Raise a Glass
As we step into October, there’s no better time to raise a glass to the changes we’ve seen, the milestones we’ve celebrated, and the flavors that bring our community together. A year can make all the difference, and this fall, Chattanooga feels more vibrant than ever. New restaurants are opening, exciting events are filling the calendar, and the crisp air reminds us to slow down and savor the season.
October has always been a favorite for us because it marks our annual Food and Drink issue, a chance to celebrate the chefs, mixologists, and local business owners who keep our city’s dining scene thriving. Each story in this issue is a reminder that food and drink are never just about what’s on the plate or in the glass—it’s about the people, the passion, and the experiences they create.
This month, we invite you to raise a glass to L’allée Boulangerie, a French bakery set to open in 2026 by Parisian baker Johann Tremor. His vision promises to bring a taste of Paris to Chattanooga, blending tradition with artistry. We also spotlight a roundup of exciting new local establishments, from the bold modern flair of 2nd American to the welcoming comfort of Marsha’s Backstreet Café—each adding its own flavor to our city’s evolving story.
We also celebrate the individuals carrying forward traditions and inspiring progress. Trey Williams shares timely wisdom on finishing 2025 strong, offering encouragement for both personal and professional growth. At Don’s Meats, we witness a meaningful transition as Don passes his family business on to his son—a toast to legacy, heritage, and the future.
Of course, no food and drink issue would be complete without a true celebration. This year’s Chattanooga Margarita Festival brought together the city in a joyful toast to creativity, flavor, and fun. Our recap captures the energy of an event that perfectly embodies what it means to raise a glass—to friends, to community, and to the simple pleasures that make life brighter.
So here’s to October. Here’s to the flavors that define us, the spaces that gather us, and the people who inspire us. Let’s raise a glass to all that makes Chattanooga so special and to the season ahead.
Cheers!
LISA YOCKEY, PUBLISHER @CHATTANOOGACITYLIFESTYLE
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Lisa Yockey | lisa.yockey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Demi Guillory, Belinda Martin, Michelle W. Parnell, Kate Robertson Parrish, Trey Williams
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Drift & Frame Photography, Golden Hour Images, Tim Cofield
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
Hannah Leimkuhler
QUALITY CONTROL
Acclaimed
Hixson
business monthly
CCL Welcomes New Partner Wildflower Wellness
We’re excited to welcome Wildflower Wellness as one of our newest marketing partners. Led by Dr. Melissa “Dr. Mel” Powell and Abby Hudson, Wildflower Wellness specializes in personalized chiropractic care and massage therapy, providing a holistic approach to health and healing. Their mission is to help clients feel their best through thoughtful, individualized care. Visit them at 112 Lee Parkway Drive, Suite 111, and discover a fresh path to wellness. Scan to
Discover Health and Glow at Lavender Medi Spa
Join Lavender Medi Spa every third Thursday for “Know and Glow,” an evening wellness event featuring monthly topics—this month highlighting IV therapy and nutraceuticals for overall health. Owner Sharlotte Manley and Amber Smith, FNP-C, are now certified in EvexiPEL hormone pellet therapy, offering safer, more consistent hormone optimization. Located in Chattanooga, Lavender Medi Spa also invites you to our PostHalloween Recovery Glow Party on Thursday, November 6, from 5PM-8PM.
Acceptance Alchemy’s Founder Achieves New Certification
Acceptance Alchemy founder Mirilena Lee has officially earned certification as a Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming, marking a significant professional milestone. This accomplishment reflects her dedication to serving both her clients and the wider community at the highest level. Building on this achievement, Mirilena will be introducing a series of new programs, workshops, and community events designed to foster empowerment, build resilience, and support personal transformation throughout the community.
Photography by The Acceptance Alchemist
Photography by Lavendar Medi Spa
Helping protect your most valuable assets
Personalized, local, sophisticated legal advice
Super Lawyers Rising Star 2018- 2021
Super Lawyers 2022-2025 an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys each year
Advanced dental care for real life.
Life moves fast — and your dental care should too. At Sage Dental, we use advanced tools and modern techniques to deliver highquality care that fits your schedule.
Modern dentistry, built around real life:
• Online scheduling & remote care — on your time.
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• Clear aligners — discreet & convenient.
