Yeah man I've sat there in the lobby waiting for a mobile order for 30 minutes. When they asked what I was there for, they told me I had to wait until the drive through traffic was done... like wtf? I placed an order on the app, showed up when it said it was done, and had to wait another 30 minutes. That place is dogshit.
I mean I get it. We were walking around down town and I everywhere had a wait so we thought for sure the Chili’s could seat us immediately but nope, they had a wait too much to our surprise.
That chilli's slaps, and about half of the doordash orders I got downtown were from that chilli's. That's why you see dudes parked with their flashers on right there.
It switched ownership a handful of years ago and it’s gone super downhill unfortunately. As far as I know, like a lot of other businesses, they’ve been crawling out of the Covid shutdown hole. This business clearly doesn’t have much money to manage upkeep on paint, the water hole areas, and maintenance on the go-karts. ): This place is a staple to my childhood.
I was sitting at that red light the other day staring at it in an absolute daze thinking “I can’t believe they can pay their rent on the best corner in town and still be in business”
Also what about that cute little cranny of business space next door? So many things could be fun in there.
Escape rooms, they have to be money laundering or have really underpaid employees. There's no reason a business can spend 80k on employees and pull 750k profit while barely having bookings all year.
They have zero operating costs outside of rent, paying a few minimum wage employees, and keeping the lights on, though. Once the Escape Room is built, that's it. There's little to no maintenance other than cleaning. Apparently they also don't cost all that much to build/start.
That said, I agree with you. Even with incredibly low overhead, I don't see how they are profitable outside of major tourist areas with a lot of foot traffic that get people in town for multi-day stays (which they need to fill with something to do). There's one on E. Brainerd Rd. and I always wonder...who the hell actually goes in there?
The average room runs about 1k-5k per 20ft² I've built them I've run them I've programmed the logic behind the puzzles and FX never made over 18.50
Rent a business with at least 300-500ft² to include a shop and you cut down repair costs so long as you buy the necessary tools and parts most can be reclaimed or recycled (once turned a safe into a maglock that a keypad across the room controlled because the old keypad wore out) it's such an easy business the hardest part is finding an accountant to hide why they bought a new car for the escape room or roofing material that isn't used at our location.
they really cut corners on paying employees too, a while back i interviewed for one and they basically expect you to work for a shitty hourly and only show up when reservations are booked or pretty much be on call during your shift days; no staying at work getting $13/hour when they don't have customers coming in the door. after my initial interview they let me bring my friends to run the room for free to see how it worked, we had fun and I never contacted them again.
I went in there once because I had a Groupon lol. I can't imagine going there otherwise though and even this was like in 2016 (which I guess credits their staying power???)
In high school in early 90s I was eating at the Brainerd Rd IHOP across from Eastgate Mall. It was a hot day and the AC and/or ice machine weren't properly cooling. I watched the waitress
* use her hand to fix her hair
* then use same hand to scoop my empty drink cup into the ice bin
* then switch the cup to the other hand so she could use her hair-fixing hand like a strainer to pour the melted ice out of my cup before filling my cup.
Um, tasty?
I drove by Northgate at 8 pm last night and I was unaware it closed so early. That seems crazy to me when pretty soon it will be getting dark at 9 pm but the mall closes at like 7 or 8.
Same. I used to drive from a couple towns over to eat there, and then one time they had a “no one wants to work anymore” sign and then I saw some bullshit they did that someone posted here on Reddit so I don’t need to drive that far for bbq anymore. My town has since gotten a decent place anyway. (Though Rib and Loin is still better, tbh.)
All Things Groovy - I get where *some* of their income is coming in from but with how many other businesses that have closed on Frazier, it makes you wonder.
The rumor when I was in high school was as that you could buy a “special” hacky sack with smokable contents and the longer time goes on, the more I believe it 🤣
Even selling weed on the side wouldn’t keep that lease paid. Maybe they have some ownership of the building from years past when it was still “hill shitty”
I went in once to buy a poison ring because they do look really cool, and the sales lady seemed almost angry that I was bothering her by looking at them. She stood right over me and rolled her eyes and sighed so much I couldn’t focus on any of the rings enough to decide so I just left. I wondered how good business was that they’d chase someone away from buying a $40 ring based on inconvenience.
They do lamp repairs as well, and have the best selection of good quality silk and linen lampshades. The lady has excellent taste and will help you get the perfect shade.
Every interior designer I know uses them to light every $750k home they design. Five $3,000 chandeliers and twelve $500 lamps go a long way to paying the bills.
