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Chattanooga’s Top Five Burgers (According to Chattavore)

June 7, 2013

While I’ve updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga’s Top FIVE burgers – according to Chattavore, anyway!

*****Please note that this post has been edited since the original publishing. Based on the fact that Tremont Tavern started grinding their own beef for burgers after I ate there, I decided that I had not really tried one of their burgers. See below for details!*****

*****Also, while I couldn’t find a link, Tubby’s failed a restaurant inspection in late 2013 or early 2014. Again, I couldn’t find the link but apparently they passed a re-inspection with an 89? I told you it was a dive. Anyway, just didn’t want to catch any flak about this. UPDATE: Tubby’s closed in 2014 or 2015.*****

I’m not sure when it happened.

When I was younger, sure….I liked burgers.  They weren’t something that made me want to turn cartwheels, though.  At some point in my adult life, though…something changed.

If I had to choose my “top” food, burgers would definitely be in the running…along with popcorn.  And maybe pasta with alfredo sauce (have I really not written about that yet?).

Anyway, last week’s jaunt to Sofa King Juicy Burger really got my readers talking about Chattanooga burgers.  The consensus is definitely this: a good burger is not about hype.  As Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation said, “It’s a hamburger made out of meat on a bun with nothing. Add ketchup if you want, I couldn’t care less.”  A good burger doesn’t need a lot of frufru-ness.  It just needs to be good.  And here are my top five “goooooood” burgers (my requirements, by the way, were that (a) the burger must be beef; (b) the restaurant must be local; and (c) the burger must be on the menu every day, not a special).

5. Tubby’s Real Burgers

My husband likes to say that when you walk into Tubby’s you’re initially afraid that you’re going to get hepatitis.  It might not be as bad as all that, but it’s definitely a dive, pretty run down, which is funny since this location was built to replace the tiny hole in the wall location where Tubby’s was when I first started eating at Tubby’s while working at Monkey Business on the North Shore in 1999.

I used to order the chicken fingers when I went there because Tubby’s honey mustard is awesome, but after Philip had their burger on our review visit, I started ordering either the cheeseburger or the bacon cheeseburger.  This is a ten-napkin cheeseburger.  It’s (a) gigantic; and (b) super, super drippy. No frills, just burger goodness.  And since Philip and I can eat there for less that $15, it’s definitely a bargain.

Tubby’s Real Burgers is located at 710 Cherokee Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37405.  You can call them at 423-265-0069.

While I've updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga's Top FIVE burgers - according to Chattavore, anyway!

4. Southern Burger Company

I’m not sure if Southern Burger was the first food truck in Chattanooga or if Famous Nater’s was….but Southern Burger was the first one that I heard about.  Because I’d been hearing about the food truck trend for a while on some Food Network and Cooking Channel shows, I remember jumping up and down with excitement (well, at least inside my head) when I heard about it.  You know what, though?  I’ve never, never had a burger from the Southern Burger truck.  I never went there until they opened their Warehouse Row food court location.

Southern Burger offers several specialty burgers or a build-your-own option.  The burgers consist of a thin patty, cooked perfectly to obtain crispy edges but retaining just a slight bit of pinkness in the middle.  Now that’s talent.  They’re served on a slightly sweet Bread Basket bun, which I love because it seems like everyone else uses Niedlov’s (not that there’s anything wrong with that-I love Niedlov’s!).  Philip likes to order the Jalapeño burger, with bacon jam and jalapeño slices, and I like the classic burger with cheddar subbed for American cheese and their stellar bacon jam added to it.  Yum.  This makes me want to go to Southern Burger right now and have a burger with bacon jam.

Southern Burger has two locations: Warehouse Row, 111o Market Street, FC-5, Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423-825-4919) and their new Ooltewah location at 9453 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah, TN 37363.  Follow the truck on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find their website at http://www.southernburgerco.com.

While I've updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga's Top FIVE burgers - according to Chattavore, anyway!