The Chattanooga Margarita Festival
Twenty-Six Local Spots Compete for the Title of the City's Best Margarita
The 6th annual Chattanooga Margarita Festival, presented by Don Julio Tequila, brought bold flavors, lively music, and spirited competition to the heart of the city. Twenty-six of Chattanooga’s most popular bars and restaurants served up their best margarita creations, each hoping to earn the coveted title of “Best Margarita.” Festivalgoers sampled a wide array of unique cocktails—everything from spicy “Strawberry Jalapeño” to floral “Hibiscus Hoedown”—while enjoying tastings from Don Julio Tequila, Stella Rosa Wine, and Cantrip. Guests danced the night away, snapped festive photos, and voted for their favorites, making this event both interactive and unforgettable.
Taking home the top prize was Mezcla Cocina Y Cantina with its “Blackberry Smash Margarita,” a refreshing mix of Don Julio Blanco, lime juice, blackberry liqueur, agave nectar, and fresh blackberries. Second place went to 423 Taco for their bold “Sangrita,” and Moxy Chattanooga Downtown claimed third with its flavorful “Kiss the Ring Margarita.” The festival wasn’t just about fun, it also supported the Chattanooga Market, emphasizing local pride and community connection.
Whether you came for the cocktails or the camaraderie, the Chattanooga Margarita Festival proved once again that the Scenic City knows how to shake things up. Follow @ChattanoogaMargaritaFestival for 2026 updates!
2nd American
ACCLAIMED CHEF DANIEL LINDLEY BRINGS
HIS CHILDHOOD TO LIFE ON THE PLATE
ARTICLE BY KATE ROBERTSON PARRISH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM COFIELD
Chattanooga native Daniel Lindley—chef, restaurateur, and six-time James Beard Award nominee—has always cherished the classic American family dinner. To him, it’s more than a meal; it’s a special gathering that fosters connection, conversation, and lasting memories. So when Lindley set out to open his second American restaurant, it felt only natural that it would honor that timeless Sunday ritual.
2nd American Restaurant opened its doors in October 2024 on Chattanooga’s Southside. The kitchen is led by Head Chef Antonio Lugo alongside Culinary Director Rebecca Barron, who reunited with Lindley after their time together at St. John’s Restaurant. Their collaboration extends across Lindley’s other ventures, including Alleia in Chattanooga and 5th & Taylor in Nashville.
The menu highlights elevated takes on Lindley’s childhood favorites—made from scratch daily with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal rotation ensures that dishes stay inventive and familiar at once, giving guests an opportunity to explore seasonal flavors and new creations. Much of the restaurant’s produce comes from Mennonite farmers through a local food hub, a partnership Barron says is especially meaningful. “We’re about to get all the pumpkins, butternut squash, and greens for the fall,” she says. “I’m excited to sit down and build the menu for this season.”
While meats and proteins feature on the menu, vegetables take center stage at 2nd American. The menu includes a dedicated vegetarian section, alongside salads and vegetable-driven sides—the dishes that change most frequently with the seasons. “We’re really proud to have elevated vegetarian offerings,” Barron says, noting that the restaurant also features at least one fully vegan entrée and another that can be prepared vegan or gluten-free.
Among guest favorites is the tomato pie appetizer: roasted, peak-season tomatoes layered with herbs and Kenny’s Farmhouse fromage blanc, all encased in a tender cheddar cheese crust. The bacon-wrapped quail is
another signature dish beloved across Lindley’s restaurants. Here, South Carolina quail is enveloped in Benton’s bacon and served over date butter with a charred herb vinaigrette and sorghum. “It’s elevated to something completely different,” Barron adds. “It’s one of my favorite things to recommend to out-of-town guests.”
Barron is especially proud of the cabbage rolls, a vegan entrée that holds its own among heartier dishes. The filling— lentils, oyster mushrooms from Midway Farms, and beets— is tucked into cabbage leaves and roasted, then served atop a roasted carrot, tomato, and fennel sofrito. The result is a dish that’s both deeply flavorful and surprisingly satisfying, whether ordered to share or as a main course.
One thing on the menu never changes: every entrée is served with a communal bowl of mashed potatoes for the table. Silky, buttery, and comforting, they’re the perfect accompaniment to any meal—and a nostalgic nod to the family dinners Lindley remembers from his mother’s kitchen.
The restaurant’s design itself reinforces its mission: a warm, inviting environment with nostalgic Americana touches, anchored by an open kitchen that places chefs and guests face-to-face. The result is a space that feels both cozy and communal, where conversation flows as easily as the food. Beyond the main dining room, 2nd American offers a private dining space and, most recently, an event venue called The Hall, where people can gather in a more intimate space for celebrations and special occasions.
