Aretha Frankensteins
518 Tremont St, Chattanooga, TN, 37405
Aretha Frankensteins Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Chattanooga for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
518 Tremont St
Chattanooga, TN, 37405 - Phone (423) 265-7685
- Website https://www.arethas.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Erik A.
First time in Chattanooga and we wanted to have the best breakfast in town and I found Aretha in yelp, the only problem was that all the reviews mentioned the terrible wait and with a 18 month old that almost removed it from our list so ... we still decided to give it a chance and I'm glad we did it. So we got there at 8:30 AM on Sunday and there were not empty tables (they only have like 4) but at least we were first in the waitlist and 5 min later we were sat. The service - The server was very busy but he was nice and he did a good job. The food - We ordered the Dave scramble and 3 pancakes to share everything with my wife and toddler. The server reminded us that the pancakes take some time to prepare and 15-20 min later we had our food in the table. The scramble was delicious, the real deal, it's just something that I would eat everyday. The pancakes, ah the pancakes!! ... believe me and believe all the other reviews, you will not find better pancakes, I still dream about them and I'm trying to convince my wife that we should drive 5 hours from Charlotte just for the pancakes.
(5)Terri D.
Delicious food. The Philly was delicious; my 6 year old said "that was the most delicious sandwich I've ever had! can we PLEASE get another one!" He almost cried when we said no! It was great, real steak. Yum. I had the eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast, and it was phenomenal. I don't know what they're cooking with, but man, it was delicious. And I'm thinking, let me get a grip here, it's just eggs bacon & toast, but man, it was really awesome. The atmosphere was really cool, tiny place, wall to ceiling to stall, covered in really neat, take me back to a different time, photos, cereal box covers, just neat kitschy stuff. We came around 1pm on a Thursday and we sat right away, the other tables filled while we were there, and ate about 15 minutes later, not unreasonable at all, but especially for a place that makes everything from scratch to order. I felt like a kid again, the 80's came rushing back, I got to enjoy seeing the boys play the same games I played as a kid, on their very own table top Pac-Man game. I'm pretty sure I smiled the whole time we were there. It was cool. To top it off, we had an awesome server Torey, who made us just passers throughers feel very welcomed to Chattanooga, and well taken care of, & a wonderful Chattanooga charm - a great find, Aretha Frankenstiens as We4DoExplore.Life
(5)Mike S.
Literally the coolest and best place to get brunch ever. Quirky, a little punk rock, amazing food, large portions, friendly service, great prices! One pancake is enough to serve an army. Frisbee sized and about an inch thick. I was full but proceeded to my bacon, egg and cheese on a homemade biscuit. For $5 it was the size of two of my fists! Oohhhh try the biscuits and gravy small portion. That gravy is perfect and has a little kick to it. You won't be disappointed. Keep in mind there are a lot of bad reviews here about how "slow" they are. It's a small place that's packed to the brim. Everything made from scratch. This isn't fast food so plan accordingly. When in Chattanooga stop at Aretha Frankensteins!
(5)Shelley M.
We found this place on Yelp, so we were fore-warned about the sometimes long wait. We arrived at 10 am on a Tuesday. There weren't tables available inside (there are only 4 tables), and the hostess/waitress/phone-answerer/barista/bartender (are you getting they were under-staffed?) told us they weren't serving outside yet. We sat at the bar with our two children, figuring that at 10 am it was really more of a breakfast counter, right? Nope. The guy right next to us ordered a Guiness with this french toast, and there was a dude hanging out on the front porch who kept coming in to get a fresh PBR. "There's a baby at at bar." I felt bad for the lone waitress. There was another guy working there with a t-shirt that said "landlord," but he didn't seem to be much help. I saw him fill a coffee cup a couple of times and get the porch dude a PBR, but that waitress was hustling. She wasn't super friendly, but who could blame her? There was a family sitting near us who waited for their pancakes for at least 30 minutes. How long does it take to make pancakes? The waitress went and apologized to them, but those would have to be some damn good pancakes. Our food arrived hot and in a fairly prompt manner, once the waitress had enough time to take our order. She also kept our coffee topped off and made a great cup of hot cocoa for my son. I had the Super Dave Scramble, an egg scramble with cheese, potatoes, onions, mushrooms (hold the jalapenos). It was tasty and very filling, and the fluffy biscuit was the bomb. My husband had the Sod Buster, an omelet with potatoes, onions, bacon and cheese. He enjoyed it thoroughly, and said he would order it again. Maybe with a Guinness.
(3)Lena H.
My husband and I are die hard horror movie fans and when anything has the name and allure of a classic Hollywood monster we total suckers. I saw Richard R.'s ( yelp.com/biz/aretha-fran… ) review on this place and even before I finished reading it I knew we had to visit. Quite honestly we ended up at Aretha Frankenstein's rather serendipitously. We had driven to Chattanooga on a day trip and were looking for a place to eat. I had completely forgotten about Richard R.'s review because I was too busy throwing a temper tantrum after my husband refused to let me visit the Sephora at the Hamilton Place Mall. It was until he said something about Frankenstein that Richards review came back to mind. Immediately I looked it up on Yelp and we navigated our way over. Initially I thought that our map was mistaken because we ended up in a very picturesque residential area. There was no oversized sign out front distinguishing the restaurant from the other homes and the large stonewall, though beautiful, restricts your street view. After circling the block we finally spotted the umbrellas of the outdoor tables and upon closer inspection noticed the sign. We must have just missed the lunch crowd because it was rather empty. We took a seat inside, since we were told they wouldn't be serving outside due to the weather, which was fine by us. Now, let me start off by saying that there is nothing "scary" about this place and honestly it's all in the name, but nonetheless we ended up having a great time. The restaurant is small and it looks like it used to be more of a bar. When you walk in you immediately notice the old fashion dark wooden bar at the center. On the ceiling you will find framed photos off cereal box covers from times past. They had Rainbow Brite, Batman, The Joker and bunch of other characters that have been used to sell kids cereal, very nostalgic. There are two large and what look to be wroth iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and all around the walls are different posters of old punk bands, "morbidish" art work and of course Frankenstein. It's almost like a mini museum. When it comes to the menu it's small but to the point. My husband insisted that I have the shrimp and grits. He opted for the Philly cheese steak sandwich. I like grits but I've always had them oatmeal style, with milk, brown sugar and a little bit of butter, not to mention that I've always had them for breakfast. I really wasn't sure what to expect and though I'd seen pictures and the reviews I was still skeptical and anxious about what was to come. When our meals came out, I like saw mine and secretly thought "OMG, this looks like vomit after a hard night of partying" oh yeah how's that for appetizing. Luckily, it didn't taste at all like they looked. The grits, like tofu, take on the flavors of whatever it's cooked in. The dish had plenty of medium sized shrimp, Ortega chili, grits, grits and more grits all mixed with Tabasco sauce, which gave it a definite kick. The shrimp were well cooked and had a nice sweetness to them, which was perfectly off set by the Ortega chili and kicked up a notch by the underlying flavor of the Tabasco sauce.....score!!! It was pretty tasty and I wouldn't mind going back for more. My husband's Philly cheese steak sandwich was nice and sizable. He gives it a solid 3.5 stars on it's own. The bread was warm, toasty on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. The meat was nicely seasoned and the green peppers were cooked but with just enough firmness to give you something to bite into, and finally enough cheese to get stringy when pulled apart but not so much that it overwhelmed all the other ingredients and bulged up at the back of your throat in a knot. I can say our visit was a success. We absolutely love the feel and the decor; even better the food was better than expected.
(4)Noah J.
Simply Amazing. I had one of the best meals in a long time in this establishment. The staff was great, on the ball, and the environment was inviting also. Highly recommend.
(5)Lou G.
I wanted to hate this place. I wanted to hate this place so much. I hate waiting. I hate waiting even more when I see empty tables, bar stools, outside tables all available. Why I am waiting??? I don't get it! I wanted to hate this place and write a bad review. But.... The servers are super-friendly, all of them. The pancakes are outrageously good, get them. The place is fun and cool and hip. Everything on the menu rocks. Great beer selection for breakfast... There is definitely something wrong in how they do their seating, staffing or whatever, but nonetheless I make it a point to come here whenever I am in Chattanooga..I love Aretha Frankenstein's. I am still tempted to write a bad review, but only so I wont have to wait when I come back again.
(4)Liz F.
I, like many reviews before me, want to give Aretha's a bad review... But I just can't because the food is too good. Yes the wait for a table is usually extremely disorganized and sometimes the staff is a bit disgruntled, but nothing beats the inch thick blueberry pancakes with a big blueberry beer on the patio. I think that is one of the biggest selling points for this spot, their awesome outdoor seating. I also think I may have tried everything on the menu at least once and haven't been disappointed. But they are famed for their pancakes so do yourself a favor and get at least one to share with the table. They also have delicious apple butter you can put on those mountain high biscuits, don't miss out on asking your server for a bottle!! The super Dave scramble is also a legit choice. Honestly, if you can get a table you probably won't be disappointed.
(4)Anthony H.
I live in Chicago and I've never had such an amazing breakfast as I have as Aretha Frankenstein. I got the breakfast burrito with cheese, sausage, refried beans, mushrooms, and onions. It fucked ruled. Not only was the burrito ridiculously awesome, but the potatoes and biscuit were the best I've ever had. By the end of the meal, I was looking up real estate in the area just so I could be close to this joint. If you ever open a second location, put it in Chicago. Please.
(5)Sheldon C.
Don't know what the buzz on this place is about. We went for breakfast and were completely disappointed. The place was gross. It wasn't busy but tables were dirty and had not been cleaned; flies, flies and more flies. Only one group of medical folks still drinking after a long night shift. Service was slow. The food was very mediocre. Even the highly touted pancakes. My son had steak and eggs and it was awful. He said it tasted funny so I tried it. The meat was rotten! I took one bite and almost threw up. Will never go back here again.
(1)Ashley T.
We were visiting rock city and went here based on a recommendation of a friend. Kind of located awkwardly in a neighborhood but we found it with the help of gps. The restaurant itself is cute, inside and out. If you are looking for quick service and a personable staff, do not come here. Once we were seated, we waited at our table for probably 5-10 mins before our server even came over to take our drink order. We asked if we could go ahead and order food too and he seemed annoyed that we had waited so long for him to come over and take our drink AND food orders combined. I asked if the gravy was vegetarian. He said no. I asked if the shrimp and grits could be made without any meat other than shrimp. He said it was made with chicken stock. I began to order a breakfast burrito with refried beans. He said they were out of beans. So I ordered a biscuit, two eggs over medium, fried potatoes, and cheese grits. Luckily we didn't wait too long on our food to come out. My husband ordered the 2 stack pancakes and they were huge and really good. One friend ordered the French toast and it was good too. Another friend ordered sausage and eggs with a side of biscuits and gravy and he said it was also good. The server brought out my grits and said my eggs would be another minute because they had been overcooked. I sat and watched my husband and friends eat while I waited on the rest of my food to come out. When he brought the eggs out I told him I had also ordered a biscuit and fried potatoes. After a few minutes he brought those out. I was seriously frustrated at this point because it seemed like I wasn't meant to eat here! But everything I ordered really was very good. The cheese grits had a little heat to them and the potatoes were full of flavor. Good large biscuit & eggs were cooked how I like them. A couple of women asked if they could sit outside at an empty table and the server told them it would be about 10 minutes because he was alone. They then asked if they could just look at a menu while they waited and he repeated that it would be 10 minutes. Our server never came over to ask how things were or if we needed refills. My husband went to the bar to ask for a refill on his drink. After finishing our meal, we then waited close to 10 minutes for our server to ask how we wanted our checks split up. I will say he did comp every bit of my meal with the exception of the grits so that was nice. I would rate 4 stars based on the food being very tasty and decently priced for the portions. Otherwise I would have rated a 1 for service. I know it is difficult when you are working alone but this restaurant is fairly small and it wasn't packed. So I'm rating 3 stars to be fair. Despite the food, I probably won't go back the next time I'm in Chattanooga.
(3)Betty V.
You cannot beat the pancakes and biscuits. I've only been to Chattanooga twice and I still talk about the food.
(5)Jess F.
Love this place. Amazing pancakes. They have old cereal boxes lining the ceiling. Just spent most of my time looking at all the decor...awesome!
(5)Brad C.
Awesome biscuits, pancakes and potatoes. Only four tables so be ready for a wait (we waited nearly an hour for a table and another 30 minutes for food on a Friday morning). Baffling that they don't utilize the patio tables for service. We had a great waitress but the host was either stoned or functionally retarded. Getting a coffee while waiting was an act of God. If they could fix the uneven service and get the food moving faster, this would be a great spot.
(3)Drew B.
Watched the cook dig in the trash with gloves on. While keeping the same gloves on, started making my food. I walked out. I also observed multiple guests coming in from outside, walking into the kitchen, and grubbing on anything laying out. Will never be back.
(1)Kathleen B.
We've lived in Chattanooga 2 weeks and we've been here at least 5 times. It's a short walk from our house, it's amazing. The biscuits and gravy is delish! Personally I'm a fan of the bean burrito too! I hear there pancakes and waffles are the best, have tried those yet.
(5)Kevin C.
Food was fantastic, but the wait was a bit ridiculous. The place is pretty small and on a Saturday you can end up waiting over an hour so be prepared. They will at least make you a coffee while you're waiting.
(4)Joey T.
Eclectic, hole in the wall place with delicious breakfasts and a wait that is epic, like their pancakes. The shrimp and grits were fantastic. If you have the time to spare, I would highly recommend this place for breakfast or brunch if you are in the area.
(4)Jon W.
The place is small, so if the weather is bad, and there's no outside seating, be prepared for a wait with no particular place to wait. We went for breakfast, and will return anytime we are in town! I got a shrimp omelet, which was weird of me, but have never had a better breakfast food. The environment is great as well. But the food! Yum.
(5)Erin S.
This place is awesome and a must to go to if you are living or visiting Chattanooga. The outside looks like a house and off the beaten path. The place is small so be prepared to wait. The blueberry pancakes are amazing and my favorite. However, the shrimp and grits are great too. The atmosphere is very fun and is decorated with crazy items. This place is open all day and at night is a bar.
(5)Matt G.
The Food: Incredible. We had Biscuts and Gravy and a Spinach Omlette. Both were fresh and very good. The Experience: Not so wonderful. Empty beer cans and cigarette butts were covering the front patio where we waited for nearly an hour for a spot at the counter. But, then again, the place only has seating for 20 people. So, the wait should be expected.
(4)varion w.
It's a cold December morn and the pancakes at Aretha Frankenstein have truly been calling me. I've only eaten here durn the spring and summer because I love the cobblestoned patio. Aretha Frankenstein, home of the "monster pancakes and biscuits!" Seldom disappointed.
(4)Brandon H.
This rating doesn't reflect the quality of the food, the taste of the food or even the ambiance of inside the restaurant. More than anything, it reflects on the brain-dead beatnik working the front door and taking the names of folks to be put on the wait list. My wife walked up to this dude, he asked our name and told us it'd be about 40-45 minutes. No problem at all. We walked to the patio and waited. And waited. And waited. We sat outside for about an hour and 20 minutes before walking up to this dude again and asking about the wait. It was at that point he realized that he never even wrote down our name. "Are you sure you didn't leave it under another name?" he asked, scrambling. Nah, bro. Kill yourself. Needless to say, we left.
(1)Ty C.
They succeed in spite of themselves. Seemingly clueless with regards to any principles of restaurant management, it is one of the more eclectic places to have breakfast. But be prepared to wait quite a while first for a table and then for service practiced by a staff acutely afflicted with ADD. The pancakes are fine, the sausage was standard frozen fare, but the coffee was good. One major annoyance on this visit was the staff's inability to get three self-indulgent millennials up from hogging a table with their smart phones after finishing breakfast with people lined up waiting for a seat. Oh well, I'll go back in a couple of years and get reminded why I do not go more often.
(2)Amanda B.
We passed through Chattanooga on a long road trip. I love going to local stops over chain places so thought we would try AEs. We got there right when they opened so we didn't have to wait for seating and were served pretty quick. OMG the pancakes are an inch thick and amazing. I wanted the waffle of insane greatness with the Elephant Gerald toppings but the waffle maker was out of service so I got a short stack with the goodies. It. Was. Amazing. The pecans dripping with gooey syrup topped with ice cream, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. The cook even threw some pecans IN the batter. The other diners had the B&G and shrimp & grits. No one had any complaints about the food. We all left VERY full. The server was very pleasant and kept our coffee full.
(5)Vonda D.
My friend and I were nursing a hangover so we put our names on the list, ran to Walgreens and got some headache meds and went back. We didn't wait long. The music was a little weird, but fit the atmosphere. We both ordered a small biscuits and gravy and it was a lot to eat! We ended up taking half of it with us. I saw the next table's pancakes, and they looked amazing.
(5)kk s.
The place is quite small and the parking situation really sucks, but the food was awesome. Luckily we happened to be in town on a Monday morning and so we got there at 8am and we were able to take 2 seats at the bar. It got pretty busy later in the morning, but I've heard weekends can be really bad. We both had the pancakes with apple butter and it was soooo good. Wow, they were the thickest pancakes I've ever had. The food took a while to come out, but it was worth the wait.
(5)Kristofer S.
I really wanted this spot to be great, and it wasn't. It takes more than a semi clever name, I guess. For starters, they had the t.v. on with sound AND scream doom metal playing AND scream speed punk blasting out of the kitchen creating a bombardment of unintelligible noise that was impossible to talk over and impossible to enjoy, which I do enjoy, one at a time. The dirty punk playing air drums and singing along at top of his lungs happened to be the cook. We felt like we were intruding in his house/squat and he didn't want us there and he was not going to wash his hands, ever, or clothes, ever! Duh, he's a punk and will not conform to societies idea of clean restaurants or good food. And the AC dripped all over us, our table and in out drinks while flies buzzed about. And the mens toilet was broken so I couldn't even vomit up my food. Second, waffle was as hard as a frisbee covered with sand paper. Biscuits were soggy and spongy. Grits were just plain weird, sweet spicy gelatinous goop? Potatoes, an oily flavorless mess. Eggs, whatever, hard to mess this up and basically it's the main ingredient for everything here. The best food was the kettle chips, which they had nothing to do with. All in all the food could have been worse but we hated it before we ever saw it and just wanted to get out of there. Never going back. Starbucks has better coffee and food, which is the real sad part.
(1)Sye R.
Fantastic pancakes! Humongous in size. I didn't think 2 would be enough and figured I would have to order something else but I couldn't even finish what I had. Service was a little slow but not horrible the waitress was very nice and we weren't in a hurry. We ate outside and it was a cool night. College kids, reminded me of artsy restaurants in university towns. Nice selection of beers. My husband had French toast and that too was excellent. Next time we come to town we will be going to Aretha's for sure. I also hope I can find Landshark Lager in Houston when I get home. The waitress recommended it when I asked for a Corona and they didn't have it. I loved that too!!! So good! I had never heard of it before.
(4)Paul C.
Waffles are incredible, so are any of the omelets. The place is a quirky local dive, but you definatly don't have to be a hipster to be comfortable and get great eats here. Breakfast is definately king here.
(5)Stephen G.
I took my wife and daughter here before heading out to do tourist stuff in Chattanooga. While the place certainly exudes character, it lacks a lot when it comes to getting a bite to eat. First, there is no parking, you have to park on the street. Then you end up waiting for a place to sit as they are severely lacking in seating. We finally got to sit right next to the kitchen where we were serenaded by the constant yelling of the short order cook berating the wait staff. We had to wait forever for our food to be prepared as it seems they can only cook one egg at a time. We did manage to occupy ourselves during this wait by swatting flies. While the house does remind of little 5 in my home city, I'm not very likely to go back to eat there again.
(1)Timber W.
There are many benefits to having cool artists as friends. One is that they've got great recommendations on funky little shops, galleries, and restaurants. I love the atmosphere at Aretha Frankensteins. When my sister and I went there, the floor was pieced together out of old gymnasium boards and the lights looked like something out of a medieval fortress. We were surrounded by folk art and steeped in the creative vibe. The food was pretty bland, and the hot tea tasted like Kool Aid that had been sitting out in the sun. I wish the meal had been better! I might stop by to try another cup of tea, but I think Frankensteins' food is a monster that threatens to destroy the place.
(3)Bobby O.
So I basically ended up at this place after I discovered that many of Chattanooga's other breakfast spots were closed on Sunday. So my party of two and myself trek across the river to Aretha's. This place left quite an impression on me but it took my drive back to Nashville for me to determine if the impression was good or bad. Ultimately, I decided upon the latter. Here's why: While the pancakes were unique and tasty, they were certainly not worth the 40 minutes it took to get them. The place overall is just an exercise in inefficiency. This is immediately noticeable when you learn that the place only has FOUR tables indoors. There are outdoor tables but then the staff tells you that those are only for 'waiting' not for eating. Ah, and wait you will!! When we finally got a table after about a 25 minute wait (I know, not terrible) and placed our order, we had 40 minutes of additional wait time to get a relatively simple order. The server was nice and helpful. I blame the kitchen staff more than anything. There's really no reason for a restaurant to take that long to push out basic breakfast items. But none of these issues rival the true reason for me writing this review. The real reason is........ FLIES!! Yes, flying, maggot-laying insects. And they...are...everywhere. I was seated next to a window and my friend and I began playing a game to see how many flies we could count on the window sill at one time. We stopped at EIGHT. I actually saw two tables of people complain to the wait staff about the flies and ask to be moved outside into the 90 degree heat. Soon thereafter, I was actually 'fencing' with one as it kept hovering between my mouth and my glass of OJ. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy her feta and spinach omelet. My pancakes were very good. Never had cakes like that before.... However, not worth spending half a day to get them while fighting an insect infestation. Honestly, how does the Health Dept not close this place down??? I won't be going back. End of story.
(2)Benjamin W.
Aretha's is an interesting place in an interesting location, nestled on the eastern hill of Tremont street. The decor is funky and cool, as is the staff. The many times I've been for dinner it's been pleasant, but the real deal is breakfast. There is likely not a better place if it's a Saturday morning and you've got plenty of time on your hands and a huge appetite. All of the breakfast eats are exceptional, especially the pancakes and giant, buttery biscuits. The service is very slow-paced and deliberate, but it's not a real issue with me. Don't go there if you're in a hurry for sure. Overall a solid place.
(4)shawn r.
Arethas...well the thing about Arethas is that its known for it's bad service, and long wait times, it's just a staple in Chattanooga. You come to Arethas for the late night variety of food, the superb pancakes, the beer on tap, or just to chill out. It's a neat place, but not somewhere that I would show off to someone visiting.
(3)Jasmine A.
I wished i still lived in TN so that i could have Aretha Frankenstein super thick pancakes! Best pancakes ever! And everything else is awesome! I love the small hidden restaurant. The staff is very friendly and i recommend this place to everyone. I now have to ship in Aretha Frankensteins pancake mix online so that i can have my fix. Best MIX ever.http://www.arethas.com/
(4)Scott H.
Delicious pancakes for sure!! They are super fluffy and tall. The biscuits are great and homemade. The decor is super cute and there are 7 or 8 tables and a bar to belly up to. Be careful bellying up to the bar cuz those pancakes will push your belly to its max. There is outside seating when warm. Oh, who cares? Just go there and eat pancakes, they're good!!
(4)Derrick D.
I actually give Aretha Frankenstein's 3.5 stars, but I guess I'll round up because if I do go back to Chattanooga then I'll go back here... which makes me a fan, right? Yes, their pancakes really are really thick. Yes, you will get full off of 2 of them. I had the breakfast burrito, and I'm not sure if my eyes were bigger than my stomach but I thought I could polish off both the burrito and pancakes. David W. told me there was no way, and I'm glad I took his advice. The setting is quite interesting... it's nestled on the corner in a residential area in a weird triangular plot of land. it's on slight hill, and that makes the outdoor seating in a somewhat courtyard like area. Then there's the possibility of eating ON the railing of the wrap around deck/porch. The railing is tall enough to be perfect to sit on a stool to eat, and wide enough that plates can fit. However where I sat it was slanted away from me, though it really didn't turn out to be a problem while eating (although you always thought your water glass was going to tip over). My biggest gripe: that there were ants climbing up the posts and therefore a stray ant would get near my food. Not good. Service was great, the interior is small (really small) and they even tell you on the menu that the kitchen is so small you may have to wait longer than normal for your food.
(4)Kerry S.
Best pancakes I've ever eaten and the jabber omelet is killer! FYI just remember to bring a fly swatter!
(4)J L.
This place is the thing we most miss about Chattanooga (besides friends)! Breakfast on the patio! The waffles and pancakes are a must, as is the potatoes. We love it so much that we have friends send us their mix! Eclectic, great food but you might have to wait. Well worth it, though.
(5)Tony L.