3. Merv’s

I first heard of Merv’s (review coming Sunday!) when I was student-teaching and my cooperating teacher told me that the best burger around was at Merv’s on Mountain Creek Road.  Back then, it was a bar and I heard that it was a little bit shady.  In fact, one of our friends told us that while he liked their burgers, he wouldn’t want his wife to go there without him.  Philip and I lived on Mountain Creek Road for our first year of marriage and we never even considered going in there.  We’d been thinking about it a lot lately but thought it was still a bar and thus we would have to dodge cigarette smoke…but it turns out that Merv’s has a kids’ menu so no cigarette smoke (you must be 21 or older to go to Merv’s after 9 p.m., though).  We had to go to Merv’s before I could write this list since about a thousand people had told us they had the best burgers in town.

We went with a friend and each of us ordered a bacon cheeseburger (with American cheese).   We shared a gigantic basket of fries, but you’ll get to hear more about that on Sunday.  The burgers were large and, like the Tubby’s burger, very drippy, served on just a basic sesame seed bun.  The bacon was crisp and everything was perfectly cooked.  Obviously you can see by their spot on this list that Merv’s did not qualify as my top burger….but as soon as I took the first bite I knew they belonged somewhere on my top five list.  It’s a great burger, and if it’s been a while since you’ve been in, the atmosphere is definitely not a scary bar atmosphere (though I’ve heard some say that they liked it better back then!).

Merv’s is located at 713 Mountain Creek Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405.  You can call them at 423-877-0221.  Check out their website: http://www.mervsofchatt.com/Mervs_Restaurant_Chattanooga_TN.html.

While I've updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga's Top FIVE burgers - according to Chattavore, anyway!

2. The Terminal

I don’t think that it’s any secret that Terminal BrewHouse is probably my favorite restaurant.  I love their pot roast nachos and their West by God salad with sliced steak and French fries….but my favorite is their burger. (A few commentors on Facebook have gotten a little torn up about me choosing the Terminal when I made the statement that they were my favorite restaurant….feeling like I was playing favorites.  Let me clarify: the burger was definitely the menu item that solidified their status as my favorite…before Chattavore ever existed.)

The Terminal serves a bison burger, a black bean burger, and a “Philosopher’s burger” with ground lamb.  Philip loves the bison burger, but I can’t bring myself to order anything but the plain old beef burger.  Not that it’s plain old anything.  I like mine with Gouda cheese and bacon, a half-pound of beef that I ask them to cook medium-well, served on a Niedlov’s bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion (that I have removed, of course), mayo, and mustard. Perfection.  Drippy but not too much so, with a delicious grilled flavor.  Love it love it love it.

The Terminal BrewHouse is located at No.6 14th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408 (right next door to the Chattanooga Choo Choo).  They can be contacted at 423-752-8090.  Check out their website and their Facebook page.

While I've updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga's Top FIVE burgers - according to Chattavore, anyway!

1. Tremont Tavern

I knew that I had to try Tremont Tavern after a friend whose burger opinion I trust very much told me that they had one of his favorite burgers.  While burgers are not the only item on the menu at Tremont, they are definitely the “specialty” of this tiny neighborhood haunt in North Chattanooga.

After considering a Chuck Fisher burger (with guacamole), I decided that my obsession with pimento cheese warranted a pimento burger, with homemade pimento cheese (one of my favorite things) and bread and butter pickles on a Niedlov’s bun.  Philip decided on a jalapeno jack burger, with fresh jalapeno, bacon, ancho cilantro dressing, pepperjack cheese, green leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, and red onion.  The ingredients were very fresh, the pimento cheese homemade, and the meat perfectly caramelized on the outside while not too done in the center (perfect temperature).  The meat was juicy enough to make the bun bottom a little soggy, which is a very good thing.  Since my review of Tremont, they have started cutting and grinding their own meat and hand-pattying their burgers fresh every morning.  You had me at grinding your own meat, Tremont Tavern.  I wonder if they would be number one on my list now, and I will be in very soon to check it out.  I promise.

