly ground, freshly brewed and freshly served. If not used within 18 minutes, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is discarded and a new carafe freshly brewed.

The expanded menu that is offered might surprise you these days. Dunkin’ Donuts is certainly not just a place for the historic pastries you have always known. A full offering of breakfast sandwiches from their Anytime Oven-Toasted Breakfast and the menu of Anytime Snacks means there is always a reason for a visit to Dunkin’. And while you there, you can always use a world-famous cup of coffee.

Dunkin’ Donuts, 5311 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Mon-Sun: 5am-10pm. (423)710-1873

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Southside Eats Retreat Broad Street Grille at The Chattanoogan is becoming a locals’ favorite in Chattanooga. The food is amazing, the staff warm and inviting, and the atmosphere relaxing. The restaurant serves great nightly dinners, sumptuous Sunday Brunches, affordable and delicious lunch buffets, and fantastic breakfast buffets. Executive Chef Matt Pinner and Executive Sous Chef Adam Roe work with Chattanooga-area farmers to provide guests with the freshest, local products in the market, such as produce from Crabtree Farms, bread from Niedlov’s, lettuce from Happy Valley Farms, and buffalo from Eagle’s Rest Ranch.

The Broad Street Grille is a terrific spot for dinner; it’s perfect for meeting friends after work, bringing the family for a relaxed meal or enjoying a business dinner. Dinner is served nightly, excluding Sundays, with a wide range of affordable meals. Sandwiches, pizzas and small plates start at only $10, and entrées begin at $17. Menu favorites include Mini Bison Meatloaf; Applewood Bacon Grilled Georgia Quail; Grilled Ribeye with Shrimp-Chevre Blue Cheese Salad; and the Rotisserie Special of the Day. The dinner menu changes twice a year so the culinary team can highlight the best seasonal offerings available.

A few options that Broad Street Grille offers for dinner are the Field-to-Table Nightly Tasting Menu and the Chef’s Table. The Tasting Menu is a delectable three-course dinner for only $29. For an extra $5, you can enjoy a wonderful wine pairing to go with the meal. The unique interactive Chef’s Table, located next to the restaurant’s open exhibition kitchen, is a fun dining experience. You may order from the menu or let Chef Pinner and Chef Roe prepare their own selections using many local ingredients.

Due to popular demand, Broad Street Grille recently brought back its incredible Seafood Buffet. If you are a seafood lover and you haven’t tried it, you definitely should. The Buffet includes a cornucopia of fresh seafood, with the hot food offerings changing monthly. House Smoked Fish, Marinated Mussels, Peel-and-Eat Shrimp and Crab Legs are available each month. The Seafood Buffet is offered on the last Friday of each month, and is $29 for adults, and $15 for children 12 and under.

Each Sunday, an elaborate brunch is served at Broad Street Grille. It features a magnificent display of assorted breakfast pastries and baked goods, fresh fruit, cereals and yogurts, eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, quiche, blintzes, action stations with made-to-order omelets, waffles and chef carved meats. The price of the brunch is $18.95 for adults and $7.95 for children 12 and under.

Lunch at Broad Street Grille is very popular, and for good reason. The restaurant offers a great value for a sensation meal. There is a wide variety of salads, house-made soups, hot entrees, fresh pasta dishes, side dishes and a large assortment of delectable desserts. The lunch buffet is served Monday – Friday from 11 a.m – 2 p.m. It’s only $10, and includes a non-alcoholic drink and complimentary valet parking.

Broad Street Grille is also a favorite spot to enjoy special holidays. For Easter, the restaurant will be serving its delicious Easter Brunch with a special children’s station and visit from the Easter Bunny. In May, moms will be saluted at the annual Mother’s Day Brunch, and later in May, the First Annual BSG Crawfish Boil will be held.

Broad Street Grille, 1201 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN. Mon-Sat: Breakfast: 6:30am-10:30am, Lunch: 11am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm Sun: Brunch: 11:30am-2pm. chattanooganhotel.com

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Mellow Out, Have a Slice Eight years ago, a little slice of heaven opened its doors in downtown Chattanooga. Well, actually—it’s where you can get a few slices of heaven. Mellow Mushroom, downtown in the old CocaCola building, celebrated its eighth anniversary on February 22. “We chose downtown Chattanooga because we knew it was a growing part of the city with great possibilities for us to be successful,” owners Samantha and Jason say. The Coca-Cola Building was a deliberate choice. “We chose the Coca-Cola building because of its location. Of course, we love that it has Chattanooga history, and Mellow’s long time partnership with Coke makes it a bonus.” It also choose the theme for Chattanooga’s Mellow Mushroom. “We have antique Coke memorabilia all over the store and, of course, the super-cool bottle cap awnings.”

But there’s so much more than the aesthetics at Mellow Mushroom. “Our menu is a creation of delicious, thoughtful, and healthy ingredients,” remarks Samantha. “I’ve worked with Mellow in three stores, since 1997 and I can tell you, our house dressing Esperanza (which means hope in Spanish), is the start of every Mellow addiction—on our Greek salad, or mixed with red sauce to dip your pretzels in, to people asking to buy it.” Everyone also raves about the spring-water dough.

“That’s certainly a star factor here!” says Samantha. So what would she suggest to a Mellow newbie? “A Greek salad, a pizza of course, and one of our 40 draft beers!”

Mellow Mushroom, 205 Broad Street. (423) 266-5564. Sun-Thu: 11am10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-midnight. mellowmushroom.com/chattanooga

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The Cherry Street Dream In November of 2009, Tony and Teresa Klein purchased a building and decided to open a diner. Both Tony and Teresa have worked in the restaurant business for many years. When Tony Klein opened Cherry Street Diner he had a vision, in his words: “What I wanted to do is take a place that has all the characteristics of a kind of a classic diner, but get rid of the grease and the grime and the slime and all of the pieces that make it a dirty little diner, and make it more into a classic nostalgic diner, where you have classic diner foods, but where you can come in and get something that’s not… not everything’s fried.”

One of the unique things you’ll find at Cherry Street Diner is their meat-and-three breakfasts. Tony discovered, from all his taste testing, the Southerner’s love for the meat-and-three. Choose from a variety of meats, including bacon, sausage links, bologna, a 6-oz. rib eye, or even a garden burger, and pick your sides. Two pancakes, anyone? How about hash browns? A muffin? You can even choose your coffee, juice or soda as a side, effectively making Cherry Street Diner’s breakfast specials all-inclusive!

If breakfast is not your thing, check out their lunch menu. Hummus Salad—salad greens tossed in a light Italian dressing with hummus, feta cheese and kalamata olives for you healthy eaters. A half-pound cheeseburger, fries and a handspun milkshake for the artery cloggers like me. Whether you’re a health nut or a greasy-spoon gourmand, you’re going to find something pretty tasty at Cherry Street Diner, 701 Cherry Street, Chattanooga.

Cherry Street Diner.

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

(423) 266-4484. cherrystreetdiner.com

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Hello Friday’s!

Thank…God…It’s…Friday’s.

Nearly everyone has eaten at a TGI Friday’s at some point in their life. They’re everywhere— from the oldest location, still operating in Louisville, KY, to our very own location downtown next to the Tennessee Aquarium. TGI Friday’s, or Friday’s to its friends, is a feel-good place.

“Friday’s is known for its flair behind the bar, lots of crazy, unique uniforms,” says Assistant Manager Mark Garrett, “The staff has a lot of fun and lets a little loose, so it’s just a fun place to come.”

So while you’re there having fun, cozy up to the bar and order a new Ruby Mo-Tea-To (Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka, ruby red grapefruit nectar and lemonade, shaken fresh mint). If fancy designer drinks are not your style, how about $2 domestics draughts and bottles, all day, every day!