I would describe Aretha Frankensteins as a restaurant with modest commercial ambitions. If you are not from their neighborhood, they are certainly glad to see you, but you have to go with their deal, which is this: Seating is ridiculously limited and service is extremely slow, but the food and friendly atmosphere are great. They explain right on the menu that the kitchen is tiny. Our waitress was right up front "You can go ahead and sit, it will be about an hour for food." Think backstreet Key West meets Southern breakfast. We took the deal and had a great time. They took our order right away, repeating the time stipulation. We sipped coffee and chatted with our neighbors.We watched the day get going in the neighborhood. We noticed that nobody was in a hurry and everyone seemed pretty happy. At about 40 minutes, here came our food. And it was really good. Mary had a classic bacon-eggs breakfast with a gigantic biscuit and gravy. I had "Jack's scrambler," with onions, mushrooms, potato, and hot peppers mixed in. Extra good and definitely got our day off to a wonderful, slow start. Don't go there if you are in a hurry.
(4)Helene J.
We came on a weekday, late morning, no wait at all. It was a little dicey to locate, and parking is awful. Very pleasant to sit outside. We ordered the blueberry pancakes (stack of 3 is way too much for one person....) and eggs with potatoes. It did take a little longer than you'd expect, and the service wasn't great, but the food and prices, and the funky ambience, made it worthwhile.
(4)Max P.
Great food but insanely slow, even if the place is empty. Still almost worth it for the pancakes.
(3)Andrew P.
Amazing. Ate there 3 times in 2 days. Our favorite! Try the Sod buster omelet, the elephants Gerald, and the short stack (tall if you dare). Dinner is good too. Quesadilla is HUGE! Burrito is great. Couldn't finish mine.
(5)Gen M.
This is a tourist place especially after Rachel Ray. The food is not that great. I've eaten here 3 times and am done with it. The pancakes are denssse. The biscuits are as huge as they are dry, really dry. The waffle takes like a regular waffle. It is a little pricey for the what you get and you always have to wait for seating. The waiters are fine, but they do there job, the place is like a machine pumping out pancakes. It's a very pretty cute place to take someone. They have a pretty stone patio with umbrellas but I wouldn't waist my time. Go to Bluegrass Grill, sometimes there is a wait but it is worth it.
(2)Chris H.
This just might be the best breakfast I have ever had. The omelets were great! The kids had the pancakes and after trying them I wish I had enough room to eat both. Service was great with little wait. We will be coming back here for sure!!!
(5)Tara M.
For my 300 review it had to be somewhere awesome 5 star worthy and funky. Thinking back over all the fabulous spots I stopped at on a road trip through TN I remembered Aretha Frankensteins and instantly new this was the 300 hands down. Where do I begin? This place is very funky it seems more like a place you would find in Austin, San Fran or New Orleans. We discovered it by asking around town and 4 out of 6 locals recommended it along with The Mellow Mushroom but that is another review. We found the place easy enough and I was so happy to see it is in an old house and not a strip mall. I have a thing for old houses turned restaurants. And this old house looks like it was previously a vintage collectibles store but our waitress told us the owner had collected all the kitsch himself and also knocked out the the walls and did all the painting as well. I would have loved to meet the owner but it was slammed busy all 4 times we ate here - 3 times in 2 days.... The first time we ate at lunch I had the Shrimp and Grits with a side of home fries fried up with jalapenos and onions - southern food at its best! I could not stop thinking about the omelets so the next morning we stopped in for eggs and waffles. I got an omelet with potatoes, onions, bacon and cheese and since my omelet included potatoes I selected grits and toast as my sides. My best travel buddy ever ordered the Belgian Waffle topped with vanilla ice cream and pecans and syrup. We loved our meal so much we decided to eat dinner here again before we left town. Since they pretty much just serve breakfast for breakfast lunch and dinner I ordered the Italian Omelet that was stuffed with ricotta cheese and everything else you would expect to find in lasagna minus the noodles and pasta sauce. My friend who has a sweet tooth got the french toast and kept talking about it for the rest of the trip. Know before you go: this place is not fast food - it is made from scratch and you will have to wait for everything to be freshly chopped and cooked. And this might sound extremely rude but if you are a wide load do not go here - you will embarrass yourself and the other guests. The dining area is barely navigatable by a normal size person - I'm talking suck in your gut and walk sideways tight seating - but the food is worth it.. Since our mini van/hotel broke down on the way back through town we dined here for a 4Th time 3 days later with the same 5 star food!
(5)Tim D.
If you see people waiting, run! Not worth the wait. Server told us 30 minutes and it ended up being 90 minutes. The food took another 45 minutes and we are talking breakfast food in a place that has 25-30 seats at the very most.
(1)Brett E.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant, I come here whenever I visit my parents. Wonderful pancakes, awesome omelettes, a waffle of insane greatness, and the biscuits are ridiculous. A must if you come to Chattanooga. I have never had a bad meal here, honestly. I would say the best time to go is late at night, it's when the awesome people are there and mom and dad leave the kids at home.
(5)Lisa M.
We decided to give this place a try after finding it here on yelp. At 8:30 on a Sunday morning they were already really full. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table. We didn't mind so much since the reviews were so good. The atmosphere at first glance is great. It has an artsy vibe and is very unique. Once we were seated inside our waitress was there immediately to get our drink order and arrived quickly with our drinks. Unfortunately, we didn't see her for another 20 minutes to take our order. Our food took 30 minutes to prepare. With all that time we had a lot of chances to take a look at our surroundings. Probably not the best idea. The interior is in a desperate need of a thorough clean. There was an inch of dust and grime on all the pictures and fixtures around the place. Some of the food was great and some not so much. The pancakes were very good and I can see why they sell the mix. The french toast was terrible. The biscuits were okay, but so heavy. This place didn't meet the expectations at all - disappointing!
(2)Darren B.
Best Breakfast in Chattanooga hands down! Can someone send me their pancake mix that they sell in Publix?
(5)Jeremy C.
Ate here for breakfast after checking out some reviews on Yelp and it wasn't bad. Not the biggest place with just a few tables inside but we sat outside on the deck and there were a few separate tables outside for those that enjoy the hot Tennessee sun. Took a little bit longer than I thought it would for breakfast but it was really good once we got it. A few of the couples outside we heard complaining that they hadn't gotten their food yet. The staff is nice and the menu has a nice selection. I'd definitely recommend it. They do allow dogs for the outside seating but if you do bring your dog and then decide to eat inside, where they don't allow your dog, please don't leave it in your car with the black leather seats outside in the hot sun. Not cool.
(3)evan m.
Yep, the service is slow. But the food is worth it, and the decor and music makes the wait bearable. Get the shrimp & grits. You won't regret it.
(4)Jenny R.
My folks relocated to Chattanooga and were really excited to bring me to Aretha's for breakfast as soon as they discovered it. I was in love the minute I walked in! Funky/ecclectic/artsy decor, LOTR on the flat screen behind the bar, a diver's bell housing the beer taps, great mix of alternative music and a wraparound porch/outdoor seating area. I hadn't even gotten to the food yet. Great coffee!!!! My cup has rarely been empty at Aretha's(and I go at least once a visit, if not more). They don't make it watered down to save a little cash either-this is coffee that wakes you up. Yes, this place did get popular after Racheal Ray had it on '$40 a Day', and yes, the service is slower paced that a usual 'get them in and out' type of breakfast place, but this is the south! Things are a bit more leisurely down here. I enjoy not feeling like I have to hurry it up and get out at a restaurant-esp if the coffee hasn't quite kicked in yet in the morning. The waffle of insane greatness is aptly named. If you're especially hungry(or have hypoglycemia), order the Elephants Gerald(same waffle, but with ice cream and pecan maple syrup on top!). The pancakes are always light, fluffy, buttery, and crisp around the edges with tender cake middles. They sell the mix in house and at a few grocers in the area. I always bring back several boxes for myself and friends that I've gotten hooked on it. My dad always orders the 'sod buster' skillet and it is delicious! Sometimes a bit too much pepper in the potatoes for his taste, but he's kinda picky when it comes to spices. Their biscuits are a mile high and taste light and delicious no matter what you top them with-sausage gravy, butter and jam, or honey. I've flown home to Chicago with several in my carry on bag to top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream(they should add that to the menu it's so good). The staff here has always been absolutely sweet and friendly-and I like a place where I can see the cook dancing at the stove while he's flipping hot cakes from my table. I wear my Aretha's t-shirt proudly and send anyone traveling through Chatt. :D Also noteworthy is that this place had a fire a few years ago and came back just as great as before! Thrilled we didn't lose this gem.
(4)Stephen S.
I am rather tired as I write, so I will make a list with + for positive and - for negative + really cute hostess with awesome, brightly colored shoes + sufjan stevens music playing - music playing a little too loudly (when you can't talk over sufjan that says something, amirite?) + giving me a mug of coffee to sip on while i waited + getting seated pretty quickly even though it was crowded and the facility is small + "waffle of insane greatness" is the best waffle i've ever eaten + the grits with pepper jack cheese were absolutely perfect - i could eat them with my fork + sodbuster omelette was delicious, though next time i will just get the waffle with a side of grits instead of sampling my dining partner's i was just in town visiting, but i think this is probably my favorite restaurant that i tried while in town, though perhaps i'm biased because brunch is my favorite meal. i would definitely like to try it out as a late night place, because some of the guiness drinks looked intense.
(5)Javier O.
Possibly one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten! I came here with no expectations and I left extremely satisfied. Upon my arrival, the smell permeated through the air as I walked up to the restaurants. Then as I got closer to the door, I begin to hear the faint sound of a rock song further motivating me to explore further. I walked up to the bar and sat on the comfy high chairs and took in the atmosphere. Luckily, I brought my camera along to appreciate the scenery. I ordered an omelet with pepper jack cheese. They make their omelets with 3 large grade A eggs. Breakfast is served with the option of toast or a biscuit and your choice of potatoes or grits. Their potatoes are made with Jalapenos and onions. I went with the potatoes and biscuits. I know I am supposed to be dieting but I could not resist to also order the "Waffle of Insane Greatness." With a name like that jumping at you from the menu, it is very impossible to resist. Boy did I make some great choices this morning. The omelet were perfectly folded over fluffy and cheesy, just the way I like them. The pepper jack cheese coupled with the jalapenos in the potatoes sparked my morning start. The biscuit had to be the biggest best tasting biscuit I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The sprinkle of sugar on top gave it a real sweat twist. And yes, I must admit, the waffles were indeed, Insane! Aretha Frankensteins, you ain't seen the last of me. Check them out for yourself! arethas.com
(5)Scott D.
This is one reason why we love Yelp so much. Our first visit to Chattanooga and we wanted to find a good breakfast place. All the reviews were dead-on. The pancakes and the waffles were the best we have ever had. The waffles had this great crispiness and wonderful flavor, and the pancakes were amazingly fluffy and delicious. There is very minimal seating so make sure you get there early on the weekends.
(5)Thomas O.
The pancakes are like nothing ever anywhere. In fact the mix is now sold at local grocery stores and has become a favorite gift to give(my sister trades us fresh eggs). The Super Dave Scramble is another fave, but watch out for the jalapenos. Admittedly the service here is so-so but regulars accept it for what it is, a great one of kind neighborhood restaurant. And if you see nurses drinking beer at 8 AM don't be alarmed there getting off shift, not going on.
(4)Megan H.
My new husband and I were on our honeymoon in Chattanooga, TN, when we set out in search of a local spot - off the beaten path - for a quiet Tuesday morning breakfast. We found ourselves outside a quaint and very promising looking Aretha Frankenstein's. Walking up from the back parking lot, we noticed an enormous pile of trash behind the restaurant which should have been our first clue that something wasn't right, but lost in our immediate post-marital bliss, we ignored the heap, and proceeded to the front door. Passing through the patio to the front door, we noticed two occupied tables with families and thought this was a great sign. After walking into the restaurant, we were given two menus and told to "sit where ever [we'd] like." Considering this as a good sign - we took a table outside. Our waiter came to take our drink orders, and after about 10 minutes, our coffee, OJ, and water arrived. At this point, we had been given enough time to read the menu and knew what we wanted. My husband being a fan of biscuits and gravy, asked the waiter's opinion of their own. The response was honest and very surprising..."Normally yes, however, the cook is new and his first batch was thrown out and he was told to try again." With this enlightening knowledge of a novice chef, we figured we would order something easy - my husband requested scrambled eggs, 2 pancakes, and a side of bacon. I ordered an Italian omelet (ricotta cheese, peppers, onions and sausage). And the wait began...Over the course of the next 45-50 minutes, we were both able to read the USA Today, and the WSJ cover to cover. During our wait, we witnessed one of the two nearby tables of people pay their tab and leave. Normally this would have gone un-noticed, however a swarm of sparrows came in and did the bus boys job and completely cleaned up the remaining food. Now I understand that when you sit on a patio, you're subject to outside entities (flies, birds, sun...) but the dishes were still on the table when we finally left an hour later. Our food arrived about the time my husband began searching for lunch options - it was nearing that time anyway. My omelet looked ok, and the waiter placed it in front of me with the preface that my toast would soon follow..."soon" was nearly 10 minutes later. The sausage was WAY overcooked, and the eggs lacked flavor. While placing my husband's food on the table, the waiter mentioned that the new batch of gravy was ready, and asked if he would like to try it with a biscuit - why not, right? He began eating his food starting with his pancakes - and they were definitely a sight to see! About an inch thick each, the pair of cakes resembled more of corn bread than they did flapjacks. It was almost as though they had been baked on a huge cookie sheet, and cut out by the lid of an old coffee can...but they tasted good. The next item in front of him was his bacon, which he claimed was outstanding - and coming from the world's biggest bacon snob - this was saying something. The eggs were less than appealing - in look, taste and texture. They appeared as though they were prepared in a blender with the tiniest pieces of yellow mush drowning in oily goo on the plate. Were these scrambled eggs - or the remnants of a baby's diaper? The biscuit and gravy arrived soon after, with the gravy in a side-cup next to a biscuit that suited the standard breakfast biscuit size. Watching him taste the gravy though made me feel every ounce of disgust that hit his tastebuds at that very moment. He reviewed that the gravy tasted like warm floury dough with specks of pepper and sausage...not really the most appetizing response one would look for. We "finished" our meals, with no one in sight to ask for refills, how our meal was, or if we needed anything else. Normally a patient person - as I had explained at the start of this review - I was more than ready to pay our tab and leave. Having waited much longer than was necessary, I got up from the table and walked inside, seeking our waiter. Standing at the counter for no less than 2 minutes without a single ackno
(1)Whit K.
Awful food and service. Most of the kitchen staff and waitresses took frequent cigarette beaks. It took a very long time to get served. The pancakes had hair in them and the cafe Latte was barly warm.
(1)Malcolm N.
Wait is oppressive and I didn't find the staff to be particularly nice or helpful, not really rude or mean just tend to ignore you. We waited over an hour and several tables became open at once still took another 20 minutes to be seated even thought we were next. Once seated our particular server was very pleasant and attentive. All the food was good and the blueberry pancakes were awesome. I think it's just a tiny place and has slow turn over. I would most likely go back with the expectation of waiting an hour or so. If that were unacceptable I would look elsewhere
(4)Chance S.
I love AF and try to grab breakfast there every time I visit Chattanooga. The pancakes are well above average, the biscuits are some of the best I've had, and the potatoes I've tried a hundred times to replicate at home with absolutely no success. Yes, the wait is usually very long, but the quality of the food, their prices and the environment make this place a tucked away gem. I do really wish they had a more extensive beer list that was more appropriate for breakfast, and one of the servers kept making rude comments about his customers well within earshot the last time I went. Definitely could have done without that guy. Had he been my server I may have felt compelled to drop a star from my rating, but our waitress was very friendly and attentive.
(4)Melissa W.
sweethearts serving good food! We sat at a pacman table and had craft beer in an awesome atmosphere while we waited for our deliciousness. They give you to-go coffee! serious! 5 stars and much detroit love! xo
(5)Christina D.
Yummy! Pancakes are huge stacks of deliciousness! The hash browns have jalapeños in them and they are some of the best I've had. Service can be a little iffy depending on what mood your waitress can be in, but that doesn't waive my opinion that this cute place is a must when visiting Chattanooga. Many vegetarian options and unique beers. The eclectic interior is is just as pleasing as the food.
(4)Christopher W.
I ordered the bacon and cheese omelet and specified that I wanted the ingredients to be COOKED IN the omelette not just have ingredients thrown on top of cooked eggs and then folded - which is EXACTLY the way the omelette was presented to me! Ugh. But after the miserably LONG wait we experienced AFTER ORDERING our food I wasn't about to send my food back. I lost track after 45 minutes! We waited an additional 30 minutes to be seated but this is of no blame to the restaurant... they told us the wait would be at least 20 minutes and we willingly chose to wait for a table. Once we were seated they placed the three of us at the bar where we couldn't have really conversated with one another but thankfully we had the corner area. The biscuits and the grits that accompanied my food were both really good, and my dining companions really seemed to enjoy their food as well. (Oh yeah... they brought two of us our food and told the third that hers came out with cheese on it and was returned to the kitchen - she specifically told the server that she was lactose intolerant and the server remembered this). So, unlucky her... she had to wait an additional 15 minutes for her food! The other thing that was a HUGE turn-off about this restaurant... their were flys all over the place! Yuck! My advice... if you are in Chattanooga and looking for a good spot for breakfast... go to the Bluegrass Grill if it is a Saturday. If on a Sunday, look around for something better. In this city you are sure to find it. PS - the pancakes looked really great and the table behind us said they were phenomenal... I would have ordered them but I'm afraid how long I would have waited on them!!
(2)Lily S.
If I could give Aretha's zero stars, I would. I've been here before, and the food was good. Today I returned expecting a similar experience... however, I left so appalled that I feel I must express how awful it was- though no words could possibly do it justice. We waited to be seated for 30 minutes, then sat at a table without being approached for 15 minutes. In addition, a pipe from above was dripping on my head, so we had to move around the table. As soon as our "server" approached us, we ordered immediately. We then waited OVER an hour for our food, and the service was atrocious. The food arrived, tasting like it had been sitting out for half an hour, and some of the food was undercooked. When asking for to-go boxes for our food that took sooo long that we had to leave when it arrived, we were told "I'm not your server" and "your server wanted to leave so I don't know who your server is"... Though he was about 15 feet away from us the entire time. The service was totally unapologetic and unbelievably rude. Mind you, I work at a restaurant and tip very well... because there was no service to tip, I left nothing. If you want to leave feeling like you've been a nuisance and thrown away your money, go to Aretha's. Just buy the boxed pancake mix online or around Chattanooga. You've been warned.
(1)Jay M.
Yes, the service is realllyyyy ssslllllooooooooowwwwwww..... but the food and coffee rocks and the atmosphere is awesome. If you are reading this and you haven't been to Aretha's yet, go, but make sure you have time and patience. This is NOT a good place for type-A personalities looking to get in and out with a full belly. This is for people who are willing to wait for a good thing. You will likely wait to get a place to sit (it took ten minutes on a Sunday morning for me to get a seat at the bar). You may need to ask for the menu (don't be afraid, they don't bite!). You may need to call them over to place your order. And you will wait for your food. But it is all worth it. Just be zen... relax... take in the cool stuff on the wall or watch the TV or play with your droid/iphone/blackberry or (gasp!) talk to one of your neighbours at the bar. Then enjoy. I had the shrimp & grits and it was perfect after walking across the Tennessee River from downtown on a cold December morning. On my way out I was offered a coffee to go to keep me warm on the walk back. Despite being slow the service was very friendly and considerate.
(5)Kevin W.
Rachel Ray is so hot! Now that that's out of the way, on to the review! My eyes first widened to the Irish Cue Ball - Guinness with vanilla ice cream - an adult milk shake. (They also have Guinness with two shots of espresso.) Sadly, they were out of Guinness, so the waitress substituted Highland's Black Mocha Stout - not as bitter and delicious - a perfect complement to lazing on the porch on warm summer nights. YUM-O! I should have never asked the waitress what's good - my stomach was bigger than my stomach. I ordered the shrimp and grits - Charleston-style - shrimp, bacon bits, and peppers with a spicy red sauce and oozing cheese. The biscuit was huge! The super thick 1-inch pancake ended up being taken home, but the few bites I got in were YUM-O!
(4)Tilia M.
We went there just yesterday, visiting from Atlanta for the weekend. The inside of the restaurant is small and has limited seating. If you're anything like me, you don't want to come out of an eatery smelling like food, so, outside on the porch area may be a better option for you on a nice day. Cons - their VERY limited seating, and, while you'll probably be seated pretty quickly, your meal will take FOREVER to get to the table. We only ordered pancakes and eggs and bacon, and it took around an hour and a half to be served. Good thing we weren't starving when we got there! And, just before we were about to raise hell, the food came! Pros - the food and atmosphere. Definitely a local cool, hipster kinda vibe. Classic rock like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles played....kinda all reminds me of Flying Biscuit in Atlanta. Pancakes were amazing, as was the bacon, homemade biscuits and apple butter. Our waiter was pretty entertaining too. I'd visit again, but be warned! The service is average at best and slow!
(4)Autumn S.
Very packed, I liked how they have the place decorated and the attitude behind it and the servers. However it is a super long wait with instant tasting coffee and the biscuits taste like frozen premade biscuits. Outside of that I enjoyed my experience being I knew it would be a wait when I first got there.
(4)sterling h.
An hour wait for an average pancake and spicy grits? No thanks!
(1)Sia G.
First things first. Be prepared to wait.... for a while. But they'll give ya coffee while you wait! This place is tiny and also kinda off the beaten path in the North Shore side of the river in a residential area. Come hungry and prepared to hear an eclectic bunch of good tunes, stare at the awesome band posters and random art on the walls and ceilings and maybe get acknowledged by your server. I've had good and bad service but I'm really here for the pancakes/waffles which are ridiculously huge, yummy and why we come right?! You might get to sit at the ms. pac man table---bonus! I like the patio and porch seating too and how this place reminds me of Athens, GA.
(4)Margaret L.
Terrible service but seriously and consistently great food! I have eaten at Aretha's countless times and loved everything. Pancakes are obviously delicious - most Chattanooga grocery stores sell the mix - the omelets are good and if you've never been before make sure you get a biscuit and top it with their apple butter! You won't be sorry.
(4)Reba Jean B.
These pancakes are the very best I've ever had, I swear to you. Had them with blueberries and very glad I did. The service however, was slow and irritating, making us move from our chairs while she did inventory. The place is very small offering just a few tables inside and a bar. If you are ever in Chattanooga GET THOSE DAMN PANCAKES just have time for sllllllllllllllloooooooooooooowwwwwwwww service. 5 star food 2 star service.
(4)elvis p.
I know that I have nothing to say about this dump that hasn't been said for years, but the absolutely horrible service constitutes a milestone. Just sitting there at 8 in the morning when there are no other customers and waiting waiting, waiting for someone, anyone to wait on you is quite an experience. Waiting another 30 minutes for bad coffee. There are still no other customers. The low-skill, fashion-victim waitstaff are still standing around, dreaming of the next bong hit. An hour and a half after that phase, two pancakes come. They're already cold. I just give up. There is no hope for this place. I steer visitors to Chattanooga away in hopes of sparing them the trauma.
(1)Chris Y.
While the food at this place is amazing, the time it takes to get it is not. We waited 30 minutes to be seated and then another hour after we ordered. This restaurant needs a place with a bigger kitchen and more seating. There were no updates from the staff about the status of our food. We were left guessing until our food arrived with no silverware. As we asked for it, we noticed the staff hurriedly washing it "fresh" for us in the bar sink...... Once we actually got to eat, the food was amazing. The biscuits are huge, and the pancakes are like layers of cake!
(2)Sandy S.
Went with my hubby and four kids. The "host" told us it was a 45 min wait. He told everyone that followed the same thing. We even said with two little kids we can sit them on our lap and sit at a four top table...after the first hour. One hour and 45 minutes later I repeated this after seeing two people sitting at a four top. He had to go ask permission to see if he could seat all of us at a four top. THERE ARE ONLY FOUR TABLES AND A BAR...where did he ever think he would seat us if not at the four seat table? Were we to wait for two tables to leave at once? Or the entire bar to be done at the same time????!!!!! Absolutely NO thought to ensure my family would be able to eat. Had to leave and went to City Cafe instead who sat us quickly and didn't keep us hanging around without service. Unless you have all morning to wait for a table for two, there are lots of other places with pancakes! Don't even bother if you have kids. SKIP IT!!!!!
(1)Kush S.
Very good food with below average service. Hash browns are to die for and so are there biscuits. Space is a problem in winter times and you will have a hard time figuring out where to sit and when. One of my fav for breakfast but go late or else you will have to wait long time for table and then food. Big parties will have a hard time finding a place to sit, one or two is excellent. not more
(3)Jonathan M.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The omelette was incredible, I had the Mexican omelette with a biscuit and the potatoes. The potatoes were delicious as well. Some of the biscuits I've ever eaten. The only knock was the wait, it's a small establishment so it's nothing against the staff. I'll be back just to eat at this place.
(5)Victoria C.
Good food but be prepared to wait half the day for it. Service leaves alot to be desired.
(2)Antony C.
