After a week out of the office, I came back to my desk in the newsroom and found an envelope. It had been stamped and mailed. When I opened it, I found a beautiful handwritten letter in cursive from a reader. Ben Johnston titled his letter, “Us Old Folks Eating Out,” and wrote that he and his wife loved to go to restaurants but at 86 and 84 years old, they “generally don’t have the opportunity, wherewithal, or taste buds for the new and wonderful.” Johnston then wrote a fantastic list of his suggestions for “Eating for Seniors” in Chattanooga.
I gave him a call to thank him for taking the time to send it to me. He said that as he and his wife have grown older, they’d still love to go out and eat, but it’s become increasingly difficult to try to find parking downtown and then track down a Boy Scout to help them cross the road (as he put it).
I started thinking about restaurants that have accessible parking, those that don’t, and what a luxury it is to be able to pay for parking and then walk several blocks to your destination. Growing up, I was used to going to church or out to eat or to shop with my family and my uncle Stephen. My uncle had cerebral palsy, and I remember how important it was to find parking that was accessible for my parents to unload the wheelchair and then enter buildings and restaurants with easy access.
And so I have compiled a list with Mr. Johnston’s suggestions as well as my own that include places with accessible parking that are also free, which matters when you’re living on a fixed income. If you have other suggestions, feel free to write and let me know.
Acropolis Mediterranean Grill
2213 Hamilton Place Blvd
Back in June I tried Acropolis for the first time. This restaurant is an institution in Chattanooga, having just celebrated 30 years. I tried the Greek combo platter which included tender gyro meat, and smoky eggplant moussaka. The grape leaves are homemade and some of the best I’ve had in the city — seasoned to perfection and served with a herby, chunky tzatziki, a yogurt based sauce. Pastitsio is a Greek lasagna and truly feels like a marriage of Southern and Greek flavors, penne pasta with tomato sauce and melted cheese to top. Johnston recommends the surf and turf or the pork chop. With the kind staff and spacious patio, you can’t go wrong.
(READ MORE: Restaurant Scene: Acropolis Mediterranean Grill celebrates 30 years)
Mike’s Tavern
5211 TN-153 Suite 103
Chattanooga restaurateurs Mike Robb and John McClellan own several spots around town (including Mike’s Hole in the Wall) but this was my first time checking out Mike’s Tavern in Hixson. Johnston said they have the best shrimp and grits in town. I pulled up on a packed Friday afternoon for lunch and ordered the salmon over Caesar salad. The nice thing about spaces like this is that it creates an environment for mixed age groups. I saw mothers and children, grandparents with grandkids, and someone who was walking with the assistance of a cane — parking was free and close to the front doors for easy access.
Merv’s
713 Mountain Creek Rd
I’d heard lore about the best burger in Tennessee. Johnston said this place was tied with Miller’s Alehouse for best burger and fries in his opinion. This was my first time going. I went at lunch to try the burger with all the fixings and crispy tater tots. I made a mental note to come back when I could play pool with a friend and order a cocktail. Merv’s has been family run for decades and that speaks to the communal atmosphere. Johnston grew up in Chattanooga and we spoke about how important restaurants are that serve as community anchors. Merv’s reminds me of that.
Sidetrack
3514 Hixson Pike
I’ve written about Sidetrack before, but I think this is one of the best spots for happy hour. Even though their parking lot appears to always be packed, they have additional spots behind the building. Daily happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes parmesan garlic truffle fries and the self-proclaimed Coldest Martini in Town.
Old Man Rivers Table and Tavern
118 Cross St.
I love the lunch special at Old Man Rivers, which is $9.95 and features a rotating medley of veggies and protein. But I especially love the heart and soul put into this place by owner Alex Rivers and executive chef Andrew Millsap. Pull into the gravel parking lot behind the old house and sit in the cozy dining room for farm-fresh dinners.
Mr. Johnston also recommended the Cobb salad at Miller’s Alehouse, the white bean and collard greens at Greg’s Deli, BBQ at Couch’s and everything on the menu at Biba’s on Hixson Pike.
I’m grateful for the community in Chattanooga and for Ben Johnston cultivating that community to live on for generations to come.
Contact restaurants reporter Lyric Lewin at llewin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6215.