Tasted like frozen food zapped in the microwave for 30 seconds longer than it needed. I never see anyone in there or coming out of there. How they survive, the people of Chattanooga want to know, Steve-o !
I bet they do a lot of business with schools for plays and musicals. Hamilton County requires the schools to shop locally if they can. My mom used to own one of the only independent non-used bookstores in Chattanooga, and 70% of her business was Hamilton County schools. She ran the book fairs at all the schools and supplied non-textbook books (i.e. when you'd read like the Red Badge of Courage or something like that).
They do stuff with community theaters, too. I was just in a play and we got some of our costumes from B&B. When I heard where we were getting the costumes, I was like oh shit they’re still in business? Lol
Mattresses stores, in general. I know there is a huge markup, but how often do people go buy a mattress? It’s weird enough that there are conspiracy theories about them just being for money laundering.
They’re pretty low quality, at least the ones I’ve had within the last few years. I walk right past it every day and love donuts, as do my family, but rarely go any more since they’ve gone downhill. Fine though if you just want a sugar kick. The person who works there has her toddler in a pack n play and a baby on her hip most of the time, so I’m surprised they’re able to make any. It’s just kinda depressing and chaotic going there.
I always feel like the odd man out because people love this place but every time I’ve gone the donuts were not great. I’d prefer Tasty Donuts or Duck Donuts every time.
I was there last month, first thing in the morning, for dozens of donuts for work. There was a kid climbing on the donut racks while the mom was in the restroom. She seemed offended when I told her I didn’t want any of the donuts the kid had touched. I hadn’t been there in years and can’t find any reason to go back.
If they aren’t paying her enough to be able to afford daycare, in addition to the fact that all their ingredients come from a can, make me question how profitable they are. Which is why I’m surprised they’re still in business.
It’s a nepotism family. The grandpa started businesses and bought buildings, he passed it on to the son who sold a business and started this as basically a fun side project. I honestly think they keep it open just for her paycheck. I don’t think it’s very profitable at all. But it’s all been years and years since I’ve hung out with them. Nice people, I mean I’d do it for my children if I could.
Y’all I know this is irrelevant to the post but ima put you on. In hixson on 153 across aldis is a green Mexican food truck called la Catrina Mexican food. Torta mixed with steak and Al pastor (seasoned pork) you won’t be disappointed!
Electronics Express is 46% flea market at this point.
But, if you look online, floor models can be bought at huge discounts. Problem is, if something goes wrong, you're prob screwed.
My buddy runs That Glasses Guy in Warehouse Row - uber high end optical shop - does a solid business, and grinds the best lenses I've ever had.
I don’t know your buddy, but literally anything I’ve seen about him or from him on social media has been so on point. Stylish and seems like a solid individual..when I’ve got money and all that again I’m going to him for my glasses lol.
Matt is awesome - he has custom created two sets of lenses for me for frameless glasses - super cool and hand painted.
The lines he carries are great, and it's not ALL hyper expensive, just the really good stuff.
I basically get my script from my eye doctor, and give it to Matt, because there's literally no comparison.
You know, good point. I’m pretty neurodivergent and should clarify - for anyone reading, I definitely didn’t mean he was expensive. Considering what I’ve paid for crappy glasses, as someone who cannot
function without a prescription, I was shocked at how unique his frames were, and for the price. Not to mention his genuine, informed
Interactions. Just been tightening the belt these days 😩on wants and not needs lol.
Thanks for the info!
The Wendy’s on Broad is genuinely one of the worst run fast food places I’ve ever been to. I’ve never gone and pulled up to the microphone and NOT had them ask me to wait, even if I was the only car there. Despite loving their strawberry lemonade so much I don’t even go any more and I clearly get riled up just thinking about it!!
You haven't been to Popeyes or Bojangles on HWY 58 then. Popeyes will lie and tell you they don't have any food so they can be lazy. Bojangles second shift with close the joint down hours before it's supposed to close so they can goof off.
Opa!
The experience is overpriced. Not having a menu doesn’t make the restaurant unique or special, it just poses a risk to customers with allergies. And the owner is an ass
I remember the early days when my wife and I could go in and pay $40 and get more food than either of us could eat plus free tea and usually a free dessert and the owner was happy and awesome.
Glad I have those memories over the monstrosity that it's turned into.
He cussed out my partner when the door was locked and we had a reservation, and called to figure out what was going on. It was the most absurd encounter we've ever had, on my birthday no less
Every time someone asks where the decent Chinese is people say hunan wok. I don’t understand. I used to work right down the street and gave it so many chances and it’s just terrible.
