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.
When I talked about Chattanooga’s local restaurants downtown, I stopped at the bottom of Lookout Mountain. And when I ran down the list of local restaurants in East Chattanooga, I stopped at the TN/GA line on Rossville Blvd.
So let’s fill in that space of locally-owned restaurants in Chattanooga starting from the top of Lookout Mountain, around the base, and down the corridor of Battlefield Parkway and Highway 27 in Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
CAFE ON THE CORNER–There’s not a lot of restaurants on top of Lookout Mountain, but what there is, is really, really good. Let’s start our discussion with the perennial Cafe on the Corner, a restaurant in a triangular corner spot on Scenic Highway and Watauga. While multiple restaurants in the nearby shopping center have come and gone, the Cafe has endured the test of time, even when it burned down a few years ago. The restaurant has reopened with a refreshed dining room and menu and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Come here for refined southern foods such as fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, chicken and fish dishes, and amazing caramel cake. Sit inside by the fireplace or out on the patio.
It’s also worth noting that around the corner on Watauga is the also recently refurbished Market on the Mountain grocery store where you can get a deli sandwich or a tub of their yummy chicken salad at the back counter.
CAFE 7–For your southern food with a view, try the newer Cafe 7 at Lover’s Leap at Rock City Gardens.
CANYON GRILL–Canyon Grill is a bit of a drive along the top of Lookout Mountain, about 25 minutes from the Cafe on the Corner. But it is way too good not to mention! The freshest fish, and a menu that changes weekly depending on the weather and market conditions. Try the signature slash & burn catfish, prime steaks, and creative sides. I’m partial to the cut-longways fried okra.
Keep in mind that all items are a la carte, so it can get a bit pricey. Canyon Grill is also in a dry county, so no wine or other alcohol is served, but you are welcome to bring your own wine or beer (and many do!) and they will provide the glasses and an ice bucket. But bring your own corkscrew!
LOOKOUT VALLEY
FIRESIDE GRILLE–Moving to the “back” of the mountain, this sports bar & grill in Lookout Valley has a bit of patio seating out front and serves burgers, sandwiches, and even steaks and seafood.
HILLBILLY WILLY’S–Popular and with fun decor inside, you’ll find this BBQ restaurant in a strip of shops. But don’t let outside appearances keep you away, this is really fantastic ‘Q. It’s definitely worth a stop off the highway.
CAFE & TOAST VIETNAMESE AND SINGAPORE CUISINE–There are definitely more Vietnamese restaurants in Chattanooga than I thought! This one in Lookout Valley might be the best one, at least according to Yelp. The sweet & sour noodles seem to be a customer favorite.
ST. ELMO SOUTH
SYRUP AND EGGS–I did NOT know this place existed until I saw it on Google! It looks like a fantastic breakfast place has moved into the old firehouse across from the Silverdale church on Tennessee Ave. It looks amazing!
ROSSVILLE
SNACK SHACK–If you drive through St. Elmo and hang a left at the intersection of Hwy 2/Battlefield Parkway, before you reach the main thoroughfare you’ll come across this walk-up cabin serving simple breakfast and lunch.
BATTLEFIELD PARKWAY
THAI GARDEN–Once you cross 27 and reach the Parkway proper, you’ll find many, many chain restaurants. But you’ll also find this little Thai restaurant in a shopping center. From all accounts, it’s not much to look at but the food is excellent!
BATTLEFIELD BURGERS–Taking over an old Central Park drive through, this burger place also serves chicken, fries, and milkshakes.
SOHO HIBACHI–This is another location of the popular Hixson restaurant, serving hibachi, teriyaki, noodles, and rice.
REAL ROOTS CAFE–While it may not be a sit-down restaurant, this vegan cafe makes healthy snacking to go a real option. You can get juices, coffees, real-food smoothies and bowls, and healthily-topped toast options.
SEASONS HIBACHI–And yet another hibachi place serving Chinese favorites!
EL CACTUS MEXICAN GRILLE–Folks on their facebook page have raved about this Mexican restaurant’s chimichangas, carne asada, and chicken tortilla soup.
FARM TO FORK–On the other side of Interstate 75, you’ll find a restaurant with a connection to the land at Farm to Fork. Serving American food (burgers, steaks, chicken, etc) in a roomy dining room with a bar at the back.
RINGGOLD
BAILEY’S BBQ–At the end of Battlefield Parkway is the charming small town of Ringgold, GA. Here you’ll find this small spot serving BBQ basics.
SPENCER B’S BBQ–Just down the street from Bailey’s is Spencers, which seems to have more awards to its name.
HOME PLATE GRILL–This baseball-themed family-style restaurant will “knock one out of the park” for you by the way of their celebrated catfish, burgers, chicken and more. Many of the meats are smoked by the nearby Choo Choo BBQ.
RICHARD’S RESTAURANT–This southern-style restaurant has an extensive breakfast and sandwich menu. Located behind the courthouse.
HONORABLE MENTION: LEGENDAIRY ICE CREAM–I can’t talk about restaurants in Ringgold without missing my favorite, the Legen-wait for it–DAIRY Ice Cream shop, serving scoops in “hero”, “icon”, and “legend” sizes (at least that’s what I think they were called.) They also served great sandwiches and coffee. I thought they were going to relocate, but I can’t find it if they have! 🙁
WRATH BURGERS & BREW–Worship the gods of beer at this bar with a Greek-god theme. The focus seems to be the Burgers of the Gods, but they have other options available, including beer cheese and bacon-wrapped tots, so they have my attention. They also hold nights for games and karaoke.
LAFAYETTE ST / HWY 27
BBQ SHACK–Heading back to the other end of the Parkway and starting at the Battlefield, you’ll find another aptly-named BBQ shack serving all your favorite pulled-pork sandwiches, hot dogs, potatoes and more.
PARK PLACE–I love their motto, “Everyone seems to keep coming back” so it must be good! I know a few devotees myself. Specializing in homemade southern fare, the owners never use animal fat in their cooking and hand-cut and grind their own meat for your steaks and hamburgers.
MING MOON CHINESE RESTAURANT–Next to Formosa, this is a favorite Chinese restaurant of mine! Just a small spot in a strip mall, but the food is always excellent. I wouldn’t eat crab rangoon anywhere but here.
EL MATADOR MEXICAN RESTAURANT–Located in the intersection of 2A (i.e. Battlefield Parkway) and Hwy 27 (Lafayette St.) this Mexican restaurant serves up your favorites in the dining room or the outside patio.
BIG BISCUIT BARN–“Eat a biscuit! Praise the Lord!” Those two sentiments seem to go hand-in-hand here. I can’t quite tell, but it looks like a popular takeout counter with a small dining room. Serves breakfast and lunch.
OLD SOUTH RESTAURANT–Pretty much what it says, it’s a meat & three country diner serving breakfast and lunch with no shortcuts.
LA FAMILIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT–Almost to the TN border in Rossville, you’ve got this Mexican restaurant serving your favorite dishes, margaritas, and even karaoke some nights.
fOOOd!