Sandwiches$brainerdMon-Tue 10:00-16:00; Wed-Sun 10:00-20:00
Ankar's Hoagies has stacked steamed hoagies and gyros for Chattanooga since 1979, a family-run counter institution still working Brainerd Road daily.
Order: The classic hoagie, steamed, with the works.
Tip: Brainerd closes at 16:00 Monday and Tuesday but runs to 20:00 the rest of the week; the Hixson Pike shop keeps longer evening hours.
American$$downtownMon 18:00-03:00; Tue-Sat 11:00-03:00; Sun 12:00-03:00
Pickle Barrel has fed Chattanooga from a century-old flatiron building on Market Street since 1982, burgers and fried pickles until 03:00 nightly.
Order: The Signature burger with fried pickles, upstairs on the roof deck.
Tip: Strictly 21 and over at all times. The wedge-shaped roof deck is the best people-watching perch downtown.
American$$southsideSun-Thu 11:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-01:00; kitchen to 22:00
Hi-Fi Clyde's mixes Tex-Mex-leaning bar food, murals and live music on West Main Street in Chattanooga's Southside, with a kitchen running to 22:00.
Order: Tacos and queso during happy hour, then hold the table for the band.
Tip: Friday and Saturday the bar pours to 01:00; weeknights it winds down at 23:00, and the kitchen holds to 22:00 every night.
Breakfast$southsideTue-Sat 06:30-14:00; closed Sun-Mon
Bluegrass Grill scratch-cooks breakfast on E Main Street in Chattanooga's Southside, a family diner trusted for potato cakes and homemade bread since 2007.
Order: Eggs with the potato cakes and toast from the house loaf.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday 06:30 to 14:00 only, and the Saturday queue forms early; solo counter seats turn fastest.
Breakfast$downtownMon-Fri 07:00-14:00; Sat-Sun 07:00-15:00
Maple Street Biscuit Company layers fried chicken on flaky biscuits at 407 Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga, a Southeast biscuit-house favourite.
Order: A fried chicken biscuit with house-made pepper jelly.
Tip: Doors close at 14:00 weekdays and 15:00 weekends; it is a breakfast-and-lunch operation, not a dinner stop.
Southern$$mlkSun-Thu 10:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 10:30-24:00
Champy's Famous Fried Chicken is Chattanooga's juke-joint-styled bird specialist on MLK Boulevard, frying to order with Delta tamales and cold beer.
Order: Quarter dark fried chicken, hot tamales, banana pudding.
Tip: Friday and Saturday the kitchen runs to midnight. Expect a wait after Lookouts games; the banana pudding travels well.