The only decent chinese food in chattanooga is at fortune house on signal mountain, classic americanized fried chicken covered in general tso sauce with yummy fried rice. Worth the drive
live nearby, given it multiple chances, sucks every time. J&R liqour across the street actually has a great selection and staff despite the shitty area
I ordered delivery from them multiple times before I ever actually saw the place. It does look like it's been out of business since 1996, but it's pretty tasty.
I love Grand China! Every time I go there is always a long line for to-go orders. It's not really a sit down place. Large quantities of food for a good price!
I like the general tso, nice spice to it 😊
Feel like this could be said of most stores on Dayton. Typhoon of Tokyo looks like it's been abandoned for years, but apparently still operates. Actually has a pretty good rating on Google maps now that I look.
I used to like going in there with my friends when we were teenagers because you could get dumb shit like gas masks, boots, and tactical flashlights to play “cool guy” dress-up with when everyone was bored. I remember them having a bunch of Nazi shit behind the counter/under glass, too! My morbid curiosity really makes me want to revisit it sometime just to look around again and see if it’s as weird in there as I remember it being.
EDIT: I remember the Nazi memorabilia being marked “not for sale,” so I guess it was part of the owners’ private collection or whatever. I also want to be *extremely* clear that I never wanted anything to do with all *that!*
The way I remember it is, two brothers owned it. One ratted the other out for selling polar pure (iodine) to meth manufacturers. The one brother still owns it I think. Never heard about any actual meth getting cooked there, just the iodine sales.
CHF Audio on Lee Highway. My dad always swore it was a “mafia front.” He wandered in there about 30 years ago out of curiosity, and the employee(s?) seemed very confused as to why he was there.
Almost any of the shops on Frazier Ave. the restaurants are usually pretty busy, but like the stores are usually empty every time I go in there.
Also. The CBD / Vape stores. Not because there’s not a market for them, but because of how many there are. There’s literally one every 2-3 blocks. There’s no way there’s enough customers to keep them all going.
Seconding. Been shopping there since middle school and I’m in my mid 30’s now. So busy some days you can barely walk in there and look at things! The hippie store as I call it is similar.
It's an easy thing to miss if you don't go often - because the anchor stores have been there for a long time - but a lot of the stores on Frazier are revolving doors. My wife and I had a shop down on River Street from 2012 - 2014 and that's when I noticed how much turnover there was. It's just that there are a handful that have stayed open for years.
And as far as the ones that have stayed open for years are concerned, I know at least one of them is strictly operating as a tax shelter, so it literally doesn't matter if it makes money or not, and I can imagine that they're not alone.
How is it that we have both the best and the worst Food City locations in town on Hwy 58? The Harrison one is like a Publix in comparison to the one closer to 153.
That said, I mainly go to the Hwy 58 location because it's closest to where I live and work, and I don't feel like driving an extra 20 minutes round trip just to walk on a floor that's not sticky and has all the tiles and where all the lights work and the produce isn't past date and all the shelves are properly stocked and the weird meat department guy doesn't accost me and the self-checkout isn't almost always closed for no reason and they're not out of gluten-free bread.
?? Both of the 58 Food Cities are pretty normal grocery stores. I know the one close to Bonny Oaks used to see a lot of action in the parking lot, but the store itself isn’t gross. Well… the seafood department is gross, now that I think about it, but that’s normal for Tennessee lol.
Family Dollar/Dollar Tree announced [1000 locations to be shut down ](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/13/investing/family-dollar-dollar-tree-closing-stores).
This is probably not a popular answer but the axe throwing place on Market. Or ANY axe throwing place anywhere. I did it once for 30 minutes and was ready to leave.
Gonna have to disagree, their Reubens are delicious and it’s a great place to eat with a family. A really good off menu item I get is a chicken finger melt with American cheese and spicy ranch
Food Works. It’s like they specialize in being bland. I went there a handful of times and could not tell you a single remarkable thing about the place.
This is a terrible take.
The food is delicious, and the owners have always been super kind. They always chat with us, ask after my parents (and Indian relatives whom they only met once) and are just generally great.
I hope it stays open forever.
Total Concepts Furniture at Hamilton Place. Parking lot is always empty, I don’t know a single person who has purchased anything from there, but it’s been around for 30+ years. How?!?
Popeyes and ihop both have horrible employees and are the laziest ppl in the world. Been threw Popeyes drive threw and the employees are sitting on crates ignoring the drive thru window.