Sample such favorites as the Jack Daniel’s Chicken Sandwich—grilled chicken basted in Jack Daniel’s glaze and topped with bacon, mixed cheeses, Cajun onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and Jack Daniel’s mayo or the Honey Pecan Salmon—a fire-grilled, cedar-smoke-seasoned Norwegian salmon filet with pecan honey butter, topped with glazed pecans and served with slow-cooked coconut jasmine rice and broccoli.

Make sure your sweet tooth gets a turn, because the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie with peanut butter graham cracker crust, filled with layers of chocolate ganache and decadent peanut butter mousse topped with whipped cream and a peanut butter cup will surely hit the spot!

Whatever you’re looking for, be it good food, good drinks, or just plain good fun, you’re sure to find it at TGI Friday’s, where every day is like Friday.

TGI Friday’s, 2 Broad Street, downtown Chattanooga. Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. (423) 752-8443, www.tgifridays.com

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Main Street’s Favorite Flavors Nestled in the Los Altos mountainous region of the Mexican state of Jalisco is a town known as Jesus Maria. Food cooked in the Los Altos region is centered on beef and chicken, with very little seafood because of its distance from the coast. It is from here that the Fuentes family, proprietors of La Altena, hail.

Says Maria Fuentes, daughter of La Altena founders and manager of the Main Street location, “Before [my parents] even had a restaurant or grocery store, they used to go to flea markets and sell tamales and jewelry, music to Hispanic people because there was no [Hispanic] grocery store here.” So they opened one of their own.

Senor and Senora Fuentes worked tirelessly in the carneceria, even having their children delivered to the store every afternoon by school bus. She would sit right in the back of the grocery store and cook up something delicious; so delicious, in fact, that patrons of the carneceria began asking if they could buy her food. It quickly became so popular that the Fuentes were approached about opening a restaurant.

La Altena opened downtown on Main Street in 1997 using a plethora of Senora Fuentes’s recipes. Six years after opening the first La Altena, the Fuentes decided it was time to expand. A second location, this one in East Brainerd, was opened. A third was added last year at the foot of Signal Mountain.

While each location has a different chef, the ingredients remain the same, as do the prices. Maria Fuentes tells, “We are not in this for the money. We just want everyone to experience ‘my mama’s cooking’.”

La Altena: Downtown: 314 E. Main Street; Signal Mountain: 615 Commercial Lane; East Brainerd: 8644 East Brainerd Road. Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

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Great Food Goes Green The year 1992 marked the beginning of something big in Chattanooga: revitalization of the downtown area was underway, the Tennessee Aquarium opened to the public, and the Moses family started dishing up healthy, delicious food, all made lovingly from scratch at 212 Market.

212 Market’s uniforms started as shorts and paint-splattered aprons…that is, until customers started asking for more formality. “Now,” Sally tells us, “we are starting to slide back to the eclectic, individualized look and feel of service, while the chefs sport their own concepts of ‘haute cuisine’ fashion.”

Those aren’t the only changes that have been made since 1992. Although 212 Market has always been an eco-conscious restaurant, they became a Certified Green Restaurant in 2007, using compact fluorescent bulbs and LED exterior lights. They have an herb and flower garden, and redirect rainwater to the condenser on the roof to the garden. They donate their used fry oil to be converted into biodiesel and meat scraps to a local wildlife curator for red wolves, coyotes and foxes.

212 Market is also a member of Slow Food. The restaurant also changes its menu seasonally, based on local in-season foods—another initiative to create an ecologically sustainable restaurant.

While a very special place to eat, 212 is not just for special occasions. There are very affordable wine selections and a half-price wine list on Tuesdays, and around 14 selections on their lunch menu for less than $7.

The web site sums it up best: “At 212, we offer you the warmth and comfort of traditional Southern hospitality, combined with a world-class culinary experience.”

212 Market, 212 Market Street, downtown Chattanooga. Lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dinner Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.- 10 p.m., and Sunday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. 212 Market serves weekend brunch. (423) 265-1212.

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Never Go Home Hungry at Chef Lin Repeatedly voted the “best dinner under $10” since it opened in 2001, Chef Lin is considered one of the largest international buffets in the Chattanooga area. For just $10 (and that’s just for dinner, lunch is only six bucks!) a customer can come in and expect one of the largest arrays of food in town. “You can eat at other restaurants and pay $30 for one lobster,” said Lin, “or you could come here and eat shrimp, steak, and crab legs for only ten.”

According to the chef, the buffet tables offer some 200 items including Peking Duck, New Zealand Mussels, Salmon Steak, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Legs, Ribeye Steak, Oysters and much more. The list goes on and on.

The restaurant also offers a sushi bar, salad bar, and hibachi grill as well as an assortment of fresh fruits and even French pastries.

The inside is surprisingly large, with several dinning areas, including a private room for parties and meetings that can hold up to 60 people. Roughly 200 people pack themselves into the restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night when the place is busiest.

Chinese-themed wall art hangs in the dinning rooms and decorative archways and ceiling tiles add to the effect.

The rooms are light and clean and the aroma of hot, fresh food wafts in and out.

It makes a person hungry! And Lin is not above a little self-promotion here and there—the restaurant’s foyer is decorated with award certificates.

The restaurant remains dedicated to offering good, affordable meals, knowing that a happy and satisfied customer will always return for more.

Chef Lin, 5084 S. Terrace Road in the South Terrace Plaza.

(I-24 Exit 184, Next to the Rave Movie Theater). Hours: MonThu: 11am-10pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-10:30pm (423) 510-1998.

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Casa Raul Keeps It Real When I spoke with Raul Carrillo, owner of Casa Raul, he promised that Casa Raul would have flavor, freshness, and cleanliness. He spoke no more than the truth.

Casa Raul serves authentic Mexican food— something rare in Chattanooga. If this isn’t enough to motivate some folks to travel outside of their comfort zone—not just out of your neighborhood, but also in your flavor universe—the fact that Casa Raul is familyoriented and reasonably priced should help.

Casa Raul opened in 2006. Raul Carrillo, a pleasantly friendly man, says his motivation for taking on the challenge of opening his own restaurant was simply, “to bring a little piece of authentic Mexican food,” especially to those of us craving something other than the drive-through delicacies of Taco Bell.

If your taste buds are begging for authentic taste, I recommend the Pollo Raul, which was invented by Raul himself. This dish consists of a chicken breast laid over a bed of rice covered, appropriately, in queso.

Try it in tortillas with a side of vegetables.

Casa Raul also serves fajitas of all kinds (the biggest-selling item), the best guacamole Chattanooga has experienced, gorditas, and flan—handmade every morning, of course.

While I was waiting for the food, I spoke with Raul’s son, Caesar, a full-time student, who told me that he and his father are not the only members of the family that work here. On the weekends, Caesar’s brother, sister, and cousins also clock in hours. This explains the personal treatment that every customer experiences.

So, if you’ve had your fill of not-so-real Mexican food, give Casa Raul a try. It embodies what every restaurant should strive for: good food and excellent service in a comfortable environment—all with a smile at no extra charge. Remember, Raul’s Casa is your casa.

Casa Raul Authentic Mexican Food, 615 Commercial Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37405. Mon-Sat:11am-10pm. (423) 870-1147

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A Little Bit Country...

In a world where fast-food franchises on every corner can make dining out an impersonal experience, it’s refreshing to find a place like Country Diner offering that familial Southern touch and catering to their customers’ wants.

It was that attitude—wanting to give people what they want—that led owner Ron Mizell, a full-time fireman with the city of Chattanooga, to open Country Diner nearly two years ago.

Seeing a need for a place that offered good, home-cooked food in the Lookout Valley area, Ron opened up Country Diner to “feed the public.”

Country Diner feeds the public breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. They have different nightly and monthly specials, and their everyday menu has a wide variety of food, including biscuits, pancakes, omelettes, burgers, hot sandwiches, homemade onion rings, and vegetable sides, as well as a lot of downhome Southern favorites for dinner like rib-eye steak, BBQ pork, fried catfish, and chicken and dressing.

