Best Restaurants in Chattanooga

[Nonlocal]

Originally Posted by FCEddie

Pizza is my specialty, but who can resist great tacos

I had three HS soccer kids with me, and they were all impressed. I need to get back to Chatty for some more soccer and tacos

Our favorites for pizza are either Jet's Pizza (but it's a chain, if that's a detractor) and Lupi's (especially since they use local ingredients). Would be interested if you or anybody else has any other picks though.

[FCEddie]

I think I tried Lupe's before, and that was really good. Do they have more than one location? I seem to remember a place near Ringgold

[Nonlocal]

Originally Posted by FCEddie

I think I tried Lupe's before, and that was really good. Do they have more than one location? I seem to remember a place near Ringgold

Not sure about Ringgold. According to Google Maps there's the one on Broad St. (downtown) and then one off of East Brainerd Rd. (east of I-75, towards East Brainerd).

[FCEddie]

It was Tony's - apparently closed now.

[An Einnseanair]

There are Lupi's in Downtown Chatt, East Brainerd, Hixson, and way out in Cleveland.
http://lupi.com/

[FoodNut]

I had to sign up again after reading this thread. I love finding local eats in Chattanooga.

My favorite by far is Boccaccia on Broad. Authentic Italian, and probably the best tiramisu I've ever had and pretty mean creme brulee too. Their pasta is fresh, and you can tell as soon as it seemingly melts when you eat it. The atmosphere is great too.

Urban stack is another great place. I've always had the opinion about burgers that you can only season ground beef so many ways that it's boring, but Urban Stack is great. Their 3 pigs chilli they put on the North Carolina burger is killer. Their bananas foster milkshake is so good it makes you not want to leave. (Honorable mention to Tubbys. Been going there for years).

For BBQ I like to go to Sugars. Hands down. Bones on East Brainerd is more convenient to my house, though, and I love the family atmosphere there.

The best steak I've had in Chattanooga was easily at Porters. Absolutely amazing. My grandfather always told me if you have to put sauce on a steak, it wasn't done right. I've always stuck to that belief, but the mustard sauce at Porters is like liquid gold. I can't help but use it.

For sweets:

City Cafe. Their cakes and pies come from a place in Atlanta, and are soooo good.

Southern Stars warm banana pudding is great with nutmeg on top.

Food Works has the best creme brulee I've ever had.

Aunt Effies in Ringgold has a peach cobbler I've been eating since I was very young.

I'm still exploring as much as I can. I try to find places that I normally wouldn't see or find. I don't mind paying for good food, especially if it's local. If you guys can think of somewhere this thread hasn't previously mentioned, please chime in.

[lovethenoog]

FoodNut! I am a creme brulee fan and very thankful you mentioned two places to try! Also loved City Cafe....naturally I was unaware their cakes and pies are imported all the way from Atlanta! (ha!) Good stuff! My husband and I will definitely try Boccaccia too! Our family makes our own pasta but to find a tirimisu to be happy about is wonderful! I'm with you about willingness to pay for good local food! Keep us posted and if I happen to find something I will post it too! Buon appetito!

[lovethenoog]

Oh! I almost forgot....where is the good cannoli????

[FoodNut]

Originally Posted by lovethenoog

Oh! I almost forgot....where is the good cannoli????

I had a pretty good cannoli at River Street Deli believe it or not. I've seen it on Provino's menu too, but I never have the room left for dessert when I'm there lol.

I also forgot to throw Hennans out there. I had a killer filet with sauteed asparagus this weekend, and my wife got beignets for dessert. I got a chocolate lava cake. They were both really good, but I was jealous of her beignets.

I got very interested in cooking about 4 years ago. I want to get some better cookware and when I move again I want a gas stove. If you're into cooking meats, and various kinds, Greenlife (Wholefoods) downtown has about anything you could ever want. I bought a 7.5lbs brisket there about a month ago and smoked it. I was very proud of how it turned out, but the quality of the meat was the main ingredient so I couldn't give myself too much credit.

I better leave this thread alone, or I won't stop lol.

[Nonlocal]

Originally Posted by FoodNut

I also forgot to throw Hennans out there. I had a killer filet with sauteed asparagus this weekend, and my wife got beignets for dessert. I got a chocolate lava cake. They were both really good, but I was jealous of her beignets.

We were pretty disappointed in Hennan's. The food was fairly good, but the prices (for what you get) are over the top. In some cases, that's made up for in ambiance or service. However, here the atmosphere was only decent, nothing special (what "upscale" restaurant seats guests RIGHT next to the kitchen where servers are constantly hustling past your table?), and our service was very impersonal and condescending. Again, the food was good, so I'm not trying to just completely unload on Hennan's here (and I have actually been to worse for my money), but I can name several other restaurants I'd rather go.

To each their own, though, just adding my review.