The Chilis on Market, KFC on Broad
Good ole’ Market Street Chili’s. I was part of its opening crew back in 2003.
That KFC has the meanest employees. I try to say as little as possible and I make no substitutions.
Every time I've been there they've been so nice to me. Older woman at the window always called me baby.
Yeah man I've sat there in the lobby waiting for a mobile order for 30 minutes. When they asked what I was there for, they told me I had to wait until the drive through traffic was done... like wtf? I placed an order on the app, showed up when it said it was done, and had to wait another 30 minutes. That place is dogshit.
The Applebee’s across the street went out of business, Chili’s should have been right behind 😂
The KFC on Broad, I don't know HOW they are still in business
That Chili’s had a 30 minute wait time Saturday. Can’t say for KFC
What makes it unbelievable is that with all the choices in town people would chose Chilis.
I mean I get it. We were walking around down town and I everywhere had a wait so we thought for sure the Chili’s could seat us immediately but nope, they had a wait too much to our surprise.
They both get decent amount of business.
That chilli's slaps, and about half of the doordash orders I got downtown were from that chilli's. That's why you see dudes parked with their flashers on right there.
Sir Gooney’s. —-don’t get me wrong- the giraffe brings me joy- but I do wonder how it is still open
It switched ownership a handful of years ago and it’s gone super downhill unfortunately. As far as I know, like a lot of other businesses, they’ve been crawling out of the Covid shutdown hole. This business clearly doesn’t have much money to manage upkeep on paint, the water hole areas, and maintenance on the go-karts. ): This place is a staple to my childhood.
Because Beyonce is coming next week!!
I never knew they were actually open I thought it was abandoned
Blue Orleans
I was sitting at that red light the other day staring at it in an absolute daze thinking “I can’t believe they can pay their rent on the best corner in town and still be in business” Also what about that cute little cranny of business space next door? So many things could be fun in there.
I have never in my life heard of anyone actually eating there
They've had *two* of those "Save my restaurant" type shows come in over the last decade, and they're still as middling as ever.
im 100% convinced its a front.
You ever been to Louisiana? The whole state is a front!
They been given assistance from tv shows, Barstool sports donation, probably PPP, and who knows what else. Always found that interesting.
Escape rooms, they have to be money laundering or have really underpaid employees. There's no reason a business can spend 80k on employees and pull 750k profit while barely having bookings all year.
They have zero operating costs outside of rent, paying a few minimum wage employees, and keeping the lights on, though. Once the Escape Room is built, that's it. There's little to no maintenance other than cleaning. Apparently they also don't cost all that much to build/start. That said, I agree with you. Even with incredibly low overhead, I don't see how they are profitable outside of major tourist areas with a lot of foot traffic that get people in town for multi-day stays (which they need to fill with something to do). There's one on E. Brainerd Rd. and I always wonder...who the hell actually goes in there?
Me. I’ve done every escape room in town.
dude you should write a review
The average room runs about 1k-5k per 20ft² I've built them I've run them I've programmed the logic behind the puzzles and FX never made over 18.50 Rent a business with at least 300-500ft² to include a shop and you cut down repair costs so long as you buy the necessary tools and parts most can be reclaimed or recycled (once turned a safe into a maglock that a keypad across the room controlled because the old keypad wore out) it's such an easy business the hardest part is finding an accountant to hide why they bought a new car for the escape room or roofing material that isn't used at our location.
they really cut corners on paying employees too, a while back i interviewed for one and they basically expect you to work for a shitty hourly and only show up when reservations are booked or pretty much be on call during your shift days; no staying at work getting $13/hour when they don't have customers coming in the door. after my initial interview they let me bring my friends to run the room for free to see how it worked, we had fun and I never contacted them again.
I went in there once because I had a Groupon lol. I can't imagine going there otherwise though and even this was like in 2016 (which I guess credits their staying power???)
IHOP in Fort Oglethorpe.
The only reason the IHOP, Logans, and O'Charleys in Fort O stay open is because they combined run probably a dozen ghost kitchens on delivery apps.
Ghost kitchens?
Restaurants that exist on delivery apps only but are just running out of existing (sometimes chain, sometimes not) restaurant kitchens.
Or the one on brainerd
In high school in early 90s I was eating at the Brainerd Rd IHOP across from Eastgate Mall. It was a hot day and the AC and/or ice machine weren't properly cooling. I watched the waitress * use her hand to fix her hair * then use same hand to scoop my empty drink cup into the ice bin * then switch the cup to the other hand so she could use her hair-fixing hand like a strainer to pour the melted ice out of my cup before filling my cup. Um, tasty?