On first encounter, I found the eclectic decorations and slightly loud music pretty cool. We got lucky in getting a table as the inside had very limited sitting. We were there in the morning for breakfast so a bit brisk for sitting outside. Other than the bar, there were only about 4-5 tables. Our order was promptly taken. But THEN, we waited...and waited...and waited. It took 30 minutes to get our food. Taking into consideration that we came at the tail end of the breakfast rush, I was very unhappy. To make matter worse, I noticed a table that came in 15 minutes after us actually got their food 5 minutes before us, which is one of those things that really tick me off! I has ordered the steak and eggs, hoping the long wait would be worth it. Don't hold your breath. It was called a flat iron steak, described as a hybrid between a sirloin and a filet. I've eaten a lot of steaks, and there is no such thing. The way it tasted, it was more like a pounded down steak plus meat tenderizer. Perhaps there may be some other things on the menu. But if you're looking for food other than carbo loading, you'll have to look elsewhere.
(2)Mardi C.
I was tipped off by friends who used to live in chattanooga, to come to this joint, and have breakfast. most notably? pancakes. what a great little kitchy spot. playing surf music, with all kinds of great stuff on the walls, and wonderful decor. a nice patio out front for outdoor seating, and a nice selection of brews. we asked the server if pancakes? or waffles? he said waffles, so waffle it was. we also got a side of eggs, and some bacon, and some grits. the waffle was scrumptious. we didn't want to overeat, so we got just one, and then the sides. the rest of the order was straight up too. we had a lovely conversation with him, and we bought a tshirt. we would've like to eaten outside, but we arrived at seven thirty am, and were told the patio doesn't open til nine. it is a residential area, so no worries there. we had our dog with us, so that would've been nice. but it wasn't too hot out, and it was overcast, so our pooch remained in the car. there was some great stuff on this menu. I could spend many moments in here, trying new things. some mexican, some traditional breakfast, shrimp and grits, and great sandwiches, and they do stay open late. next time we pass through? we'll be back. great experience!
(4)Valarie C.
If I could give a negative star, I would. We were here 2.5 hours for a pancake. NOT happy. Go to Blue Plate, they serve Aretha's pancakes, and you don't have to wait all day for it. And you'll actually be treated with respect. Went here once b/c of crazy Rachel Ray, will never go again. And I live a couple of miles from the place.
(1)Brandi N.
Always a long wait for your food, but it's not a big deal if you know ahead of time to never come when you're already hungry. The pancakes are HUGE which in my opinion, doesn't work out. Although the batter they use is fantastic, I think their size is their downfall because they never seem to cook properly. Every time I come here, my pancakes usually come out over done and kind of dry, or deliciously cooked but the middle is still batter-like. Kind of a bummer because I think they could be really awesome pancakes.The service is pretty hit or miss, too.
(2)Kat W.
Aretha Frankenstein's is something of a local secret, located right in the middle of a gentrified old neighborhood across the river. The food itself is pretty darn delicious, at least everything is on the breakfast menu I've tried. They have lunch selections, but the real reason to eat here are the pankcakes and waffles. Mmmmm, dem waffles. If this is your first time, don't get anything else. And honestly, Aretha F's only specializes in breakfast offerings - if you want quesadillas, go to a Mexican restaurant. If you want sandwiches, go to a deli. This place is all about the fried dough and sugar, baby. Be advised, though - weekend mornings/early afternoons are the WORST possible time to visit. The place is insanely tiny, seating is limited, and this is a kitschy restaurant that serves PBR all day located in a college town in a middle of a hipster-populated neighborhood. You do the math. So, unless you want to play "spot the 19-year-old with the tight pants and hideous old man beard" while you are crammed behind the last available table waiting over an hour for your food, don't come during peak hours. If you plan on coming with a group... good luck. They serve breakfast all day, so this is more of a "pancake cravings at random hours" place for me. But definitely worth a try if you're specifically suffering from waffle withdrawal. MMM, WAFFLES.
(3)Kristen C.
Great service and food. Had the Jabber omelette while husband had the elephant Gerald waffle with a scoop of ice cream on top!! Food was delicious!
(5)Nick A.
Aretha Frankensteins is "real" local flavor. Took me 10min to park, 45min to get seated, and 20min to get our breakfast. Worth every minute of wait. The food was fantastic and the service was all very friendly. The atmosphere is very relaxed, Within minutes I felt like I was having breakfast with family. I would recommend Aretha's to anyone in the Chattanooga area with a taste for good eats and a little bit of patience...
(5)V L.
Not worth the wait! Not good for kids. Waitstaff looks dirty. No paper towels or soap in bathroom. Sticky bottles of syrup! No maple syrup or fresh squeezed orange juice. No fresh fruit on menu! Carb overload. The biscuits were pretty good but not worth the 30-40 min wait to get food! Too much cheese in shrimp and grits...and I found a hair in my food! The health department needs to come and shut this place down! Never again...if you have 2-3 hours to kill for breakfast and you just don't care about service then you might like this place. We thought it was below average. Apparently Rachel Ray gave it a high rating but what the hell does she know. Thumbs down....just left I feel sick!
(1)funda k.
The food is delicious, my husband and I were there two days in a row, on our 3-day trip to TN. First day we were there bright and early, hardly waited for the food, and boy, it was delicious. The hipster wait staff yapped at us, because my husband walked into the restaurant with an empty cup from Starbucks and asked him if he could throw it in the trash for him. While I think the yapping was uncalled for and kind of dumb, the other waiters put the inappropriate waiter in his place quite quickly. We liked the food so much, we said we'd be back the next day. The next day, we were there a little later, we got seated immediately and hear this : waited for 2.5 hours. I would have not waited that long if I weren't hungover, if we had anything better to do, if I had the patience (and tools) to look for an alternative place, and all of the above. We drank a lot of coffee and waited. Look, I get they cook everything from scratch, and fresh and all. But 2.5 hours for pancakes and biscuits. Seriously? I will be surprised if they last for 2 more years with this business model.
(3)Emily D.
We were very excited to eat here while visiting Chattanooga. Went on a Sunday morning. There were a few people waiting outside to be seated, and we were told it would only be about 30 minutes for a seat. After waiting 1.5 hours (and checking in with them several times) we finally left. Wish i could tell you how great the food was, but we never got that far. Don't think i will bother wasting my time for another try. We went to FoodWorks and were seated promptly and brunch was wonderful.
(1)joel n.
Damn, this is the best breakfast place! Not just in Chattanooga, I mean anywhere! The bacon egg and cheese biscuit will clobber you over the head with its awesome tastiness. The waffles and pancakes will probably do the same and then knock you back down when you try to get up. The place burned down but rose from the ashes like the phoenix that it is. After i moved away from Chatty I missed the food here big time and desperately want to go back. Some times there is a wait, but that's just because like Diamond Dave said, "everybody wants some."
(5)Kim M.
We went in July with a group of friends-- altogether we had 6 adults and 4 kids between all of us. We got there around 10 a.m., and waited about 30 minutes for a table. The restaurant is VERY SMALL-- not a lot of wiggle room, but we were so hungry we didn't care. Service was reasonable, the wait for our food was a bit long-- but the place was packed (inside AND outside on the patio and deck area). I split the waffle with my son-- it is DELICIOUS. I regretted splitting the dish. My friend got the Waffle of Insane Greatness and it did not disappoint. VERY, VERY delicious. The french toast is HORRIBLE--- if you like a heavy, heavy cinnamon tinge to your french toast, fine, but we didn't. My hubs got the Philly cheesesteak and it did not disappoint-- VERY good. I would definitely go back.
(4)Cole B.
awesome.
(4)Jonathon S.
Stopped in for a beer and a bite on a Saturday evening. It was small, had a laid back vibe to it. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, good prices. Wouldn't mind visiting some time for a full breakfast.
(4)Robert S.
Get a Guinness with a shot of espresso added, a slimstack of blueberry pancakes, and an order of home fries (all fried up with jalepenos and onions) and whoa... This is just about impossible to beat. The only bad thing about this place is that it needs to be about twice as big. As it is, it's nearly impossible to get seated at peak times. If you want to go on Sundays, especially, you need to get your butt there early. Would add an extra star if I could since they have a Mrs. Pac Man machine inside too.. +5 awesome points.
(5)Byron W.
Cute place, great pancakes. Rotten service. But maybe that's part of the allure. Going on a Saturday? Get there before 9:00 or you'll wait.
(2)Marisa S.
After having the Aretha Frankenstein-recipe pancakes from Blue Plate the night before, I convinced my bf that we just had to check out the real thing on our way out of town after Thanksgiving. I got the pancakes (again! even though I had just had them for dinner the night before), he got the Mexican omelette, we both had coffee, and we were very happy with the whole thing. It was Saturday, and it helped A LOT that we got there before 9, as it was raining and we would have been out of luck if the place was any more crowded. We liked the decor and overall vibe of the place -- it seems like a great place to hang out in nice weather, especially the outside area. If you're hungry, I suggest coming early though -- I can see how this place can get crowded fast. Now, off to the website to order some of that delicious pancake mix ... mmmmmmmm.
(4)John T.
Rachel Ray came here when she came to Chattanooga about 4 years ago. The business burned to the ground about 18 months ago but the owner built the cafe back on the same spot. I had never heard this place before I saw it on her show. This place is located in a residential neighborhood on the North Shore. It is amall and very quaint with a good selection of beer on tap. The waffels are excellent and they have a good selection of breakfast stuff and sandwitches for supper. Well worth the hunt. Parking is not abundent, but you can generally park on the street.
(4)Michele R.
This is a neat place. You do have to look for side street parking. We went on a late Saturday morning and was lucky to grab a seat on the patio right away. We were prepared for a wait per other reviews. The service from the staff was wonderful, although we did wait about 45 minutes for food. Knowing there would be a wait made it tolerable, but I definitely would not go here hungry. They still checked with us often until the food came out. We got the Sodbuster with gouda cheese and a side of fried potatoes--yum and 2 pancakes--yummo! The pancakes were very cake like and are by far the best I've ever tasted. This was more than enough food for 2 people to split and our bill was less than $15. The pancakes was worth the trip for me. We got back several times. Definitely recommend going during the week rather than on the weekend. Also, we picked up a box of the pancake mix and it's NOTHING like the real thing. Don't waste the money on the mix, you'll be disappointed.
(4)A F.
Great food. Extremely casual. Only eat here if you have time to relax.
(4)Erin L.
Best pancakes ever and a cool little house. The service can be very poor. But the breakfast is huge and delicious.
(4)Dennis H.
This place is located in a residential neighborhood, so parking is tight. The place is cute but extremely small. Expect a 45 minute plus wait on weekends. The service was ok, but not the best. I gave an extra star because the hostess was understanding of my pregnant wife and got her a biscuit and me a cup of coffee when we were waiting. The food was above average, but not worth the wait.
(3)Leslie D.
Still one of our all-time favorite places - sometimes we drive up from Atlanta just to drop in here. On our most recent trip, they were out of waffle mix, so I ordered the pancakes, which usually are not my favorite thing. But, these were amazing! and so big - I ordered a short stack (2) and couldn't finish them. My husband always gets the shrimp and grits and loves them. He has never found shrimp and grits that could even touch these anywhere else.
(5)Miriam M.
Stopped here on our way from Atlanta to Nashville. It was a little out of our way but totally worth it. The place itself is very quirky and cute but incredibly small. There's like 4 tables and a bar inside. Outside there's 4 tables and some bar type seating. I only had the pancakes and grits. I added pecans and apple butter to my cake and it was fantastic. The pancake itself was thick and hearty, (if you're from the Nashville area I must say they're 10 times better than the Pancake Pantry). I've never had grits before but I have seen them and these grits were savory and tinted red because they add hot sauce and cheese. There may have been grease lining the bowl but they were delicious. Staff was very friendly too. In terms of the wait time I can't comment bc we went early on a random Tuesday but I can definitely see how such a small and popular place would be annoying while waiting for a table.
(4)Stasha S.
Absolutely delicious with great service. Every minute spent waiting was completely worth it. I would write a longer review but I'm slowly passing out from a foodcoma. SO good
(5)Vanessa O.
New to the area and stumbled upon this place by accident on a Friday afternoon. Wasn't packed at that time, plenty of seats indoor and outdoor. No one greeted us we just walked in grabbed a seat while the waitress was finishing up some other tables then she came right over to ask for our drinks and gave us menus. I had the French Toast which had tons of powdered sugar on top and I believe it was brown sugar crusted to the bread. They were good but a little too soggy for my liking. My son had the 2 pancake order, they were delicious. The syrup gets soaked up pretty quick though. The overall restaurant was laid back and had cool art work. It did have some flies near the windows and the chairs weren't too comfortable. I'd go back again, but from reading other reviews I'd go on a week day again and steer clear from weekends. Also to add there didn't seem to be parking since it was in a random neighborhood so I just parked next to someone's mailbox.
(4)Victoria D.
PRO's we got the last table and it was made from an old pac-man arcade which was really cool, the decor is awesome and the place plays good music. CON'S: food was bland, biscuits are super dry and the staff don't check on you very often. Also parking on a steep hill because there are only a few spots directly in front of the restaurant to park.
(2)Carolyn M.
Love it! My mom and brother went with me for a casual dinner. I got the spinach omelette, my brother got the bean quesadilla, and my mom got the pancakes. Truly the pancakes are as amazing as they make them out to be- very thick and flavorful. My mom and I aren't even big sweet tooths, but they are definitely good. Omelette was also good and potatoes and the quesadilla I thought was really good as well. Cool atmosphere as well. A+ (:
(5)Anthony F.
We waited an hour for a seat at the bar. The bar had not been cleaned when we were seated. 2 plates sat at the seats beside us for 20 minutes before any of the staff addressed them, even though people were standing outside waiting on a seat! It was another 20 before anyone took our order. While we were waiting on our food, we noticed a nice roach bug running around the countertop. He seemed to disappear. When our food finally arrived, we found the roach bug hanging on the ketchup container. He jumped off the ketchup and charged us!! We grabbed our plates off the counter, and the roach hid somewhere again! We yelled for the waitress. She came over, we told her there was a damn roach on the counter. She replied "yeah, it happens." Then she walked off!!! WTF??? Having been there 2 hours trying to get breakfast, we tried the food. It actually tasted good. Then we got a look at the cook and decided the roach probably fell off the kitchen staff. In summary, the staff looked terrible and could care less if they wait on you or not. The wait is ridiculous. The place is nasty. The roaches there are not afraid of the patrons. But, the food actually taste really good. Not that I would ever eat there again.
(1)Tom R.
Went for a Saturday breakfast and was very happy I did. There was a bit of a wait- about 10min -no biggie. Our server was on point and friendly. We ordered too much food, and I didn't want to stop eating once I got full... The pancakes are legit. Can't wait to visit chatt again and stop in.
(4)Tristan T.
A Good breakfast....only thing its not comfortable sitting at the counter...you do not have much of a choice...its packed. Breakfast was ok.
(3)C S.
There was 10 of us that ate here 3 months ago on a Monday morning. Now mind you, my daughter in law took us there (8 of us were from waaà y out of state), and as we drove to Aretha's, I thought we were driving to someone's house because we were literally in a neighborhood. The parking is street, wherever!! I was blown away by the décor. We had no wait time because it was a Monday morning. I ordered the short stack of pancakes, which is only 2, and I couldn't finish them. If you go here share your food. Great food, highly recommend.
(4)Sparkle T.
Anyone notice how there aren't many reviews from Chattanooga locals? That's because we avoid this place like the plague. Which is a shame! Aretha's is a fun little dive with fairly decent food. But the service is deplorable. Because of this uneven mix of food and service, the stars are split down the middle. The food is usually really good and the pancakes are huge. (You can buy the mix at stores, though.) Just a note - don't try to customize your plate. It won't happen. But still, everything comes out tasty. Now about why we now boycott Aretha's. My last trip to Aretha's was on a Thursday morning. We were only the second table there, and the server rolled her eyes when she saw us walk in and sit at the bar. After about a 10 minute wait, she brought menus and took our orders. I literally watched the staff hang out in the kitchen for 20 minutes pounding Red Bulls and Monsters before even firing up the griddle and cracking eggs. Once our plates were ready, I watched them sit there for another 5 minutes or so before our server brought them out...without saying a word. She never came back to check on us or bring us our bill. We finally just put some cash on the table for what we thought was about right and left. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day...but we haven't been back since.
(3)Ken C.
Stopped in on a Friday morning around 9:30a and had about a 30min wait. Staff were very nice but you need to be a bit assertive and catch someone to get your name on the waiting list. Food was served quickly and was very good. I had the waffle and my wife the French toast. Both dishes were great and you left full. Parking is a pain unless you have a small car. The full size truck I have took some searching to find a decent enough place to use. Worth the effort for a fun and unique Chattanooga locale.
(4)Connie M.
An eclectic place for the eclectic traveler. Awesome food! Our server was awesome too. I had the Italian omelette and it was very tasty and packed with flavor. Everyone enjoyed their food. I would have does give stars but the men's restroom was out of order so all patrons had to share the women's. Add to that, no paper towels. The decor was fun! The cat head biscuits! Yum!
(4)Q H.
Cool place that's is definitely worth the trip if you're in town and looking for a hip place to breakfast. I have always stuck to the egg and biscuit side of the menu when I've gone, and the food is good but not great -- heavy on the cheese, light on the seasoning. I cannot speak to the pancakes, but I know that they look amazing. The service is pretty slow, but they're friendly and serving up plenty of hot coffee. Definitely worth the trip if you're in the area and need a solid comfort/hangover breakfast.
(4)Sam A.
Came here for a late lunch. The food was great - hearty, filling, and delicious. The menu was much smaller than expected, which was disappointing at first, but the quality of the food is top-notch. Our server came to check on us, but with only 2 others at the bar, did not give us much attention. The place is a little dim inside, and not as decorated in the Halloween/Zombie type theme as the outside. If I ever stop in Chatt again, wouldn't mind coming here again.
(3)Mary S.
I was looking forward to going there. First it was hard finding a spot but eventually we found one. Second we had a 45 minute wait. Although there was plenty of seating outside, the guy taking our names said there isn't enough cook staff to accommodate outside. What ever that means. Third while we were waiting I noticed people before us that have been waiting get up and leave. Finally they called our name. Once inside I noticed the cool atmosphere and thought it was going to be a good time. That changed when a young waitress was rude to us when we asked a question. She smarted off her answer so loud and condescending that everyone in the restaurant got quite. I understand she's young but really? That made me upset, it was a downer since then. The food was good but the staff needs an attitude change!
(2)Matt H.
Wow! I am a loyal DDD viewer and try to find the spots while on the road. This was a hit! It took about 30-45 minutes to sit and we were there at an off time, but it is well worth the wait. Pancakes are crazy good (even the next day heated up). The grits, they score a 5 alone!!! Great staff as well; everyone was friendly and took very good care of you. Will go back next time I am in that area.
(5)Anita G.
Tiny place - expect a wait. Very funky and laid back - don't go if you are anticipating efficiency in your dining experience. Do go, however, if you want some amazing pancakes. I am so glad I ordered the short stack! They're the fattest cakes I've ever seen. Delicious. The hubby got a shrimp omelet and we also ordered a biscuit and gravy since many raved over them. I wouldn't order the biscuit and gravy again but everything else was great.
(4)Katie H.
Just ate at this tiny, local spot for the first time. It was alright, but we won't be returning. There is only seating for 20-25, so keep that in mind. Perhaps we've gotten spoiled by restaurants that offer fresh and healthy ingredients, but we weren't impressed by the offerings at Aretha's. My husband got a waffle, which was fair; I got the spinach and feta omelette (which was made with frozen, tasteless spinach) and it was too greasy and not near delicious enough to finish. We also ordered a latte, which seemed to be an afterthought. The atmosphere is fun and the staff was real nice. Try it out for yourself and see what you think.
(3)Bethanie M.
The biscuits and gravy are the best I've ever had! The wait can sometimes be pretty long, depending on when you go. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday at noon and got a seat at the bar fairly quickly. However, it seemed that larger groups had quite a longer wait. The food is wonderful and the wait staff is great. The music was weird... A lot of random screemo. And it was pretty loud for a Saturday afternoon. Despite the noise, I'd definitely come here again and recommend it to all my friends.
(4)S C.
I really wanted to like this place. I had heard of it since before we moved to Chattanooga. I read the reviews and knew we'd probably be in for a wait but that it would be worth it. Well, it wasn't worth it. The food was terrible. It's really too bad because the place is cute. We were seated pretty much right away (we got there around 2 p.m. on a Saturday). The waitress took our order fairly promptly. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. And the servers were walking by but not looking at us and not checking on us. I at least wanted to get a drink since we had already been waiting 45 minutes for our food. Someone on the patio was smoking a cigar, and the smoke was coming through the window we were sitting at inside. The waitress finally came back just before our food came out. I asked for a cider and my man asked for the sweet tea he'd ordered when we ordered food. She had forgotten, and she apologized. Then our food came. It was an hour after we got there. My breakfast burrito was bland and the potatoes tasted weird and burned. His "hoagie" was a hot sandwich doused in vinaigrette. Neither of us ate much. The waitress did apologize and offer to take the sandwich off the bill. We took a $10 coupon with us instead. I will give it to a co-worker.
(1)Grant L.
You know all those reviews about this place that complain about the piss-poor service here? They're being kind. Yes, they do serve good pancakes, but I can buy their pancake mix at any area Bi-Lo or I can go to Bluegrass Grill and get a top notch breakfast at a very fair price *and* the staff is super friendly. Aretha Frankenstein's has been around for a long time and their reputation has constantly been deservedly crap. I honestly don't know how they've stayed in business this long.
(1)Elizabeth S.
Stopped by this morning. The employee that we spoke with was EXCEPTIONALLY RUDE. There was no way I was eating there after her horrible disposition. I will never go back. Just moved to the area for grad school and would recommend that you spend your money with someone who can slap a smile on their face & not make you feel like you are interrupting them when doing business.
(1)Leanne E.
I've been here many times over the years. It seems to have moved further and further away from clean. If you've never been to Chattanooga, sure, visit, get the "been there done that" t-shirt. Chattanooga is in a real deficit for brunch spots, but do take time and ask for suggestions.
(2)Lauren P.
Love at first bite! We went on a Saturday morning and had a 15 minute wait to sit at the "bar" but it was worth it. The biscuits are amazing, the cheesy grits were a delight and the pancakes were awesome! The pancakes were so good we bought a box of mix to take home a share with the whole family. After they tried them we had to purchase a case over the internet so our Georgia family could enjoy the experience regularly at home!
(5)Dan B.
Very good good Pancakes- awesome Very annoying music - loud and thumping (alternative style - nine inch mails and stuff) Employees think music is for them They are entitled to that, but may drive customers away (like me)
(3)Krud D.
Go there every chance I'm in Chattanooga! The best pancakes in the south... had Bacon, eggs, homefries, pancakes and biscuits and gravy last Saturday polished off with a Guinness! Great way to start the weekend!
(5)Hillary S.
Aretha's has some of the worst service I've experienced in Chattanooga. That being said, it's some of the most amazing food I've had in Chattanooga. I don't even mind the wait or lack of water in my cup. I typically order a pancake with a side of apple butter. It's absolutely amazing. I've never found a pancake this thick and fluffy elsewhere. It's got to be about 3/4 of an inch thick. Their biscuit and egg and biscuit and gravy are good as well. Their omelets are decadent. Elephants Gerald was a bit of a let down, not because it wasn't good, but because it wasn't as good as the pancake. However, I'm biased. It's a great restaurant, but you have to plan on a wait, especially for Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch.
(5)Chan V.
This place is small. Really small. The first thing I noticed coming in is the poor ventilation in the restaurant. I could small grease all over the place. It was suffocating to me. The place was cluttered with beer and juice stacked next to my table. The waiter was pretty cool though. I had The Marilyn which is like a toasted Italian sandwich. The potatos it came with was either burnt or supposed to be unrecognizable. It was potato and onions cooked in bacon fat. It was tasty but I can't eat anything I can't see. I wasn't impressed considering Aretha Frankenstein was one of the top rated place in Chattanooga. I left the place with my hair and clothes smelling like grease.
(2)Kyle P.
We went around 10:30 at night. One guy working it so it did take a little while to get food for 7 but we were all in no hurry and just enjoying the setting. I had the thickest pancake ive ever had and it a was so great. My wife had a cheese omlette that i tried and it was good too. The outdoor seating is the best part and it seemed pet friendly which is great for our us! Nice little hidden restaurant in a neighborhood to visit.
(4)Mike O.
The food here is. So. Good. But you will wait. So... . . . . . . . Long for it. But wait for it. It's worth it. They actually have a disclaimer on the menu basically warning you that you better carve out some time if you want to eat here. I ordered the breakfast burrito with cheesy grits and a biscuit. Two out of those three were among the best I've ever had. The biscuit may have been home made, but it seemed either a) pre-made and frozen or b) made from a can. The breakfast burrito was so insanely good. All I had in it was eggs, bacon, onions and tomatoes. It tasted like something anything you could make at home but was made PERFECTLY. The cheesy grits were also very, very, very GOOOOOD. There was cheese mixed IN with the grits of course, but also melted on TOP. So much gooey good cheesea;sdflaklsf;lkajsdfasdf. The place is a little hipster, which I think is due to the locale, so watch out for aloof affrontery slash irony. To recap: service so slow but so worth it!
(4)Kelly A.
The food is great, but the wait is really uncalled for. Ive been three times in three years (once every time we have visited chatt) and we will not be going back.
(3)Kenny L.
the food was great and the manager was very nice
(5)Cristy C.