That spirit of hospitality extends to the kitchen, where Barron, Lugo, and their team are constantly refining dishes, chasing flavors until they’re just right, and asking, what can we do better? The ever-evolving menu keeps creativity alive while staying rooted in the comfort of a home-cooked meal—one meant to be shared with family and loved ones.
Visit 2nd American at 1601 Cowart Street, and explore their seasonal menu at www.2ndamerican.com.
The restaurant’s design itself reinforces its mission: a warm, inviting environment with nostalgic Americana touches, anchored by an open kitchen that places chefs and guests face-to-face.
The ever-evolving menu keeps creativity alive while staying rooted in the comfort of a home-cooked meal—one meant to be shared with family and loved ones.
DON’S MEAT SHOP
As with any great story, the history of Don’s Meat Shop in Chattanooga begins with great-parents. It is why a recent commercial for the local staple features the great-grandmother of current owner Donnie Rains.
“My great-grandmother became a store manager for what used to be Kirk’s Grocery,” Rains shares. Her grandson and his father, Don Rains, found himself learning the ropes of the meat business inside the store’s meat department in the 1950s before his sixteenth birthday and by 1982, he had long mastered it.
Don opened the doors of his namesake butcher shop that year. This original location operated in Hixon until 1991 and during those years, Donnie was a constant in the shop, learning from and working alongside his father and eventually passing on his knowledge to his own son, Will.
Following the closure of the Hixson location, “my dad went back into business in ‘92 in a much smaller store,” says Rains. “That was there from ‘92 to 2016, but in 2013, my father was sick, and I came back to the family business.” Rains had spent more than 20 years lending his expertise to a food service distributor and specialized in commodities, i.e. beef, pork, and chicken.
When Don passed away in 2014, Rains knew he had to do one thing to carry on the family legacy: build a new shop on the property purchased shortly before his father’s death. That shop is the one standing on Hixson Pike today, constructed by Donnie himself and opening in 2016.
The shop has maintained its strong reputation for being a trusted source for fresh, high-quality products for 43 years–offering a
wide selection of custom-cut meats and fresh seafood. Side dishes are covered, too, with an array of frozen and ready-to-eat classics like twice baked potatoes and corn on the cob.
Most important, though, is the extended family Rains says he has gained along this journey. “A lot of [customers] are friends,” he explains. “You get to know a lot of them on a personal level, and you look forward to seeing them.”
Business has never been better for Don’s Meats who has grown expeditiously since 2016. Rains, who looks forward to passing on the torch to the next generation, says the ‘secret’ to its success is many.
“You have to sell quality products, you have to work hard,” he says. “You’ve gotta understand what your customers want. Let them know you’re here.”
WHERE CLASSICS & CREATIVITY COLLIDE
Marsha’s Backstreet Café CLASSICS
This year, Marsha’s Backstreet Café celebrates 26 years of serving delicious dishes to a loyal customer base that reaches across Chattanooga and beyond. Owned and operated by mother and son duo Marsha and Jimmy Bain, the café is known for its chicken salad, daily lunch specials, and a menu that ranges from southern classics like fried chicken and country style steak to lighter offerings such salads and sandwiches.
Over the years, they have added a few signature dishes as well, including the cheeseburger salad and Jimmy’s famous smoked burgers. “I brought my smoker to work and was doing something for Thanksgiving when a customer asked me if I’d ever smoked a burger,” shares Jimmy. “We tried it, and it has a small cult following now. The last Friday of the month
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
is our smoked burger day, and we usually have to bring in extra help … it’s an amazing day!”
Building friendships with customers is one of the best things about what Jimmy does each day. “I really love making connections with people,” he says. “We have people who eat with us every single day and they become like family.”
For first time customers, Jimmy advises, “Get here early and know that our parking is intimidating, but we promise to get you in an out in a timely manner with a smile on your face.”
Marsha’s Backstreet Café is located at 5036 Brainerd Road in Chattanooga. For daily specials, follow @MarshasBackstreetCafe on Facebook, call 423-485-7911, and ask to be added to the email list. Call-in orders are accepted and encouraged.
Finish the Year Financially Strong
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W.
PARNELL & TREY WILLIAMS
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to take a comprehensive look at your finances and prepare for the upcoming year. A well-structured financial plan can help you achieve your goals, avoid unnecessary stress, and make the most of your hard-earned money. This top-five, year-end financial checklist, combined with consultation of a trusted financial advisor, provides essential steps to ensure your financial health is moving forward.
