Probably the most often neglected meal, although arguably the most important, is breakfast. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to grab and go or make do with coffee instead of savoring a meal that is traditionally all about comfort food – eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, grits, pancakes, waffles – it just doesn’t get any better than that! And what better way to get friends and family, as well as visitors from out of town, together during the holidays than to go out to breakfast. Fortunately, the Chattanooga area has some great restaurants that offer sumptuous breakfasts and brunches sure to please everyone.
In the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex at 1400 Market Street, The Gardens restaurant (266-5000) serves a wonderful breakfast buffet everyday from 6:30 until 11:00 am. The restaurant has a very open atmosphere with lots of natural light. On the buffet are scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, French toast, grits, biscuits, gravy, fresh fruits and assorted breads and pastries. The menu includes omelets and other egg choices, Cinnamon Supreme French Toast, Buttermilk Pancakes and waffles, as well as cereal and oatmeal. The Garden Omelet, with onions, mushrooms, green pepper, tomatoes and cheese, was delicious. It came with a side of breakfast potatoes and a biscuit. The service was excellent. This would be a great place for any size group – nice for two but able to accommodate large parties.
Porter’s Steakhouse (266-4121), at 827 Broad Street, is probably best known for its delicious steaks and great cocktail bar but it also serves a lovely breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7:00 until 11:30 am. Porter’s is a contemporary and very elegant restaurant located on the ground floor of the beautiful Sheraton Read House. Its cozy atmosphere is wonderful for smaller groups or couples. The breakfast buffet includes a beautiful assortment of fruit, biscuits, gravy, French toast, grits, potatoes, a variety of pastries, muffins, croissants, bacon, sausage links and scrambled eggs. On weekdays from 7:00 until 10:30, as well as during the weekend hours, one may also order from the breakfast menu. The breakfast menu has wonderful dishes, including a delicious Eggs Benedict and large omelets. In addition to other egg dishes, the menu includes the Pepperloin Patty Melt. Pepperloin is a specialty of Porter’s and is also served at lunch and dinner. It is beef tenderloin that has been marinated for 48 hours in 27 secret spices, dry rubbed with a garlic and peppercorn rub, then sliced and cooked to order. The result is a fork-tender, spicy piece of beef that absolutely melts in your mouth.
The Broad Street Grill (424-3700) in The Chattanoogan, at 1201 Broad Street, serves a delicious breakfast buffet Monday through Saturday that includes made-to-order omelets, buttermilk pancakes, cheese blintz with strawberry glaze, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, grits, breads, pastries, cereal and fresh fruit. On Sundays starting at 11:30, the buffet goes over the top by adding lunch specialties such as carved prime rib, grilled chicken with roasted corn, sundried tomato risotto, steamed asparagus, baked penne pasta with vegetables, sauted vegetable crab frittata with blue cheese, a salad bar, ceasar salad, spicy vegetable salad and an incredible array of house-made desserts. Needless to say, come hungry and plan to stay a while! Everything was delicious. In addition to the spacious and lovely main room of the restaurant, there is a room that can be reserved for private parties that would be perfect for holiday get-togethers.
For a unique atmosphere and delicious food on the Northshore, try Aretha Frankensteins (265-SOUL), at 518 Tremont. This delightful restaurant serves breakfast from 7:00 am until midnight every day. In addition to its famous pancakes (be sure and take home a box of the mix), the menu includes some unusual omelettes such as Feta and Spinach, Shrimp and Cheese, and “Jabber” (refried beans and beef topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and salsa). One of the most popular items is Shrimp and Grits, in a portion that is sure to please the hungriest of appetites. The grilled shrimp are large and delicious, and served in a cheese sauce with grilled peppers and onions over wonderfully seasoned grits. This item was incredible! Also sampled and enjoyed was the Salmon and Eggs – lightly grilled salmon over scrambled eggs served with dill cream cheese. This dish came with a choice of grits or fried potatoes and both came with a fist-sized biscuit. Aretha’s is a small restaurant where “everything is prepared to order in our tiny kitchen” so don’t go unless you don’t have time to savor the fun atmosphere and relax!
These great Chattanooga restaurants offer great atmosphere and a variety of delicious breakfast and brunch foods that are sure to satisfy everyone in your life!