My boyfriend and I were on our way to North Carolina from New Orleans... we'd been driving for about 10 hours, when I decided to check Yelp in Chattanooga to see what would be a nice place to stop by for breakfast. We got here around 8AM. I pulled up and thought it was such a cute little place. I definitely did not expect what I saw. It was a lot smaller that what I expected... which is no problem. It just took me by surprise. There is most definitely a grungy character to this place. It's not over the top and too decorated, but there was just enough for touch of Halloween-feeling. The table we sat at was actually a pac-man arcade machine turned into a table. Really cool! We weren't starving or anything, so we sat down, and luckily the menus were already on the table, because we weren't even greeted for about 5 minutes after sitting down. As I waited, I read more reviews about this place and found a reoccurring theme - long waits and slow service. So, I knew what to expect. I was not bothered by this because we weren't STARVING. Finally, we were greeted and we placed our order all at once. I also ordered pancakes, in addition to my traditional eggs, bacon, and potatoes because I also noticed that on Yelp. To be completely honest, I was not crazy about the food. The pancake was good, as most of the other reviews have pointed out. The potatoes were kinda weird. I don't know how to describe them... very dark, kinda dry, overly seasoned... eh. The biscuit was a little overcooked because it was very very dry. It was also HUGE. When I saw it, I was like OH YEAH, huge biscuit! Then I tasted it and it wasn't as good as I hoped. You can't really mess up eggs too much, so that was fine. The bacon was thick and crispy. Yumm. Over all, it was A-OK. The portions are large. Also, one thing I missed in other reviews that I think is very important for you to know is that the pancakes are not only large in circumference, but in thickness as well... very thick and cake-y. So one pancake may be enough to share. If you want to try the pancake and you're with two people, get your own meal each and share a pancake. Then it won't be too much food. Hope y'all enjoy. It was definitely worth stopping by.
(3)Justin P.
This is one of the best places, to eat in Chattanooga. All of there food is great. They have great customer service. The atmosphere is really nice and laid back. I highly recommend Aretha's.
(5)Ann L.
Best waffle I've ever had in my life. Done. Why no fifth star? Parking is difficult and waitstaff lack any sense or urgency whatsoever. Also, although it adds character to use Miss Pac Man as a table, I felt like a perv straddling the lady my entire breakfast.
(4)Joshua B.
I would review on the food but since we didn't ever get seated I will just review on the service. Be prepared to wait. A LONG time. hostess said it was a small wait of only 20 mins. That turned to 40 before we left after seeing our table be given away to the folks who got there after us who also were after our names on the list.
(1)Abby B.
My husband and I visited Aretha Frankensteins on our way out of Chattanooga. We'd had a great couple days exploring the city, and this seemed like the perfect, quirky local spot to enjoy our last breakfast! We arrived around 10:00 on a Tuesday morning and all of the tables were full. This wasn't surprising since the restaurant was VERY small. However, a waitress said we could sit at the stools out on the porch, so that worked out for us. The waiter and waitress that served us were very friendly. We didn't see them too often, but they took our orders right away and came by to refill our drinks a couple times. I ordered a breakfast burrito (filled with salsa, refried beans, cheese, and onions in addition to the eggs) and my husband got a short stack. My burrito was amazing and it was a TON of food (it came with potatoes and a biscuit). The pancakes were very good, too. We really enjoyed eating here and would probably do it again, but with the knowledge of just how LONG it takes to get your food. We waited at least 30 minutes for our two plates, so don't go here if you are in a rush! But as we said when we got back to our car, the food was well worth the wait.
(4)Heather S.
Look y'all the wait is long. Period. It is just the way it is and it sucks but if you don't want to wait don't come here. Secondly, it's not good for big parties and I wouldn't call it family friendly. BUT I love it and when I lived in Chattanooga went here almost every Sunday with a big stack of work. The food is good, the atmosphere nice, and yea the wait is long but I think it is worth it. If you don't, then don't go here. I have been here 30+ times and was never disappointed. Some of my favorites are the breakfast burrito and the waffle with ice cream Mmmmm
(5)D F.
Our party of five waited one hour for a table on a recent Sunday morning. I hear that's typical, something we found out later. We had an infant and two children in our party, so we made sure everybody was ready to order the moment we sat down, yet our eggs and pancakes took another hour to come out. Our server was nowhere to be found for most of that time, although when I left the table to calm our baby who'd had about enough, I did spot her out back smoking and sucking face with the grill man. Might explain the wait. No pancake is worth what you have to put up with at Aretha's.
(1)Jason G.
Waffle of incredible greatness lived up to its name. Biscuit and Italian omelet were good.
(4)Traci W.
This place isn't for the ultra-picky, but we loved it!
(5)Clint C.
We were excited about going to such a cool looking place. We got there and parking was a mess. But we found a spot and walked up to the restaurant. There are only about 5 tables outside and a few inside. We stood inside for a few minutes waiting to be acknowledged. We never were. We walked outside and sat on some stools on the porch. A server walked by us twice and never spoke to us. We decided to just leave. I would not recommend this place based on the complete lack of customer service.
(1)Ed W.
Traveling for work and sick of bad hotel breakfasts, I pulled out Yelp to find a breakfast spot in town. I chose this place because it seemed like a fun story to tell. Let me begin by stating the obvious: this restaurant is an experience. It was 830AM when I arrived. There was a table in the corner filled with 4 twenty-somethings, and they were drinking beer with their pancakes. I don't mean a Guiness to share, I mean 8 empty bottles were on the table. Smoking is not allowed in this tiny spot, but is encouraged on the front porch of this home in a residential neighborhood across the river from downtown. Jam band music was playing (blaring) on the sound system. It was tiny. Six tables of four surround a huge bar with five chairs. One of the two top tables is a 1980's Ms. Pac Man machine. There are four beers on tap. They sell PBR tall boys. With breakfast. After enjoying some coffee and taking in some great people watching, I decide to look at the menu. There is a warning on the front that food takes TIME to prepare and serve here. I believe it. One hour and ten minutes for breakfast for one on a weekday morning. I can only imagine brunch on a weekend. After chatting it up with the server, who was a really nice guy, I decide on the Italian omelette served with ricotta cheese, mushrooms, onions, Italian sausage, red peppers and a pinch of cayenne. Then I had to choose between potatoes and grits. My immediate thought: there is no way I am eating lunch. I went with potatoes, which had a clove-like flavor to them. There was also a gigantic and very buttered piece of Texas toast. I could not finish the plate. The restaurant is supposedly known for pancakes and waffles, and in fact, they sell a pancake mix and t shirts. Sadly, I did not buy any and should have. It would have made a fun Saturday morning breakfast with the family. When I go back, I will eat the pancakes as the omlette was was just OK (3 stars). But I gave the meal 4 for the experience alone. I spent the majority of the time talking to the server, watching the BBC late night talk show playing on the TV, or discussing music with the two band mates from Strung Like A Horse sitting next to me at the bar. They really made this experience a great morning meal. I would absolutely recommend this place for a fun meal in Chattanooga, but be warned: they serve beer for breakfast (if that is un-cool for you), they take a long time to serve you the food (1 hour for me on a weekday), and the music is quite loud (if you dont' like that either). I had a great breakfast and recommend it for all.
(4)Ron L.
I've used their pancake mix for a few years now and I was excited to finally get to ear there. Pancakes were awesome. Make sure you come with a big appetite as the portions are large. Also, this place is tiny so come early. There are only 4 tables and a bar.
(4)Anna H.
Food is incredible, and as you may have read, pancakes are out of this world. Try the Shrimp n grits too! As for the wait, yes, they're popular, deal with it. Don't go at prime brunch time if you don't want to wait.
(5)Chris H.
Nothing beats cold food and bad service like waiting 45 minutes for it! Look, I understand that you have a small kitchen and seating area, but I lose all sympathy when I can see the kitchen staff rotate outside one by one to take smoke breaks. Thanks but no thanks.
(1)Scot L.
I used to think the wait was worth it. That the sometimes lackluster service was worth it. That the pancakes were just so good that it was worth all of the flies swarming you constantly at no matter what time of day you dine. But after leaving Chattanooga and moving elsewhere, where sometimes the waits can be long for breakfast as well, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Waited 30 minutes or so this past weekend for a spot for 3 to open up, we knew there would be a wait of course (it was a Sunday morning at around 9) but if the weather is nice why aren't the patio tables used for dining. Why after finally getting a spot for 3 at the bar did it take another 15 minutes to get offered coffee, water or anything else? And this was after asking a few times to be told "Be right back." Once the order was finally placed it was 45 minutes before the food came, with no apologies or anything for the delay. We order simply, biscuit sandwiches, an omelot, and a couple of pancakes. How can our busy breakfast spot in Atlanta manage to be slammed every morning and deliver good service and food quickly. Aretha's has been open a lot longer than Homegrown in Atlanta but Homegrown delivers where Arethas fails.
(2)Albert V.
On a recent weekend trip to Chattanooga from Atlanta, my wife and I wanted to have breakfast before heading home. Wow! We are so glad Yelp told us about this place. First of all, it's tucked away in a residential neighborhood of Chattanooga, and secondly, the food and decor was unexpectedly super great. We got there at 9am and were amazed at how within the next hour or so, patrons continued to pour into this house-turned-into a restaurant to the point where it was overflowing with bustling activity. Pancakes were amazing and the waitress was kind enough to share some interesting tidbits of Aretha's history as well (I didn't realize there was a fire there a few years ago and they rebuilt it better than ever). Thank you Arethas!!! We'll be sure to visit you every time we come to Chattanooga!
(5)Mary P.
While you will spend your entire morning, perhaps afternoon, at Aretha's, it is worth your time! The small, cozy atmosphere is great for a lazy weekend breakfast or a quiet breakfast, lunch, or dinner during the week. The thick, fluffy pancakes can't be beat (although the box of Aretha's pancake mix is comparable).
(4)Katie W.
This place is amazing. We drove an hour out of the way just to come back. We got here first thing at 7 AM and there wasn't a wait, but expect to wait if you come later in the day. It is well worth the wait!!
(5)Michelle T.
Me & my husband ate here the night we got to Chattanooga for our vacation this week (04/13) and we really enjoyed it. We loved the decor & the service was really good. We will definitely eat here again the next time we are in Chattanooga.
(5)Molly B.
Aretha Frankensteins was my first Yelp App discovery while on a road-trip from Atlanta to Nashville. We were meandering to our destination and I wanted to find something other than a McDonalds, Burger King, Waffle House, etc. We stopped here for the name, and the fact that they would serve us breakfast and beer. Cute, hipster vibe when we walked in (a Friday night around 8). Too cold to eat on the porch, but luckily there was one open table left. The other reviews are right - this place is TINY! But they have a bar and a few tables and a porch when it isn't cold. I can't say that we had the same experience with service, though - our service was great throughout the night even though there was only one girl working outside the kitchen. Important notes: -Just because a beer is on the menu, doesn't mean they have it. They don't seem to keep a lot of "stock" at any given point, but that was okay with us because it got us to try something new and delicious. -The pancakes are HUGE. Three is way too many. Two may even be a stretch. -GET THE POTATOES. I still have dreams about the potatoes. I am thinking about driving to Chattanooga again this weekend for the potatoes.
(5)Mark W.
We tried AF because it was on the list of Rachael Ray's visits in the city. If you are a tourist and stressed for time, skip this one. If you are a local and have all the time, its fine. Breakfast was good, nothing out of this world (but we didn't try the famous pancake) and it took 55min for our two breakfasts to arrive on a Saturday morning. (We timed it on my iPhone after reading the 30+min warning on the menu.) Food was fresh as promised, hot, etc. Butter and coffee cream was in packets-something that I expect at fast-food, not at a breakfast specialty place. Limited seating in and out, quaint old house and its far off the beaten path. Wasn't a total waste, but we certainly wouldn't do it again or recommend to other out-of-town guests.
(3)Eliza R.
Every city I've ever been to has at least one quintessential breakfast-only institution that everyone obsesses over and recommends to other people. These places are so popular that it's nearly impossible to get seated in a timely manner and you have to wait awhile for the supposedly excellent food. Well, Aretha's is that place to Chattanooga, although perhaps slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, the waffles and biscuits are uh-mazing (!), but everything else on the menu is just average breakfast food - your basic egg dishes, meats and starches. It's really hard to mess up breakfast and there is nothing particularly unique about the place, so I can't get *too* excited about it. You'll definitely get hipster creds if you hang out there, though. Worth a visit if you're in town or new to the area!
(3)LaFawnduh M.
I was in town for just a day. I really wished I could bask in the friendliness for my soul and enjoy the low prices for my wallet a little longer. Being from NY/NJ, I was blown away by the NICENESS of the server and the low prices on the menu. I had the pancakes, sausage and chai latte. It was standard, but delicious. The ambience is very homey. It's literally on a block in the 'burbs...in a house. There is seating outside and on the porch. I enjoyed my meal here and I hope to come back someday.
(4)David O.
I'm thrilled for them for being so busy but after driving 2 hours to be ignored the bad taste In my mouth is not for the food because we never got a table or were even told when or if one might ever be available
(1)Suzy F.
First of all, let me say that when we went to Aretha's we were in no hurry and we were looking for a leisurely breakfast. Aretha's has 5 tables and bar seating inside. There is more outdoor seating in the summer. We probably waited about a half hour for a table, but I've had that experience at Cracker Barrel and Waffle House too. Our server was low key but helpful and brought our food and drinks without much delay. My husband ordered the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese biscuit and it came with fried potatoes for $4.50. He was pleased with his oversized and delicious selection. I ordered the Italian Omelet with ricotta cheese, mushrooms, onions, italian sausage, red peppers and cayenne. The omelet was giant and fluffy. I appreciated the choice of ricotta for my omelet, and I thought all the omelet ingredients were fresh and tasty. The omelet also came with fried potatoes and a biscuit for $7.50. The fried potatoes were just perfect (not soggy or undercooked) and flavored by onions and jalapenos . We didn't order the pancakes but they sure looked giant, fluffy, and delicious. We also noticed that they had an eclectic list of beers. We were both more than pleased with the food, atmosphere, and price. If you are in Chattanooga looking for breakfast, check this place out.
(4)Zeb M.
I fully support local businesses, but this one may be better suited for tourists looking for brunch or breakfast the next day unless you live in town and have the time to spare waiting. Although I didn't have their famous pancakes, everything else we had was good but nothing out of this world.
(3)Josiah R.
If you think the latest M Night Shyamalan film was good, you may think highly of the service at Aretha Frankensteins. If you somehow luck-out on a day where there are no other customers, after a 30 minute wait you may get to taste some killer pancakes, but you're better off just buying the mix and making it yourself. Generally speaking, this restaurant is a testament to the failure of market economics to weed out weak, inefficient, or incompetent businesses. The decor is cute. They have a nice patio. That's it.
(1)S W.
A quiet out of the way place the locals seem to adore, but I'm not sure why. The food was pretty good, but the 55 minute wait for our breakfast was silly. There is very limited seating (max 35 seats), so get there early, and have a snack to tide you over until the food comes. I won't be back.
(3)Raelinn D.
Love love love the food here, but the place needs a little organizational help. There is always an extraordinary wait and it takes forever to get the food. (Food is almost always worth the wait!) Today is a Saturday morning and I am perplexed that the patio is closed and they have a guy mowing and weeding on what is likely one of their best, busiest times of the week. Odd.
(4)Katya L.
I was drawn in by the name. Traveling allot, we are always looking for kitsch places to eat or get a drink. We had eaten at Mojo Burrito and saw posters for this place and decided to go to get pie and coffee there. It was a Sunday but contrary to what several people said , it was not busy at all. The waiter was a bit jittery and nonchalant. They only had one of the 2 pies, Pecan. Since I'd never had a restaurant pecan pie before I don't know what it's supposed to taste like but I just about had a seizure from the sweetness. The coffee (mocha) was ok, pie was good but, like I said, seizure inducing. The decor was pretty cool. I especially liked the death masks above the door. We will probably be back there before we leave town since we're only really comfortable at places with personality and will be here a couple weeks no doubt. Next time I will try the raved about waffles.
(3)Melanie J.
Great Food! Be prepared for a Long wait.... I waited over 1 1/2 hours for brunch turned lunch!
(3)Shannon L.
So to start, I was on a solo breakfast outing and was able to sneak in at the bar (right by the cash register so I was in a very obvious spot that could not be overlooked). The place was busy, and Jurassic 5 was playing and I was so excited to eat here after hearing so much about it from friends, Food Network, etc. A girl comes over and takes my drink order and then returns for my food order. I ordered three simple items off the single item section of the menu and after sitting there for 45 minutes with out even a simple "Hey, sorry it's taking so long your food should be ready soon." or "sorry for the long wait, we are short staffed in the kitchen" I got up and left (I left a couple bucks for my orange juice). I get it now. Everyone went out the night before, they got up, didn't wash their hair, put their plugs and piercings back in, grabbed a shirt off the floor and squeezed into their skinny jeans, rode to work on their fixies and are too cool for service. That's cool. I too am in the service industry and I tip quite well when it's deserved. Save yourself the trip and just go to Mojo Burritos and buy a few boxes of Aretha Frankenstein's pancake mix (it's cheaper there anyways).
(1)Elizabeth H.
A really funky atmosphere with nouveau southern cuisine.
(5)Coalee O.
this place kiksass! it's in a little cute house located in a cute neighborhood...the food, music, & atmosphere all blend together to create a super fun, eclectic place to eat!!
(5)Jeff I.
Tuesday morning at 8:00=no wait! I've never had pancakes so thick, so fluffy, so delicious. The bacon was cooked to perfection. My wife ordered the French stack and loved them!!! The potatoes had a nice seasoning, but were a bit too soft for my taste. I would absolutely come back!
(5)Judy V.
Visited the Chattanooga area over the weekend and stopped at Aretha Frankensteins and the Italian Omelette was superb along with the home fries and huge biscuits. The place is so neat and different that we loved. Aretha Frankenstein will be one of our go to places when we visit Chattanooga.
(5)Tyler B.
Great service. If not for the kick-ass Super Dave Scramble, the servers would have been my favorite part about eating there. They were kind and helpful and generally on the ball. I can't wait to eat there again.
(5)arlene d.
Very cute and hip. A little turned off by the hostess we had a group of 7 with 4 kids and she wanted to sit us inside and outside because there was not a table big enough. Seemed like they were in the weeds. Service slow then noticed hostess wrote on sign current wait for food 45-1 hour. Big portions but food was not the best got a breakfast burrito and cold in center maybe because it was so large.
(2)Cowboy B.
A neat little local place that's basically a college bar with a few tables. The people seemed super nice and the food was amazing but heed the warning about it taking a long time. It wasn't busy when we were there and it took about 30 minutes. I love that they serve breakfast all day. In fact, that's their specialty. The shrimp and grits seems to be the most popular dish and for good reason. I don't particularly like grits but they did the right thing by making it a base on which to deliver flavor. Best grits I've ever had and the shrimp was large and of good quality. The biscuits were excellent and huge... monstrous you might say. Parking would be a problem here if it was busy, since it's all on street and since it's the middle of a neighborhood, people who live there take up most of the spots. There is a small courtyard with tables and chairs so if the weather is nice I could see bringing my dog with me. Quirky and weird with slow service but great food. Expect college aged people who like to say the F word constantly to prove they're cool but otherwise know what to expect and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Jon D.
An unseemly spot in the unseemly city of Chattanooga. After an early drive in the morning from Nashville down to Atlanta, my sisters and I checked out this quirky little restaurant. It was pretty busy when we arrived around noon-time. The menu consisted of classic breakfasts and omelettes and pancakes and waffles, then the lunch menu of burritos and sandwiches of various sorts. Between the group, we tried a burrito, an omelette, and the "Waffle of Insane Greatness!". First, discussion must be made of the waffle. The waffle came out as simply a waffle with butter and syrup. I wouldn't quite call it insanely great, but a decent waffle (I suppose that the "Waffle of Decent Alrightness!" didn't fly as a title). The omelette also was of decent make and cookery. Good standard diner fare. The unseemly burrito ended up being the highlight of the meal. Unseemingly plainly wrapped in a flour tortilla, breaking into the covering gave a tasty glimpse into a very well seasoned and assembled burrito. Unusually good, in fact. Pros: Prices were quite decent. Food was decent to very good. Atmosphere is pretty fun and quirky. Cons: Service is very slow. Yes, there is a warning about the size of the kitchen right on the menu, but it even took a little while for us to get our waters and orders taken. It was pretty busy in the restaurant, so I see how these things take time, though.
(4)Kenneth S.
Despite Yelp saying this is kid-friendly, I will never take my kids here again when visiting Chattanooga. We were basicalky ignored and we got dirty looks from the staff when we showed up with kids. I travelled 20 mins to get there based on the reviews and despite being not busy they made us wait 15 mins before anyone came to our table. They made us seat ourselves, never gave us menus, and then the waitress had an attitude when we said we were leaving because we couldnt wait any longer for someone to help us. Plus smoking is every where.
(1)Mike L.
This is for there mail order pancake mix. I havent had the chance to visit here and i cant wait to but ive ordered there pancake mix twice now. I got 3 boxes each time. The pancakes are so good. They have a unique flavor and i cant wait to try the real thing some day.
(5)Go B.
Passing through otw to chicago and yelped this place...they are are soooo slow...but must have the ice cream guiness and shrimp and grits...well worth the wait
(5)Richard S.
I went to Aretha's yesterday with my girlfriend and some friends and it was a neat little place that's off the beaten path a bit. I went in believing that it would be like an IHOP or Waffle House on the interior but it's a very tiny little place with probably 5 tables inside and a bar with a few other tables outside. The service was a bit slow but the waiter we had was nice and understanding that it was our first time in the restaurant. I had a 4 egg and potato dish that came with a delicious homemade seeming (may have been) biscuit. They also had homemade applebutter that was very good. My girlfriend had an omelet and pancake and the portion sizes were large enough to fill us up but not too much to where we felt overly full. I also had a Guiness with 2 shots of expresso because I was tired from work and it definitely woke me up. The prices weren't too much either. You could easily go in and have a good breakfast/lunch for around $8. One of my favorite places now.
(4)Joshua S.
Upside: Best pancakes I've ever put in my face. Downside: Worst service in the city of Chattanooga.
(1)Shana W.
The food here is so amazing!! Best pancakes I've ever had and it only takes one to fill you up :)
(5)Hillery G.
We had a ricotta and sausage omelet which for me had too much ricotta, but it was fine. The real thing to get is the waffle of incredible greatness. We ate it with no butter or syrup because it didn't need any. I wish I lived close so that I could go again.
(3)Clint M.
Why do people take stars away for a long wait? It's well documented on here that you WILL wait a while for a table and you WILL wait a while for you food. Don't go when you're in a hurry and stop complaining. It's not IHOP- sorry your food won't be ready the minute you order it.. The food is well worth the wait. Great pancakes. Great biscuits. All around, a neat experience and definitely a must-go in Chattanooga.
(4)Denise K.
If your looking for a great place breakfast this is your place! My boyfriend had the shrimp omelette which was to die for, I had the scrambled eggs, bacon and grits oh and the strawberry topped short stack pancakes are the truth! You can get different toppings on the pancakes of course......but you may need help because the pancakes are HUGE! ....I would have never been able to finish those two pancakes by myself;-).
(4)Lisa K.
The staff here is very nice, BUT....the service is EXTREMELY SLOW. It took one hour from the time we ordered until our food arrived. Our drinks were never refilled and we were sitting in the hot sun. I wouldn't say that they were understaffed from what I could see and the place was at capacity. I've worked in the restaurant business and this was down right shameful. We saw three groups walk in and walk out. I wonder if the owners know how much money they are losing?
(1)melanie p.
i was on a roadtrip last month, and we found ourselves in Chattanooga. Starving, i found this place on yelp... and thank goodness! i got the pancakes... and they are a MUST! The omlette and biscuits were great as well. We sat on the patio- it was a weekday night- and enjoyed the atmosphere. It was totally laid back and enjoyable.... perfect way to end the evening. If i ever find my way back to Chattanooga, this is a must go!
(4)Bradley D.
What an amazing place. You'll drive down a neighborhood street to get here which is appropriate since this seems like a neighborhood place. The inside seating is very limited so on our visit my wife and I sat at the bar. I asked our server what her favorite was and without hesitation she suggested the shrimp and grits. What a great call! My wife got the Waffle of Incredible greatness and she agreed that it lived up to its name. I won't try to describe how great the meal was -- you'll just have to experience it for yourself. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)Jakeb C.
The food is hardy. You get your money's worth. The pancakes are almost an inch thick and have a light crunchy exterior like corn bread. The atmosphere is neat, a punk and vintage horror vibe. The restaurant itself is tiny, consisting of six tables and a bar in the middle that takes up the lion's share of the floor space. Be prepared to wait.
(4)Jim B.
