Though her daughter is now grown with a child of her own, Lynda Steele Vincent fondly remembers going out on Christmas Day to a Waffle House. She and her daughter bundled up in their pajamas and donned Santa hats.
"Of course it was packed, and we always ran into so many people we knew," she says.
Vincent is not alone. According to the National Restaurant Association, 8 percent of people surveyed (about 25 million Americans) responded to a poll saying that they would eat out on Christmas Day.
You might love celebrating Christmas just as much as the next person, but the thought of cleaning the house, cooking, hosting a crew of folks in your home then cleaning up afterward could turn you into a Grinch. Lucky for you, there are many options for dining out on Christmas Day.
Seen in this 2014 staff file photo, the City Cafe in downtown Chattanooga is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Here's a list of locations that will be open Dec. 25 in Chattanooga, with restaurants notated that require reservations.
» Bridgeman's Chophouse in The Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Reservations: 423-643-1240.
» The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
» Beast + Barrel, 16 Frazier Ave. Hours: 2-10 p.m., 423-805-4599.
» Big River Grille, 222 Broad St. location only. Hours: 4-10 p.m., 423-267-2739.
» Buffet King, 5230 Highway 153. Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 423-877-8816.
» Chef Lin, 5084 South Terrace. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., 423-510-1998.
» China Rose, 9203 Lee Highway, Ooltewah. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., 423-238-1268. Cash only.
» City Cafe Diner. Three locations: 901 Carter St., 423-634-9191; 7641 Lee Highway, 423-485-8222; and 919 25th St., Cleveland, Tennessee. Open 24 hours, 423-790-7460.
A dining area in the Dorato restaurant is seen before the grand opening of the new downtown Westin Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The luxury hotel was developed by brothers Byron and Ken DeFoor.» Dorato at The Westin, 801 Pine St. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., 423-531-4653.
» Fuji Steakhouse, 5437 Highway 153. Hours: noon-10 p.m., 423-531-3183.
» Hair of the Dog Pub, 334 Market St. Hours: 5 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (last call), 423-265-4615.
» The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Parkway. Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight, 423-468-4192.
» Huddle House, all locations. Open 24 hours.
» IHOP. Two locations: 5814 Brainerd Road, 423-490-0559; 5113 Highway 153, 423-877-4732. Hours: Open at noon, then 24 hours a day.
» New China Buffet and Grill, 3450 Cummings Highway. Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 423-821-6988.
» New China, 8530 Hixson Pike. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 423-843-0586.
» Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 2321 Lifestyle Way. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; dinner menu served all day. Reservations: 423-602-5900.
» Sweet Basil Thai, 5845 Brainerd Road. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., 423-485-8836.
» The Big Chill, 103 Cherokee Blvd. Hours: 4 p.m.-3 a.m., 423-267-2445.
» Waffle House. All locations, 24 hours.
» Whitebird at The Edwin, 102 Walnut St. Brunch hours. Reservations: 423-713-5900.
Johnny Maxwell says Waffle House coffee is the best in the world as he enjoys a cup at the restaurant in Ringgold, Ga., in 2014. He and his wife were among three finalists in a nationwide contest to be named the Number 1 Fan of Waffle House.