Edited 11/16/20 – Due to Covid, be careful when dining out! I can’t vouch for how well the restaurants below are handling virus precautions but make sure to still support your favorite restaurants by ordering take out or delivery! Don’t get sick but don’t let these local businesses die out. I removed a few that I could tell were gone but didn’t add any new ones that may have sprung up, so let me know if there’s something new in town I should add.
Let’s take a look at more of Chattanooga’s Local Restaurants! We’ve talked about all the fabulously posh restaurants downtown with award-winning chefs who have studied overseas and in New York City. And we’ve discussed all the fun and funky options north of the river and beyond.
As we move farther away from downtown, we get into more mom-and-pop and home cooks looking to engage in a larger audience. Chinese, BBQ, and teriyaki places are plentiful, as well as generic “southern restaurant” diners. But there are some gems in here if you go looking for them! Let’s see what we have.
EAST LAKE / ROSSVILLE BLVD
TACOS EL CUNAO–This authentic Mexican taco shop has two locations at least–in East Lake and on Lee Hwy.
CHUBBY’S BBQ–With string lights and graffiti, this looks like a fun BBQ stop! This is close to my work, so I’ll have to try it.
BEA’S RESTAURANT–THIS the main attraction! Bea’s has been in business since 1950 and hasn’t changed too much since. It’s been a family business for four generations. You don’t order, they just place all the food that they make on the center lazy susan, and you spin to get to the food you want! Tables seat 8 or so, so if you’re in a party smaller than that, you’ll be seated with others.
MISS G’S TORTAS Y TAMALES–Mexican stop with a focus on Tortas (Mexican sandwich) and tamales (you know what a tamale is.)
THE BREW & CUE–This bar and pool hall on Rossville Blvd near the GA line also serves a full menu.
EAST CHATTANOOGA
TAQUERIA Y FONDA LA BONITA–Another delicious taco joint on Central Avenue, across from Miss Griffiths Hot Dogs from an earlier post.
HOME SLICE PIZZA–This is the place for really tasty pizza a cut above your regular chain’s style. And I love the names they give their food!
C&W CAFE–This Chattanooga mainstay is your spot for down-home southern & soul food cooking.
SUGAR’S RIBS–Voted the best BBQ ribs in Chattanooga! Up on Missionary Ridge, there is a great view of downtown Chattanooga from the back deck. Make sure to visit the goats!
THE SPOT–One of my very favorite places, The Spot is the second location of a Cleveland coffee shop. You can also get panninis, salads, muffins, ice cream, beer, and smoothies! The chicken salad salad is my go to–it’s fantastic!
ARMANDO’S–This Armando’s on Main Street is the original location, though there are several others around town. I’m not sure if it’s a franchise or what. All seem to serve up those massive hamburgers and steak fries.
SAN MARCOS–For a Guatemalan twist on your Latin food, check out San Marcos on Main Street.
CHATTANOOGA WING FACTORY–For a variety of flavored wings, check out this restaurant on McCallie Ave. They also serve burgers and vegetarian options.
SUNSET BBQ–On Dodson Ave, this saucy BBQ joint has a limited menu but a dedicated customer base.
OLD PLANTATION BBQ–This tiny shack also has BBQ that is well-loved by its fan base. I guess you’d have to try them all to see which one you like best!
MS. K’S SOUL FOOD & JAMAICAN CUISINE EXPRESS–Make a stop at Ms. K’s for Jamaican-influenced soul food and reggae music!
EAST RIDGE
MELODEE’S DINER–Diner food with a honky tonk flair, try Melodee’s for lunch or dinner.
CHOO CHOO BBQ–Another quality walk-up BBQ with great meats, potatoes, and brunswick stew in season.
OLIVE BRANCH MEDITERRANEAN FOOD–I thought this was a grocery store for the longest time but it’s a restaurant! Check out their Facebook for the menu each week – kinda tells you that it’s really homemade!