While in the area visiting, we decided to try some place "interesting" for breakfast. We arrived at Aretha's around 9:30 am on Sunday. There were people outside drinking coffee. Went inside and it was full. Added our name to "the list" and was told the wait was about 45 minutes. We were given some hot coffee and we just "hung out". We were seated in about 30 minutes. We ordered a Slim Stack (2 pancakes) w/ Blue Berries and a Mexican Omelette with Fried Potatoes, a Biscuit and a Side of Sausage. The food came out in no more than 15 minutes. A lot faster than we thought it would. OMG - were those pancakes good! Best we have ever had. Seriously! The Mexican Omelette was good too - though a bit spicy. It has whole, sliced jalapenos in is. I was able to set most of the peppers aside and still have the flavor and some of the heat. HIGHLY recommend this place for breakfast.
(5)Dela V.
The biscuits! Omg, the biscuits! Everything was good. Best breakfast we've had since California. The pancakes are perfect plain. Don't add anything. If you have limited time, go elsewhere. Service is friendly. Kitchen is slow, but worth the wait.
(5)Eddie R.
Except for the wait, this place is like no other. Quaint, little house in the middle of nowhere. It s a great experience. Pancakes are, to die for. This is my fifth time here. This is a must do when in Chattanooga. We had a party okc seven this time around. Everybody really enjoyed the experience, the food, the atmosphere, everything.
(5)Alex D.
OK, so this review is going to be very short, and very sweet. See, many restaurants say that they have the "best shrimp and grits." Of course they are all liars, because only one place can really be the Best. In. The. Entire. World. for the exalted "Shrimp and Grits" dish. That place is Aretha Frankenstein's. Amen. Miss this place incredibly since we moved away from the 'Noog! Will definitely be back!
(5)Scott S.
Best pancakes I've ever eaten. We make pancakes at our house every Sunday with their mix, but they're nothing like getting them from the source.
(5)Joe G.
Amazing home cooking! Tiny restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood. You must have their pancake (huge), shrimp and grits (spicy and scrumptious) and their enormous biscuit. What a great find thanks to Yelp!!
(5)Kathleen D.
Well I'm not trying to brag, but our breakfasts came out in like 10 minutes. We had nary a wait. Helpful tip: Eat your breakfast at 10:30 PM, avoid the wait. Yeah, so that's why so lickettysplit. We were on a little road-trip with plans to stay over in Knoxville for the night, but wasn't sure what manner of grub would be open by the time we got there, and suddenly, scrolling, saw some hoarded bookmark from long, long ago... Hey Chattanooga, that's on the way... Hey, I saw those pancakes on TV... That's how it all went down. Pretty much always down for breakfast-for-dinner, so a quick pit-stop was made. If you are a fan of gigantic cakey pancakes, you will like what's happening here. Those are some giant cakey pancakes, is what I say. As my big mouth is always open to any and all breed of pancake, I liked em just fine. Pancakes, as you know, rule. Husband had some Polish Eggs, and seemed happy about them- a big big scramble of eggs, peppers, onions, mushrooms and Polish sausage. So kielbasy and eggs, served with potatoes (or grits) and a big ass biscuit. "Turn around and eat yo big ass biscuit!" Another thing to really consider there, Aretha Frankenstein's biscuits are quality. I thought they were just wonderful, just how a big ass biscuit should be. High karate. We ate breakfast here right before Halloween, in the middle of the night when everyone at the bar was drinking PBR and watching this bloody horror film starring Debra Morgan. I'll tell you something, that film, oddly engrossing. Aretha Frankenstein's, I like the name. Cute place, good cookin. I liked the kitschy bar, of course. I think I saw a diving bell helmet. Points for that at any bar, as it instantly makes me strangely think of Scooby Doo for some reason. Old Scooby Doo is a happy place, with the occasional special guest. So that's fun. Aretha Frankenstein's, we will be back to eat a lotta big pancakes and then, a nap.
(4)Ann U.
Small little place, easy to miss. Food is excellent. Who knew hipsters could cook so well!?!
(5)Abby D.
We attempted to eat here for a family breakfast, but we ended up leaving due to the horrible service we encountered. It was very cold outside, and two of the ladies in our group tried to wait inside while a table became available. They were told they had to wait outside. When one of the females explained that it was very cold outside and she would make sure she stayed out of the way, she was again told she had to go outside. When we asked the host to take off our name, he smiled at us for the fact that we were leaving. Definitely not hospitable or accommodating to guests. I am very disappointed in the poor service and rude attitudes we dealt with in our first experience at this place.
(1)Tony C.
We are from Anchorage AK and visit the area every year. Last year was the first time we had visited Arethea Frankinsteins and the breakfast was great. We visited a little later in the day this year, and was disappointed. First of all there were people sitting on the porch about 3-5 ft from the entrance who were smoking, and we had to walk through a cloud of smoke. Once seated and our food was delivered,the bacon was cold, the fried potatoes were cold and greasy, and the French toast was only so-so with too much cinnamon. I guess you shouldn't order breakfast around lunch time. It is debatable whether or not we will go there next year.
(3)Daniel B.
Here's the deal. It was almost midnight when I was passing through town...I wanted pancakes. I opened my lovely Yelp App...it gave me the information I needed to know Aretha Frankensteins was my destination. On my way, over the river and through a neighborhood, up a hill and around the corner. Seriously? A house in the middle of a residential area is a pancake joint? Yep. Inside the small place was a bar with a few hipsters...and a friendly host/server. I checked with the server that it was cool for me to order because it was almost closing time. He was very assuring that it was cool to order and hang out. I had my doubts. I ordered a couple of pancakes, bacon, and sweet tea. I was the only one without a PBR, but no worries. It took about 15-20 minutes for the food to arrive but it was worth the wait! Each pancake was about an inch thick and as big as a place. Needless to say, I ordered 1 3/4 pancakes too many! The pancakes were delicious and had a great texture. The cheap butter and syrup were kind of lame, but who cares...the pancake was awesome. The bacon was first rate. The kindess of the server and the cook kids treating an old feller like me with kindness, the pancakes and bacon...racks up 5 Stars. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Benjamin S.
This is a great restaurant. At first glance it seems crowded, but the food is excellent. The slim stake of pancakes are almost impossible to finish! The atmosphere awesome! Parking is worth it and prices are reasonable. Overall a great restaurant.
(5)Katie H.
came here one day for breakfast with my friends. even though there was barely anyone there, our order took forever, as in maybe 45-60min. in addition, there were flies everywhere, which is a huge turn-off for any food establishment. the only thing that redeemed all of this is their pancakes, which were so delightful i was upset when i was full because i wanted more. i'll probably come back from time to time, just not that often because the waiting time is ridiculous.
(3)Jon W.
OK, this was a hidden gem I stumbled upon while in Chattanooga. (I don't venture to TN too often.) This was an awesome place to go for an early breakfast that served up some delicious food, with some great service, and a dive-bar type atmosphere. The wait can get rather long, but I only had to wait about 10 minutes to grab a seat at the bar. I had a great feta/spinach omellete with a biscuit (yum), and some cheese grits that were the bomb (nice and spicy). Oh, and the drink prices are rather amazing. It is about $3 - $3.50 a pint for GOOD beer (yes, high gravity IPAs, Guiness, etc.)
(5)Tim V.
The best pancakes and waffles! Great biscuits. A must try for breakfast while in Chattanooga.
(5)Belinda B.
The down side to this place is the wait is longgggg. Takes a while to get seated and takes even longer to get your food that you're almost convinced they completely forgot about your food. Parking is a bit difficult. The seating side felt a bit cramped. They were out of this chai drink that is supposed to be their special, so I was a bit bummed out. I ordered a cafe mocha instead, but I didn't taste mocha, so I don't recommend ordering it. I ordered a mexican omelet, I think it was called. It was delicious. Would I come back here again? Yes, but only if I was having a lazy day and a ton of time to kill with good conversations and friends. BTW, people were drinking beer with their pancakes, so I'm not sure if this place would be good for the kids.
(4)Gordon F.
Ok, this is an experience. The overall culture and atmosphere is very laid back. Do not be in a hurry as you will wait. If you don't wait for a seat, small seating area, your server gets in no hurry but its part of the atmosphere. Great food! We went in for breakfast on a Sunday morning. We were fortunate that when we arrived there were 4 seats at the bar. After we sat down I asked the gentleman next to me if it was as good as I had read and he said better. The shrimp and grits were to die for. My son ordered pancakes and they were so think just 2 were as big or bigger then a normal 4 stack. From a distance you almost thought they looked like a piece of corn bread. The potatoes are done with Jalapeno's absolutely outstanding if you like a little heat. Overall we had a wonderful time and would definitely go back.
(5)Mark H.
Wonderful off the beaten path place to go to all in Chattanooga. The atmosphere may not be for everyone, But the food the price and comfort level are top-notch
(5)Tyler R.
I came here and ordered a slim stack of pancakes and was impressed by their thickness. These truly put the "cake" in "pancake." The only problem with this is that the pancakes tasted a bit too eggy. They were delicious, but had a closer flavor to French toast.
(3)Tony H.
We've seen the restaurant and always wanted to check it out. It's tucked away off a main road and always a hipster crowd with plenty of PBR nonetheless we went for breakfast. We arrived around 8:30 AM on a Saturday and timed it perfectly as a couple of seats opened at the bar. The atmosphere is pretty cool and funky with a hipster staff. Service was okay nothing stellar. I ordered one pancake as they are pretty thick. Wife ordered fried eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. The pancake was good not great and I tried the biscuit which was pretty good. I believe the kitchen is small which equates to long waits for your food which was the case for our visit as well. Wife ordered a latte and it wasn't that good. It was worth a visit but nothing that I would make a point of trying to visit again any time soon. There are other places we haven't tried that I'd rather check out.
(3)JimBob H.
Really enjoyed breakfast here. Best pancakes I've ever eaten and they're huge! Really liked the grits as well. Just be prepared to wait for a seat or go at off-peak times. Its a small house but the food is worth it and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)Kaitlin J.
Didn't even get a chance to eat the food here. At first it seemed promising: cute location, quirky name, eclectic atmosphere. When I first walked in there was really no recognition on the behalf of the staff. She barely noticed me and when I told her I had a party coming in she told me we could sit down. I informed her that it was a party of seven, which seemed to really bug her and she told me I had to wait until people left their tables. Obviously. I asked how long it might be and she rudely informed me that we could be seated whenever they got up and left. And still have me no timeframe. Upon further inspection eclectic became dirty. Flies were swarming the establishment and it just felt like it hadn't been properly cleaned in years. Needless to say I was so irritated by the staff and their carelessness, the flies and dirt put it over the edge. My party and I left, and didn't regret it.
(1)Chain B.
Great breakfast. Good service. The pancakes are huge. The breakfast potatoes have some sort of seasoning on them that I am not crazy about. They weren't bad. Just not my thing. The omelets are good. The shrimp and grits are good. The waitstaff was friendly. Didn't care for the coffee. Tastes burnt and was oversweetened with their syrup. I would go there again.
(4)Zach L.
Fantastic Pancakes! Very small location but the food is worth the wait.
(5)Glen H.
The best breakfast I've had in this town - get there early as they do not have much room and are almost always packed to the roof.
(4)Jarrod S.
The food is five stars. The pancakes are an experience. The coffee and chai tea lattes were delicious. The staff was friendly. But we arrived at 9:30 on a Sunday and left at noon. We waited 45 minutes to get seated, 20 minutes to order (at which point they informed us that they were out of waffles and biscuits, so half of our party had to quickly change their order while we had the waiter's valuable attention). Then we waited 50 minutes to get our food. The person next to us was seated a full 30 minutes after us but was served their food at the same time as us. That tells me that at least 30 minutes passed before the kitchen even started preparing our food. There were flies everywhere, and the air conditioning duct was dripping condensation on three of us throughout the whole ordeal, and not just a little - my lap was quite wet after more than an hour of waiting and eating. Overall it was worth going one time just to experience the panCAKEs. They are unbelievable. But we won't be back unless the kitchen gets their issues sorted out.
(2)Kim D.
Food is very good. Parking bad. They will serve people who order beer quicker than people who just order food. Service is very slow.
(3)Fanny P.
Extremely slow, bordering-on-rude service. Food is two-steps below Waffle House on a good day. Small kitchen, food may turn into compost before it arrives. Nothing to see here. Don't waste your time or appetite.
(1)Lyndi S.
This place is way too cool for school. And I don't mean that in a sarcastic, Zoolander voice. I really mean it! This place is awesome! Boyfriend and I came here to enjoy a feast. We even worked out hard in our hotel gym that morning so that we could pig out and not feel (as) guilty. Honestly, I didn't feel guilty for a second, because holy crap! Worth every bite. We waited about 25 minutes, but we knew it was worth it because the locals pounding PBR on their porch said so. And why would you not trust the preppy guy on his 5th PBR at 9:30am? It didn't take long to realize that AF's does something awesome. Their tiny kitchen spouts out awesome coffees, fresh biscuits, and pancakes as thick as your mom. Ooops, did I just throw in a your mom joke? Anyways, I enjoyed a SF iced caramel latte while boyfriend went big with the Irish 8-Ball - a Guinness with two shots of espresso. Are you kidding me right now? It doesn't get more "Brilliant!" than that. They also had Crispin on tap, which was out by the time I wanted to order my Black Velvet (half Guinness/half cider). Food wise, I enjoyed an egg/cheese biscuit, boyfriend enjoyed the biscuit/eggs/bacon combo, and we split blueberry pancakes. Holy crap. It was unreal! I can't even explain those fluffy pancakes with the crispy outside. Best pancakes I've ever had, hands down. Needless to say, we didn't eat again until dinner. And even then, I wasn't that hungry. If you want a breakfast that'll put hair on your chest, with a staff that will make you believe in southern charm again, Aretha's is your jam!
(5)Ronni W.
I'm a Chattanooga native, and I'm pretty obsessed with Aretha's. I love the staff and have never had an issue with service, granted I go later in the evenings for some breakfast or quesadillas. The quesadilla, refrieds, and a beer always hit the spot.
(4)Kevin R.
Great place pancakes are massive!!!! Also this is the first place I had an Irish 8-ball(Guinness and double shot espresso) it is delicious. Wish I lived in Chattanooga so I could regular this spot.
(4)Tricia M.
Took a detour into Chattanooga based in the reviews and pictures- LITERALLY the best breakfast we have had in years! I love a place that is fully committed to quality, warmth, flavor and getting it all right. This is the place. Omelets tasty and hot, potatoes so crispy and soft and flavorful, they have ruined all others for us, generous biscuits and the cheese grits... Well let's just say I'm going to experiment until I figure out how to do that! Might have to move here, or at least find more reasons to drive from Orlando north!
(5)S B.
Place inside and out was dirty. Kitchen towel used to wipe the table (as we were sitting) left table stinking. Coffee tastes as basic grocery store coffee at best. Shrimp had very bad taste. Biscuit was ruined in such a way that I have trouble describing - bad mix and improperly baked - this in a Southern state! Replacement toast had taste of old grill oil. Yet somehow this place seems popular. Hard to figure.
(1)Freideleen L.
I'm a late night eater so this spot was definitely on my "Must Checkout List" while visiting Tennessee. Thanks to tvfoodmaps.com for showing me the spots. Late night find... nice, quiet and cool little spot. A lot of Yelpers said that waiting would be an issue but this depends when you come. I came at night (about 10:30pm) so it wasn't an issue. There was a pretty good turnout for being in an unusual area (past downtown which wasn't popping at all). Bad thing about coming at night... They ran out of waffle mix. I wanted to try the Elephants Gerald... A Belgium waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, pecans in syrup and dusted with cinnamon. What can I say, I LOVE sweets but was sadly told "no-go." Pooh! Decor: Light blue building that is totally low key with a unique sense of style. Old school gold espresso machine that still works. TV encased in gold picture frame. Draft beer out of scuba head gear, pouring 3 drafts. Customized tables with Aretha Frankenstein (AF) logo. Awesome posters of different events and bands along with custom ones just for AF. Seating: Limited seating just like all the other Yelpers mentioned. To be more specific, there is outdoor and indoor seating available. Inside has 4 tables, seats 4 and a bar, seats 6 (I think?). Outside has bar stools on the porch area and 3 tables, seats 4 on the ground floor. Food & Drink: So I opted for the next popular thing due to the waffle snafu... pancakes with Maine blueberries. About 1" thick, they were light and fluffy. They tasted good but great? I'm on the fence but there is a distinct taste to them that does make them better than any Bisquick pancakes. Just add a little butter and syrup and that's all you need. Grits... After seeing some reviews, I had to try it. They were good with some hot sauce mixed in and a cheesy top. It took me a while to figure out what else was the flavor. My server filled in the blank, it's the hot sauce they have on the table top. Not super spicy but it does give it a little extra flavor burst. Sweet Tea.... For those with a sweet tooth like me. This was the perfect amount of tea and sweetness that just hits the spot. I believe it was 20+ oz cup so 1 cup was good enough for me. Chai Tea Latte.... Big chai lover so I just had to get a cup to go. It was good, a little on the sweet side though. I'm noticing a theme. Parking: Located in a residential neighborhood, there is street parking in neighborhood. Take your pick, park in front or on side streets. Service: Manned by 2 guys, front house & kitchen... Really friendly, nice and attentive. OVERALL: A great spot for a late night meal. It has a great ambiance with a great crowd. Lots of locals there pretty much until closing. So they have a loyal customer base. Reasonably priced, for all of the above it was less than $10.00. Since I had great service and they let me take tons of pictures, I doubled that as tip. When I get great service, I like to show my appreciation. So keep up the great work! If I have some time during the rest of of my trip, I want to see if I try the Elephants Gerald or Shrimp & Grits.
(4)Mark C.
Quaint, classic, and expressly fulfilling! Parking and serving space are a concern so be prepared to park up the street and wait a bit! It's worth it though : )
(4)Chase K.
I have been here once this past thursday, and I loved it. The cheesy grits are great, as well as the pancakes. Just a tip with the pancakes, they are fat height wise, so I got the slim stack (2 pancakes). They serve breakfast all day, too. All in all, this is a great place to eat.
(5)Matt B.
If there are more than four customers in the place and you don't want to sit on a barstool or outside, don't go. They only have four tables inside. If there is even a hint of rain and yet you wanted to sit outside, don't go. They won't serve you. I guess they don't want to get their funky hairdo's wet or something. And the dude behind the bar today definitely had some funky hair. If it isn't breakfast (which I've heard they do pretty well) and you want something besides American-made "Mexican food" or a fairly lousy sandwich, don't go. Their menu is pretty darn sparce when it comes to lunch or dinner. If your idea of a clean restaurant includes at least a passing swipe at the decade-old-looking cobwebs in the neon sign and the hardware above the door, don't go. Maybe they leave the filth up there in order to play into the "Frankenstein" theme, but gross. If you want decent service, and by decent, I mean at least a reasonable facsimile of giving a damn that you're a paying customer, don't go. These guys truly don't give a damn. Or at least they didn't today. To sum up, don't go.
(1)Darren L.
Truly one if the worst places ever. Truly. Ever. Food was high school cafeteria grade at best. Slower than Xmas . So many flies inside the restaurant that we asked our waiter to re-seat us outside. We should have run for our car when we had the chance. Pathetic. I could write pages on how bad this experience was . I won't. It sucked. Stay away.
(1)Jessica B.
We stopped in last Saturday night and had the best experience. There was no wait like I'd heard about the mornings, the entire menu was available to us and the staff was beyond compare. I had the shrimp and grits and my cousin had the Super Dave (I think). Both of us ate more than our fill then shared one of the pancakes. OH MAN! That pancake was way beyond delicious. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Andrew K.
Awesome atmosphere here - the feels' very much like some of my favorite places Austin. It's in a building that has a small house feel - lots of stuff random stuff on the walls, and a TV snuck inside a picture frame behind the bar as well. Just a heads up - music does blast pretty loud here. The service was friendly and helpful. Food here's like you'd expect at a good diner - where you can get breakfast from open till close @ midnight (yay - food that's available till late!). They've got sandwiches and nonbreakfast stuff as well. The waffles are great - very light and crispy - covered with powdered sugar. Biscuits were very good too. The only downside is the inside seems to have attracted a large # of flies - so we were fighting the flies - didn't have the cleanest of atmospheres... Despite the flies - this place is pretty awesome - worth a visit.
(3)Shawanda M.
The pancake. These are the biggest pancakes ever and they're so delicious. Boyfriend and I eat here a few times a month and it never disappoints. You will have to wait a bit for the pancake but it's well worth it. Other menu faves: the Trehugger sandwich. The trehugger has scrambled eggs, potatoes, jalapenos and cheese and it's all served on a toasted hoagie bun. mmmmmm. The service isn't always the best but for reason it doesn't really bother me here. If you decide to have a pancake be prepared to be sleep afterwards.
(4)Dean D.
"Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". This is a "Dive", in a good way. I'm going to ignore the long wait to be seated and the long wait to finally get served. After-all, the place has four tables and maybe 8 to 10 can fit at the bar but this is the kind of place that would be on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It has very cool character to say the least. The food is also outstanding. I'd have to say this is one of the best breakfast places I have ever eaten at. They also have a lunch menu and I'm sure the food is also outstanding. Parking is hell but it's all worth it. I had the breakfast burrito. You basically build your own. There are 7 to 10 different fillings and you choose 4. The Burrito is huge. It comes with a heaping portion of very tasty Jalapeño home fries and a huge biscuit. The biscuit 's and gravy looked great also. The pancakes are just enormous. I mean huge! The french toast is also very good. The bread slices are very thick, I just think they needed to be soaked in the egg batter a little longer, slightly dry in the middle. If you're really adventurous, try the Guinness with the shot of espresso, I hear it's actually pretty good. Finally, they have this espresso machine that looks like something out of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Pretty cool, I want one! Anyway, if you're looking for a quick breakfast you may want to try the City Cafe but the character and the quality of food at Frankensteins I think is something you need to experience at least once. Just accept the fact that things are a little on the slow side there and you'll be OK. They do have outdoor seating and in the summer this is a great place to come and just hang out, drink good beer and eat good food with some very interesting people.
(4)Greg O.
I got a kick form reading many of the reviews on this place because some hit home and others, I could forsee based on observation while I was there. I gave it "any" stars because of its food. The food was excellent! I've never had a breakfast burrito that was so tasty..... their side potatoes and biscuits were also spectacular. While I could care less about Rachael Ray or food network stars' opinions, I see why there is hype around their boasting of her reviews. Keep in mind, YOU WILL WAIT FOR THE FOOD HERE! My wife and I went on a Monday morning @ 10am and the food still took around a half-hour. There was also a consistant crowd marching in and you could tell the waitresses would get flustered if people came in around "smoke-break" time. My wife and I actually got lucky, as our waitress was helpful and friendly for the most part. She did try to take my food away from me while I was still eating but I understood, she was just trying to rush me while a new flood of customers came in. Seating isn't Frankensteins' strong suit, and it might even be their number one issue as to why locals and vistors steer clear of here. If you can put up with the painfully awkward hipster service and you get here at the golden moment to get seated, you may enjoy the best breakfast you've had in a while!
(4)Goh H.
Found this from Thrill list, I ordered polish eggs with pancake, it was good, the coffee is normal. The pancake is really thick and smell good! This is the first pancake that I ever had in my life without needing any syrups. Although, polish eggs taste good, but it was too oily. Food wise it deserved a 4 stars, but it was disturbing seeing so many flies wander around beer draft tap, so I decided to give it a 3. The place doesn't have a lot of seats, so please do expect longer waiting time if u are going in a group.
(3)Melissa K.
Rolling into Chattanooga with empty, growling stomachs is no way to start a vacation now is it? No way! So I picked Aretha Frankensteins as our first food stop in the city and I'm happy with the choice. First, I must state that I do NOT do brunch. There is no way I'm waiting just to be sat for over an hour all the while growing hangrier and hangrier. That's hungry + angry from years of dining experience. I also can't eat eggs much anymore. Dang it! After reading reviews about the wait and how small this place is I knew we were making the right choice to go at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. I'm just stating this so that if you go during peak hours your experience may be different than ours. Parking was not a problem for us since we found a spot right outside the restaurant but I could see where it would be limited during busy times. It's primarily a residential neighborhood after all. There were folks drinking and smoking away on the covered porch due to the cool drizzle but the interior was *very* clean with not a whiff of what was going on just outside the door. During peak weather there would be 5-8 tables out on the patio in addition to the bar stool type situation surrounding the porch area. On a day like the day we went, it was just the 5 tables and indoor bar being seated. Maybe enough room for about 22 people in total? We were greeted very quickly and with not a smile but with an affable grin and friendly banter. A table in the corner suited us just fine and we ordered and received our drinks and food within 15 minutes. We both got shrimp and grits (hey, it's vacation so I'm splurging on seafood) and we split one of their famous pancakes. Here's the rundown: *the good - good sized portions - shrimp not overcooked - grits are REALLY GOOD by being nice and creamy - pancakes is fluffy and dense and lives up to the reputation and you can even add a bunch of stuff to them like chocolate chip, blueberries, etc - beer prices are reasonable even though we didn't imbibe - the service was on point and friendly - the decor was awesome especially for Halloween - they make the most of the space by stacking high and keeping it tight *the bad - syrup is cheapo stuff (blech) and maybe folks would like some other options even if meant more $ - the shrimp and grits were good but they were a *lot* greasy that wouldn't blend but got soaked up with a napkin or two - the biscuit had no flavor So, just a few 'meh' things but overall I'd definitely come back here and try something else in a heartbeat. Oh, and case anyone is wondering the reason the place is so small is because most of the original building burned down in 2006 and the current restaurant is what they could save.