And if they don’t have what you want, just ask. “If we don’t have it, I try to do whatever I can to put what people ask for on the menu,” said Ron. He recently added a selection of appetizers to the menu per customer request.

All ages and types of people enjoy the atmosphere and good food offered by Country Diner; it isn’t a rare occurrence to see lawyers and doctors from downtown come in for lunch, the local football team come in for dinner before the game, or a family with small children come in to enjoy a slice of chocolate cream pie for dessert.

You can find this family-run, family-owned restaurant in Lookout Valley off I-24. It is located in the shopping plaza right off exit 175 next to CVS. Country Diner, 321 Browns Ferry Road, Chattanooga, TN. Mon-Fri: 6am-8pm, Sat: 6am-3pm, Sun: 11am-2pm.

(423) 825-5009.

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Hoist a Pint, Enjoy Pub Grub at Hair of the Dog Your neighborhood pub is where you go to eat, have a pint, and be among friends. Hair of the Dog Pub is Chattanooga’s neighborhood pub. It offers locals and travelers alike a taste of American and English pub fare, combined with the comfortable atmosphere that only a pub can provide.

The menu is loaded with unique food to keep you satisfied while you soak in the good times. Hair of the Dog offers classic pub dishes like Fish n’ Chips and Bangers and Mash along with more modern American items, including their award-winning Babe the Bleu Ox burger and the Salmon I am, a grilled salmon BLT. The full bar is stocked with everything you need, including more than 60 beers, focused on great craft brands and imports. HOTDP features several English beers, and of course specialty draughts. Sundays mean Chattanooga’s most approachable and laid-back brunch, combined with their user-friendly Bloody Mary Bar. Hair of the Dog has two levels of dining inside and out, including the best deck in town.

If you choose to hang out upstairs, our hand-built dumbwaiter will bring up your food and drinks while you throw darts or shoot a game of pool. Bring your friends or be prepared to make some new ones in the Dog’s friendly confines—while you enjoy excellent pub grub and a pint of your choice.

334 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Hours: 11am-3am. (423) 265-4615.hairofthedogpub.net

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Viva El Salvador!

El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, is rich with history. Once called Papil, “the land of precious things,” El Salvador is steeped in tradition—with holidays and celebracions spanning the year—and plentiful with exports like coffee, sugar, and camarones, better known here as shrimp. And the cuisine… oh, the cuisine.

A while ago, Chattanooga was fortunate enough to gain a Salvadoran restaurant, Taco Rico. Taco Rico was opened by an El Salvadorian woman who had relocated to Chattanooga. As time went by, Taco Rico gathered a following, fueled by great food, mostly traditional Salvadoran fares with a few Mexican dishes sprinkled in, excellent prices, and a comfortable environment to get together.

Patrons Chris Henegar and Rene Arevalo eventually took over the restaurant, but have stayed true to this original formula while adding a few dishes to the menu like pastelitos, pastries similar to turnovers, filled with beef and potato; tostado de ceviche, a fish cocktail cooked in lime, and empanadas, a pastry stuffed with plantains and served with a milk pudding.

Henegar also made one other addition to the menu, offering both domestic and Mexican beer, to get a night crowd in. Don’t worry, though—Henegar doesn’t want Taco Rico to turn into a cookie-cutter restaurant. You’ll still find the TVs tuned to Spanish-speaking channels and futbol. You’ll still find the same friendly service, the same great food and the same phenomenal prices you’ve always found at Taco Rico.

Taco Rico is located at 207 E. Main Street, downtown Chattanooga. Hours of business are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. (423) 752-8102.

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Modern Americana

The Public House is one of the newest editions to this city’s dining landscape. Located at the newly envisioned Warehouse Row in downtown Chattanooga, the Public House focuses its fresh, modern menu on American-style cuisine with contemporary updates.

Serving lunch, dinner, and a very special Sunday Supper, the menu selections are at once familiar and comforting, while uniquely enticing in their preparation and presentation. A simple lunch selection of the classic fish sandwich is brought to new dimensions when dressed with the sweet and tangy fennel slaw (one of the lunch menu highlights), and the locally sourced pork loin is sugar cured and topped with Vidalia onion gravy—this succulent option satisfies with each fork full.

Having its roots firmly tapped into the American cuisine, one might expect The Public House to offer a Sunday brunch. Don’t worry, they do. This innovative spin on a Southern tradition takes the preparation of chicken to new heights. Every Southerner knows one should not pass too many Sundays without some fried chicken, right? The Public House Fried Chicken is sweet-tea-brined, buttermilk-soaked, and Lodge cast-iron-skillet-fried. This thoughtful preparation of fried chicken will cause any good ol’ boy’s stomach to rumble in nostalgic anticipation.

Utterly inventive and deliciously prepared, snacks and small plates are also prominent on the menu, offering the perfect selection for happy hour nibbles with a well-paired wine or cocktail.

House-made pimento cheese served with grilled sourdough bread and fried pickles and the seared sea scallops with frisee & bacon salad dressed in cranberry relish, just to name a few, are some of the appetizers offered. These selections are indicative of what is found at Public House. The menu, the attentive and knowledgeable staff, and the ambiance of this comfortably modern interior will please even the most refined Southerner.

Public House, 1110 Market Street, Warehouse Row. Hours: Mon-Sat: Lunch, Sun: Brunch, Mon-Sun: Dinner. (423) 266-3366.

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Mr. T’s Is The Place To Be Mr. T’s is the perfect environment for enjoying a classic piece of pizza: white-and green-checkered floors, paper plates, used tables and chairs, and just the right amount of laidback vibe. Tyler Gray founded Mr. T’s in 1989, and claims he started his business because it was “something good to do.” This type of modest response is characteristic of Gray, who puts in a good 50 hours weekly at Mr. T’s. And this work ethic shines not only in Gray but also in his staff and, most importantly, in his fresh-made food.

What sets Mr. T’s apart from most pizza places is the atmosphere. When asked about how he planned out the atmosphere of the restaurant, Gray casually responds that it “just kind of happened.” This is exactly the point. Many restaurants today are so focused on building an image for their restaurant that they have no image. Mr. T’s does not attempt to be anything other than what it is: a family-friendly establishment that serves great pizza with great service.

While Gray may claim that things like this just happen, I know for a fact that the simultaneously crispy and thick crust and anything-but-dull sauce doesn’t just happen. When Gray asked what I liked on my pizza, “Everything” was the correct response. My personal pizza came super-loaded with sausage, green peppers, black olives, pepperoni, and the all-important cheese. It was fresh and served in a timely manner. What’s not to like?

Located directly across from the incline in Historic St. Elmo, Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream, like Gray, is friendly, unassuming, and approved of by the locals. While being interviewed, Gray claimed that he wasn’t any good at interviewing. Don’t worry, Mr. Gray—your restaurant says it all.

Mr. T’s Pizza, 3924 Tennessee Ave, Chattanooga, TN. Hours: Tue-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 12pm10pm, Closed Mon (423) 821-5084.

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American 212 Market

212 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 212market.com (423) 265-1212

The awards and accolades continue to come for 212 Market… and why shouldn’t they? 212 produces delectable foods from scratch, using mostly local ingredients, serves it with top notch friendly service at a great price. Their spinach salad has been featured at the James Beard House in New York. It is accented with toasted hazelnut vinaigrette, crumbled blue cheese, sliced fresh apples from Pikeville and bacon from Benton, Tennessee. The seafood bisque is fantastic with crawfish, brandy, trinity veg and cream. The chocolate truffle cake is decadently rich and a great way to end a meal.

Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun: 11:30 am-3pm Dinner: Mon-Thu: 5pm-9:30 pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm, Sun: 5pm-9pm

Aretha Frankensteins 518 Tremont Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 arethas.com (423) 265-7685 Hours: 7am-midnight

Bald Headed Bistro

201 Keith St. SW | Cleveland, TN 37311 www.baldheadedbistro.com (423) 472-6000 Hours: Mon: 5pm-9pm, Tue-Sat: 4:30pm10pm, Closed Sun

Bea’s Restaurant

4500 Dodds Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37407 beasrestaurant.net (423) 867-3618 Hours: Wed-Sun: 11am- 8pm, Closed Mon & Tue

Big River Grille & Brewing Works/ Downtown 222 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 bigrivergrille.com (423) 267-2739 Hours: 11am-11pm

Blacksmith Bistro and Grill

3914 St. Elmo Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37409 (423) 702-5461 Hours: Tue-Fri: 5pm – 10pm, Sat: 12pm – 10pm, Sun: 11am – 4pm, Closed Mon

Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant/ Downtown 1463 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 757-0088 Hours: Mon-Thu: 4pm-9pm, Fri: 4pm-10pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm, Closed Sun

Blue Plate

191 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 theblueplate.info (423) 648-6767 Hours: Tue-Fri: 8:30am-9pm, Sat & Sun: 9am-9pm, Closed Mon

Bluegrass Grill

55 E. Main Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 752-4020 Hours: Tue-Fri: 6:30am-2pm, Sat: 6:30am-1pm, Closed Sun & Mon

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Broad Street Grille & Foundry

1201 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402, chattanooganhotel.com Broad Street Grille at The Chattanoogan is becoming a local’s favorite in Chattanooga. The food is amazing, the staff warm and inviting, and the atmosphere relaxing. The restaurant serves great nightly dinners, sumptuous Sunday Brunches, affordable and delicious lunch buffets, and fantastic breakfast buffets. Executive Chef Matt Pinner and Executive Sous Chef Adam Roe work with Chattanoogaarea farmers to provide guests with the freshest, local products in the market, such as produce from Crabtree Farms, bread from Niedlovs, lettuce from Happy Valley Farms, and buffalo from Eagles Rest Ranch.

Hours: Mon-Sat: Breakfast: 6:30am10:30am, Lunch: 11am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm Sun: Brunch: 11:30am-2pm

Canyon Grill

28 Scenic Highway #189 Rising Fawn, GA 30738 canyongrill.com (706) 398-9510 Hours: Wed-Sun: 5pm-9pm, Closed Mon & Tue.

Dunkin’ Donuts

5311 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343 (423)-710-1873 Mon-Sun: 5am-10pm

Easy Bistro & Bar

203 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 easyseafood.com/home (423) 266-1121 Hours: Mon-Fri: 5pm-10pm, Sat & Sun: Lunch: 11am-4 pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm

ELEVEN

407 Chestnut Street (inside Doubletree Hotel) Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 756-5150 Hours: Mon-Fri: Breakfast: 6am-10am, Lunch: 11:30am-1pm, Dinner: 5pm-10 pm, Sat & Sun: Breakfast: 6am-11am, Lunch: 11am-2pm, Dinner: 2pm-10pm.

Epicurean Restaurant

4301 Ringgold Road Chattanooga, TN 37412 (423) 622-4139 Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-10pm, Sun: 11am-8:30pm

Food Works

205 Manufacturers Road Chattanooga, TN 37405r riversidefoodworks.com (423) 752-7487 Hours: 10:30am-10pm

Fox & Hound Pub & Grille

2040 Hamilton Place Boulevard | Chattanooga, TN 37421 tentcorp.com (423) 490-1200 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-3am, Sun: 12pm-3am

Hair Of The Dog Pub 334 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 hairofthedogpub.net (423) 265-4615

Your neighborhood pub is where you go to eat, have a pint, and be among friends. Hair of the Dog Pub is Chattanooga’s neighborhood pub.

It offers locals and travelers alike a taste of American and English pub fare, combined with the comfortable atmosphere that only a pub can provide. The menu is loaded with unique food to keep you satisfied while you

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soak in the good times. Hair of the Dog offers classic pub dishes like Fish n’ Chips and Bangers and Mash along with more modern American items, including their award-winning Babe the Bleu Ox burger and the Salmon I am, a grilled salmon BLT. Hours: 11am-3am

Hennen’s

193 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 hennens.net (423) 634-5160 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri: 11am-11pm, Sat: 5pm-11pm, Sun: 5pm-10pm

Innside Restaurant

800 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-7687

J Alexander’s Restaurant

2215 Hamilton Place Bouelvard Chattanooga, TN 37421 jalexanders.com (423) 855-5559 Hours: Sun-Thur: 11am-midnight, Fri & Sat: 11am-1am

Lamar’s Restaurant

1018 East ML King Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37403 lamarsrestaurant.com (423) 266-0988 Hours: 5pm-3am

Nikki’s Drive Inn

899 Cherokee Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 265-9015 Hours: Sun-Thu: 9am-9pm, Fri & Sat: 9am-10pm

North Chatt Cat

346 Frazier Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 266-9466 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Northshore Grille

16 Frazier Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37405 northshoregrille.com (423) 757-2000 Hours: Mon-Wed: 11am-10pm, Thu-Sun: 11am-2am

Old Folks Lounge

5401 Wilbanks Drive Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 843-9366 Hours: Everyday: 12pm

Pickle Barrel Restaurant 1012 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-1103 Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-3am, Sun: 12pm-3am

Porters Steakhouse

827 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 porterssteakhouse.com (423) 643-1240 Hours: Sun-Wed: 7am-10pm, Thu-Sat: 7am-11pm

Pure Bliss Cafe

7677 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 (706) 935-2530

Red Lantern Cafe & Tavern

comfort and much more typically only found in large cities around the world has arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

That is St. John’s Meeting Place.

Welcome.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sun: 5pm-10pm

St. John’s Restaurant

1278 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 stjohnsrestaurant.com/ (423) 266-4400 Chef Daniel Lindley’s daily menu highlights the abundance of each season with precision, whether it’s fruits and vegetables picked earlier that morning at local farms, fish flown in overnight from all over the country or the finest meats imaginable. At St. John’s Restaurant you can be confident that what is offered is the best of everything available.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sun: 5pm-10pm

Station House Restaurant

1301 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 redlanterncafe.com (423) 757-4730 Hours: Sun-Wed: 11am-9pm, Thu-Sat: 11am-midnight

1400 Market Street (inside Chattanooga Choo Choo) Chattanooga, TN 37402 choochoo.com (423) 266-5000 Hours: Tue-Sat: 6pm-10pm.

Closed Sun & Mon.

Southern Star

T-Bones Sports Cafe

1300 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 southernstarrestaurant.com (423) 267-8899 Southern Star offers a wide selection of reasons to feel full—and you will feel full!

These belly-bulgers include fried chicken, meat loaf, and chicken-and-rice casserole, to name a few. I personally recommend the Roast Beef Sandwich.

This traditional favorite is served on hearty bread with fresh lettuce, tomato, and beef cooked to pink-perfection, but the best part about this sandwich is the kickin’ horseradish sauce! Try it with a side of the best macaroni and cheese on the Southside. For dessert, because what Southern meal is complete without, banana puddin’.

Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-9pm, Closed Sat & Sun.

St. John’s Meeting Place

1274 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 stjohnsrestaurant.com (423) 266-4571 Quality, ambiance, attention to detail,

1419 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-4240 Hours: Mon-Wed: 11am-10pm, Thu: 11am-Midnight, Fri: 11am-3am, Sat: 12pm-3am. Closed Sun

Taco Mac

423 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 taco-mac.com (423) 267-8226 Hours: 11am – 3am

The Palms at Hamilton Place 6925 Shallowford Road, Suite 202 Chattanooga, TN 37421 thepalmsathamilton.com (423) 499-5055

Welcome to Chattanooga’s Premier Adult - oriented Restaurant featuring: Upscale Dining, Nightly Dancing and DJ, Lounge and Bar, Open-air Seating on the Palms Deck, and Weekly Specials.

Hours: Mon-Sat: 2pm-3am, Closed Sun

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The Terminal Brewhouse 6 E. 14th Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 terminalbrewhouse.com (423) 752-8090

The Terminal Brewhouse is a locally owned and operated business; as such it goes to great lengths and expense to utilize local products and services whenever available.

