The canonical version and where to order it.
Layers of vanilla custard, sliced banana and wafer biscuits under whipped cream or meringue, the non-negotiable dessert of Chattanooga's Southern tables from fried chicken joints to barbecue counters.
Banana pudding colonised the South once refrigerated rail brought cheap bananas through ports like New Orleans and grocers' wafers met home custard. It settled into church cookbooks by the mid-20th century and never left the region's meat-and-threes and barbecue houses. In Chattanooga it is the default ending at fried chicken and barbecue rooms alike, served in a scoop from a deep tray, the wafers softened to cake somewhere overnight.
1 editor pick for Banana pudding in Chattanooga, ranked by editorial score. All Chattanooga signature dishes · Banana pudding across every city.
Also in: Birmingham, Charlotte, Nashville.
Champy's Famous Fried Chicken fries chicken to order on MLK Boulevard in Chattanooga, with Delta hot tamales, cold beer and blues on the speakers.
OrderFried chicken with Delta hot tamales on the side.
TipFriday and Saturday the kitchen runs to midnight. Expect a wait after Lookouts games; the banana pudding travels well.
Banana pudding makes more sense with someone from Chattanooga explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the flavors of Chattanooga on a guided food tour of the downtown district. Savor the flavors of the city as you enjoy a variety of dishes at up to four curate...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the flavors of Chattanooga on a food-focused walking tour. Visit four different restaurants and meet the proprietors behind them, all while tasting tapas-size...
1 hour
Learn how to make a cocktail from a professional bartender in Chattanooga. Enjoy a fun and interactive experience with a small group.
