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.
We have been talking about Chattanooga’s Local Restaurant scene, meaning, locally-owned, non-chain restaurants in the Chattanooga area. I’ve covered the wealth of options downtown, in North Chattanooga, East Chattanooga/Brainerd/East Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, and Fort Oglethorpe, and East Brainerd & Ooltewah.
Now, let’s look at the last wedge of Chattanooga, south of the Chickamauga Dam and north of Lee Highway, from East Chattanooga out towards Harrison on Hwy 58. I’m sure I’m missing tons of restaurants–please leave a comment and let me know!
SHALLOWFORD RD
STEAMBOAT SANDWICHES–This is a Shallowford location of the popular downtown sandwich shop (which I think I missed in my downtown post.) All kinds of sandwiches are available, including the namesake Steamboat sandwich, and the availability of building your own.
BONNY OAKS
POLLY CLAIRE’S–Have a lady-like tea at the historic Dent House. Enjoy a wide selection of loose-leaf teas, finger sandwiches, scones, jams, and lemon curd. Special dinner events are occasionally offered.
BIG JEFF’S BBQ–Visit Big Jeff for BBQ and soul food at this Bonny Oaks location.
AMNICOLA HIGHWAY
THE BOATHOUSE ROTISSERIE & RAW BAR–I listed this already in my downtown post, but it’s worth mentioning again! Don’t miss one of Chattanooga’s best restaurants, on the river with a fantastic wrap-around deck.
CHOO CHOO BBQ–Check out the Amnicola location of this popular BBQ spot!
CARNITAS CARMELITA–Get authentic (female-driven?) Mexican food at this little roadside shack with a limited seating.
TRACK’S END RESTAURANT–This spot seems to have a cozy diner feel with lots of breakfast options, plus lunch and dinner until 9pm.
HIGHWAY 58
HUNGRY HOUSE–This diner looks a lot like a Huddle House or a Waffle House, but as best I can tell is locally-owned with home cooking. It looks like a good breakfast place!
HIBACHI EXPRESS & JUICE BAR–I love the “and juice bar” aspect to this hibachi place, and it looks really nice inside! They also seem to host special events like musical artists, learn-to-hibachi kitchen workshops, and wine tastings.
FORKER’S BBQ–This well-reviewed spot is tucked next to an Armando’s and across the street from an outpost of Ankar’s Hoagies.
CAFE YUMBO GUMBO–There’s not really a lot of information about this to be found online, but I’m assuming it is a cajun-ish restaurant?
FRYE HOT FISH & CHICKEN–Get hot fried chicken and fish at this spot. I suspect they do the Nashville-style hot-sauce chicken thing, which this hot-sauce wimp totally can’t handle.
HAVEN’S DINER–This down-home diner features southern American food from a daily rotating menu. The reviews are really good!
HWY 58 BBQ–Self-proclaimed as “Tennessee’s Favorite BBQ Restaurant” it must be at least worth a try! It looks like a walk-up food stand with some nearby seating.
SWEENY’S PIT BBQ–a local favorite, Sweeny’s has more of an actual dining room and a drive-through, meal packs to go, or just wings and beer.
FRESH BURGER GRILL–Specializes in fresh-ground, never-frozen beef for their patties and hand-cut fries. Also a few wraps and salads are available. This seems to have a few locations around Chattanooga – this one in Harrison, one in East Ridge, and Soddy Daisy.
AMIGO’S RESTAURANTS–Ok, let’s talk about Amigo’s! I’ve left it out of my lists for East Ridge, Brainerd, Red Bank, and Hixson because it *is* a chain, but it’s mostly a local one. Including those spots, there are three more around Tennessee (Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Jonesborough) and then there’s this huge one in Harrison. Located on the shore of Harrison Bay, this might be the largest location with indoor and outdoor seating and lots of bar yardage.
This spot used to be Fox Cay, which was a sort of Bahamian-vibe posh restaurant that I have visited in the past. I’m kind of sad it’s not there anymore, I really liked it! But another Amigo’s is never a bad idea. Amigo’s is always awesome.
DOCKSIDE CAFE–I’ll stop with the Dockside Cafe in Harrison, a waterside eatery with American, Italian, BBQ, and all you can eat catfish on Friday nights.
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