We all love traveling, right? I know I do. I traveled down to Chattanooga during the end of March for a HOSA competition trip. Besides the thrill of having to compete against other HOSA members across the state, the most exciting part is the food! We didn’t eat out a ton, but this also wasn’t my first trip to Chatt, and so I have compiled a small list of some of the best places to eat, depending on what suits you at the moment.
1. Urban Stack
Urban Stack is a gourmet burger place, and, man, oh, man is it delicious! While the burgers are around $7.50-9.00 a burger, it’s totally worth it. The burgers are huge! They have a variety of burgers, too. When I went I had the Steakhouse Burger (bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce…) and my boyfriend had the Fried Pimento Cheese Burger (I couldn’t tell you what was on it besides pimento cheese, lol). They serve Coke products, have a great wait staff, and do not take long to make your food whatsoever. The building is very rustic/old industrial looking, and they play music that you typically wouldn’t hear at a restaurant (like they played Franz Ferdinand, Weezer, etc.). They also serve Coke products here.
2. Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey is more of a southern cooking cafe located in Warehouse Row, and honey is the exact way to describe the color of this place! It’s a very cozy cafe that includes a bar and outside seating. They serve southern food with a twist and have some of the best biscuits. I tried the hot chicken sandwich (I know, very outside of the box) when I was there, and it was great. The only downside is they are a little more on the expensive side; I believe my food alone was around $16-18. However, if price isn’t a concern and you just want a little niche with some bomb food, this is where to go.
3. Community Pie
If you enjoy New York Style pizza or you’re just in the mood for something different from Pepperoni, Community Pie is your place! This place sells whole pizzas and by the slice and isn’t afraid to step outside the box when it comes to toppings. When I ate here, both times, I got the Drunken Pig pizza, which has spicy sausage, vodka pizza sauce, and melted cheese everywhere. There are a few other types I tried, but I can’t remember their names. They even have a vegetable pizza here that’s absolutely delicious! The wait staff here is great, even though our waiter did spill water on me when we went the last time; it was all in good nature, and we all laughed it off. And better than all that, they have Detroit style pizza and different types of pasta as well for not real expensive prices.
4. Two Ten Jack
Just a warning: this place is expensive. Located behind Warehouse Row, it’s a little hard to find on first glance. Keep looking; you’ll get there. This a good Japanese place for people who enjoy Ramen, or have never tried actual ramen. And don’t fret if you can’t read the menu well or don’t know what something is–the wait staff is well trained and will answer any questions you have. They primarily serve water but will ask you if you want something else. Foods they serve also include salads and small dishes, such as fried pork dumplings (which were delicious), and bento boxes. Bigger plates, like the bento boxes and ramen, however, run for about $15 a plate. A good idea, one that my boyfriend and I did, is if you go with multiple people (like 2 really), have one person order one of the small plates and another order a big plate or ramen. The ramen fed both of us well with only one bowl.
5. Mellow Mushroom
Like all the other Mellow Mushrooms, this is a good one for pizza lovers and for people who want a pizza taste without the actual pizza. There’s nothing extremely special about this one, besides the front roof made out of Coke bottle tops, but I’ve always loved Mellow Mushroom’s vivid atmosphere and delicious food.
6. The Gilman Grill
I didn’t personally eat here, but my hotel roommates did, and they LOVED it! They said the prices were good and they offered a variety of Italian foods. Not only that, but they said it was very filling, and the inside was gorgeous; plus, if you stay at the Westin like we did, then it’s literally across the street! Very cute and quaint; I’d say it’s worth a try!
7. Ben and Jerry’s
Of course, I have to end this list on a *sweet* note! The downtown Chattanooga Ben and Jerry’s is so cute, has a little brick couch outside of it, and is a great place to stop before/ after going to the Chattanooga Aquarium! I’ve always been an ice cream lover, and this is one of the few places that serve coffee ice cream (my favorite!). For around $6.50-7 for a big waffle cone and $4.50 for a paper bowl, this is definitely a great place for a sweet treat! Did I mention they also make milkshakes?
This definitely isn’t an all-inclusive list since there’s way too many restaurants just in downtown Chattanooga to try them all in a mere two visits. But these were my favorites of the ones I’ve tried and I’d recommend them to anybody! If anyone else has anymore they’d like to add to the list, be my guest! As I travel more, there may be an updated list.
Always,
Ann Welk
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