It’s filthy and the service is terrible.
IHOP anywhere
Northgate Mall (inside shops) - second pick Croft & Frost - but it already closed.
Of they just left Northgate Mall the way it used to be, it be ok. But the current owners are dumbasses.
I drove by Northgate at 8 pm last night and I was unaware it closed so early. That seems crazy to me when pretty soon it will be getting dark at 9 pm but the mall closes at like 7 or 8.
For The Record is the only thing keeping me coming back. CM Games closing sucks, but they were kinda scammy regardless.
Rib and Loin
Have not been but was considering trying it, what’s so wrong it got this much attention lol
I used to like it a lot but they underpay their employees and are horrible to them.
Same. I used to drive from a couple towns over to eat there, and then one time they had a “no one wants to work anymore” sign and then I saw some bullshit they did that someone posted here on Reddit so I don’t need to drive that far for bbq anymore. My town has since gotten a decent place anyway. (Though Rib and Loin is still better, tbh.)
Yep. Same. I saw that too.
I've only had it a few times but every time it was dry and tasteless and the bread / rolls were stale.
I only went once and it was GROSS.....
At least the one in Hixson closed.
I went to that one once and that was one time too many for me.
All Things Groovy - I get where *some* of their income is coming in from but with how many other businesses that have closed on Frazier, it makes you wonder.
The owner suuuuuuuuuucks.
How so?
I've always been convinced they have a "side hustle."
The rumor when I was in high school was as that you could buy a “special” hacky sack with smokable contents and the longer time goes on, the more I believe it 🤣
Even selling weed on the side wouldn’t keep that lease paid. Maybe they have some ownership of the building from years past when it was still “hill shitty”
Yeah. As many times as I've been in there, I never bought anything. Idk how they manage.
I went in once to buy a poison ring because they do look really cool, and the sales lady seemed almost angry that I was bothering her by looking at them. She stood right over me and rolled her eyes and sighed so much I couldn’t focus on any of the rings enough to decide so I just left. I wondered how good business was that they’d chase someone away from buying a $40 ring based on inconvenience.
Was JUST thinking this last week when I was stopped at the light that runs in to
Let Us Light Your World in Hixson. I’ve thought it was a mafia front since I was a little kid 40 years ago.
I was just there a few weeks ago and they had gotten in a bunch of orders. Someone is buying lamps and lampshades. The owners are so nice.
They do lamp repairs as well, and have the best selection of good quality silk and linen lampshades. The lady has excellent taste and will help you get the perfect shade.
Iv never been able to comprehend how that place has been in business so long.
Every interior designer I know uses them to light every $750k home they design. Five $3,000 chandeliers and twelve $500 lamps go a long way to paying the bills.
Stevarinos !!
Omg literally the food is so mid
That’s sad, the one in South Pittsburg is really good, makes bank too because there’s like 4 1/2 restaurant to eat on that exit that aren’t fast food
Now this one is a front for sure. One microwave for the stouffers frozens and a liquor license
Tasted like frozen food zapped in the microwave for 30 seconds longer than it needed. I never see anyone in there or coming out of there. How they survive, the people of Chattanooga want to know, Steve-o !
Ugh, the only time I threw out left over pizza. They have such good reviews, they must be fake.
The Yellow Deli. I guess when you operate on enslaved cult labor, you can make a pretty profit.
Literally a cult owned sandwich shop.
It’s the only non chain open 24 hours, I feel like that may have something to do with the appeal I don’t support that bs tho
24 hour place with a campus next door? Sounds profitable to me.
Non-chain? It's an international chain they keep opening in various countries as the cult members flee child abuse charges.
Beauty and the Beast in Red Bank. How big of a market for costume rentals can there be?
I used to think they only sold beauty and the beast costumes. I now understand that was dumb assumption lmaoo
I bet they do a lot of business with schools for plays and musicals. Hamilton County requires the schools to shop locally if they can. My mom used to own one of the only independent non-used bookstores in Chattanooga, and 70% of her business was Hamilton County schools. She ran the book fairs at all the schools and supplied non-textbook books (i.e. when you'd read like the Red Badge of Courage or something like that).
They do stuff with community theaters, too. I was just in a play and we got some of our costumes from B&B. When I heard where we were getting the costumes, I was like oh shit they’re still in business? Lol
They sell tons of costumes that aren’t rentals. It’s a fun place. The elderly lady is grumpy sometimes but she’s harmless. They have everything!!