The Terminal believes in being a contributing member to the neighborhood and city for years to come by instituting many green practices and initiatives. Only the freshest foods and finest hops make it into the Terminal and their passion is that only world-class beer and exceptional food make it to your table.

Hours: 11am - midnight

Tremont Tavern

1203 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343 tremonttavern.com (423) 266-1996 Hours: Mon: 4pm – Midnight, Tue-Thu: 11:30am – 1am Fri & Sat: 11:30am – 2am, Sun: 12pm - midnight

Zarzours Cafe

1627 Rossville Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 266-0424 Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am – 2pm

BBQ Bone’s Smokehouse

9012 E Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 894-2663 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm, Closed Sun

Buffalo Wild Wings

507 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-1222 (423) 752-9464 364 Northgate Mall, Lot 39 Chattanooga, TN 37415-6922 (423) 877-2356 buffalowildwings.com Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-1am, Fri & Sat: 11am-2am, Sun: 11am-midnight

Famous Dave’s

2122 Gunbarrel Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. famousdaves.com (423) 954-3227 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am – 9:30pm Fri & Sat: 11am – 10:30pm

Hillbilly Willy’s Bar-B-Q & Catering 115 Browns Ferry Road Chattanooga, TN 37419 HillBillyWillys.com (423) 821-2272

You have never tasted BBQ like this.

The flavor is to die for and it is falloff-the-bone-tender. With the best service, you’ll never have a bad experience, and the staff if one you’d want if you had your own restaurant!

Stack your plate high with wonderful side items and desserts—you’ll never leave hungry!

Hours: Tue-Sat: 11am-7pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Moss’ Place II

707 Tunnel Blvd.

Chattanooga, TN 37411 mossplace.com (423) 629-6234 Takeout/ (423)493-9006 Catering

The skilled staff from Moss’ Place II will arrive at your event fully prepared to set up, with food already cooked or cooked on the scene if you wish.

When they leave, everything will be in perfect order. You’ll never know Moss was there—except for the good food and times everyone will remember.

Hours: Thu: 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-9pm

Porker’s BBQ

1251 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 267-2726 Hours: Mon: 7am-2pm, Tue-Thu: 7am-6:30pm, Sat: 7am-8pm

Sugars Ribs

2450 15th Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 sugarsribs.com (423) 826-1199 Hours: 11am – 9pm

Burgers Cheeburger Cheeburger

138 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 cheeburger.com (423) 265-4108 Get a taste of what a Cheeburger

Cheeburger restaurant looks like before the doors open for the day.

Imagine you have the place all to yourself. Take a seat at the soda fountain or pull up an old-fashioned

chair. Look around at the neon lights and neat signs and posters. Check out the cool T-shirts, gifts and collectibles.

Turn on the fifties and sixties music.

Feels good, doesn’t it? When the doors open for business, you’ll be joined by a lot of people who feel the same way.

Hours: 11am-9pm

Tubby’s Real Burgers 710 Cherokee Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 265-0069 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm, Closed Sun

Cafés/Bakeries Back Inn Cafe

412 E 2nd Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 bluffviewartdistrict.com (423) 265-5033 Hours: Tue-Thu: 5pm-9pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Koch’s Bakery

1900 Broad Street | Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 265-3331 Hours: Mon-Sat: 6am-5:30 pm, Closed Sun

Niedlov’s Breadworks 215 E Main Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 niedlovs.com (423) 756-0303 Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, Sat: 7am-4pm, Closed Sun

Vine Street Bakery

1313 Hanover Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 266-8463 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 10am-4pm, Closed Sun

Chinese Asia Buffet

6901 Lee Highway, Suite G Chattanooga, TN 37421 asia-buffet.net (423) 499-8865 Hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30am-9:30pm, Fri-Sun: 10:30am-10:30pm

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Chef Lin

5084 South Terrace Chattanooga, TN 37412 (423) 510-1998

Excellent selection and quality. Good value with a good selection of sushi, cold shellfish & hot shellfish dishes as well as the usual Chinese dishes you would expect. One of the few Chinese buffet’s that serve duck. A must if you like Asian buffets.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-10:30pm

China Garden Restaurant 4839 Highway 58 Chattanooga, TN 37416 (423) 894-6776 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10:30pm, Sun: 11am-9:30pm

China Gourmet

321 Browns Ferry Road Chattanooga, TN 37419 (423) 821-8500 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

China Lee

3815 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37415 (423) 877-6917 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

China Moon

5600 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411 (423) 893-8088 Hours: 11am-10pm

China Rose Chinese Restaurant 9203 Lee Highway Ooltewah, TN 37363 (423) 238-1268 Hours: 11am-10:30 pm

Formosa Restaurant 5425 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343 formosarestaurant.com (423) 875-6953

The founders of Formosa, Edward and Alfred Pao, brothers who immigrated from Taiwan, sought to create a restaurant that offered a variety of authentic Chinese dishes were based on the recipes they had watched

their mother create when they were youngsters.

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11:30am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11:30am-10:30pm

Imperial Garden Restaurant 2288 Gunbarrel Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 499-9333 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11:15am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Mandarin Garden Restaurant

5450 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 877-8899 Hours: Everyday: Lunch: 11pm-3pm, Dinner: 3pm-10pm

New China Buffet & Grill

3450 Cummings Highway Chattanooga, TN 37419 (423) 821-6988 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-9:30pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10:30pm

New China Restaurant

1900 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 267-5941 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 12pm-10pm

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New Peking Mandarin House 1801 Dayton Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 875-6480 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-9:30pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10:30pm, Sun 11:30am-1030pm

P F Chang’s China Bistro

2110 Hamilton Place Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37421 pfchangs.com (423) 242-0045 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Genghis Grill

138 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 genghisgrill.com (423) 634-1188 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Coffee/Tea Chattz

1010 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402

chattz.com (423) 756-8890 Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm, Sat: 7am-1pm, Closed Sun

English Rose

1401 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 265-5900 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5:30pm, Closed Sun

Hours: Mon-Thu: 7am-10pm, Fri: 7am-11:30am, Sat: 8am-11:30pm, Sun: 8am-10pm

Deli Ankar’s Hoagies

Greyfriar’s Coffee & Tea Co.

5018 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343 ankarshoagiesonline.com (423) 876-7158 Hours: Mon-Thu: 10am-9:30pm, Fri & Sat: 10am-11pm, Sun 11am-9:30pm

Pasha Coffee & Tea

510 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-0017 Hours: Mon-Wed: 10:30am-3:30pm, Thu & Fri: 10:30am-6pm, Sat: 11am-6pm, Closed Sun

406-B Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 267-0376 Hours: Mon-Thu: 6:30am-6pm

3914 St. Elmo Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37409 (423) 475-5482 Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-9pm, Sat: 7am-6pm, Closed Sun

Rembrandt’s Coffee House 204 High Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 bluffviewartdistrict.com (423) 265-5033

4764 Highway 58 Chattanooga, TN 37416 (423) 894-3808 Hours: Sun-Sat: 10am-9pm 5966 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 899-3074 Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-9:30pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10:30pm

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Cherry Street Diner

701 Cherry Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-4484

One of the unique things you’ll find at Cherry Street Diner is their meatand-three breakfasts. Choose from a variety of meats, including bacon, sausage links, bologna, a 6-oz. rib eye, or even a garden burger, and pick your sides. Two pancakes, anyone? How about hash browns?

A muffin? You can even choose your coffee, juice or soda as a side, effectively making Cherry Street Diner’s breakfast specials all-inclusive! If breakfast is not your thing, check out their lunch menu.

Hummus Salad—salad greens tossed in a light Italian dressing with hummus, feta cheese and kalamata olives for you healthy eaters. A halfpound cheeseburger, fries and a handspun milkshake for the artery cloggers. And there’s definitely something in-between the two extremes. Whether you’re a health nut or a greasy-spoon gourmand, you’re going to find something pretty tasty at Cherry Street Diner.

Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am–2:30pm

Dinner in the Diner

1400 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 choochoo.com (423) 266-5000 Hours: Fri & Sat: 5pm–9pm

Figgy’s Sandwich Shop 805 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-8675 Hours: Mon-Sat: 8am-3pm, Closed Sun

Flat Iron Deli

706 Walnut Street Chattanooga, TN (423) 266-2620

The Flat Iron Deli, one of Chattanooga’s best kept secrets, is just a short walk from the historic Hamilton County Courthouse. This deli serves sub-style sandwiches and fresh salads. Homemade soups and casseroles are the favorites in the winter, but the rotisserie chicken is the perennial favorite for the downtown masses. The Flat Iron also has a deli case full of wonderful desserts and meals to go. Open for

breakfast and lunch, the deli features specials daily and free WiFi. If you are looking to grab a quick bite, a break from your desk or just relax with some friends. The Flat Iron Deli is what you’ve been looking for.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 8am-3pm, Fri: 8am- 2:30pm, Closed Sat & Sun

Golly Whoppers

6337 E Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 gollywhoppers.net/Home.html (423) 855-2001

Golly Whoppers is not like a “New York” style or traditional deli. They don’t specialize in shaved deli meats or imported cheeses. If you like BIG, sloppy, and DELICIOUS chicken or ham salad sandwiches drenched in mayo, American cheese, dill pickles, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw and sweet tea, they can’t be beat!

They are a local lunch favorite and have been for years, so be prepared to wait in line! Golly Whoppers has daily specials, including a loaded hot dog that is about as big as your arm!

The prices aren’t cheap but very fair for the size of the sandwiches. Go a little early for lunch, be prepared to use lots of napkins and kick your diet to the curb!

Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-11pm, Sat: 11am-4pm, Sun: 11am-3pm

Jason’s Deli

(423) 877-5818 Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm, Sat: 10am-6pm, Closed Sun

OUT Of The BLUE Cafe & Kites 4301 Amnicola Highway Chattanooga, TN 37406 ootbcafeandkites.com (423) 698-4839 3230 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411 (423) 698-7883 Hours: Tue –Sat: 10am-8pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe 4001 Saint Elmo Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37409 (423) 822-6477

Just a few yards from the Incline Railway a tiny gem awaits. With awesome smoked pork and chicken, or a loaded potato, you’ll be trying to finish. Cheap prices and wonderful service all in a cute place. Fall in love with the Purple Daisy.

Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-7:30pm, Sat: 11am-4pm, Closed Sun

River Street Deli

151 River Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 riverstreet-deli.com (423) 756-3354 Hours: Mon -Fri: 10:30am – 4pm, Sat: 10:30am – 5pm, Sun: 11am – 5pm

2115 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 14 Chattanooga, TN 37421 jasonsdeli.com (423) 296-1096 Hours: 10am – 10pm

Shapiro’s Catering Deli & Gift

Little Lunch Box

Silver Diner

5959 Shallowford Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 510-9860 Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-2:30pm

Mercatino Deli & Coffee

417 Frazier Avenue # 104 Chattanooga, TN 37405 mercatino-chattanooga.com (423) 265-1000 Hours: Mon-Wed: 8am-3pm, Thu & Fri: 8am-9pm, Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 10am-2pm

Nicks Deli & Marketplace 5149 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343

723 Cherry Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 shapirosdeliandcatering.com (423) 266-3669

1400 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 choochoo.com (423) 266-5000 Hours: Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm

Steamboat

5950 Shallowford Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 499-6355 Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-3:30pm

Steamboat Super Sandwiches 812 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 756-8388 Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30am-2:30pm

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Fondue The Melting Pot

2553 Lifestyle Way Chattanooga, TN 37421 meltingpot.com (423) 893-5237 Hours: Mon-Wed: 4:30pm-10pm, Thu: 4pm-10pm, Fri & Sat: 4pm-11pm Sunday: Noon-10pm

Greek Acropolis

2213 Hamilton Place Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37421 acropolisgrill.com (423) 899-5341 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Mykonos Greek Grill 11 W 8th St Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 757-9490 Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-2

Niko’s Southside Grill 1400 Cowart Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 nikossouthside.com (423) 266-6511

Niko’s atmosphere is quite stunning.

From the moment you walk in till the moment you are paying for your meal, every aspect of the experience is wonderful. They offer a wide variety of menu—items to guarantee there will be the right find for you when you visit. With the complement of great service and great wine, Niko’s should be your next stop for a fabulous dining experience.

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9:30pm, Closed Sun.

Ice Cream/Smoothies Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 1406 Jenkins Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 brusters.com (423) 510-9993

4241 Hixson Pike Chattanooga, TN 37415 (423) 877-9119 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm

Clumpies Ice Cream Co

26 Frazier Ave # B Chattanooga, TN 37405 clumpies.com (423) 267-5425 Hours: Tue-Thu: 1pm-8pm, Fri: 12pm9pm, Sat: 1pm-8pm, Closed Sun

Cold Stone Creamery

100 Chestnut St Chattanooga, TN 37402 coldstonecreamery.com (423) 267-0888 Hours: Sun-Thu: 12pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-10pm

Indian India Mahal Restaurant

photos. “There’s a picture of Johnny’s dad which is the only gentleman that still knows the recipe of our homemade Italian fennel sausage,” tells Morales. “He has willed that recipe to Johnny when he passes away, and until then, he’ll be the only person that has all the ingredients for that recipe.”

“I enjoy hosting a big dinner party every night. I get to mingle and visit with friends, and meet new friends.

The idea of food and family every night in a fun atmosphere makes me truly love what I do.”

Hours: Mon-Tue: 4pm–10:30pm, Fri: 4pm–11:30pm, Sat: 3pm–11:30pm, Sun: 11am–10pm

Mom’s Italian Villa

5970 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 510-9651 Hours: Everyday: Lunch: 11:30am-3pm, Dinner: 5pm – 10pm

1257 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-2204 Hours: LUNCH: Mon-Thu: 11am-2:30pm, Fri: 11am-2pm, Dinner: Tue-Fri: 5pm9pm, Sat: 12:30pm-9pm

The Curry Pot

Pastaria Italian Restaurant

6040 Lee Highway Chattanooga, TN 37421 currypotcuisine.com (423) 648-5069 Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11am-2:30pm, Dinner: 5:30pm-9:30pm Sat: 11:30am-3pm, Sun: 12pm – 3pm

Italian Boccaccia

3077 Broad St Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 266-2930 Hours: Mon-Thu: 5:30pm-9pm, Fri & Sat: 5:30pm-10pm, Closed Sun.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

2040 Hamilton Place Boulevard, Suite 100 Chattanooga, TN 37421 carrabbas.com (423) 894-9970

Italy – it’s all about food, family and history. If you’ve ever looked around the inside of the Carrabba’s Italian Grill beside Hamilton Place, you’re sure to have noticed the pictures hanging on the walls. “Obviously history and culture are a large part of the restaurant,” Miguel Morales, owner of Carrabbas Italian Grill in Chattanooga, says. “We take great pride in the Carrabba family and the Mandola family being true Italians.”

There’s true history in many of these

720 Mississippi Ave Signal Mountain, TN 37377 (423) 886-1900 Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm, Sun: Closed.

Portofino Pizza Italian Restaurant 6407 Ringgold Road Chattanooga, TN 37412 (423) 499-9696 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

Provino’s Italian Restaurant 5084 South Ter # 5 Chattanooga, TN 37412 provinos.com (423) 899-2559

The popularity of the restaurant is due to delicious, Old World-style food, warm and friendly service and the owner’s efforts to keep everything fresh, new and fun. Its namesake, Provino Bogino, always thought meal time is a special time, which the restaurant has taken to heart and designed a place as homey and comfortable as possible. It’s also famous for its house salads and garlic rolls served family style. Come in on your birthday and get any pasta specialty dinner with birthday dessert for FREE! Hours: Mon-Thu: 4:30pm-10pm, Fri & Sat: 4pm-11pm, Sun: 11:30am-10pm

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Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria

212 High Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 bluffviewartdistrict.com (423) 265-5033 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Japanese Kanpai Of Tokyo

2200 Hamilton Place Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37421 kanpaioftokyo.com (423) 855-8204

If you would like an evening of good fun, good food, and good friends, make a reservation at Kanpai of Tokyo. Kanpai of Tokyo is the perfect place to take a group of friends or family for a great food and show.