I returned to Tremont on 6/20/13. I was not disappointed. I will post a full rundown of this visit as my regular Sunday review (Tremont, you are one of the few restaurants that has gotten a “revisit review”!) but just to give you some detail, I tried the Gouda burger (on a friend’s recommendation), Philip got the Dirty Gomez (50% beef, 50% housemade chorizo), and our friend Brian (who also accompanied us to Merv’s) had the jalapeño Jack. We were all raving over our burgers and I had to go wash my hands when I finished my Gouda burger. That’s a sign of a good burger, folks. And yes, I ate the whole thing. I think it is disrespectful to a great burger to leave any on the plate….thank God I still have a quick metabolism! We talked to the owner, Dustin, for several minutes about the meat-grinding process. Basically they use a whole shoulder clod, cut away the nasty stuff that people don’t want to eat (which is one of the little details that really sets their meat apart….factory ground meat just has that stuff ground right on into it), grind the meat and the fat separately, and then weigh the meat and fat and make an 80/20 mix (80/20 is widely accepted as the best ratio for burgers). I think this really sets their burgers apart. The meat is so much fresher than most places, and it gives them a claim to fame that most other restaurants don’t have. I, for one, am sold.

Tremont Tavern is located at 1203 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37405. You can contact them at 423-266-1996.  You can “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

While I've updated the list (see my new Top Ten), this is my original list of Chattanooga's Top FIVE burgers - according to Chattavore, anyway!Some honorable mentions include the “This Bacon is the Jam Burger” from The Honest Pint, which I would love more if it was made with cheddar rather than blue cheese, and the Blue Ribbon Café burger, which was not eligible for the list because it’s a special, only available on Friday, and Dub’s Place in Red Bank. It should also be noted that I didn’t include Southern Star’s burger, which used to be a special but is now on the regular menu. I had it years ago and loved it….but I’ll have to try it again to make sure my feelings are still the same. I have also been told that a burger list from someone who has not tried a Zarzour’s burger is basically not valid. Perhaps I’ll have to do a “Top Ten” burgers list eventually!

In preparation for this list, I decided to poll Chattavore’s Twitter and Facebook followers on their favorites.  Urban Stack won by one vote, with Tremont Tavern coming in second, and Terminal and Merv’s one vote behind Tremont for third.  Also garnering multiple votes were Tubby’s, Blacksmith’s Bistro, and Kevin Brown’s Burgers in Ooltewah, which apparently I must try very soon.

I have to know, Chattanooga.  What do you think are Chattanooga’s Top Five burgers?

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Filed Under: By Type, Delis, Sandwiches, Burgers, & Hot Dogs, Restaurants Tagged With: sandwich/burger/hot dog restaurants By Mary // Chattavore 45 Comments

Strawberry Popsicles with Lime & Herbs

Merv’s-June 5, 2013

Comments

  1. Ryan Landis says

    June 7, 2013 at 10:30 am

    I really enjoy Urban Stack, but the Funky Watusi at Blacksmith's Bistro is probably the best/my favorite burger I've had around town. It has.. arugula, tomato jalapeno jam, and goat cheese on a croissant bun. It is so frickin' delicious. And you definitely piqued my interest on Tremont Tavern. I've always heard good things about their burgers, but, sadly, have never had one.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 10:40 am

      Go, Ryan! The Funky Watusi does sound interesting-someone also recommended the Rooster burger, and since I'm a fool for a burger with a fried egg on top I must try it.
      Reply
  2. Greg says

    June 7, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Two of those I have not had, I guess I'll have to give them a try. The one's I have had would be placed in the same order you have them.
    Reply
  3. _emily_rose says

    June 7, 2013 at 10:55 am

    I'm so glad that you included Tubby's and Merves on this list. I didn't feel qualified to give you my vote for Chattanooga's best burger, because since I've been back in Chattanooga, I haven't been back to those two spots....and you can't judge if you don't know those two. When I was in high school, Tubby's was in it's old location, and Merve's was just how you described it, but I remember their burgers being awesome. I need to hit both of them up this summer, and now I'm not so scared of Merve's!!
    Reply
  4. Sissy says