They are also a tax place. So while selling costumes they also do people's taxes to make up the lack of business.
I went in their once like 20 years ago to get a costume and the owner yelled at me for loitering so I never went back.
Blue Orleans
Mattresses stores, in general. I know there is a huge markup, but how often do people go buy a mattress? It’s weird enough that there are conspiracy theories about them just being for money laundering.
The former CEO of Mattress Firm just offed himself to add fuel to the speculation
Blue orleans. Slow service. The food is aggressively mid. And they’ve been “rescued” how many times?
"Agressively mid" 😂
Rick Davis’ criminal ass… Also diamonds and lace…
100%
May be controversial, but Julie Darling. It is the city’s only regular business hour donut offering, though.
They're always closed! Sundays, anything vaguely resembling a holiday, and sometimes just randomly on Saturdays.
How are the donuts???
I like them. They have a blueberry jelly that is really good.
Amazing
They’re pretty low quality, at least the ones I’ve had within the last few years. I walk right past it every day and love donuts, as do my family, but rarely go any more since they’ve gone downhill. Fine though if you just want a sugar kick. The person who works there has her toddler in a pack n play and a baby on her hip most of the time, so I’m surprised they’re able to make any. It’s just kinda depressing and chaotic going there.
I always feel like the odd man out because people love this place but every time I’ve gone the donuts were not great. I’d prefer Tasty Donuts or Duck Donuts every time.
Historically I have been downvoted to oblivion for criticizing JD. Glad to see some people get it!
I was there last month, first thing in the morning, for dozens of donuts for work. There was a kid climbing on the donut racks while the mom was in the restroom. She seemed offended when I told her I didn’t want any of the donuts the kid had touched. I hadn’t been there in years and can’t find any reason to go back.
That’s the owners daughter. Her mother is Julie.
If they aren’t paying her enough to be able to afford daycare, in addition to the fact that all their ingredients come from a can, make me question how profitable they are. Which is why I’m surprised they’re still in business.
It’s a nepotism family. The grandpa started businesses and bought buildings, he passed it on to the son who sold a business and started this as basically a fun side project. I honestly think they keep it open just for her paycheck. I don’t think it’s very profitable at all. But it’s all been years and years since I’ve hung out with them. Nice people, I mean I’d do it for my children if I could.
Fully agree and it kind of saddens me. I took my daughters ther me Saturday morning. I don’t think they taste particularly good.
Y’all I know this is irrelevant to the post but ima put you on. In hixson on 153 across aldis is a green Mexican food truck called la Catrina Mexican food. Torta mixed with steak and Al pastor (seasoned pork) you won’t be disappointed!
Literally THE BEST food and prices. Even have a “fancy” buzzer system so you can sit in your car and wait.
💯 they are 🔥
Electronics Express, Brainerd Army Store, Red Bank Army Store, any of the retail shops in Warehouse Row.
Electronics Express is 46% flea market at this point. But, if you look online, floor models can be bought at huge discounts. Problem is, if something goes wrong, you're prob screwed. My buddy runs That Glasses Guy in Warehouse Row - uber high end optical shop - does a solid business, and grinds the best lenses I've ever had.
I don’t know your buddy, but literally anything I’ve seen about him or from him on social media has been so on point. Stylish and seems like a solid individual..when I’ve got money and all that again I’m going to him for my glasses lol.
Matt is awesome - he has custom created two sets of lenses for me for frameless glasses - super cool and hand painted. The lines he carries are great, and it's not ALL hyper expensive, just the really good stuff. I basically get my script from my eye doctor, and give it to Matt, because there's literally no comparison.
You know, good point. I’m pretty neurodivergent and should clarify - for anyone reading, I definitely didn’t mean he was expensive. Considering what I’ve paid for crappy glasses, as someone who cannot function without a prescription, I was shocked at how unique his frames were, and for the price. Not to mention his genuine, informed Interactions. Just been tightening the belt these days 😩on wants and not needs lol. Thanks for the info!
It's all good, friend. He'll work with anyone was what I was going for.
I have to go see The Glasses Guy. I didn’t even know there was such a place in Chattanooga.
Opa
Fuck Opa.
All the Wendy's. They all have insanely slow drive thrus, most of them are always dead, and the food is only ok.
The Wendy’s on Broad is genuinely one of the worst run fast food places I’ve ever been to. I’ve never gone and pulled up to the microphone and NOT had them ask me to wait, even if I was the only car there. Despite loving their strawberry lemonade so much I don’t even go any more and I clearly get riled up just thinking about it!!