PRIMERICA’S TREY WILLIAMS PROVIDES EXPERT TIPS FOR A YEAR-END FINANCIAL CHECK-UP
A WELL-STRUCTURED FINANCIAL PLAN CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS, AVOID UNNECESSARY STRESS, AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY.
Review Year-to-Date Budget & Spending
Compare your actual spending to your planned budget to see where you might have overspent or underspent. It’s important to do this because you can start to identify your spending patterns and areas that you can cut back, or reallocate, for the next year.
Maximize Retirement Contributions
Make sure you take full advantage of contributing to retirement accounts, whether it’s your 401k or IRA (traditional or ROTH). Retirement contribution limits for 2025 are $23,500 for a 401k plan, with an additional $7,500 allowed for those 50 and older. Maximum contributions for an IRA (traditional or ROTH) are $7,000, with an additional $1,000 allowed if you’re over 50.
Review Insurance Coverage
Review health, life, home, and auto insurance and they are updated to reflect any personal or financial changes in your life. Confirm that addresses, bank accounts, and payment methods are accurate and ready for the next year.
Conduct an Annual Investment Portfolio Review with Your Financial Advisor
When you review and rebalance your investment portfolio, you’re also ensuring that the performance of your investments is still hitting your goals. Consider if you need to make any changes or diversify your investments to reduce risk. Because the market changes, an annual review ensures you’re always looking at your allocation, risk tolerance, and financial goals to make sure everything is still on track.
Plan for Upcoming Major Expenses
Consider any significant expenses that you anticipate in the coming year like home repairs, medical costs, or vacation. Start saving for those now to avoid the financial strain later. It is helpful to create a separate savings account for each major expense so that money is out of your regular checking account.
For more information and to connect with Trey Williams, stop by his Primerica office at 1509 South Smith Street, Suite 7 in Chattanooga.
Trey can also be reached through his website, www.primerica. com/trey_williamsiii, by calling 770-715-8199, or by emailing trey. williams@primerica.com.
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L’allée Boulangerie
A Taste of France is Coming to the Scenic City
Like many Parisians, Johann Tremor grew up surrounded by bread. But it wasn’t until he moved to Miami 13 years ago and began working at a French restaurant that his passion truly took root.
The bread served at the restaurant transported him back to his childhood in Paris. Curious, Tremor sought out the bakery that supplied it and soon developed a friendship with its owner. Before long, he was working alongside the team, discovering the art and science behind every loaf. He became obsessed with each stage of the process—from choosing flours and salts to mixing, kneading, and shaping dough into baguettes, brioche, croissants, rye loaves, and other traditional French breads.
“It taught me a lot of patience,” Tremor says. “Baking bread is a very long process, but it’s very rewarding in the end.”
Tremor’s plans to open a bakery in Miami were derailed by the pandemic. But a chance encounter changed his path: while serving bread and pastries from a food trailer at a hotel, he met a Chattanoogan who introduced him to the Scenic City—and eventually became his business partner.
ARTICLE BY KATE ROBERTSON PARRISH
“He tried the bread once and fell in love with it,” Tremor recalls.
At the time, Tremor and his wife were new parents, already considering where they might want to raise their family. After some research and a short visit, Chattanooga quickly stood out for its affordability, access to the outdoors, and welcoming spirit. By 2022, the family of five had relocated, Tremor had found a property, and his bakery dream was alive once more.
In the meantime, Tremor took a general manager role at a local hotel to get a better sense of the city. Originally he hoped the bakery would be open within a year. While construction and renovations slowed progress on the bakery itself, Tremor wasn’t content to wait idly. He turned to the Kitchen Incubator in East Ridge, using the space to refine his recipes and perfect his craft. At the same time, he was eager to introduce Chattanoogans to
his authentic French baguettes and other baked goods. The solution was both practical and inventive: in May, he launched the Bread Membership, a monthly subscription service that allowed locals to get a taste of what was to come.
When it first launched, the Bread Membership offered customers two freshly baked baguettes, two croissants, and a pain au chocolat each week. After a few months of trial and error—and plenty of customer feedback—Tremor shifted to a weekly subscription model with four baguettes per week. The flexibility allows members to pause when needed and pick back up whenever the craving for fresh baguettes and goodies returns.
Now, Tremor is fully focused on bringing L’allée Boulangerie to life. He anticipates opening the bakery in early 2026. The menu will spotlight the traditional French baguette alongside other favorites like focaccia, cheese bread, whole wheat and rye loaves, croissants, pastries, and more. The bakery will also serve a light menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, and bowls.