Kanpai of Tokyo is a Japanese restaurant that prepares all its food on hibachi tables that seat eight to ten people.

Hours: Sun-Sat: Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: Sun: 4pm-8pm, Mon-Thu: 5pm-9pm, Fri: 5pm-9:30pm, Sat: 4pm-9:30pm

Little Tokyo Express

4516 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 874-0500 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30am-9pm, Sun: 11am-9pm

Sekisui

200 Market St # B Chattanooga, TN 37402 sekisuiusa.com (423) 267-4600 Hours: Mon: 5pm-9:30pm, Tue-Thu: Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm9:30pm, Fri: Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10:30pm, Sun: 1pm-9pm

Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi 1806 Gunbarrel Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 296-6500 Hours: Lunch: 11:30 pm-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm

Teriyaki House

5908 Ringgold Rd East Ridge, TN 37412 (423) 892-8483 Hours: Mon-Sat: Lunch: 11am-2:30 pm, Dinner: 4pm-9pm, Closed Sun

Typhoon Of Tokyo

3953 Dayton Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37415 (423) 875-6142 Hours: Mon-Sat: Lunch: 11am-2:30pm, Dinner: 4pm-8pm, Closed Sun

Sushi Nabe Of Kyoto

110 River St Chattanooga, TN 37405 sushinabechattanooga.com (423) 634-0171 Hours: Mon: 4pm-9pm, Tue-Thu: 5pm-9:30pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm-10:30pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm

Mexican Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy 2102 Hamilton Place Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37421 abuelos.com (423) 855-7400 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm

Amigo Mexican Restaurant

5450 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343 amigorestaurantonline.com (423) 875-8049 1906 Dayton Blvd Red Bank, TN 37415 (423) 870-9928 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri: 11am-10:30pm, Sat: 12pm-10:30pm, Sun: 12pm-10pm 5794 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411 (423) 499-5435 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10:30pm

Blue Coast Burrito

5307 Highway 153 Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 875-9785 Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun: 12pm-10pm

El Meson Restaurante Mexicano 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 894-8726 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

El Monterrey Authentic Mexican 531 Signal Mountain Road Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 266-6420 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10:30pm

La Altena

314 W Main Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 266-7595

The food is always fresh. The guacamole is made when ordered.

They use top-quality meat. Low prices!! Fast service. Friendly people.

Family Business. Has been around for several years. The building may look old, but the food is awesome.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Closed Sun

Mudpie Restaurant

12 Frazier Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37405 mudpierestaurant.com/ (423) 267-9043 Hours: Mon-Wed: 11am – 9pm, Thu & Fri: 11am – midnight, S at: 10am – midnight, Sun: 10am – 9pm

Rio Picante Mexican Grille & Bar

5591 Highway 153, Suite 160 Chattanooga, TN 37343 bluecoastburrito.com (423) 877-1880 Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm, Sun: 11am-6pm

203 W 2nd Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 riopicante.com 423-386-5170 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Cancun Restaurant

Taco Mamacita

1809 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 cancunmexicanrest.com (423) 266-1461 7010 Lee Hwy # 210 Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 894-1942

109 North Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 tacomamacita.com 423-648-MAMA Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am – 10pm Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm (Bar open until 2am)

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Taco Rico

207 E. Main Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 (423) 320-8477

Experience the flavor of authentic cuisine from tropical El Salvador right here in Chattanooga.

Featuring a scrumptious assortment of Salvadoran specialties such as Pollo Salsa Jalapena, Carne Asada, Arroz Con Mariscos, Arroz Valencia, Coctel de Camaron, Mojarra Frita and their todos especial Plato del Dia (plate of the day, always delicious!).

Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-9pm, Closed Sun

Pizza Crust Pizza

103 Signal Mountain Road Chattanooga, TN 37405 crustpizza.com (423) 710-3780 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Gondolier Pizza 6901 Lee Highway Chattanooga, TN 37421 gondolierpizza.com (423) 899-8100 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm

Lupi’s Pizza Pies

1414 Jenkins Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421 lupi.com (423) 847-3700

Locally owned and operated for 11 years, Lupi’s strives to create an excellent pizza experience for every customer every time. They are passionate about their food and use only the freshest available ingredients. Quality is ensured from the time the products are delivered to the business’ door until it is served to the customer.

The Lupi’s experience, however, doesn’t stop with pizza. Good tunes, colorful surroundings, the best beer

selection in town and a ‘lupi’ staff make stopping by both delicious, and fun! Lupi’s buys local products whenever possible. Buying locally is as fresh as it gets and it supports both local farmers and our local economy! Lupi’s ground beef, ground sausage, & honey come from Sequatchie Cove Farm in Sequatchie and River Ridge Farms in Ten Mile, TN. During the local growing season, produce and flowers are purchased from local farms, including Chattanooga’s Crabtree Farms.

(423) 855-4104406 Broad St # A Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 266-5874 5506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 847-3700 Hours: Tue-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 11am-9pm, Closed Mon

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Mellow Mushroom

205 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 mellowmushroom.com (423) 266-5564 Eight years ago, a little slice of

heaven opened its doors downtown Chattanooga. Well, actually—it’s where you can get a few slices of heaven. Mellow Mushroom, downtown in the old Coca-Cola building, is celebrating its eighth anniversary as of February 22.

Whether it’s the pizza and hoagies you love, or the atmosphere, Mellow Mushroom is a cool place with heavenly food made by and served by people who really, really care about doing it right. Just call it a Mellow love story. Spring Water Dough crusts with the freshest ingredients, a large selection of beers and wines and a place you can really relax and feel at home.

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-midnight

Mr. T’s Pizza/St. Elmo

3924 Tennessee Ave Chattanooga, TN 37409 (423) 821-5084

With family pizza nights on Fridays, Mr. T’s Pizza is everyone’s top choice. The toppings are always fresh and plentiful and the price just can’t be beat. For a super treat, order double cheese at no extra cost! The service is so great that you want to stay there. The ice cream is also one of a kind and well worth the trip.

Hours: Tue-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 12pm-10pm, Closed Mon

Pisa Pizza

551 River Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 pisapizza.com (423) 756-7492 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm

Proni’s Pizza & Sub

5001 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411 pronispizza.com

(423) 499-0770 Hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30am-11pm, Fri & Sat: 10:30am-midnight, Sun: 10:30am-10pm

University Pizza & Restaurant 422 Vine Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 (423) 756-8700 Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-11pm, Closed Sun

Seafood Bonefish Grill

Tapas Terra Nostra Tapas & Wine

105 Frazier Ave Chattanooga, TN 37405 terranostratapas.com (423) 634-0238 Hours: Mon-Thu: 4:30pm-10pm, Fri & Sat: 4:30pm-11pm, Sun: 4:30pm-9pm

Thai Thai Smile 3

2115 Gunbarrel Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 bonefishgrill.com (423) 892-3175 Hours: Mon-Thu: 4pm-10:30pm, Fri & Sat: 4pm-11pm, Sun: 4pm-9pm

219 Market St Chattanooga, TN 37402-1020 (423) 266-2333 Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11am-3pm, Dinner: 5pm-9pm, Sat: 3pm-9:30pm

Blue Water Grille

Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine

224 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 bluewaterchattanooga.com (423) 266-4200 Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-midnight

Table 2

232 E 11th Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 table2restaurant.com (423) 756-8253 Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm, Sat: 11am-11pm, Closed Sun

Sushi Hiroshi’s

114 W Main St Chattanooga, TN 37408 hiroshisouthside.com (423) 267-9003 Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch: 11:30am-2pm, Dinner: 5pm-10pm, Closed Sun

Na Go Ya

4921 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN 37411 (423) 899-9252 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11am-9:30pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm, Closed Sun

5845 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411-5504 (423) 485-8836 Hours: Mon-Thu: Lunch: 11AM-3PM, Dinner: 5PM-10PM, Sat & Sun: 11am10pm

Sawasdee Thai Restaurant

4008 Saint Elmo Ave Chattanooga, TN 37409-1339 (423) 822-9001 Hours: Tue, Wed, Fri: 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Thu: 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; Sat: 5-9:30pm; Sun: Noon-2:30, 5-8:30pm.

