I remember the Black Angus, The Peddler, and Roy Pepper's very well. I also miss having them around to patronize. I also miss The Loft, Town & country, and Fehn's. These were all located on the north side of the river as well. But, as I have aged, I have come to miss some of the more simple places we had in Chattanooga.
I remember eating at the "S&W" on Market Street, between 8th and 9th. Well, I suppose their address could just as well have been Broad Street, since the building had an entrance on both. The food there was always wonderful, especially their vegetables. The turkey and dressing was out of this world.
Up the block from the "S&W", at 7th and Cherry, was the "Home Plate." The food sampling there was very similar to that at the "S&W". The fried chicken at the "Home Plate" was my favorite. It was difficult to make it past the "Krystal" that sat across the street though. The aroma of the "Krystal" burgers simmering on the griddle always made my mouth water.
Another block up Cherry Street sat the "Rathskeller". Oh my goodness, was that good! I drank my first beer in there.
My most favorite place, and the one that makes my mouth water just thinking about it, was "George's World Famous Hamburgers." That was located at 8th and Georgia, across from the Dome Building. They later located to 8th and Cherry. To this day, I have never eaten such a delicious hamburger. It was a sad day when "George's" closed.
Little known to most folks in Chattanooga was the sandwich counter located in the "Hamilton National Bank" building. A gentleman named "Red" owned and operated that lunch counter. The sandwiches were nothing out of the ordinary, but they were doggone good. If you only had a limited amount of time for lunch, "Red's", as I called it, was a great place to grab a bite. One couldn't sit down there because there were no stools, so everyone just ate standing at the counter.
Both "Miller Brothers" and "Lovemans" had terrific lunch counters in their basements. The one at "Miller's" went underneath Broad Street. I used to enjoy their cafeteria's upstairs though. A walk into either of those two establishments at lunchtime was mouth watering. One could enjoy the aroma wafting through the entire store.
Chattanooga has had it's share of wonderful places to eat. It's disappointing to know they are gone, but we have been blessed with some wonderful places to take their place. I guess the kids of today will someday reminisce about eating at a place called the "Big River Grill". Somehow, in a way, although I enjoy their food, I think the kids are being shortchanged on memories. Time marches on, I guess.
Rod Dagnan
Hixson
roddagnan@comcast.net
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I remember my folks taking me and my sister to the Tic-Tock Restaurant in East Ridge, it is a spa now! There was also an interesting sandwich shop that was at the corner of McBrien and Brainerd Road called Lott's; they had a pretty good roast beef sanwich.
And who could forget those sloppy and juicy hamburgers at the Burger Haus that was in East Ridge. After swimming at the East Ridge Youth Foundation (Pool), it was time for lunch, we would walk across the street to eat the best hamburgers in town. Now you would get pizza there.
The Jolly Ox was a great place to take your dates for Prom, the Sailmaker which was later the Fifth Quarter, Black Angus, Gulas, The Peddler.........Leonards.
Oh the days of yester-year.
Brett P. Salmon
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I too remember the Black Angus, The Peddler, and Roy Peppers. I developed a taste for sautéed mushrooms with my steak while sharing the huge steak for two at the Angus while dating the girl who became my wife until her passing 39 years later.
Roy Peppers became a tradition for my son’s birthdays for years. I'll never forget the birthday he wore his white Hawaii Five O jacket to Roy's. The server dumped a whole salad, complete with French dressing on his shoulder and down his back. She didn't even apologize. Needless to say, that ended the tradition.
The Rathskeller had a killer Hot German sausage sandwich with onion and mustard.
Let's not forget Shoney's on Hixson Pike. You know the one with the funny roof, just south of Highland Plaza. They had a sandwich called the Slim Jim. It was a ham and cheese with lettuce tomato and mayo on a toasted Kaiser bun that crunched when you bit into it. Their onion rings were out of this world too. No other Shoney's was quite like that one.
How about the Chow Now on Access Road with their plenty burger and its homemade sauce like no one else's. The Twin Star was next door to the Chow Now and was a favorite hangout for the cruisin' crowd back then.
We loved Goulas on McCallie Avenue, one of the rare places that served shish ka bob for that special occasion with that special someone.
The Dollar House restaurant on Dodd's Avenue in East Chattanooga had the best fried chicken I ever tasted. They seasoned it with red pepper of some sort which gave it a bite that compares to Bojangles Cajun style and all you could eat for a dollar.
As neighborhood drug stores disappeared the lunch counters went with them. I loved to stop in at McWhorter's in Red Bank or Rivermont Drugs for a toasted cheese and a fountain coke, sometimes with a touch of cherry. Limemade was one of my favorites too. They made it right in front of you using fresh squeezed limes. Yum.
Yes, the kids today will have memories just as we do. Somehow I can't imagine McDonalds, Wendy's, Subway and the other fast food places being as nostalgic and personal as the ones we remember. The TV series Happy Days came close to duplicating life as we knew it. I almost want to go back. Can I take my computer and cell phone?
Fred Roper
Chattanooga
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And don’t forget the Millard Reece lunch and supper counter on Market St. across from the old Rogers Theater, as I remember. And a sitdown counter building at about Chestnut and 9th St. called Honest Chambers. My memory is hazy on that one. It was an orange building.
Also Kerry’s cafeteria on Broad St. near the S&W. That was owned by a Greek fellow. Supper there in 1955 was always 78 cents. By the way, I used to get a steak plate with sliced tomatoes and a vegetable at George’s place on E. 8th and that was 50 cents in 1955. (The steak was one of those pounded until tender steaks but plenty edible.) With a Double Cola to drink, add 10 cents.
Bill Doyle
william535@comcast.net