TERIYAKI OF JAPAN–The highlight here is the chicken teriyaki and simple sushi options.
JENKINS BUFFET–You’ll find solid southern cooking here at this buffet, great for feeding a crowd on the cheap.
EPICUREAN RESTAURANT–For a more upscale experience, try the Epicurean restaurant for southern food with a Greek twist. This one has definitely been around for a while!
THAI ESAN–This low-key Thai restaurant in East Ridge has fast, good food and is really yummy! Once I went once, I kept going back.
FERNANDO’S–A buffet is the focus of this family restaurant, but they also have an extensive menu to choose from.
HAIKU HIBACHI–Another quality Japanese hibachi/teriyaki restaurant because obviously, Chattanoogans can’t get enough teriyaki!
TERIYAKI HOUSE–And here’s another! This is, I think, the “original” teriyaki house in Chattanooga, but it seems to have gone a bit downhill since then. It’s definitely not my favorite.
DON JUAN TIENDA MEXICANA–Another authentic and tasty Mexican restaurant in a tienda. Check it out!
WALLY’S RESTAURANT–For old-school (80+ years) try Wally’s–the original meat+3 southern restaurant. The original is downtown, plus this outpost in East Ridge.
MAMMIE CARLOTTA’S TEA ROOM–Located inside the Chattanooga Mercantile building, this is a great lunch stop whether you are shopping or not. Tea room specialties like chicken salad and quiche seem to be par for the course here.
PROVINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT–This *is* a chain, but if it’s your birthday, you bet you and your whole family are going to Provinos to get your free meal! This Italian restaurant has charmingly old-fashioned decor and entrees. My favorites include eggplant parmesan and Cannelloni Genovese.
CHEF LIN BUFFET–Called the best “international” buffet, but it’s mostly Chinese dishes on a hot line. But you can also find sushi and steamed buns, and maybe some American offerings in the form of chicken nuggets and prime rib.
BRAINERD
HERMAN’S SOUL FOOD & CATERING–This family dining room serves yummy chicken and waffles, chicken fried steak, and other southern favorites.
MAYO’S BAR & GRILL–This original Irish hole-in-the-wall bar also serves award-winning burgers, wings, and sandwiches.
SAKS WING SHAK–Is your sack empty? Fill it with wings! Most known for their award-winning lemon pepper wings.
MARSHA’S BACKSTREET CAFE–Don’t mistake this dining room for the liquor store next door! Southern food is on the menu here, fried food, burgers, and chicken, egg, and tuna salads.
ASIA CAFE–The generically-named eatery has traditional Chinese entrees, Hibachi, and wings.
MISTER WOK–Nearby, more Chinese food can be tried. Chow mein, Lo Mein, and other Chinese-style entrees.
GOLDEN BIG BOWL–Asian-inspired rice bowl meals can be had at this location, which is a little different than the rest. I’ve really liked this place.
ICHIBAN–The Brainerd location of the popular show-hibachi restaurant also serves sushi and express lunches.
CHAO’S MONGOLIAN–This is one of my go-to places! Just like a Genghis Grill (which we don’t have anymore) you pile a metal bowl with protein, veggies, and choose seasonings and sauce, and they’ll cook your creation to order. No matter what I put in there, it always tastes good, plus it’s healthy! You know exactly what’s in it.
SWEET BASIL THAI & SUSHI–Come here for high-quality Thai and sushi entrees. This might not be as good as it was in the past, but it’s still amazing!
RIB & LOIN–For 25 years, this has been Chattanooga’s BBQ restaurant and catering choice.
ANKAR’S HOAGIES–Serving sandwiches for lunch to Chattanoogans since 1979! The original location is downtown, but there is also this one in Hixson next to India Mahal.
INDIA MAHAL–A Chattanooga mainstay for as long as I can remember! Homestyle Indian comfort food in a family setting.
KUMO HIBACHI–Finally, we have one more Hibachi restaurant in the plaza next to Alidi. Here you can get high-quality meats and sushi.
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