    June 7, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    It wont qualify for your list, since it's only available on Thursday and Friday, but Purple Daisy has the best smoked/grilled burger!! I just had one for lunch and cant stop raving!!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      Sissy, I want to try the Purple Daisy burger! I have a hard time ordering anything besides the rainbow sandwich when I go there....but one of these days, I'm going to do it :)
      Reply
  5. Liza says

    June 7, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    You must try the burgers at Mikes Hole in the Wall!! You are missing out!! Yummmm.....
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      I've never heard of it-where is it???
      Reply
      • Ryan Landis says

        June 7, 2013 at 2:46 pm

        It's right over by Tubby's, a little further from the tunnels (closer to Manning), on the same side of the street.
        Reply
        • Chattavore says

          June 7, 2013 at 2:54 pm

          Thanks, Ryan! I'll have to check it out.
          Reply
  6. Cb says

    June 7, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Dubs place in Red Bank has awesome burgers and so does Nikki's!!!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Charlotte, I too am a big fan of Dub's burgers. I forgot to mention them in my "honorable mentions". I'm going to go fix that right now!
      Reply
  7. Phil says

    June 7, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    I have tried every one of these outside of Southern Burger....including Sofa King and Urban Stack. Hands down, the absolute most incredible burger that is served in Chatt is at Tremont Tavern! Their "Coltrane" burger with an egg on it is a must try for any burger lover!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 6:36 pm

      Phil, I LOVE a fried egg on a good burger. I'll be going back to Tremont soon. If their new & improved freshly ground meat unseats the Terminal, I'll update & repost :)
      Reply
  8. Marie says

    June 7, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    The burgers at Ankars downtown are also quite good. I must say that no burger will ever win over what Armando's in St. Elmo used to make! I miss them. I do not recommend Little Billy's on Broad street because since they changed their name, they also changes their burgers. They now add Worcestershire sauce although you are not told about that when you order...they were just awful.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 7, 2013 at 11:19 pm

      Thanks, Marie! I've always liked the burgers at Ankar's on Brainerd Road, but it's been ages since I've had one. I've never been to the downtown location. Come to think of it, I need to write a review about one or more of their locations. I really do love that place but the one time I tried to review them I ordered the wrong thing & hated it! Need to go back & order something I know :)
      Reply
  9. Vanderbilt Wife says

    June 9, 2013 at 8:50 am

    There are several guys around school obsessed with Tremont, but somehow we have never been there. (Probably the whole kids thing.) Must. Go. Soon. My sister is moving here in July (to one of those apartments along Mountain Creek!) so we'll actually have a sitter. Score!! I am not a huge burger person but this list is making me crave one. Sometimes you just need a big, yummy hamburger.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 9, 2013 at 10:04 am

      I always need a big yummy burger, Jessie! :) Though I'm kind of on a meat detox after a week of eating so much more than my mostly vegetarian constitution is accustomed to! I am looking forward to trying Tremont again, though.
      Reply
  10. William says

    June 9, 2013 at 11:21 am

    While this isn't the list order I would have come up with, it contains most of the same burger joints I'd choose. My favorite is the Honest Pints BFD Burger. I'm a sucker for egg on burgers. This shouldn't affect the "best burger" aspect, but the Honest Pint's tater tots are addictive.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 9, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Oh yeah. Pomme tots are part of our order on every trip to the Pint!
      Reply
  11. Joshua L. Brooks (@joshuaismajor) says

    June 9, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Am I literally the only person (besides yourself) to vote for Southern Burger Co? How?!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 9, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      I know, right? I was shocked about that myself. My husband and brother are definitely on board with that vote too, though.
      Reply
  12. Ginger Terrell says

    June 10, 2013 at 7:30 am

    Magoos in East Ridge has really good hamburgers too. AND they are local owned!
    Reply
  13. Jensen says

