Mountain Fountain is on Lookout Mountain. Click to enlarge all our photos.
This was our first visit to the Mountain Fountain located at 826 Scenic Highway on Lookout Mountain. I had a preconceived notion that this was a soda-fountain-type place rather than a full service restaurant. However, recently we happened to be in this area of the mountain and upon passing by, realized it was something more. So we went back a few weeks later using our valuable Adventures Coupon Book.
We both started off with Debbie's homemade Chili and Cornbread. This was
very good - and Wayne was especially pleased with the fact they didn't leave whole tomatoes in it. We both felt it held its own in comparison with others that are at the top of our Chili list. And - for a welcome change from most of our experiences - the Cornbread was moist rather than dry and crumbly.
The specialty they stress here is "homemade" (even the Honey Mustard Sauce is homemade). Everything on the menu sounded good but I had already made up my mind before we got there. I was going to go with the Chicken Salad Platter - I love homemade Chicken Salad - especially when they leave those awful sweet pickles out! The platter was served with Chicken Salad, Tomato Aspic, Deviled Eggs and homemade Datenut Bread with Cream Cheese for $7.50. The platter was great - I did feel like $7.50 was a tad high though - maybe $6.50 would have been more appropriate. You may want to give the Tomato Aspic a try - it is made with Tomato Juice and Bloody Mary mix and has a very smooth taste.
Wayne ordered a sandwich referred to as the Fountain Club - Turkey, Ham,
Bacon, Swiss and American cheeses with Lettuce and Tomato piled high on
toasted white or wheat bread for $6.50. The sandwich is served with Fries and a pickle. He decided to order the Beer Breaded Fried Mushrooms in place of the Beer Battered Fries and pay the difference.
They offer a variety of items from the grill including Burgers, Hot Dogs,
Grilled Chicken, Philly Cheese Steak and Grilled Hamburger Steak priced from $5.50 to $8.50. The $8.50 is the Grilled Hamburger Steak, which is 8 ounces of ground beef smothered with grilled onions and peppers served with salad, baked potato and garlic toast.
They offer a large selection of appetizers, salads and sandwiches as well as homemade Vegetable Beef Soup and occasional specials - such as the day we were there they were serving White Chicken Chili. On Sunday they also offer Brunch specials - different each Sunday. On this day they were serving Eggs Benedict, the week before it was Scrambled Eggs and gravy. They also offer nightly specials with Monday night being spaghetti.
We would definitely recommend a visit to the Mountain Fountain. Their hours
are Lunch Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Thursday (closed on Wednesday) from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 9:00 p.m. The Mountain Fountain is under the new ownership (since October) of Larry and Debbie Grant who seem to be very excited about their new adventure into the restaurant business. So why not take a leisurely
drive up Lookout Mountain, take in a few of the lovely sites, and stop at
the Mountain Fountain? Tell them Chattanooga Dine Out sent you!
And remember - if you want to make someone happy for Christmas the new
Adventures coupon books are now in with even more coupons - 86 in all - JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! By using our Adventures book during 2001, Wayne and I have saved $400 that would have been spent out of our own pockets - and we still have coupons that haven't been used yet. To make shopping easier for you this year, we now have credit card capability on the site.
(Janet Wilson is an owner/writer for Chattanooga Dine Out, a website
devoted solely to reviewing restaurants in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. For a list of all reviewed restaurants (including the Five Star winners), as well as a complete directory of all area restaurants, visit our
website at CHATTANOOGA DINE
OUT )