Mojo Burrito

Some days you just have a craving for some down home tex-mex comfort food. Mojo Burrito is great place to get that fix I'm tellin ya. Mojo is located in "downtown" St. Elmo and in Red Bank as well open for lunch and dinner. They have a large menu with lots of options for herbivores, carnivores and everyone in between.
 The most popular item is, obviously the Mojo Burrito with either steak, key lime, or spicy chicken, black or pinto beans, and then top away! The Elmo Burrito is the vegetarian cousin to the Mojo.

My favorite thing to eat there is the steak quesadilla with jalapenos. its too good. they have several different flavored wraps to choose from, so I either get wheat or sun-dried tomato. I know what you're about to say: whats the big deal Mary??? Anybody can make a taco salad. Okay, you got me on that one. But you're only saying that because I haven't told you that not everyone can make a perfect pico de gallo, guacamole, texas caviar, or red and green salsas. I'm pretty good at some of those things, and I appreciate it. You will as well!
The funny thing about this place is that its almost a dive... The chairs don't match the tables, or each other for that matter!  The dining area outside is a crazy mash of whatever they wanted to hang up. But I appreciate the charm no matter what. The prices aren't cheap, but you definitely get your money's worth. I DARE you to finish a whole mojo.

P.F. Chang

The purpose of this blog is to let you people know what's good to eat in this fair city, be it dive, diner, or chain!
I prefer hole in the wall places, but good food is good food.  Can I get an AMEN?!?
So today, I'm reviewing a chain. P.F. Chang to be exact.
In Chattanooga, P.F. Chang is unfortunately located at Hamilton Place Mall. I hate driving out there, so I'm like "this better be GOOD". And they don't disappoint.
The atmosphere starts outside with a great looking deck, revolving door and 10 ft statues looking at you saying: "You're not in a mall parking lot. You're on the Magnificent Mile." Inside the restaurant, I still felt the "big city" vibe, but it was a lot warmer. The staff met us immediately and found seating for us.
Speaking of the staff, they know EVERYTHING there is to know about the menu, and are eager to share their opinions about their favorite things. So much about P.F. Chang seems like it should be cheesy: between the special sauce they make for you at the table, the gigantic Mongolian light fixtures, and Japanese murals on the walls, it actually works for them.
Okay, now to the food. We were feeling meaty that day so we went with Mongolian Beef and Wok Seared Lamb. That was a great choice. I loved the spices. It was a great marriage of American and Asian food styles and cooking sensibilities. One thing I enjoyed in particular was "Happy Hour" Not only did they have certain drinks discounted, but appetizers as well; most of them over half off! And at these prices, every penny counts. I made sure to only eat half my food so I could get to dessert, and that was a treat! Each dessert sounded and looked amazing, but I had to go with the pineapple ice cream surrounded by bananas deep fried in spring roll wrappers, covered in berries with a caramel sauce. And that was when my mind was blown.

Most entrees cost $12, so make sure you save up! They often have deals and specials, so join their email club if you're into the whole saving money thing:)

Pisa Pizza

Sometimes I get a little emotional when I think about all the wonderful places to eat in Chattanooga. Hold on. I need a minute.

Okay *sniff* I'm back. So who loves pizza? I know I do. Who loves pinball games? Um. I think they're weird. Well, thats how you'll feel at Pisa Pizza. What IS all that junk doing in there anyway? It must make the pizza taste amazing because I've never had anything like it in all my days.
Pisa Pizza is located at the edge of Coolidge Park behind the tattoo place Standard Ink. I drive by it all the time and forget its there, so look out for it! You're in for a treat!
It definitely looks like a dive, but I think that's what the owners are going for, because it sure does have some charm. It reminds me of going over a friend's house that is super eccentric, but awesome to hang out with.
Make no mistake; these people know how to make a pizza pie! They have loads of options in terms of toppings, cheeses, and sauces. We got a "white sauce" which is basically olive oil and garlic. It spoke to my heart! The Coolidge Park Pie is a favorite of mine with a white sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and spicy chicken. Wow what a meal.

I've never ventured away from the pizzas, but they have award winning sandwiches that my other friend was NOT willing to share, and calzones that apparently rival the pies!
Prices were just about what I expected, and you really do get plenty to eat AND take home.