    June 10, 2013 at 10:39 am

    While I agree with a few of your choices you have in my humble opinion missed out on what I consider to be the best burger joint in the area, Kevin Brown’s. Oh good Lord were the first three words that came out of my mouth when I saw one of the most divine things I've ever eaten arrive at my table. There it was a double bacon cheese burger that was nearly the size of my head. This burger featured eight crispy salty slices of bacon and unlike some resturants it wasn't four slices cut in half in order to make eight slices it was eight honest to goodness vein clogging slices. I would love to go on about how wonderful this burger was once I figured a way to get it into my mouth but words will not do this burger the true justice it deserves. Without a doubt they make the best burger in the area which is closely followed by Tremont Tavern
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 10, 2013 at 11:37 am

      Jensen, one of my friends also recommended Kevin Brown's and said their burger was her favorite. Honestly, I don't think I have done a single review of an Ooltewah restaurant, probably because it feels like Ooltewah is on the other side of the world from me. I'll have to plan a "special trip" out there very soon to check out this burger!
      Reply
  14. Mike Crowder says

    June 16, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    Get thee to Zarzour's Cafe, dear lady! Post haste!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 16, 2013 at 11:57 pm

      I know, Mike! I know!
      Reply
  15. Dina says

    June 16, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    Krystal. Duh. For shame, for shame.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 16, 2013 at 11:59 pm

      I actually love Krystal, Dina. Tradition. But not local anymore and doesn't really fit in with these burgers :)
      Reply
  16. Nathan Custer says

    June 21, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Wow that looks great!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      June 21, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      That's the jalapeño jack pictured, Nathan. The one on Facebook was the gouda, which had smoked gouda, barbecue sauce, and onion straws on it. My word. I want one right now....even though I just ate lunch.
      Reply
  17. Cindy Tutemeyer says

    June 22, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    Love Tremont Tavern! We have been going there since the beginning, and it just keeps getting better. Are proud to call Dustin our friend.
    Reply
  18. C.D. says

    September 4, 2013 at 10:30 am

    The best burgers are those you make yourself :-)
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      September 4, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      It's funny, as much as I say that about most things I make at home, I rarely love my burgers as much as a good restaurant burger!
      Reply
  19. Donnie Parton says

    April 11, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    I just wanted to mention that I don't see Kitchen At Union Square anywhere. I've had The Terminal's--which was great-- but Kitchen's was better. Blue Plate is also pretty great, and Urban Stack is a bit of a no-brainer. They have the absolute best burger I've had in Chattanooga. Also, I think Merv's might have changed their burger since they reopened-- everyone raves about the burger, but this tasted a bit like a high school cafeteria burger.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      April 11, 2014 at 5:30 pm

      Donnie, this list was written last summer. You'll have to stay tuned for my updated list this summer :)
      Reply
  20. Leia says

    April 19, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    I did not care for The Terminal House burger. It was dry and tough. The atmosphere and service were great, however.
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      April 19, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Sorry you didn't enjoy the burger, Leia! I've never had one that was anything less than fantastic. There are many other menu items that I love as well, though, so don't let a bad burger experience stop you from going back!
      Reply
  21. Marie Burnett says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    The Tremont Tavern is by far the best hamburger in Chattanooga. Even better than "Leonard's" was back in the day. I've tried most of all the burgers you mentioned and none compare to the consistent, incredibly delicious flavor of any of the Tremont Burgers. True "umami". I would even say it is the best burger in the United States. Marie Burnett
    Reply
  22. Scott says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks so much for the tip about the Terminal. I ordered the burger u recommended and pot roast nachos. WOW!
    Reply
    • Chattavore says

      July 23, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      I'm so glad! I would love some of their pot roast nachos right now. Mmmmm....
      Reply

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About Chattavore

Hi, I'm Mary! Welcome to Chattavore, a destination for people who want to feed themselves and their families well every day! Life can be crazy, which means that getting dinner on the table can be a challenge (more often than not!) and my mission is to take all your favorite recipes and figure out how to serve them on a Tuesday.

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