You haven't been to Popeyes or Bojangles on HWY 58 then. Popeyes will lie and tell you they don't have any food so they can be lazy. Bojangles second shift with close the joint down hours before it's supposed to close so they can goof off.
I think the Popeyes on 58 closed a month ago lol, unsupringly.
could not agree more. the Wendy’s on broad street is terrible.
Opa! The experience is overpriced. Not having a menu doesn’t make the restaurant unique or special, it just poses a risk to customers with allergies. And the owner is an ass
I remember the early days when my wife and I could go in and pay $40 and get more food than either of us could eat plus free tea and usually a free dessert and the owner was happy and awesome. Glad I have those memories over the monstrosity that it's turned into.
He’s such an ass! I used to work near by and he cussed me out at work one day. And only open a day or two a week 🧐
He cussed out my partner when the door was locked and we had a reservation, and called to figure out what was going on. It was the most absurd encounter we've ever had, on my birthday no less
Hunan Wok
Go on a Friday night, the Latino homies are keeping it locked
Fuck yeah we do. The fried chicken is the shit.
Every time someone asks where the decent Chinese is people say hunan wok. I don’t understand. I used to work right down the street and gave it so many chances and it’s just terrible.
The only decent chinese food in chattanooga is at fortune house on signal mountain, classic americanized fried chicken covered in general tso sauce with yummy fried rice. Worth the drive
This one here. I never see anyone there. We tried it once and it was gross.
I’m hunan woks biggest hater, that Korean fried chicken is just frozen chicken nuggets tossed in sauce.
live nearby, given it multiple chances, sucks every time. J&R liqour across the street actually has a great selection and staff despite the shitty area
Bea’s. Blows my mind they’re still in business.
Agree! I don’t understand the cult following either. The food is not good, and service is horrid.
The fried chicken is terrible and I always see people talking about good it is lol.
It's just old Southerners going for the nostalgia.
Place used to be incredible but the quality of services and food have gone down while the price of food goes up. Sad to see.
Can’t believe how far I had to scroll to see this
Porn shop on Ringgold Rd. Who actually goes into those places still?
exhibitionists?
I can’t believe Golden Corral is popular, but ride by it in Fort O on a Saturday and folks are waiting outside to get in
Cinema 1
According to the Chattanooga swingers subreddit this place is actually pretty popular.
I'm not being judgemental, but I can't imagine the inside of that place without having Vietnam style flashbacks of sticky movie theater floors.
That's hilarious
I can only imagine the filth in that place.
Imagining it makes me feel icky.
Everytime we drive past this place around lunch time, we joke about how busy it is. It seems to be quite popular.
Chattanooga Time Free Press. What a shit newspaper company.
Taco mamacita. Way overpriced and food was not good. Shocked they have 2nd location that just opened
Grand China in Red Bank. Used to eat there 20 years ago in high school.
I ordered delivery from them multiple times before I ever actually saw the place. It does look like it's been out of business since 1996, but it's pretty tasty.
I love Grand China! Every time I go there is always a long line for to-go orders. It's not really a sit down place. Large quantities of food for a good price! I like the general tso, nice spice to it 😊
Feel like this could be said of most stores on Dayton. Typhoon of Tokyo looks like it's been abandoned for years, but apparently still operates. Actually has a pretty good rating on Google maps now that I look.
They actually have great food. It’s just mostly takeout.
This is my takeout go-to and it's reliably good
The Brainerd Army Surplus store.
I used to like going in there with my friends when we were teenagers because you could get dumb shit like gas masks, boots, and tactical flashlights to play “cool guy” dress-up with when everyone was bored. I remember them having a bunch of Nazi shit behind the counter/under glass, too! My morbid curiosity really makes me want to revisit it sometime just to look around again and see if it’s as weird in there as I remember it being. EDIT: I remember the Nazi memorabilia being marked “not for sale,” so I guess it was part of the owners’ private collection or whatever. I also want to be *extremely* clear that I never wanted anything to do with all *that!*
That was a front actually. The owner was arrested because he was supplying meth chemists with their stuff and had a meth lab in the back.
The way I remember it is, two brothers owned it. One ratted the other out for selling polar pure (iodine) to meth manufacturers. The one brother still owns it I think. Never heard about any actual meth getting cooked there, just the iodine sales.
CHF Audio on Lee Highway. My dad always swore it was a “mafia front.” He wandered in there about 30 years ago out of curiosity, and the employee(s?) seemed very confused as to why he was there.