Royal Thai Dining

8174 E Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421-4381 (423) 510-0001 Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-9pm, Sat: 4:30pm-9pm, Sun: 11:30am-8pm

Vegetarian Country Life Vegetarian

809 Market St Chattanooga, TN 37402-2609.

(423) 634-9925 Hours: 11am-3pm. Closed Sat

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Niko’s Southside Grill: Food with Flair Mediterranean cuisine is noted for its use of fresh, typically local ingredients. Olive oil, garlic, fresh vegetables, grilled meats combine to make Mediterranean dishes some of the most flavorful food you can find, not to mention some of the healthiest. Niko’s, downtown on Cowart Street, proves this daily with their delicious cuisine.

In 2007, Niko’s opened as Niko’s Southside Grill, under ownership of Nick Kyriakadis. It was Nick’s goal to create a restaurant where patrons could find a comfortable blend of Southern and Mediterranean fares. Excellent service coupled with fantastic food and a come-as-you-are attitude has made Niko’s one of Chattanooga’s most popular restaurants. Using local produce and meats makes it one of the most sustainable, as well as supporting local agriculture.

With warm colors, brick walls, contemporary art, and hardwood floors, Niko’s has an air of sophistication, the look of a posh, trendy, metropolitan eatery. It is; but don’t be fooled. The food is amazing; the aesthetics of the restaurant is incredible. But what really makes Niko’s special is their temperament – laid back, “everyone is welcome”, “come on in.”

“Flavors of the South with tastes of Mediterranean,” says the Niko’s web site. How’s this for fusion?

Fried green tomatoes topped with proscuitto, arugula, marinated goat cheese, and a roasted tomato vinaigrette…or maybe Eggplant Napoleon, fried eggplant layered with spinach, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted vegetables, fresh mozzarella and feta cheese topped with red and white sauces.

What could be better than fresh and healthy Mediterranean fares combined with the comfort Niko’s, Corner of 14th and Cowart, Chattanooga, TN. foods of the South?

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9:30pm, Closed Sun. (423) 266-6511. nikossauthside.com

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Carrabba’s: Food, Family, and History Italy—it’s all about food, family and history. If you’ve ever looked around the inside of the Carrabba’s Italian Grill beside Hamilton Place, you’re sure to have noticed the pictures hanging on the walls. “Obviously history and culture are a large part of the restaurant,” Miguel Morales, owner of Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Chattanooga, says.

“We take great pride in the Carrabba family and the Mandola family being true Italians.”

There’s true history in many of these photos.

“There’s a picture of Johnny’s dad, who is the only gentleman that still knows the recipe of our homemade Italian fennel sausage,” Morales explains. “He has willed that recipe to Johnny when he passes away, and until then, he’ll be the only person that has all the ingredients for that recipe.

“I enjoy hosting a big dinner party every night. I get to mingle and visit with friends, and meet new friends. The idea of food and family every night in a fun atmosphere makes me truly love what I do.”

Miguel and team continue to remain active in the many communities of Chattanooga. “We try to involve ourselves in as many as 60 different local nonprofit organizations a year. We feel by supporting our local communities, they will continue to prosper; in return we will strengthen our local economy. One of the greatest parts about being the proprietor of Carrabba’s in Chattanooga is having the ability to offer your services to the community. It is very rewarding to know how many local nonprofit organizations have had Carrabba’s by their side in the past four years. I look forward to many more wonderful dinner parties with my family of friends, and also look forward to continued support in a community that has continued to support us. Food, family, history and satisfied hungers will be toasted with vino on a nightly basis.”

Carrabba’s, 2040 Hamilton Place Blvd, Hours: Mon-Tue: 4pm–10:30pm, Fri: 4pm–11:30pm, Sat: 3pm–11:30pm, Sun: 11am–10pm. (423) 894-9970.

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Everything is Coming Up Purple Daisy What’s that song? Something about bar-b-que stains on a white T-shirt? That’s quintessential South—bar-b-que, picnics, and family. Purple Daisy Picnic Café has all the bases covered. Their menu is loaded down with good ol’ Southern comfort foods. You know, the kind your mama used to pack in a picnic lunch. There is bar-b-que done right, hickory smoked and cooked on a real charcoal grill, homemade—from scratch— sauces, hot slaw, and desserts, including their award-winning banana puddin’. Where else would you find wings that are smoked and grilled at the same time? This unique cooking method takes the fat out and adds lots of flavor.

Now that’s Southern hospitality at its best! And that’s what you would expect to find in a family-owned café. You’ll always feel welcome at Purple Daisy Picnic Café.

Decorated with family heirlooms and a mish-mash of eclectic furniture crafted from household items, Purple Daisy Picnic Café has created an atmosphere that is sure to please, and to keep you coming back for more!

Just in case the day is too pretty to spend inside, Purple Daisy Picnic Café has got your picnic to go! Stop in, pick up a “Picnic for Four”—one pound of hand-pulled pork, buns and two sides, slaw and baked beans, hop on the Incline next door and head up to Point Park for a day of family and fun! If you’re in need of catering for your business or private function, Purple Daisy Picnic Café can handle that too!

Since 2005, Chattanoogans have enjoyed Purple Daisy Picnic Café’s bar-b-que for lunch. They can now enjoy it for dinner!

Recently, Purple Daisy Picnic Café extended their hours, and is now open until 7:30.

Purple Daisy Picnic Café is located at the foot of Lookout Mountain at 4001 St. Elmo Avenue.

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Offerings of the East The style is hibachi, a Japanese cuisine that involves cooking food on an iron griddle.

In America, the method is popular at many Japanese steakhouses and hibachi grills, including Kanpai of Tokyo; however, that is not the only reason this small chain of restaurants has managed to establish a loyal fan base.

With 35 years in business, essentially Kanpai of Tokyo is a Japanese steakhouse—but instead of traditional Japanese fare, a more entertaining meal is provided. Hibachi cooking is flashy and fun and unique, especially for first-timers. At Kanpai of Tokyo, they look for chefs with strong culinary backgrounds.

With all the show, some might expect the food to be lacking, but the restaurant prides itself on serving fresh, quality meals.

Japanese-style food is cooked in front of the customer’s eyes so the meal is served fresh and hot every time. Hibachi chicken, seafood and steak sizzle up while the rice and vegetables mix together with any one of the special sauces, all of which are made from scratch. Also available is a selection of fresh sushi rolls and salads, and a variety of wines, imported beers, and the traditional Japanese rice wine, sake. There is even a kids’ menu, offering traditional hibachi meals, as well as chicken fingers, hamburgers, and even French fries, which sets Kanpai of Tokyo apart from other Japanese steakhouses.

Many of the workers come from diverse international communities, and that mix helps to create special dishes, unique to the restaurant, such as Tofu Hot and Sour Soup and Thai Shrimp with Soba Noodles, and a full-service sushi pub to rival any sushi in the South. This also helps the restaurant “to stay new”. These creative dishes, as well as the hibachi meals, even show up on the menus for the Express Lunch and the Dinner for Two. With the Express Lunch, your meal will be ready in less than 10 minutes, and the Dinner for Two offers two meals for $19.99 every night except Saturday.

Kanpai of Tokyo, 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd. (423) 855-8204.

Lunch & dinner. Take-out service available. www.kanpaioftokyo.com/chattanooga

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