Drive Time: About a 12 minute drive from the East Ridge City Hall to the Tennessee Aquarium
Locator maps:
Curb appeal: The median price of homes sold in East Ridge in 2021 was $182,000 according to the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors.
Breakfast:
Fernando's on Ringgold Road is an Italian-American restaurant that also serves breakfast. Fernando's offers a variety of omelette and specials including corned beef hash, pancakes, french toast, grits and sausage.
Cracker Barrel on North Mack Smith Road is a chain favorite. Cracker Barrel has all the Southern staples for every meal of the day. Its famous breakfasts include pancakes, french toast and hashbrown casserole.
Lunch:
Armando's East Ridge on Ringgold Road is a self-described classic American diner that's been in the area for more than 30 years. The menu consists of classic hamburgers, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Champy's on Ringgold Road is a favorite fried-chicken place that is part of a small regional chain. Champy's was also voted 2021 Best of the Best Chattanooga winners for both the fried chicken and chicken wings categories.
Wally's on Ringgold Road is known for its Southern comfort food. Wally's used to have a buffet but now features the same items on its rotating menu like chicken 'n' dumplings, pot roast, and a long list of sides.
Dinner:
Amigo Mexican on Ringgold Road features specials like 99 cent tacos, 2-for-1 margaritas during happy hour and a menu full of traditional Mexican fare.
Thai Esan on Ringgold Road is a much-loved Asian eatery with Thai favorites like dumplings, pad Thai and spring rolls.
Ribbon Cutters:
Go Gyro Go! After closing 2Crazy Greeks in 2015 and running a food truck, the owners of Go Gyro Go! decided to open a new brick-and-mortar restaurant for their authentic Greek food in East Ridge. Owner Maria Fotiadis said the place has space for customers to sit and engage.
"This is our first sit-down place with tons of seating," she said. "We have tables in the backroom for parties and for people who want more privacy.
In the News:
- In 2021, East Ridge celebrated its 100 year anniversary with an all-day party at Camp Jordan.
- Food City is working on a $12 million East Ridge store.
Happy Place:
Each year, thousands of visitors pour into Camp Jordan, a farmland-turned-multiuse recreational facility. The park is home to soccer fields, a zip line and ropes course, kayak launches, a campground and a fishing pond. In 2021, the city both celebrated its centennial at the camp in an all-day party and hosted "Light Up East Ridge" featuring a group of hot air balloons.
Shop Talk:
For those in search of something "new to you," East Ridge is home to a number of second-hand stores, many of which are concentrated in the East Ridge Antique District off of Slater Road. From Crazy Daisy to Sugarplums, the Chattanooga Mercantile to Log House Antiques, whether it's furniture or trinkets, there's much to find among rows of previously-loved goods.
Livability score sheet
Walkability: Camp Jordan is home to a lighted asphalt walking track and more than two miles of nature trail that cross and then run along Chickamauga Creek.
Health-care assets: Parkridge East Hospital, 941 Spring Creek Road
Claim to fame: East Ridge is known as the "Gateway to Tennessee" as many travelers go through the area while headed north on Interstate 75.
Parks & Recreation:
- Camp Jordan
- Springvale Park
Schools:
- East Ridge Elementary (pre-K-5)
- Spring Creek Elementary (pre-K-5)
- East Ridge Middle (6-8)
- East Ridge High (9-12)
- Belvoir Christian Academy (pre-K-8)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (pre-K-8)