photo by John Shearer
Petro’s Chili & Chips quick-service restaurant, which is known for its bowls and dishes topped with chili and Fritos, is set to open its first Chattanooga-area store off Highway 153 in Hixson in the coming weeks.
A message at the Petro’s website said, “Hey Hixson! We’re comin’ for ya! We’re so excited to announce the arrival of the first Petro’s Chili & Chips within Southeast Tennessee and we can hardly wait! Our doors will be opening in spring of 2022 -- stay tuned for dates, details and more.”
The announcement also said they are hoping to open in March at 5114 Highway 153.
The well-under-construction small restaurant building is located on the right side after an automobile driver crosses Thrasher Bridge at Chickamauga Dam heading toward Hixson, but before the Hamill Road intersection.
A temporary sign announcing that Petro’s is coming has also been placed in front of the building.
The Knoxville-based chain is known for its various chilis – including plant-based – that are mixed with Fritos or pasta or over baked potatoes and hot dogs.
A variety of other dishes, including salad wedges and nachos, are also sold, and the eatery is known for its iced tea made with a touch of orange.
Many Chattanooga area residents might be familiar with the restaurant due to the fact some of its chili products have been sold at University of Tennessee football and basketball games since 2001.
Petro’s had also been previously located in the food courts of Hamilton Place and Northgate malls.
It actually had its origin at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, when Joe and Carol Schoentrup of Spokane sold opened bags of Fritos topped with chili and other toppings. The product was also sold at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, and Dale, Keith and Randy Widmer opened the first Petro’s eatery in Knoxville’s West Town Mall in 1985.
The chain in recent years has expanded to other parts of Tennesssee as well as North Carolina and Arkansas.
In 2019, the chain also opened a store in downtown Knoxville’s Market Square not far from its beginnings at the nearby World’s Fair site.
The firm is one of several Knoxville-related businesses to open or announce plans to open stores in the Scenic City in recent years. Buddy’s Bar-b-q was started in Knoxville in 1972 and had a big food presence at the World’s Fair, too, while Weigel’s is planning to open some convenience stores locally.
The Virginia-based Food City grocery chain also bought the Bi-Los here after earlier operating in Knoxville for several years.
Jcshearer2@comcast.net
photo by John Shearer