In the meantime, weekly bread memberships remain open, and Tremor’s bakes can also be found on the dinner menu at Adelle’s Crêperie.
Through every delay, Tremor has kept his focus on the vision that inspired him: bringing the joy of authentic French bread to Chattanooga. After 13 years, he recently earned his U.S. citizenship, an accomplishment of which he’s very proud.
“It’s been such a long journey,” he says. “There’s always going to be some pushback and obstacles. You just have to stay optimistic, keep pushing forward, and you’ll be rewarded.”
OCTOBER SPECIALS
Chattanooga Welcomes A New Kind of Networking
It is through deeper personal relationships that we find more meaning in our work and better opportunities to refer each other
Fresh Bites
NOTEWORTHY RESTAURANTS IN CHATTANOOGA
The food landscape in Chattanooga is bursting with fresh flavor, stylish new spaces, and bold stories behind the menus. Whether you’re after a tucked-away cocktail lounge, a reinvented neighborhood staple, or a global twist on comfort food, these restaurants are reshaping how and where we eat.
Where to Eat Next
Mean Jeen’s | A retro-inspired cocktail bar on East Main serving up steak tacos, weekend brunch, and cold martinis—plus pool tables, a curated jukebox, live music, and a laid-back neighborhood vibe. | 1800 East Main Street | meanjeens.com
Basecamp | This cozy North Shore bar and restaurant offers Southern comfort fare—chorizo meatloaf, gourmet mac & cheese, and more—paired with craft beer and a dog-friendly patio overlooking the river. | 346 Frazier Avenue | basecampcha.com
Matilda’s Midnight | Tucked inside the iconic Dwell Hotel, this sultry lounge blends art deco interiors with inventive cocktails and a bold, tapas-style menu—perfect for a late-night rendezvous | 120 East 10th Street | matildasmidnight.com
Camila | From the team behind Taqueria Jalisco Ania, Camila brings Latin fusion to the former Slick’s location. Expect shareable plates, vibrant flavors, and expertly crafted cocktails in a lively Southside setting. | 309 East Main Street
Adelle’s Crêperie | Known for its crepes and brunch, Adelle’s now features a full French dinner menu. Enjoy elegant classics like steak frites, ratatouille, and crème brûlée in a refined yet welcoming space. | 400 East Main Street | adellescreperie.com
Firebox | With a modern industrial vibe, Firebox brings family-run charm to the table. Favorites include Angus burgers, hearty bowls, wings, and indulgent milkshakes—with a Southwestern twist. | 7025 Shallowford Road | thefireboxgrill.com
ARTICLE BY Belinda Martin
Belinda is a mom, wife, and educator with a love for stories—whether in the pages of a good book or shared over dinner. Belinda enjoys exploring Chattanooga and is always on the lookout for the newest restaurants. If something new is opening in the city, chances are she’s either already been or it’s next on her list to visit with friends.
Put a ring on it!
This August, begin your forever with an engagement or promise ring from Salma’s. Whether you are popping the question or signifying a sweet promise, we can help you choose the perfect ring for your perfect person. Come shop our extensive selection of beautiful rings starting at $99.
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We can custom-design and make the exact ring of your dreams. If you can dream it, we can make it! Visit
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events
OCTOBER 10TH
Rebel Rising Workshops
The Chattery | 10:00 AM
Acceptance Alchemy presents Rebel Rising Recovery, a workshop at The Chattery designed for survivors ready to rise above addiction, toxic relationships, or life’s toughest challenges. This empowering session offers practical tools to help you gain clarity, build strength, and embrace freedom as you create the future you deserve. Two opportunities are available: October 10 & 20. Register at: thechattery.org/classes
OCTOBER 14TH
Fall Break Best of the Best Camp
Sweet & Savory Classroom | 9:00 AM
Spend four fun-filled days this fall break (October 14–17) in the kitchen mastering favorite recipes like Rustic Italian, Chocolate Swirl Cheesecakes, Hand-Rolled Sushi, and Next Level Cupcakes! Kids will enjoy a fully hands-on experience, learning real cooking skills, building confidence, and tasting their creations. Lunch and beverages are provided daily. Tickets are available through The Sweet & Savory website.
OCTOBER 28TH
Trefoil Society Luncheon
Waterhouse Pavilion | 11:30 AM
The Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians will proudly honor Dr. Edna Varner at the annual Trefoil Society Luncheon this fall. A beloved Chattanooga native and lifelong educator, Dr. Varner was the first in her family to attend college and later served as principal of The Howard School. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at TrefoilSociety.org.