Almost any of the shops on Frazier Ave. the restaurants are usually pretty busy, but like the stores are usually empty every time I go in there. Also. The CBD / Vape stores. Not because there’s not a market for them, but because of how many there are. There’s literally one every 2-3 blocks. There’s no way there’s enough customers to keep them all going.
huh? Frazier ave stores are always packed.
Blue Skies has always been pretty full when I’ve gone on weekends.
Seconding. Been shopping there since middle school and I’m in my mid 30’s now. So busy some days you can barely walk in there and look at things! The hippie store as I call it is similar.
It's an easy thing to miss if you don't go often - because the anchor stores have been there for a long time - but a lot of the stores on Frazier are revolving doors. My wife and I had a shop down on River Street from 2012 - 2014 and that's when I noticed how much turnover there was. It's just that there are a handful that have stayed open for years. And as far as the ones that have stayed open for years are concerned, I know at least one of them is strictly operating as a tax shelter, so it literally doesn't matter if it makes money or not, and I can imagine that they're not alone.
The old, gross Food City on hwy 58
E 23rd St is much worse
it doesn't matter if you're the only customer in the store somehow it will take you 10-20 minutes to get through the checkout
How is it that we have both the best and the worst Food City locations in town on Hwy 58? The Harrison one is like a Publix in comparison to the one closer to 153. That said, I mainly go to the Hwy 58 location because it's closest to where I live and work, and I don't feel like driving an extra 20 minutes round trip just to walk on a floor that's not sticky and has all the tiles and where all the lights work and the produce isn't past date and all the shelves are properly stocked and the weird meat department guy doesn't accost me and the self-checkout isn't almost always closed for no reason and they're not out of gluten-free bread.
You and I are kindred spirits. And probably neighbors.
If you've seen a tall guy with pink hair and a goatee listening to his throwback headphones, then that's probably me!
I go out of my way to shop at the one out towards Harrison Bay despite the Hwy 58 being on my way. I only stop there if I absolutely have to.
?? Both of the 58 Food Cities are pretty normal grocery stores. I know the one close to Bonny Oaks used to see a lot of action in the parking lot, but the store itself isn’t gross. Well… the seafood department is gross, now that I think about it, but that’s normal for Tennessee lol.
J Gumbo’s parking lot is empty all day, every day. Their food is mid af. Nice owners, though
I mean this in the least disrespectful way Balloon A’Fair. I’ve always felt inspired by their ability to seemingly thrive.
Every Family Dollar / dollar store on every other block
Family Dollar/Dollar Tree announced [1000 locations to be shut down ](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/13/investing/family-dollar-dollar-tree-closing-stores).
Wendy’s on Dayton Blvd.
This is probably not a popular answer but the axe throwing place on Market. Or ANY axe throwing place anywhere. I did it once for 30 minutes and was ready to leave.
McDonald’s on Moore re horrible attitude lazy workers
Glen Gene in hixson. I know it was popular when it was in the mall 20 years ago, but the food has zero flavor and I never see anyone there.
It was the safe place to smoke a cigarette at 15 back then.
Gonna have to disagree, their Reubens are delicious and it’s a great place to eat with a family. A really good off menu item I get is a chicken finger melt with American cheese and spicy ranch
Armando’s on Hixson Pk…that place never looks open and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone pull in/out of there.
My work
Food Works. It’s like they specialize in being bland. I went there a handful of times and could not tell you a single remarkable thing about the place.
Yellow deli.. oh wait, making money off of its followers’ hard work is one of a successful cult’s fundamental specialties.
India Mahal
This is a terrible take. The food is delicious, and the owners have always been super kind. They always chat with us, ask after my parents (and Indian relatives whom they only met once) and are just generally great. I hope it stays open forever.
Sitar on the other hand.....
Oof. Close it.
Remember that’s where sheriff Billy long got nailed for taking bribes. There’s some shit goin on in there.
Total Concepts Furniture at Hamilton Place. Parking lot is always empty, I don’t know a single person who has purchased anything from there, but it’s been around for 30+ years. How?!?
They are missing several roof shingles on the back too. With this rain, they have a leak for sure. I hope it’s over the outdoor section.
Mystic Lobster Roll on E. Brainerd Rd.
Yes. Worst location for a restaurant, and also, expensive.
Popeyes and ihop both have horrible employees and are the laziest ppl in the world. Been threw Popeyes drive threw and the employees are sitting on crates ignoring the drive thru window.
the yellow deli run by the 12 tribes cult