BLUE ORLEANS

I don't think I've ever met a person that doesn't enjoy New Orleans; or the food that comes out of New Orleans. Its such a mash-up of cultures down there its beautiful! Blue Orleans is one of the few Creole restaurants that I know of in Chattanooga, and I really enjoyed it.
Blue Orleans has 2 locations: the original on Amnicola Hwy, and the newer prettier one on the corner Market and Main streets on the south end of downtown. The downtown location will sometimes run out of red beans and rice, which is the base of most creole foods, so I suggest you call ahead.
We had gumbo as our meal, and it was the best I've had away from the gulf! The cooks back there really know what they're doing I'm telling you! Sausage (optional), chicken and shrimp seasoned with mouth burning cajun spices, mixed together in a fabulous broth. The trick really is in the brown broth which can take up to 2 days to stew to perfection. I've tried and failed, so I'll settle for paying by the bowl:).
For dessert we ordered coffee and begniets. If you go to New Orleans, you HAVE to go to Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter to get one of those warm pastries! Blue Orleans gets pretty close, and I was pleased!
The prices are high, but the atmosphere at the downtown location will easily match a special occasion. The service was wonderful, and the chef comes out to talk to you about what he made just for you in New Orleans fashion! So homey and warm, it makes you want to call a travel agent.

Aretha Frankenstein's

I love breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon... The whole nine! Arethas is a hip restaurant in a refurbished house located in North Chattanooga. Just like its name, its a mash up of the classic and the down right strange. You walk up to a quaint little house (and I mean LITTLE... 4 tables) with skeletons, punk posters, and 70s TV show lunch boxes on the inside. Does that sound ridiculous? Well it is.

If you only get one thing off the menu, order the pancakes! They're light as a feather, about an inch and a half tall, and you can't get through more than one! Their pancakes became so popular, they even sell the batter by the box. The portions are pretty big, so I recommend sharing. I'd get one of their Omelettes like the Sodbuster (jalapenos, potatoes and cheese) and a slim stack of pancakes! Go halves with a buddy, and you have a breakFEAST!
Breakfast isn't the only meal you can eat at Aretha's, they also have a great selection of sandwiches to choose from as well. The Marilyn is a good one... They really know their vegetables! If you're a carnivore, its okay, they make delicious meaty sandwiches as well.
Man, since everything tastes so amazing, and the atmosphere is eccentric, whats the matter with this place? One thing: SERVICE. While the staff is friendly, they're also absent-minded. I was waiting on a coffee refill when the waiter walked outside to chat with his friend. He was a nice guy, but I really wanted some coffee!

I would reccomend Aretha Frankensteins to people with a word of warning: Go when you have plenty of time... Go with people you're comfortable with, because you'll be waiting a while! Eat a pancake and some potatoes!

GOOD DOG

Now, you got hot dogs, and you got hot dogs.... GOOD DOG doesn't have either of those. These puppies (excuse me) are gourmet, all natural casing 100% beef (or yummy veggie)  works of art.
For GOOD DOG, its the little things that make it great; relish, BBQ sauce, and slaw made in house. Cole slaw taste really is a personal preference, but i liked it fine... Not as good as Mom's, but nobody beats hers!
Two interesting things about GOOD DOG are the frites (pronounced "freets") dutch-style fries in a paper cone, and their condiment gallery. Each table in GOOD DOG has holes in it for you to deposite your cone while you eat your dog, and they have awesome frite sauce, a mayo based companion. The condiment gallery has sauces from all over the world for you to experiment with on your dog or frites. I recommend the wasabi ketchup.
The menu has lots of options to choose from: BBQ, Chicago, slaw, and philly... They even have salads and other things, so you don't actually have to eat a hot dog!
I liked the atmosphere: friendly, helpful, slightly hipster, and very inviting. I could see the tried and true southerner not liking GOOD DOG simply because the BBQ dog  doesn't have pulled pork on it! If you want a real Q dog, by all means go to Old Plantation, but come to GOOD DOG expecting something different.

Prices are higher than other hot dog places, and I feel thats the only let down for me.

THE TERMINAL

For me, going to The Terminal was a little bit scary! All my friends were raving about it, and I was afraid they were going to start a new religion worshipping this place.
Now I know.

The Terminal is located in South Chattanooga on the corner of Main and Market Streets. Its an historic building, and you just want to walk inside it (it looks that cool). There are three levels, all with plenty of seating, along with an outside balcony with picnic tables and a grassy yard. It was too flippin cold the day I went, so we opted for the 2nd level. Thats the best level.
The staff were very friendly and helpful since it was my first time. They knew everything about the menu and had honest answers. I went with the Macho Man: a spicy grilled chicken sandwich... Too good for words. One of my friends ordered the "Look what you did you little JERK!"  He just wanted to say it really, but the salmon did not disappoint.
Along with great food, they brew their own beer there! I only got a sample of the lager, but I liked it very much. Not too hoppy, sweet aftertaste. This blog is about food anyway, so I'll stop.

The cost was decent for the quality and quantity we received, but cheapskates would raise their eyebrows.