Blacksmith’s Bistro and Bar, Chattanooga

So it’s Saturday, and we’ve survived a meltdown at the Tennessee Aquarium, calmed down during a relaxing drive up to Lookout Mountain, and now it’s lunchtime, well, actually way past lunchtime. I know almost nothing about where to go in Chattanooga, so I looked at Google Maps and noticed that there were several (non-chain) restaurants in the St. Elmo district, so we headed that way. This area is at the bottom of the incline railway, so you could ride down and have lunch there. There are a few restaurants within walking distance. We ended up at Blacksmith’s Bistro and Bar because it was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and they had a nice outdoor seating area.

We walked into the restaurant, and it looked like a bar (well, it is called Blacksmith’s Bistro and BAR). There was a little confusion because we didn’t know at first that we were supposed to order at the bar. I don’t know if this is standard procedure, or just because it was late for lunchtime. But we found a menu and ordered and paid inside at the bar. The lunch menu was mostly sandwiches, and they were about $8-$10. There was also a blackboard with $5 specials, but a lot of the specials were unavailable because it was late. Beardy got a mushroom-bacon burger, and I got a turkey sandwich. The kids’ menu consisted of chicken fingers, grilled cheese, or a burger (I think). The sides were fries or fruit (always a plus). Smalls ordered the chicken fingers with fruit.

We headed outside and found a table and a highchair. There were a few other customers, some with kids. A man wielding a rifle showed up, but it turned out to be a toy that belonged to his 10-year-old son. He assured us that we were all safe, “cause he was packin heat.”

Our food arrived, and the kids’ chicken fingers plate contained three giant--GIANT--chicken fingers. We ended up taking two home and having them for dinner as chicken sandwiches. The kids’ plate also contained half a pear, in about five thin slices. Pears are Smalls’ favorite fruit of ALL TIME, so we were very happy to see pears on the plate.

It was a good lunch. I don't know if I'd take a toddler there for dinner, unless it was warm and you could sit outside. It really is bar-like inside. But for lunch, it was nice to sit outside, and Smalls was refreshingly calm after her aquarium tantrum. And there were pears.

A beautiful Saturday afternoon in Chattanooga.



Toddler friendliness ratings:

Atmosphere: 3 out of 5 booster seats. We had to take Smalls up to the bar to find a menu and order, and that was a little inconvenient. Also, I'm taking into account the fact that it's probably more bar-like in the evening.

Food: 3.5 out of 5 booster seats. The presence of pears on the chicken finger plate is part of the reason this score is high, but that was really the only healthy food available.

Blacksmith’s Bistro and Bar

3914 Saint Elmo Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37409

(423) 702-5461

Info about the incline railway can be found here: http://ridetheincline.com/

And here's a nice website about the St. Elmo district, including a list of restaurants and shops: http://www.st-elmo.org/about/