(4)Stephanie T.
Love Aretha's but can only go when I have a weekday off and no other immediate plans as the place is rather small and the wait is very long. Service is slow, like good 'ole southern molasses...but if you are a hipster/college student/retired/shift worker/have a weekday off kind of person, with no rush to be anywhere, this is fine with you. The food is great. You must try the pancakes...even just one. They have their own mix that you can actually buy locally in the grocery stores too. It has a cornmeal type consistency/taste to it that makes it like a Johnny Cake/Pankcake. The biscuits are super delish and the sausage gravy is the best I've had at just about any restaurant...tastes homemade, not out of a mix. Love the funky décor in the place and the laid-back vibe. Again, as long as you know you're in for a wait, it's fantastic. If you're in a hurry or have no patience, this is not the place for you.
(5)Brian M.
Service by hipsters that 'don't care' in addition to lack of seating made for a lackluster experience overall. Save yourself the hassle, order pancake mix online.
(3)Mel P.
We went after my son's lacrosse game. It was later in the day so they were out of waffles, but his pancake was delicious. The rest of the food we ordered was just ok. The service was SLOW despite it not being overly crowded.
(2)Stephanie C.
This is a LONG LONG WAIT!!! But worth it! Best shrimp and grits I ever had. Pancakes were huge and the DAve Scramble didn't disappoint. You will wait about an hour to sit and another 30 for your food. But it is worth it! Great breakfast. I would go back!
(4)Becca J.
Not only fantastic food but an awesome space to eat breakfast! Shrimp and gritz is a must, just be prepared to have left overs. The two biggest bummers is parking(lack of) and the staff is a little cold.
(4)Sheri R.
Great little restaurant. There are only 5 inside tables so go at an off time!! Breakfast was wonderful and the pancakes are the size of frisbees, so go hungry!
(5)LN K.
Was disappointed in this visit. Ordered a bacon omelette with fried potatoes. The omelette lacked flavor and fluff, the potatoes were soggy, as if they had been left in a steamer way too long. I give 3 stars because the omelette was LOADED with delicious bacon. Yes, we had to wait a bit, but not too long, and the people watching was great.
(3)Katelin R.
Aretha's is a good breakfast place, but definitely not my first choice. The pancakes are very fluffy and giant but that's about the only thing I'm overly fond of on the menu. The service is very laid back and at times, may come across as inattentive. The space is small, but provides a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Definitely try the pancakes!
(3)Melissa J.
First, I have absolutely no idea why this place has such great ratings. I checked Yelp BEFORE I went so my expectations were that it would at least be decent. SEATING/WAIT TIME: One reviewer mentioned "plenty of seating indoor and out"... um, there are only about 4-5 tables inside, and when we went, they were not using the outdoor seating though the weather was perfect and we were on an hour wait. Strike one for next to NO seating therefore making a ridiculous wait time... but honestly, I was thinking the food was going to be good, so I really didn't mind the wait for something special for my out-of-town family. SERVICE: The waitstaff left much to be desired. They did not check if we were ok at all, and seemed like they wanted to get us in and out (most likely because of the waiting line....because they have no SEATING). Strike two. Again, I feel like I'm a fair and patient person, so I was just waiting to be wowed by the food, and make it worth putting the 8 other family members I brought along, through this lack luster breakfast. FOOD: The kicker? You guessed it. The food was awful! I got an omelet with potatoes, bacon and cheese. Now granted, those aren't the healthiest of ingredients, but there was literally a POOL of grease/oil. I wasn't expecting a "clean-eating" breakfast obviously, but was expecting something edible. The pancakes were THICK...think about 1.5" - 2" high. I didn't have them, but my husband relayed his distaste. We also were not aware they were going to be so massive -- so he ended up ordering WAY too much. The "cappuccino" was disgusting. Maybe this is my fault--I thought ordering a cappuccino = sweet. Really, it just equaled black coffee + frothy milk. I had to add sugar to be able to drink it. Again, maybe I'm too Starbucks-ified, but this was not what I was expecting at all. PRICING: The icing on the cake was the $40+ bill for the 3 people I paid for, to eat breakfast. All I could do while walking to the car was apologize to the rest of my family for suggesting this place...
(1)Cherie A.
Okay it is a totally nitchy and small looking little house but this is an excellent breakfast choice! My husband and I only had to wait 25 minutes, but we enjoyed Guinness with added expresso shots, delicious! I ordered the Super Dave scramble with biscuit and added gravy, and my husband chose the bacon potato omelet with a single blueberry pancake. The pancake is enormous, as well as the rest of our food! The service was friendly too. The decor is fun to look at. Overall a great experience. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jane J.
The best biscuits and great coffee!
(4)Anita C.
I have never given a restaurant a one star before. Especially since I never made it inside! We have tried 3 times to get in to this place without any success. The parking is horrible.... or shoud i say there is no parking. My husband is handicapped and there is no place for parking near at all.... unless I missed something! As much as I would love to have this experience, 3 times and yer out!
(1)Derek H.
Killer good breakfasts. The pancakes really are that good. Best to go at an off time. Service can be unpredictable.
(4)Richard R.
Since before I knew Yelp existed, this restaurant has been on my list of places to visit. I was first introduced to Aretha Frankensteins 10 years ago by Rachel Ray and her travel show '$40 A Day'. Ironically, I've been known to drive more than 17 hours for a Maine lobster roll and 5 hours by plane for In N Out burgers, but have failed to drive 95 minutes from my home to check out this famous Chattanooga eatery! HOW ARETHA FRANKENSTEIN GOT ITS NAME Urban Legend says the owner of Aretha's is a UGA grad who was at a frat party one Halloween. A wreath was mounted on one of the walls with Frankenstein buttons, to which he took one and pinned it to his person. Not sure if it was because the party was loud or maybe he was inebriated, but all night he was misunderstood. When other party goers would ask where he got the pin, he would reply at 'the wreath of Frankenstein'. Well, seems everyone thought he was saying Aretha Frankenstein and the name stuck in his head for years until deciding on a crazy name for a unique coffee/breakfast shop. This is the story told to me by the manager. Fun, but I'm not so sure it's believable... lol. ---------- THE SCENE Bad timing and bad navigation directions were the story of our weekend. Chattanooga seemed to give my phones built in GPS system fits all weekend. We literally drove into a snowstorm on Friday. During our short visit from Atlanta many of the local businesses got a late start opening the next day (Saturday morning). Even the Tennessee Aquarium delayed their opening by 2 hours. Although slightly delayed, A/F did manage to open. We read this is a popular place with really long wait times. So when we called & they said they "weren't busy", we rushed to get there. It was truly an adventure because navigation brought us to the top of Beck Avenue and Money Tree Lane. The downhill slope from here to A/F was steep and covered in snow and ice. So we erred on the side of caution, parked our car and walked down this two block stretch of land. Must have been comical to any neighbors watching as we scooted inch by inch (like an old elderly couple) trying not to fall. Yes, I wanted to eat here that badly! ---------- SERVICE After making it to the safety of Aretha's wrap around porch, we soon discovered "not busy" by their standards was still a full house with about a 10 minute wait. Once seated it was obvious that a large part of the wait is due to sloooooow kitchen service. It is printed right on the menu that it is not uncommon to wait 30 minutes for your food during busy times. I am certain a turtle crossing a street covered in thick peanut butter and molasses would have made it to the other side before our server brought our food to the table. Don't get me wrong, we LOVED our server. He was a really nice guy, but the times between being seated, taking our order and the food arriving were excruciatingly long. The bar seats about 6 people and tables seat another 18. Outside seating is also available, but today it was covered in snow. Side Note: I hear the pancakes take 20 minutes to cook. DECOR Crazy man, simply crazy! Kinda spooky, but extremely cool. ANYONE with a quirky personality or a flair for the unusual will consider this place eye candy. It's like eating @ museum of weird art. We loved it! ---------- THE FOOD You've read those reviews that start off by saying "I really wanted to love this place" right? Well, I'll try not to use that phrase, but I will say it most certainly did not live up to 10 years of anticipation. * SHRIMP & GRITS (2 stars) | $10.25 Most unusual flavor ever! The grits are bathed in what I can only describe as Tabasco sauce, making them spicy and not very appealing. They also melt white cheese over the top. Huh? I am definitely not a fan. * SPINACH & FETA OMELETTE (3 stars) | $8.50 As omelettes go, this was nicely cooked and fluffy, but lacked any seasoning. It took lots of salt and pepper to bring it to taste. * PANCAKE (5++ stars) | $3.25 (single) GET THESE!!! Life doesn't get much better than this! These bad boys are stoopid good! Cooked by the hands of angels and perfect in every way. So great are these pancakes that Aretha's sells the dry mixture in-store, at locate grocers and online @ FrankensteinMills.com ($5.99). LOVES: Pancakes, decor DISLIKES: Slow service, shrimp & grits ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS I hold on to the belief that Aretha's is worthy of many visits and hope another visit in the near future will yield a better tasting meal. The pancakes are AH-MAZING! They are so good I was tempted to give this place 5 stars for the pancakes and decor alone. But the rest of our meal, not so much. They get a hall pass from me on the long waits because of their tiny set-up and for being slightly short staffed because of the bad weather. I'll definitely be back. I want them to get it right! I waited too long for this to be a fail so for now, 3 stars.
(3)Richard R.
Since before I knew Yelp existed, this restaurant has been on my list of places to visit. I was first introduced to Aretha Frankensteins 10 years ago by Rachel Ray and her travel show '$40 A Day'. Ironically, I've been known to drive more than 17 hours for a Maine lobster roll and 5 hours by plane for In N Out burgers, but have failed to drive 95 minutes from my home to check out this famous Chattanooga eatery! HOW ARETHA FRANKENSTEIN GOT ITS NAME Urban Legend says the owner of Aretha's is a UGA grad who was at a frat party one Halloween. A wreath was mounted on one of the walls with Frankenstein buttons, to which he took one and pinned it to his person. Not sure if it was because the party was loud or maybe he was inebriated, but all night he was misunderstood. When other party goers would ask where he got the pin, he would reply at 'the wreath of Frankenstein'. Well, seems everyone thought he was saying Aretha Frankenstein and the name stuck in his head for years until deciding on a crazy name for a unique coffee/breakfast shop. This is the story told to me by the manager. Fun, but I'm not so sure it's believable... lol. ---------- THE SCENE Bad timing and bad navigation directions were the story of our weekend. Chattanooga seemed to give my phones built in GPS system fits all weekend. We literally drove into a snowstorm on Friday. During our short visit from Atlanta many of the local businesses got a late start opening the next day (Saturday morning). Even the Tennessee Aquarium delayed their opening by 2 hours. Although slightly delayed, A/F did manage to open. We read this is a popular place with really long wait times. So when we called & they said they "weren't busy", we rushed to get there. It was truly an adventure because navigation brought us to the top of Beck Avenue and Money Tree Lane. The downhill slope from here to A/F was steep and covered in snow and ice. So we erred on the side of caution, parked our car and walked down this two block stretch of land. Must have been comical to any neighbors watching as we scooted inch by inch (like an old elderly couple) trying not to fall. Yes, I wanted to eat here that badly! ---------- SERVICE After making it to the safety of Aretha's wrap around porch, we soon discovered "not busy" by their standards was still a full house with about a 10 minute wait. Once seated it was obvious that a large part of the wait is due to sloooooow kitchen service. It is printed right on the menu that it is not uncommon to wait 30 minutes for your food during busy times. I am certain a turtle crossing a street covered in thick peanut butter and molasses would have made it to the other side before our server brought our food to the table. Don't get me wrong, we LOVED our server. He was a really nice guy, but the times between being seated, taking our order and the food arriving were excruciatingly long. The bar seats about 6 people and tables seat another 18. Outside seating is also available, but today it was covered in snow. Side Note: I hear the pancakes take 20 minutes to cook. DECOR Crazy man, simply crazy! Kinda spooky, but extremely cool. ANYONE with a quirky personality or a flair for the unusual will consider this place eye candy. It's like eating @ museum of weird art. We loved it! ---------- THE FOOD You've read those reviews that start off by saying "I really wanted to love this place" right? Well, I'll try not to use that phrase, but I will say it most certainly did not live up to 10 years of anticipation. * SHRIMP & GRITS (2 stars) | $10.25 Most unusual flavor ever! The grits are bathed in what I can only describe as Tabasco sauce, making them spicy and not very appealing. They also melt white cheese over the top. Huh? I am definitely not a fan. * SPINACH & FETA OMELETTE (3 stars) | $8.50 As omelettes go, this was nicely cooked and fluffy, but lacked any seasoning. It took lots of salt and pepper to bring it to taste. * PANCAKE (5++ stars) | $3.25 (single) GET THESE!!! Life doesn't get much better than this! These bad boys are stoopid good! Cooked by the hands of angels and perfect in every way. So great are these pancakes that Aretha's sells the dry mixture in-store, at locate grocers and online @ FrankensteinMills.com ($5.99). LOVES: Pancakes, decor DISLIKES: Slow service, shrimp & grits ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS I hold on to the belief that Aretha's is worthy of many visits and hope another visit in the near future will yield a better tasting meal. The pancakes are AH-MAZING! They are so good I was tempted to give this place 5 stars for the pancakes and decor alone. But the rest of our meal, not so much. They get a hall pass from me on the long waits because of their tiny set-up and for being slightly short staffed because of the bad weather. I'll definitely be back. I want them to get it right! I waited too long for this to be a fail so for now, 3 stars.
(3)Kristen C.
Great service and food. Had the Jabber omelette while husband had the elephant Gerald waffle with a scoop of ice cream on top!! Food was delicious!
(5)Nick A.
Aretha Frankensteins is "real" local flavor. Took me 10min to park, 45min to get seated, and 20min to get our breakfast. Worth every minute of wait. The food was fantastic and the service was all very friendly. The atmosphere is very relaxed, Within minutes I felt like I was having breakfast with family. I would recommend Aretha's to anyone in the Chattanooga area with a taste for good eats and a little bit of patience...
(5)Kat W.
Aretha Frankenstein's is something of a local secret, located right in the middle of a gentrified old neighborhood across the river. The food itself is pretty darn delicious, at least everything is on the breakfast menu I've tried. They have lunch selections, but the real reason to eat here are the pankcakes and waffles. Mmmmm, dem waffles. If this is your first time, don't get anything else. And honestly, Aretha F's only specializes in breakfast offerings - if you want quesadillas, go to a Mexican restaurant. If you want sandwiches, go to a deli. This place is all about the fried dough and sugar, baby. Be advised, though - weekend mornings/early afternoons are the WORST possible time to visit. The place is insanely tiny, seating is limited, and this is a kitschy restaurant that serves PBR all day located in a college town in a middle of a hipster-populated neighborhood. You do the math. So, unless you want to play "spot the 19-year-old with the tight pants and hideous old man beard" while you are crammed behind the last available table waiting over an hour for your food, don't come during peak hours. If you plan on coming with a group... good luck. They serve breakfast all day, so this is more of a "pancake cravings at random hours" place for me. But definitely worth a try if you're specifically suffering from waffle withdrawal. MMM, WAFFLES.
(3)V L.
Not worth the wait! Not good for kids. Waitstaff looks dirty. No paper towels or soap in bathroom. Sticky bottles of syrup! No maple syrup or fresh squeezed orange juice. No fresh fruit on menu! Carb overload. The biscuits were pretty good but not worth the 30-40 min wait to get food! Too much cheese in shrimp and grits...and I found a hair in my food! The health department needs to come and shut this place down! Never again...if you have 2-3 hours to kill for breakfast and you just don't care about service then you might like this place. We thought it was below average. Apparently Rachel Ray gave it a high rating but what the hell does she know. Thumbs down....just left I feel sick!
(1)Michelle T.
Me & my husband ate here the night we got to Chattanooga for our vacation this week (04/13) and we really enjoyed it. We loved the decor & the service was really good. We will definitely eat here again the next time we are in Chattanooga.
(5)Valarie C.
If I could give a negative star, I would. We were here 2.5 hours for a pancake. NOT happy. Go to Blue Plate, they serve Aretha's pancakes, and you don't have to wait all day for it. And you'll actually be treated with respect. Went here once b/c of crazy Rachel Ray, will never go again. And I live a couple of miles from the place.
(1)Denise K.
If your looking for a great place breakfast this is your place! My boyfriend had the shrimp omelette which was to die for, I had the scrambled eggs, bacon and grits oh and the strawberry topped short stack pancakes are the truth! You can get different toppings on the pancakes of course......but you may need help because the pancakes are HUGE! ....I would have never been able to finish those two pancakes by myself;-).
(4)Lisa K.
The staff here is very nice, BUT....the service is EXTREMELY SLOW. It took one hour from the time we ordered until our food arrived. Our drinks were never refilled and we were sitting in the hot sun. I wouldn't say that they were understaffed from what I could see and the place was at capacity. I've worked in the restaurant business and this was down right shameful. We saw three groups walk in and walk out. I wonder if the owners know how much money they are losing?
(1)melanie p.
i was on a roadtrip last month, and we found ourselves in Chattanooga. Starving, i found this place on yelp... and thank goodness! i got the pancakes... and they are a MUST! The omlette and biscuits were great as well. We sat on the patio- it was a weekday night- and enjoyed the atmosphere. It was totally laid back and enjoyable.... perfect way to end the evening. If i ever find my way back to Chattanooga, this is a must go!
(4)Bradley D.
What an amazing place. You'll drive down a neighborhood street to get here which is appropriate since this seems like a neighborhood place. The inside seating is very limited so on our visit my wife and I sat at the bar. I asked our server what her favorite was and without hesitation she suggested the shrimp and grits. What a great call! My wife got the Waffle of Incredible greatness and she agreed that it lived up to its name. I won't try to describe how great the meal was -- you'll just have to experience it for yourself. I can't recommend this place enough!
(5)Go B.
Passing through otw to chicago and yelped this place...they are are soooo slow...but must have the ice cream guiness and shrimp and grits...well worth the wait
(5)Richard S.
I went to Aretha's yesterday with my girlfriend and some friends and it was a neat little place that's off the beaten path a bit. I went in believing that it would be like an IHOP or Waffle House on the interior but it's a very tiny little place with probably 5 tables inside and a bar with a few other tables outside. The service was a bit slow but the waiter we had was nice and understanding that it was our first time in the restaurant. I had a 4 egg and potato dish that came with a delicious homemade seeming (may have been) biscuit. They also had homemade applebutter that was very good. My girlfriend had an omelet and pancake and the portion sizes were large enough to fill us up but not too much to where we felt overly full. I also had a Guiness with 2 shots of expresso because I was tired from work and it definitely woke me up. The prices weren't too much either. You could easily go in and have a good breakfast/lunch for around $8. One of my favorite places now.
(4)Joshua S.
Upside: Best pancakes I've ever put in my face. Downside: Worst service in the city of Chattanooga.
(1)Shana W.
The food here is so amazing!! Best pancakes I've ever had and it only takes one to fill you up :)
(5)Hillery G.
We had a ricotta and sausage omelet which for me had too much ricotta, but it was fine. The real thing to get is the waffle of incredible greatness. We ate it with no butter or syrup because it didn't need any. I wish I lived close so that I could go again.
(3)Clint M.
Why do people take stars away for a long wait? It's well documented on here that you WILL wait a while for a table and you WILL wait a while for you food. Don't go when you're in a hurry and stop complaining. It's not IHOP- sorry your food won't be ready the minute you order it.. The food is well worth the wait. Great pancakes. Great biscuits. All around, a neat experience and definitely a must-go in Chattanooga.
(4)Tyler B.
Great service. If not for the kick-ass Super Dave Scramble, the servers would have been my favorite part about eating there. They were kind and helpful and generally on the ball. I can't wait to eat there again.
(5)arlene d.
Very cute and hip. A little turned off by the hostess we had a group of 7 with 4 kids and she wanted to sit us inside and outside because there was not a table big enough. Seemed like they were in the weeds. Service slow then noticed hostess wrote on sign current wait for food 45-1 hour. Big portions but food was not the best got a breakfast burrito and cold in center maybe because it was so large.
(2)Cowboy B.
A neat little local place that's basically a college bar with a few tables. The people seemed super nice and the food was amazing but heed the warning about it taking a long time. It wasn't busy when we were there and it took about 30 minutes. I love that they serve breakfast all day. In fact, that's their specialty. The shrimp and grits seems to be the most popular dish and for good reason. I don't particularly like grits but they did the right thing by making it a base on which to deliver flavor. Best grits I've ever had and the shrimp was large and of good quality. The biscuits were excellent and huge... monstrous you might say. Parking would be a problem here if it was busy, since it's all on street and since it's the middle of a neighborhood, people who live there take up most of the spots. There is a small courtyard with tables and chairs so if the weather is nice I could see bringing my dog with me. Quirky and weird with slow service but great food. Expect college aged people who like to say the F word constantly to prove they're cool but otherwise know what to expect and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Jon D.
An unseemly spot in the unseemly city of Chattanooga. After an early drive in the morning from Nashville down to Atlanta, my sisters and I checked out this quirky little restaurant. It was pretty busy when we arrived around noon-time. The menu consisted of classic breakfasts and omelettes and pancakes and waffles, then the lunch menu of burritos and sandwiches of various sorts. Between the group, we tried a burrito, an omelette, and the "Waffle of Insane Greatness!". First, discussion must be made of the waffle. The waffle came out as simply a waffle with butter and syrup. I wouldn't quite call it insanely great, but a decent waffle (I suppose that the "Waffle of Decent Alrightness!" didn't fly as a title). The omelette also was of decent make and cookery. Good standard diner fare. The unseemly burrito ended up being the highlight of the meal. Unseemingly plainly wrapped in a flour tortilla, breaking into the covering gave a tasty glimpse into a very well seasoned and assembled burrito. Unusually good, in fact. Pros: Prices were quite decent. Food was decent to very good. Atmosphere is pretty fun and quirky. Cons: Service is very slow. Yes, there is a warning about the size of the kitchen right on the menu, but it even took a little while for us to get our waters and orders taken. It was pretty busy in the restaurant, so I see how these things take time, though.
(4)Kenneth S.
Despite Yelp saying this is kid-friendly, I will never take my kids here again when visiting Chattanooga. We were basicalky ignored and we got dirty looks from the staff when we showed up with kids. I travelled 20 mins to get there based on the reviews and despite being not busy they made us wait 15 mins before anyone came to our table. They made us seat ourselves, never gave us menus, and then the waitress had an attitude when we said we were leaving because we couldnt wait any longer for someone to help us. Plus smoking is every where.
(1)Mike L.
This is for there mail order pancake mix. I havent had the chance to visit here and i cant wait to but ive ordered there pancake mix twice now. I got 3 boxes each time. The pancakes are so good. They have a unique flavor and i cant wait to try the real thing some day.
(5)Melanie J.
Great Food! Be prepared for a Long wait.... I waited over 1 1/2 hours for brunch turned lunch!
(3)Shannon L.
So to start, I was on a solo breakfast outing and was able to sneak in at the bar (right by the cash register so I was in a very obvious spot that could not be overlooked). The place was busy, and Jurassic 5 was playing and I was so excited to eat here after hearing so much about it from friends, Food Network, etc. A girl comes over and takes my drink order and then returns for my food order. I ordered three simple items off the single item section of the menu and after sitting there for 45 minutes with out even a simple "Hey, sorry it's taking so long your food should be ready soon." or "sorry for the long wait, we are short staffed in the kitchen" I got up and left (I left a couple bucks for my orange juice). I get it now. Everyone went out the night before, they got up, didn't wash their hair, put their plugs and piercings back in, grabbed a shirt off the floor and squeezed into their skinny jeans, rode to work on their fixies and are too cool for service. That's cool. I too am in the service industry and I tip quite well when it's deserved. Save yourself the trip and just go to Mojo Burritos and buy a few boxes of Aretha Frankenstein's pancake mix (it's cheaper there anyways).
(1)Elizabeth H.
A really funky atmosphere with nouveau southern cuisine.
(5)Coalee O.
this place kiksass! it's in a little cute house located in a cute neighborhood...the food, music, & atmosphere all blend together to create a super fun, eclectic place to eat!!
(5)Jeff I.
Tuesday morning at 8:00=no wait! I've never had pancakes so thick, so fluffy, so delicious. The bacon was cooked to perfection. My wife ordered the French stack and loved them!!! The potatoes had a nice seasoning, but were a bit too soft for my taste. I would absolutely come back!
(5)Judy V.
Visited the Chattanooga area over the weekend and stopped at Aretha Frankensteins and the Italian Omelette was superb along with the home fries and huge biscuits. The place is so neat and different that we loved. Aretha Frankenstein will be one of our go to places when we visit Chattanooga.
(5)Suzy F.
First of all, let me say that when we went to Aretha's we were in no hurry and we were looking for a leisurely breakfast. Aretha's has 5 tables and bar seating inside. There is more outdoor seating in the summer. We probably waited about a half hour for a table, but I've had that experience at Cracker Barrel and Waffle House too. Our server was low key but helpful and brought our food and drinks without much delay. My husband ordered the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese biscuit and it came with fried potatoes for $4.50. He was pleased with his oversized and delicious selection. I ordered the Italian Omelet with ricotta cheese, mushrooms, onions, italian sausage, red peppers and cayenne. The omelet was giant and fluffy. I appreciated the choice of ricotta for my omelet, and I thought all the omelet ingredients were fresh and tasty. The omelet also came with fried potatoes and a biscuit for $7.50. The fried potatoes were just perfect (not soggy or undercooked) and flavored by onions and jalapenos . We didn't order the pancakes but they sure looked giant, fluffy, and delicious. We also noticed that they had an eclectic list of beers. We were both more than pleased with the food, atmosphere, and price. If you are in Chattanooga looking for breakfast, check this place out.
(4)Zeb M.
I fully support local businesses, but this one may be better suited for tourists looking for brunch or breakfast the next day unless you live in town and have the time to spare waiting. Although I didn't have their famous pancakes, everything else we had was good but nothing out of this world.
(3)Josiah R.
If you think the latest M Night Shyamalan film was good, you may think highly of the service at Aretha Frankensteins. If you somehow luck-out on a day where there are no other customers, after a 30 minute wait you may get to taste some killer pancakes, but you're better off just buying the mix and making it yourself. Generally speaking, this restaurant is a testament to the failure of market economics to weed out weak, inefficient, or incompetent businesses. The decor is cute. They have a nice patio. That's it.
(1)S W.
A quiet out of the way place the locals seem to adore, but I'm not sure why. The food was pretty good, but the 55 minute wait for our breakfast was silly. There is very limited seating (max 35 seats), so get there early, and have a snack to tide you over until the food comes. I won't be back.
(3)Raelinn D.
Love love love the food here, but the place needs a little organizational help. There is always an extraordinary wait and it takes forever to get the food. (Food is almost always worth the wait!) Today is a Saturday morning and I am perplexed that the patio is closed and they have a guy mowing and weeding on what is likely one of their best, busiest times of the week. Odd.
(4)Katya L.
I was drawn in by the name. Traveling allot, we are always looking for kitsch places to eat or get a drink. We had eaten at Mojo Burrito and saw posters for this place and decided to go to get pie and coffee there. It was a Sunday but contrary to what several people said , it was not busy at all. The waiter was a bit jittery and nonchalant. They only had one of the 2 pies, Pecan. Since I'd never had a restaurant pecan pie before I don't know what it's supposed to taste like but I just about had a seizure from the sweetness. The coffee (mocha) was ok, pie was good but, like I said, seizure inducing. The decor was pretty cool. I especially liked the death masks above the door. We will probably be back there before we leave town since we're only really comfortable at places with personality and will be here a couple weeks no doubt. Next time I will try the raved about waffles.
(3)Brandi N.
Always a long wait for your food, but it's not a big deal if you know ahead of time to never come when you're already hungry. The pancakes are HUGE which in my opinion, doesn't work out. Although the batter they use is fantastic, I think their size is their downfall because they never seem to cook properly. Every time I come here, my pancakes usually come out over done and kind of dry, or deliciously cooked but the middle is still batter-like. Kind of a bummer because I think they could be really awesome pancakes.The service is pretty hit or miss, too.
(2)Molly B.
Aretha Frankensteins was my first Yelp App discovery while on a road-trip from Atlanta to Nashville. We were meandering to our destination and I wanted to find something other than a McDonalds, Burger King, Waffle House, etc. We stopped here for the name, and the fact that they would serve us breakfast and beer. Cute, hipster vibe when we walked in (a Friday night around 8). Too cold to eat on the porch, but luckily there was one open table left. The other reviews are right - this place is TINY! But they have a bar and a few tables and a porch when it isn't cold. I can't say that we had the same experience with service, though - our service was great throughout the night even though there was only one girl working outside the kitchen. Important notes: -Just because a beer is on the menu, doesn't mean they have it. They don't seem to keep a lot of "stock" at any given point, but that was okay with us because it got us to try something new and delicious. -The pancakes are HUGE. Three is way too many. Two may even be a stretch. -GET THE POTATOES. I still have dreams about the potatoes. I am thinking about driving to Chattanooga again this weekend for the potatoes.
(5)Mark W.
We tried AF because it was on the list of Rachael Ray's visits in the city. If you are a tourist and stressed for time, skip this one. If you are a local and have all the time, its fine. Breakfast was good, nothing out of this world (but we didn't try the famous pancake) and it took 55min for our two breakfasts to arrive on a Saturday morning. (We timed it on my iPhone after reading the 30+min warning on the menu.) Food was fresh as promised, hot, etc. Butter and coffee cream was in packets-something that I expect at fast-food, not at a breakfast specialty place. Limited seating in and out, quaint old house and its far off the beaten path. Wasn't a total waste, but we certainly wouldn't do it again or recommend to other out-of-town guests.
(3)Eliza R.
Every city I've ever been to has at least one quintessential breakfast-only institution that everyone obsesses over and recommends to other people. These places are so popular that it's nearly impossible to get seated in a timely manner and you have to wait awhile for the supposedly excellent food. Well, Aretha's is that place to Chattanooga, although perhaps slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, the waffles and biscuits are uh-mazing (!), but everything else on the menu is just average breakfast food - your basic egg dishes, meats and starches. It's really hard to mess up breakfast and there is nothing particularly unique about the place, so I can't get *too* excited about it. You'll definitely get hipster creds if you hang out there, though. Worth a visit if you're in town or new to the area!
(3)LaFawnduh M.
I was in town for just a day. I really wished I could bask in the friendliness for my soul and enjoy the low prices for my wallet a little longer. Being from NY/NJ, I was blown away by the NICENESS of the server and the low prices on the menu. I had the pancakes, sausage and chai latte. It was standard, but delicious. The ambience is very homey. It's literally on a block in the 'burbs...in a house. There is seating outside and on the porch. I enjoyed my meal here and I hope to come back someday.
(4)David O.
I'm thrilled for them for being so busy but after driving 2 hours to be ignored the bad taste In my mouth is not for the food because we never got a table or were even told when or if one might ever be available
(1)Joshua B.
I would review on the food but since we didn't ever get seated I will just review on the service. Be prepared to wait. A LONG time. hostess said it was a small wait of only 20 mins. That turned to 40 before we left after seeing our table be given away to the folks who got there after us who also were after our names on the list.
(1)Tony C.
We are from Anchorage AK and visit the area every year. Last year was the first time we had visited Arethea Frankinsteins and the breakfast was great. We visited a little later in the day this year, and was disappointed. First of all there were people sitting on the porch about 3-5 ft from the entrance who were smoking, and we had to walk through a cloud of smoke. Once seated and our food was delivered,the bacon was cold, the fried potatoes were cold and greasy, and the French toast was only so-so with too much cinnamon. I guess you shouldn't order breakfast around lunch time. It is debatable whether or not we will go there next year.
(3)Kim D.
Food is very good. Parking bad. They will serve people who order beer quicker than people who just order food. Service is very slow.
(3)Fanny P.
Extremely slow, bordering-on-rude service. Food is two-steps below Waffle House on a good day. Small kitchen, food may turn into compost before it arrives. Nothing to see here. Don't waste your time or appetite.
(1)Abby B.
My husband and I visited Aretha Frankensteins on our way out of Chattanooga. We'd had a great couple days exploring the city, and this seemed like the perfect, quirky local spot to enjoy our last breakfast! We arrived around 10:00 on a Tuesday morning and all of the tables were full. This wasn't surprising since the restaurant was VERY small. However, a waitress said we could sit at the stools out on the porch, so that worked out for us. The waiter and waitress that served us were very friendly. We didn't see them too often, but they took our orders right away and came by to refill our drinks a couple times. I ordered a breakfast burrito (filled with salsa, refried beans, cheese, and onions in addition to the eggs) and my husband got a short stack. My burrito was amazing and it was a TON of food (it came with potatoes and a biscuit). The pancakes were very good, too. We really enjoyed eating here and would probably do it again, but with the knowledge of just how LONG it takes to get your food. We waited at least 30 minutes for our two plates, so don't go here if you are in a rush! But as we said when we got back to our car, the food was well worth the wait.
(4)Heather S.
Look y'all the wait is long. Period. It is just the way it is and it sucks but if you don't want to wait don't come here. Secondly, it's not good for big parties and I wouldn't call it family friendly. BUT I love it and when I lived in Chattanooga went here almost every Sunday with a big stack of work. The food is good, the atmosphere nice, and yea the wait is long but I think it is worth it. If you don't, then don't go here. I have been here 30+ times and was never disappointed. Some of my favorites are the breakfast burrito and the waffle with ice cream Mmmmm
(5)Sandy S.
Went with my hubby and four kids. The "host" told us it was a 45 min wait. He told everyone that followed the same thing. We even said with two little kids we can sit them on our lap and sit at a four top table...after the first hour. One hour and 45 minutes later I repeated this after seeing two people sitting at a four top. He had to go ask permission to see if he could seat all of us at a four top. THERE ARE ONLY FOUR TABLES AND A BAR...where did he ever think he would seat us if not at the four seat table? Were we to wait for two tables to leave at once? Or the entire bar to be done at the same time????!!!!! Absolutely NO thought to ensure my family would be able to eat. Had to leave and went to City Cafe instead who sat us quickly and didn't keep us hanging around without service. Unless you have all morning to wait for a table for two, there are lots of other places with pancakes! Don't even bother if you have kids. SKIP IT!!!!!
(1)Kush S.
Very good food with below average service. Hash browns are to die for and so are there biscuits. Space is a problem in winter times and you will have a hard time figuring out where to sit and when. One of my fav for breakfast but go late or else you will have to wait long time for table and then food. Big parties will have a hard time finding a place to sit, one or two is excellent. not more
(3)Jonathan M.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The omelette was incredible, I had the Mexican omelette with a biscuit and the potatoes. The potatoes were delicious as well. Some of the biscuits I've ever eaten. The only knock was the wait, it's a small establishment so it's nothing against the staff. I'll be back just to eat at this place.
(5)Victoria C.
Good food but be prepared to wait half the day for it. Service leaves alot to be desired.
(2)Antony C.
On first encounter, I found the eclectic decorations and slightly loud music pretty cool. We got lucky in getting a table as the inside had very limited sitting. We were there in the morning for breakfast so a bit brisk for sitting outside. Other than the bar, there were only about 4-5 tables. Our order was promptly taken. But THEN, we waited...and waited...and waited. It took 30 minutes to get our food. Taking into consideration that we came at the tail end of the breakfast rush, I was very unhappy. To make matter worse, I noticed a table that came in 15 minutes after us actually got their food 5 minutes before us, which is one of those things that really tick me off! I has ordered the steak and eggs, hoping the long wait would be worth it. Don't hold your breath. It was called a flat iron steak, described as a hybrid between a sirloin and a filet. I've eaten a lot of steaks, and there is no such thing. The way it tasted, it was more like a pounded down steak plus meat tenderizer. Perhaps there may be some other things on the menu. But if you're looking for food other than carbo loading, you'll have to look elsewhere.
(2)Mardi C.
I was tipped off by friends who used to live in chattanooga, to come to this joint, and have breakfast. most notably? pancakes. what a great little kitchy spot. playing surf music, with all kinds of great stuff on the walls, and wonderful decor. a nice patio out front for outdoor seating, and a nice selection of brews. we asked the server if pancakes? or waffles? he said waffles, so waffle it was. we also got a side of eggs, and some bacon, and some grits. the waffle was scrumptious. we didn't want to overeat, so we got just one, and then the sides. the rest of the order was straight up too. we had a lovely conversation with him, and we bought a tshirt. we would've like to eaten outside, but we arrived at seven thirty am, and were told the patio doesn't open til nine. it is a residential area, so no worries there. we had our dog with us, so that would've been nice. but it wasn't too hot out, and it was overcast, so our pooch remained in the car. there was some great stuff on this menu. I could spend many moments in here, trying new things. some mexican, some traditional breakfast, shrimp and grits, and great sandwiches, and they do stay open late. next time we pass through? we'll be back. great experience!
(4)sterling h.
An hour wait for an average pancake and spicy grits? No thanks!
(1)Sia G.
First things first. Be prepared to wait.... for a while. But they'll give ya coffee while you wait! This place is tiny and also kinda off the beaten path in the North Shore side of the river in a residential area. Come hungry and prepared to hear an eclectic bunch of good tunes, stare at the awesome band posters and random art on the walls and ceilings and maybe get acknowledged by your server. I've had good and bad service but I'm really here for the pancakes/waffles which are ridiculously huge, yummy and why we come right?! You might get to sit at the ms. pac man table---bonus! I like the patio and porch seating too and how this place reminds me of Athens, GA.
(4)Margaret L.
Terrible service but seriously and consistently great food! I have eaten at Aretha's countless times and loved everything. Pancakes are obviously delicious - most Chattanooga grocery stores sell the mix - the omelets are good and if you've never been before make sure you get a biscuit and top it with their apple butter! You won't be sorry.
(4)Reba Jean B.
These pancakes are the very best I've ever had, I swear to you. Had them with blueberries and very glad I did. The service however, was slow and irritating, making us move from our chairs while she did inventory. The place is very small offering just a few tables inside and a bar. If you are ever in Chattanooga GET THOSE DAMN PANCAKES just have time for sllllllllllllllloooooooooooooowwwwwwwww service. 5 star food 2 star service.
(4)elvis p.
I know that I have nothing to say about this dump that hasn't been said for years, but the absolutely horrible service constitutes a milestone. Just sitting there at 8 in the morning when there are no other customers and waiting waiting, waiting for someone, anyone to wait on you is quite an experience. Waiting another 30 minutes for bad coffee. There are still no other customers. The low-skill, fashion-victim waitstaff are still standing around, dreaming of the next bong hit. An hour and a half after that phase, two pancakes come. They're already cold. I just give up. There is no hope for this place. I steer visitors to Chattanooga away in hopes of sparing them the trauma.
(1)Chris Y.
While the food at this place is amazing, the time it takes to get it is not. We waited 30 minutes to be seated and then another hour after we ordered. This restaurant needs a place with a bigger kitchen and more seating. There were no updates from the staff about the status of our food. We were left guessing until our food arrived with no silverware. As we asked for it, we noticed the staff hurriedly washing it "fresh" for us in the bar sink...... Once we actually got to eat, the food was amazing. The biscuits are huge, and the pancakes are like layers of cake!
(2)Anna H.
Food is incredible, and as you may have read, pancakes are out of this world. Try the Shrimp n grits too! As for the wait, yes, they're popular, deal with it. Don't go at prime brunch time if you don't want to wait.
(5)Chris H.
Nothing beats cold food and bad service like waiting 45 minutes for it! Look, I understand that you have a small kitchen and seating area, but I lose all sympathy when I can see the kitchen staff rotate outside one by one to take smoke breaks. Thanks but no thanks.
(1)Scott S.
Best pancakes I've ever eaten. We make pancakes at our house every Sunday with their mix, but they're nothing like getting them from the source.
(5)Joe G.
Amazing home cooking! Tiny restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood. You must have their pancake (huge), shrimp and grits (spicy and scrumptious) and their enormous biscuit. What a great find thanks to Yelp!!
(5)Tilia M.
We went there just yesterday, visiting from Atlanta for the weekend. The inside of the restaurant is small and has limited seating. If you're anything like me, you don't want to come out of an eatery smelling like food, so, outside on the porch area may be a better option for you on a nice day. Cons - their VERY limited seating, and, while you'll probably be seated pretty quickly, your meal will take FOREVER to get to the table. We only ordered pancakes and eggs and bacon, and it took around an hour and a half to be served. Good thing we weren't starving when we got there! And, just before we were about to raise hell, the food came! Pros - the food and atmosphere. Definitely a local cool, hipster kinda vibe. Classic rock like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles played....kinda all reminds me of Flying Biscuit in Atlanta. Pancakes were amazing, as was the bacon, homemade biscuits and apple butter. Our waiter was pretty entertaining too. I'd visit again, but be warned! The service is average at best and slow!
(4)Autumn S.
Very packed, I liked how they have the place decorated and the attitude behind it and the servers. However it is a super long wait with instant tasting coffee and the biscuits taste like frozen premade biscuits. Outside of that I enjoyed my experience being I knew it would be a wait when I first got there.
(4)Jason G.
Waffle of incredible greatness lived up to its name. Biscuit and Italian omelet were good.
(4)Traci W.
This place isn't for the ultra-picky, but we loved it!
(5)Clint C.
We were excited about going to such a cool looking place. We got there and parking was a mess. But we found a spot and walked up to the restaurant. There are only about 5 tables outside and a few inside. We stood inside for a few minutes waiting to be acknowledged. We never were. We walked outside and sat on some stools on the porch. A server walked by us twice and never spoke to us. We decided to just leave. I would not recommend this place based on the complete lack of customer service.
(1)Lily S.
If I could give Aretha's zero stars, I would. I've been here before, and the food was good. Today I returned expecting a similar experience... however, I left so appalled that I feel I must express how awful it was- though no words could possibly do it justice. We waited to be seated for 30 minutes, then sat at a table without being approached for 15 minutes. In addition, a pipe from above was dripping on my head, so we had to move around the table. As soon as our "server" approached us, we ordered immediately. We then waited OVER an hour for our food, and the service was atrocious. The food arrived, tasting like it had been sitting out for half an hour, and some of the food was undercooked. When asking for to-go boxes for our food that took sooo long that we had to leave when it arrived, we were told "I'm not your server" and "your server wanted to leave so I don't know who your server is"... Though he was about 15 feet away from us the entire time. The service was totally unapologetic and unbelievably rude. Mind you, I work at a restaurant and tip very well... because there was no service to tip, I left nothing. If you want to leave feeling like you've been a nuisance and thrown away your money, go to Aretha's. Just buy the boxed pancake mix online or around Chattanooga. You've been warned.
(1)Jay M.
Yes, the service is realllyyyy ssslllllooooooooowwwwwww..... but the food and coffee rocks and the atmosphere is awesome. If you are reading this and you haven't been to Aretha's yet, go, but make sure you have time and patience. This is NOT a good place for type-A personalities looking to get in and out with a full belly. This is for people who are willing to wait for a good thing. You will likely wait to get a place to sit (it took ten minutes on a Sunday morning for me to get a seat at the bar). You may need to ask for the menu (don't be afraid, they don't bite!). You may need to call them over to place your order. And you will wait for your food. But it is all worth it. Just be zen... relax... take in the cool stuff on the wall or watch the TV or play with your droid/iphone/blackberry or (gasp!) talk to one of your neighbours at the bar. Then enjoy. I had the shrimp & grits and it was perfect after walking across the Tennessee River from downtown on a cold December morning. On my way out I was offered a coffee to go to keep me warm on the walk back. Despite being slow the service was very friendly and considerate.
(5)Kevin W.
Rachel Ray is so hot! Now that that's out of the way, on to the review! My eyes first widened to the Irish Cue Ball - Guinness with vanilla ice cream - an adult milk shake. (They also have Guinness with two shots of espresso.) Sadly, they were out of Guinness, so the waitress substituted Highland's Black Mocha Stout - not as bitter and delicious - a perfect complement to lazing on the porch on warm summer nights. YUM-O! I should have never asked the waitress what's good - my stomach was bigger than my stomach. I ordered the shrimp and grits - Charleston-style - shrimp, bacon bits, and peppers with a spicy red sauce and oozing cheese. The biscuit was huge! The super thick 1-inch pancake ended up being taken home, but the few bites I got in were YUM-O!
(4)Malcolm N.
Wait is oppressive and I didn't find the staff to be particularly nice or helpful, not really rude or mean just tend to ignore you. We waited over an hour and several tables became open at once still took another 20 minutes to be seated even thought we were next. Once seated our particular server was very pleasant and attentive. All the food was good and the blueberry pancakes were awesome. I think it's just a tiny place and has slow turn over. I would most likely go back with the expectation of waiting an hour or so. If that were unacceptable I would look elsewhere
(4)Chance S.
I love AF and try to grab breakfast there every time I visit Chattanooga. The pancakes are well above average, the biscuits are some of the best I've had, and the potatoes I've tried a hundred times to replicate at home with absolutely no success. Yes, the wait is usually very long, but the quality of the food, their prices and the environment make this place a tucked away gem. I do really wish they had a more extensive beer list that was more appropriate for breakfast, and one of the servers kept making rude comments about his customers well within earshot the last time I went. Definitely could have done without that guy. Had he been my server I may have felt compelled to drop a star from my rating, but our waitress was very friendly and attentive.
(4)Melissa W.
sweethearts serving good food! We sat at a pacman table and had craft beer in an awesome atmosphere while we waited for our deliciousness. They give you to-go coffee! serious! 5 stars and much detroit love! xo
(5)Christina D.
Yummy! Pancakes are huge stacks of deliciousness! The hash browns have jalapeños in them and they are some of the best I've had. Service can be a little iffy depending on what mood your waitress can be in, but that doesn't waive my opinion that this cute place is a must when visiting Chattanooga. Many vegetarian options and unique beers. The eclectic interior is is just as pleasing as the food.
(4)Christopher W.
I ordered the bacon and cheese omelet and specified that I wanted the ingredients to be COOKED IN the omelette not just have ingredients thrown on top of cooked eggs and then folded - which is EXACTLY the way the omelette was presented to me! Ugh. But after the miserably LONG wait we experienced AFTER ORDERING our food I wasn't about to send my food back. I lost track after 45 minutes! We waited an additional 30 minutes to be seated but this is of no blame to the restaurant... they told us the wait would be at least 20 minutes and we willingly chose to wait for a table. Once we were seated they placed the three of us at the bar where we couldn't have really conversated with one another but thankfully we had the corner area. The biscuits and the grits that accompanied my food were both really good, and my dining companions really seemed to enjoy their food as well. (Oh yeah... they brought two of us our food and told the third that hers came out with cheese on it and was returned to the kitchen - she specifically told the server that she was lactose intolerant and the server remembered this). So, unlucky her... she had to wait an additional 15 minutes for her food! The other thing that was a HUGE turn-off about this restaurant... their were flys all over the place! Yuck! My advice... if you are in Chattanooga and looking for a good spot for breakfast... go to the Bluegrass Grill if it is a Saturday. If on a Sunday, look around for something better. In this city you are sure to find it. PS - the pancakes looked really great and the table behind us said they were phenomenal... I would have ordered them but I'm afraid how long I would have waited on them!!
(2)D F.
Our party of five waited one hour for a table on a recent Sunday morning. I hear that's typical, something we found out later. We had an infant and two children in our party, so we made sure everybody was ready to order the moment we sat down, yet our eggs and pancakes took another hour to come out. Our server was nowhere to be found for most of that time, although when I left the table to calm our baby who'd had about enough, I did spot her out back smoking and sucking face with the grill man. Might explain the wait. No pancake is worth what you have to put up with at Aretha's.
(1)Ed W.
Traveling for work and sick of bad hotel breakfasts, I pulled out Yelp to find a breakfast spot in town. I chose this place because it seemed like a fun story to tell. Let me begin by stating the obvious: this restaurant is an experience. It was 830AM when I arrived. There was a table in the corner filled with 4 twenty-somethings, and they were drinking beer with their pancakes. I don't mean a Guiness to share, I mean 8 empty bottles were on the table. Smoking is not allowed in this tiny spot, but is encouraged on the front porch of this home in a residential neighborhood across the river from downtown. Jam band music was playing (blaring) on the sound system. It was tiny. Six tables of four surround a huge bar with five chairs. One of the two top tables is a 1980's Ms. Pac Man machine. There are four beers on tap. They sell PBR tall boys. With breakfast. After enjoying some coffee and taking in some great people watching, I decide to look at the menu. There is a warning on the front that food takes TIME to prepare and serve here. I believe it. One hour and ten minutes for breakfast for one on a weekday morning. I can only imagine brunch on a weekend. After chatting it up with the server, who was a really nice guy, I decide on the Italian omelette served with ricotta cheese, mushrooms, onions, Italian sausage, red peppers and a pinch of cayenne. Then I had to choose between potatoes and grits. My immediate thought: there is no way I am eating lunch. I went with potatoes, which had a clove-like flavor to them. There was also a gigantic and very buttered piece of Texas toast. I could not finish the plate. The restaurant is supposedly known for pancakes and waffles, and in fact, they sell a pancake mix and t shirts. Sadly, I did not buy any and should have. It would have made a fun Saturday morning breakfast with the family. When I go back, I will eat the pancakes as the omlette was was just OK (3 stars). But I gave the meal 4 for the experience alone. I spent the majority of the time talking to the server, watching the BBC late night talk show playing on the TV, or discussing music with the two band mates from Strung Like A Horse sitting next to me at the bar. They really made this experience a great morning meal. I would absolutely recommend this place for a fun meal in Chattanooga, but be warned: they serve beer for breakfast (if that is un-cool for you), they take a long time to serve you the food (1 hour for me on a weekday), and the music is quite loud (if you dont' like that either). I had a great breakfast and recommend it for all.
(4)Ron L.
I've used their pancake mix for a few years now and I was excited to finally get to ear there. Pancakes were awesome. Make sure you come with a big appetite as the portions are large. Also, this place is tiny so come early. There are only 4 tables and a bar.
(4)Scot L.
I used to think the wait was worth it. That the sometimes lackluster service was worth it. That the pancakes were just so good that it was worth all of the flies swarming you constantly at no matter what time of day you dine. But after leaving Chattanooga and moving elsewhere, where sometimes the waits can be long for breakfast as well, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Waited 30 minutes or so this past weekend for a spot for 3 to open up, we knew there would be a wait of course (it was a Sunday morning at around 9) but if the weather is nice why aren't the patio tables used for dining. Why after finally getting a spot for 3 at the bar did it take another 15 minutes to get offered coffee, water or anything else? And this was after asking a few times to be told "Be right back." Once the order was finally placed it was 45 minutes before the food came, with no apologies or anything for the delay. We order simply, biscuit sandwiches, an omelot, and a couple of pancakes. How can our busy breakfast spot in Atlanta manage to be slammed every morning and deliver good service and food quickly. Aretha's has been open a lot longer than Homegrown in Atlanta but Homegrown delivers where Arethas fails.
(2)Albert V.
On a recent weekend trip to Chattanooga from Atlanta, my wife and I wanted to have breakfast before heading home. Wow! We are so glad Yelp told us about this place. First of all, it's tucked away in a residential neighborhood of Chattanooga, and secondly, the food and decor was unexpectedly super great. We got there at 9am and were amazed at how within the next hour or so, patrons continued to pour into this house-turned-into a restaurant to the point where it was overflowing with bustling activity. Pancakes were amazing and the waitress was kind enough to share some interesting tidbits of Aretha's history as well (I didn't realize there was a fire there a few years ago and they rebuilt it better than ever). Thank you Arethas!!! We'll be sure to visit you every time we come to Chattanooga!
(5)Mary P.
While you will spend your entire morning, perhaps afternoon, at Aretha's, it is worth your time! The small, cozy atmosphere is great for a lazy weekend breakfast or a quiet breakfast, lunch, or dinner during the week. The thick, fluffy pancakes can't be beat (although the box of Aretha's pancake mix is comparable).
(4)Katie W.
This place is amazing. We drove an hour out of the way just to come back. We got here first thing at 7 AM and there wasn't a wait, but expect to wait if you come later in the day. It is well worth the wait!!
(5)Darren L.
Truly one if the worst places ever. Truly. Ever. Food was high school cafeteria grade at best. Slower than Xmas . So many flies inside the restaurant that we asked our waiter to re-seat us outside. We should have run for our car when we had the chance. Pathetic. I could write pages on how bad this experience was . I won't. It sucked. Stay away.
(1)Jessica B.
We stopped in last Saturday night and had the best experience. There was no wait like I'd heard about the mornings, the entire menu was available to us and the staff was beyond compare. I had the shrimp and grits and my cousin had the Super Dave (I think). Both of us ate more than our fill then shared one of the pancakes. OH MAN! That pancake was way beyond delicious. I can't wait to go back!
(5)S B.
Place inside and out was dirty. Kitchen towel used to wipe the table (as we were sitting) left table stinking. Coffee tastes as basic grocery store coffee at best. Shrimp had very bad taste. Biscuit was ruined in such a way that I have trouble describing - bad mix and improperly baked - this in a Southern state! Replacement toast had taste of old grill oil. Yet somehow this place seems popular. Hard to figure.
(1)Chain B.
Great breakfast. Good service. The pancakes are huge. The breakfast potatoes have some sort of seasoning on them that I am not crazy about. They weren't bad. Just not my thing. The omelets are good. The shrimp and grits are good. The waitstaff was friendly. Didn't care for the coffee. Tastes burnt and was oversweetened with their syrup. I would go there again.
(4)Zach L.
Fantastic Pancakes! Very small location but the food is worth the wait.
(5)Glen H.
The best breakfast I've had in this town - get there early as they do not have much room and are almost always packed to the roof.
(4)Tim V.
The best pancakes and waffles! Great biscuits. A must try for breakfast while in Chattanooga.
(5)Belinda B.
The down side to this place is the wait is longgggg. Takes a while to get seated and takes even longer to get your food that you're almost convinced they completely forgot about your food. Parking is a bit difficult. The seating side felt a bit cramped. They were out of this chai drink that is supposed to be their special, so I was a bit bummed out. I ordered a cafe mocha instead, but I didn't taste mocha, so I don't recommend ordering it. I ordered a mexican omelet, I think it was called. It was delicious. Would I come back here again? Yes, but only if I was having a lazy day and a ton of time to kill with good conversations and friends. BTW, people were drinking beer with their pancakes, so I'm not sure if this place would be good for the kids.
(4)Vonda D.
My friend and I were nursing a hangover so we put our names on the list, ran to Walgreens and got some headache meds and went back. We didn't wait long. The music was a little weird, but fit the atmosphere. We both ordered a small biscuits and gravy and it was a lot to eat! We ended up taking half of it with us. I saw the next table's pancakes, and they looked amazing.
(5)Kevin R.
Great place pancakes are massive!!!! Also this is the first place I had an Irish 8-ball(Guinness and double shot espresso) it is delicious. Wish I lived in Chattanooga so I could regular this spot.
(4)Tricia M.
Took a detour into Chattanooga based in the reviews and pictures- LITERALLY the best breakfast we have had in years! I love a place that is fully committed to quality, warmth, flavor and getting it all right. This is the place. Omelets tasty and hot, potatoes so crispy and soft and flavorful, they have ruined all others for us, generous biscuits and the cheese grits... Well let's just say I'm going to experiment until I figure out how to do that! Might have to move here, or at least find more reasons to drive from Orlando north!
(5)Kristofer S.
I really wanted this spot to be great, and it wasn't. It takes more than a semi clever name, I guess. For starters, they had the t.v. on with sound AND scream doom metal playing AND scream speed punk blasting out of the kitchen creating a bombardment of unintelligible noise that was impossible to talk over and impossible to enjoy, which I do enjoy, one at a time. The dirty punk playing air drums and singing along at top of his lungs happened to be the cook. We felt like we were intruding in his house/squat and he didn't want us there and he was not going to wash his hands, ever, or clothes, ever! Duh, he's a punk and will not conform to societies idea of clean restaurants or good food. And the AC dripped all over us, our table and in out drinks while flies buzzed about. And the mens toilet was broken so I couldn't even vomit up my food. Second, waffle was as hard as a frisbee covered with sand paper. Biscuits were soggy and spongy. Grits were just plain weird, sweet spicy gelatinous goop? Potatoes, an oily flavorless mess. Eggs, whatever, hard to mess this up and basically it's the main ingredient for everything here. The best food was the kettle chips, which they had nothing to do with. All in all the food could have been worse but we hated it before we ever saw it and just wanted to get out of there. Never going back. Starbucks has better coffee and food, which is the real sad part.
(1)Leslie D.
Still one of our all-time favorite places - sometimes we drive up from Atlanta just to drop in here. On our most recent trip, they were out of waffle mix, so I ordered the pancakes, which usually are not my favorite thing. But, these were amazing! and so big - I ordered a short stack (2) and couldn't finish them. My husband always gets the shrimp and grits and loves them. He has never found shrimp and grits that could even touch these anywhere else.
(5)Miriam M.
Stopped here on our way from Atlanta to Nashville. It was a little out of our way but totally worth it. The place itself is very quirky and cute but incredibly small. There's like 4 tables and a bar inside. Outside there's 4 tables and some bar type seating. I only had the pancakes and grits. I added pecans and apple butter to my cake and it was fantastic. The pancake itself was thick and hearty, (if you're from the Nashville area I must say they're 10 times better than the Pancake Pantry). I've never had grits before but I have seen them and these grits were savory and tinted red because they add hot sauce and cheese. There may have been grease lining the bowl but they were delicious. Staff was very friendly too. In terms of the wait time I can't comment bc we went early on a random Tuesday but I can definitely see how such a small and popular place would be annoying while waiting for a table.
(4)Stasha S.
Absolutely delicious with great service. Every minute spent waiting was completely worth it. I would write a longer review but I'm slowly passing out from a foodcoma. SO good
(5)Vanessa O.
New to the area and stumbled upon this place by accident on a Friday afternoon. Wasn't packed at that time, plenty of seats indoor and outdoor. No one greeted us we just walked in grabbed a seat while the waitress was finishing up some other tables then she came right over to ask for our drinks and gave us menus. I had the French Toast which had tons of powdered sugar on top and I believe it was brown sugar crusted to the bread. They were good but a little too soggy for my liking. My son had the 2 pancake order, they were delicious. The syrup gets soaked up pretty quick though. The overall restaurant was laid back and had cool art work. It did have some flies near the windows and the chairs weren't too comfortable. I'd go back again, but from reading other reviews I'd go on a week day again and steer clear from weekends. Also to add there didn't seem to be parking since it was in a random neighborhood so I just parked next to someone's mailbox.
(4)Cristy C.
My boyfriend and I were on our way to North Carolina from New Orleans... we'd been driving for about 10 hours, when I decided to check Yelp in Chattanooga to see what would be a nice place to stop by for breakfast. We got here around 8AM. I pulled up and thought it was such a cute little place. I definitely did not expect what I saw. It was a lot smaller that what I expected... which is no problem. It just took me by surprise. There is most definitely a grungy character to this place. It's not over the top and too decorated, but there was just enough for touch of Halloween-feeling. The table we sat at was actually a pac-man arcade machine turned into a table. Really cool! We weren't starving or anything, so we sat down, and luckily the menus were already on the table, because we weren't even greeted for about 5 minutes after sitting down. As I waited, I read more reviews about this place and found a reoccurring theme - long waits and slow service. So, I knew what to expect. I was not bothered by this because we weren't STARVING. Finally, we were greeted and we placed our order all at once. I also ordered pancakes, in addition to my traditional eggs, bacon, and potatoes because I also noticed that on Yelp. To be completely honest, I was not crazy about the food. The pancake was good, as most of the other reviews have pointed out. The potatoes were kinda weird. I don't know how to describe them... very dark, kinda dry, overly seasoned... eh. The biscuit was a little overcooked because it was very very dry. It was also HUGE. When I saw it, I was like OH YEAH, huge biscuit! Then I tasted it and it wasn't as good as I hoped. You can't really mess up eggs too much, so that was fine. The bacon was thick and crispy. Yumm. Over all, it was A-OK. The portions are large. Also, one thing I missed in other reviews that I think is very important for you to know is that the pancakes are not only large in circumference, but in thickness as well... very thick and cake-y. So one pancake may be enough to share. If you want to try the pancake and you're with two people, get your own meal each and share a pancake. Then it won't be too much food. Hope y'all enjoy. It was definitely worth stopping by.
(3)Justin P.
This is one of the best places, to eat in Chattanooga. All of there food is great. They have great customer service. The atmosphere is really nice and laid back. I highly recommend Aretha's.
(5)Greg O.
I got a kick form reading many of the reviews on this place because some hit home and others, I could forsee based on observation while I was there. I gave it "any" stars because of its food. The food was excellent! I've never had a breakfast burrito that was so tasty..... their side potatoes and biscuits were also spectacular. While I could care less about Rachael Ray or food network stars' opinions, I see why there is hype around their boasting of her reviews. Keep in mind, YOU WILL WAIT FOR THE FOOD HERE! My wife and I went on a Monday morning @ 10am and the food still took around a half-hour. There was also a consistant crowd marching in and you could tell the waitresses would get flustered if people came in around "smoke-break" time. My wife and I actually got lucky, as our waitress was helpful and friendly for the most part. She did try to take my food away from me while I was still eating but I understood, she was just trying to rush me while a new flood of customers came in. Seating isn't Frankensteins' strong suit, and it might even be their number one issue as to why locals and vistors steer clear of here. If you can put up with the painfully awkward hipster service and you get here at the golden moment to get seated, you may enjoy the best breakfast you've had in a while!
(4)Kelly A.
The food is great, but the wait is really uncalled for. Ive been three times in three years (once every time we have visited chatt) and we will not be going back.
(3)Kenny L.
the food was great and the manager was very nice
(5)Ann L.
Best waffle I've ever had in my life. Done. Why no fifth star? Parking is difficult and waitstaff lack any sense or urgency whatsoever. Also, although it adds character to use Miss Pac Man as a table, I felt like a perv straddling the lady my entire breakfast.
(4)Matt B.
If there are more than four customers in the place and you don't want to sit on a barstool or outside, don't go. They only have four tables inside. If there is even a hint of rain and yet you wanted to sit outside, don't go. They won't serve you. I guess they don't want to get their funky hairdo's wet or something. And the dude behind the bar today definitely had some funky hair. If it isn't breakfast (which I've heard they do pretty well) and you want something besides American-made "Mexican food" or a fairly lousy sandwich, don't go. Their menu is pretty darn sparce when it comes to lunch or dinner. If your idea of a clean restaurant includes at least a passing swipe at the decade-old-looking cobwebs in the neon sign and the hardware above the door, don't go. Maybe they leave the filth up there in order to play into the "Frankenstein" theme, but gross. If you want decent service, and by decent, I mean at least a reasonable facsimile of giving a damn that you're a paying customer, don't go. These guys truly don't give a damn. Or at least they didn't today. To sum up, don't go.
(1)Andrew K.
Awesome atmosphere here - the feels' very much like some of my favorite places Austin. It's in a building that has a small house feel - lots of stuff random stuff on the walls, and a TV snuck inside a picture frame behind the bar as well. Just a heads up - music does blast pretty loud here. The service was friendly and helpful. Food here's like you'd expect at a good diner - where you can get breakfast from open till close @ midnight (yay - food that's available till late!). They've got sandwiches and nonbreakfast stuff as well. The waffles are great - very light and crispy - covered with powdered sugar. Biscuits were very good too. The only downside is the inside seems to have attracted a large # of flies - so we were fighting the flies - didn't have the cleanest of atmospheres... Despite the flies - this place is pretty awesome - worth a visit.
(3)Shawanda M.
The pancake. These are the biggest pancakes ever and they're so delicious. Boyfriend and I eat here a few times a month and it never disappoints. You will have to wait a bit for the pancake but it's well worth it. Other menu faves: the Trehugger sandwich. The trehugger has scrambled eggs, potatoes, jalapenos and cheese and it's all served on a toasted hoagie bun. mmmmmm. The service isn't always the best but for reason it doesn't really bother me here. If you decide to have a pancake be prepared to be sleep afterwards.
(4)Dean D.
"Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". This is a "Dive", in a good way. I'm going to ignore the long wait to be seated and the long wait to finally get served. After-all, the place has four tables and maybe 8 to 10 can fit at the bar but this is the kind of place that would be on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It has very cool character to say the least. The food is also outstanding. I'd have to say this is one of the best breakfast places I have ever eaten at. They also have a lunch menu and I'm sure the food is also outstanding. Parking is hell but it's all worth it. I had the breakfast burrito. You basically build your own. There are 7 to 10 different fillings and you choose 4. The Burrito is huge. It comes with a heaping portion of very tasty Jalapeño home fries and a huge biscuit. The biscuit 's and gravy looked great also. The pancakes are just enormous. I mean huge! The french toast is also very good. The bread slices are very thick, I just think they needed to be soaked in the egg batter a little longer, slightly dry in the middle. If you're really adventurous, try the Guinness with the shot of espresso, I hear it's actually pretty good. Finally, they have this espresso machine that looks like something out of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Pretty cool, I want one! Anyway, if you're looking for a quick breakfast you may want to try the City Cafe but the character and the quality of food at Frankensteins I think is something you need to experience at least once. Just accept the fact that things are a little on the slow side there and you'll be OK. They do have outdoor seating and in the summer this is a great place to come and just hang out, drink good beer and eat good food with some very interesting people.
(4)Freideleen L.
I'm a late night eater so this spot was definitely on my "Must Checkout List" while visiting Tennessee. Thanks to tvfoodmaps.com for showing me the spots. Late night find... nice, quiet and cool little spot. A lot of Yelpers said that waiting would be an issue but this depends when you come. I came at night (about 10:30pm) so it wasn't an issue. There was a pretty good turnout for being in an unusual area (past downtown which wasn't popping at all). Bad thing about coming at night... They ran out of waffle mix. I wanted to try the Elephants Gerald... A Belgium waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, pecans in syrup and dusted with cinnamon. What can I say, I LOVE sweets but was sadly told "no-go." Pooh! Decor: Light blue building that is totally low key with a unique sense of style. Old school gold espresso machine that still works. TV encased in gold picture frame. Draft beer out of scuba head gear, pouring 3 drafts. Customized tables with Aretha Frankenstein (AF) logo. Awesome posters of different events and bands along with custom ones just for AF. Seating: Limited seating just like all the other Yelpers mentioned. To be more specific, there is outdoor and indoor seating available. Inside has 4 tables, seats 4 and a bar, seats 6 (I think?). Outside has bar stools on the porch area and 3 tables, seats 4 on the ground floor. Food & Drink: So I opted for the next popular thing due to the waffle snafu... pancakes with Maine blueberries. About 1" thick, they were light and fluffy. They tasted good but great? I'm on the fence but there is a distinct taste to them that does make them better than any Bisquick pancakes. Just add a little butter and syrup and that's all you need. Grits... After seeing some reviews, I had to try it. They were good with some hot sauce mixed in and a cheesy top. It took me a while to figure out what else was the flavor. My server filled in the blank, it's the hot sauce they have on the table top. Not super spicy but it does give it a little extra flavor burst. Sweet Tea.... For those with a sweet tooth like me. This was the perfect amount of tea and sweetness that just hits the spot. I believe it was 20+ oz cup so 1 cup was good enough for me. Chai Tea Latte.... Big chai lover so I just had to get a cup to go. It was good, a little on the sweet side though. I'm noticing a theme. Parking: Located in a residential neighborhood, there is street parking in neighborhood. Take your pick, park in front or on side streets. Service: Manned by 2 guys, front house & kitchen... Really friendly, nice and attentive. OVERALL: A great spot for a late night meal. It has a great ambiance with a great crowd. Lots of locals there pretty much until closing. So they have a loyal customer base. Reasonably priced, for all of the above it was less than $10.00. Since I had great service and they let me take tons of pictures, I doubled that as tip. When I get great service, I like to show my appreciation. So keep up the great work! If I have some time during the rest of of my trip, I want to see if I try the Elephants Gerald or Shrimp & Grits.
(4)Mark C.
Quaint, classic, and expressly fulfilling! Parking and serving space are a concern so be prepared to park up the street and wait a bit! It's worth it though : )
(4)Chase K.
I have been here once this past thursday, and I loved it. The cheesy grits are great, as well as the pancakes. Just a tip with the pancakes, they are fat height wise, so I got the slim stack (2 pancakes). They serve breakfast all day, too. All in all, this is a great place to eat.
(5)Jarrod S.
The food is five stars. The pancakes are an experience. The coffee and chai tea lattes were delicious. The staff was friendly. But we arrived at 9:30 on a Sunday and left at noon. We waited 45 minutes to get seated, 20 minutes to order (at which point they informed us that they were out of waffles and biscuits, so half of our party had to quickly change their order while we had the waiter's valuable attention). Then we waited 50 minutes to get our food. The person next to us was seated a full 30 minutes after us but was served their food at the same time as us. That tells me that at least 30 minutes passed before the kitchen even started preparing our food. There were flies everywhere, and the air conditioning duct was dripping condensation on three of us throughout the whole ordeal, and not just a little - my lap was quite wet after more than an hour of waiting and eating. Overall it was worth going one time just to experience the panCAKEs. They are unbelievable. But we won't be back unless the kitchen gets their issues sorted out.
(2)Lyndi S.
This place is way too cool for school. And I don't mean that in a sarcastic, Zoolander voice. I really mean it! This place is awesome! Boyfriend and I came here to enjoy a feast. We even worked out hard in our hotel gym that morning so that we could pig out and not feel (as) guilty. Honestly, I didn't feel guilty for a second, because holy crap! Worth every bite. We waited about 25 minutes, but we knew it was worth it because the locals pounding PBR on their porch said so. And why would you not trust the preppy guy on his 5th PBR at 9:30am? It didn't take long to realize that AF's does something awesome. Their tiny kitchen spouts out awesome coffees, fresh biscuits, and pancakes as thick as your mom. Ooops, did I just throw in a your mom joke? Anyways, I enjoyed a SF iced caramel latte while boyfriend went big with the Irish 8-Ball - a Guinness with two shots of espresso. Are you kidding me right now? It doesn't get more "Brilliant!" than that. They also had Crispin on tap, which was out by the time I wanted to order my Black Velvet (half Guinness/half cider). Food wise, I enjoyed an egg/cheese biscuit, boyfriend enjoyed the biscuit/eggs/bacon combo, and we split blueberry pancakes. Holy crap. It was unreal! I can't even explain those fluffy pancakes with the crispy outside. Best pancakes I've ever had, hands down. Needless to say, we didn't eat again until dinner. And even then, I wasn't that hungry. If you want a breakfast that'll put hair on your chest, with a staff that will make you believe in southern charm again, Aretha's is your jam!
(5)Ronni W.
I'm a Chattanooga native, and I'm pretty obsessed with Aretha's. I love the staff and have never had an issue with service, granted I go later in the evenings for some breakfast or quesadillas. The quesadilla, refrieds, and a beer always hit the spot.
(4)Gordon F.
Ok, this is an experience. The overall culture and atmosphere is very laid back. Do not be in a hurry as you will wait. If you don't wait for a seat, small seating area, your server gets in no hurry but its part of the atmosphere. Great food! We went in for breakfast on a Sunday morning. We were fortunate that when we arrived there were 4 seats at the bar. After we sat down I asked the gentleman next to me if it was as good as I had read and he said better. The shrimp and grits were to die for. My son ordered pancakes and they were so think just 2 were as big or bigger then a normal 4 stack. From a distance you almost thought they looked like a piece of corn bread. The potatoes are done with Jalapeno's absolutely outstanding if you like a little heat. Overall we had a wonderful time and would definitely go back.
(5)Mark H.
Wonderful off the beaten path place to go to all in Chattanooga. The atmosphere may not be for everyone, But the food the price and comfort level are top-notch
(5)Tyler R.
I came here and ordered a slim stack of pancakes and was impressed by their thickness. These truly put the "cake" in "pancake." The only problem with this is that the pancakes tasted a bit too eggy. They were delicious, but had a closer flavor to French toast.
(3)Tony H.
We've seen the restaurant and always wanted to check it out. It's tucked away off a main road and always a hipster crowd with plenty of PBR nonetheless we went for breakfast. We arrived around 8:30 AM on a Saturday and timed it perfectly as a couple of seats opened at the bar. The atmosphere is pretty cool and funky with a hipster staff. Service was okay nothing stellar. I ordered one pancake as they are pretty thick. Wife ordered fried eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. The pancake was good not great and I tried the biscuit which was pretty good. I believe the kitchen is small which equates to long waits for your food which was the case for our visit as well. Wife ordered a latte and it wasn't that good. It was worth a visit but nothing that I would make a point of trying to visit again any time soon. There are other places we haven't tried that I'd rather check out.
(3)JimBob H.
Really enjoyed breakfast here. Best pancakes I've ever eaten and they're huge! Really liked the grits as well. Just be prepared to wait for a seat or go at off-peak times. Its a small house but the food is worth it and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)Jon W.
OK, this was a hidden gem I stumbled upon while in Chattanooga. (I don't venture to TN too often.) This was an awesome place to go for an early breakfast that served up some delicious food, with some great service, and a dive-bar type atmosphere. The wait can get rather long, but I only had to wait about 10 minutes to grab a seat at the bar. I had a great feta/spinach omellete with a biscuit (yum), and some cheese grits that were the bomb (nice and spicy). Oh, and the drink prices are rather amazing. It is about $3 - $3.50 a pint for GOOD beer (yes, high gravity IPAs, Guiness, etc.)
(5)Kaitlin J.
Didn't even get a chance to eat the food here. At first it seemed promising: cute location, quirky name, eclectic atmosphere. When I first walked in there was really no recognition on the behalf of the staff. She barely noticed me and when I told her I had a party coming in she told me we could sit down. I informed her that it was a party of seven, which seemed to really bug her and she told me I had to wait until people left their tables. Obviously. I asked how long it might be and she rudely informed me that we could be seated whenever they got up and left. And still have me no timeframe. Upon further inspection eclectic became dirty. Flies were swarming the establishment and it just felt like it hadn't been properly cleaned in years. Needless to say I was so irritated by the staff and their carelessness, the flies and dirt put it over the edge. My party and I left, and didn't regret it.
(1)Daniel B.
Here's the deal. It was almost midnight when I was passing through town...I wanted pancakes. I opened my lovely Yelp App...it gave me the information I needed to know Aretha Frankensteins was my destination. On my way, over the river and through a neighborhood, up a hill and around the corner. Seriously? A house in the middle of a residential area is a pancake joint? Yep. Inside the small place was a bar with a few hipsters...and a friendly host/server. I checked with the server that it was cool for me to order because it was almost closing time. He was very assuring that it was cool to order and hang out. I had my doubts. I ordered a couple of pancakes, bacon, and sweet tea. I was the only one without a PBR, but no worries. It took about 15-20 minutes for the food to arrive but it was worth the wait! Each pancake was about an inch thick and as big as a place. Needless to say, I ordered 1 3/4 pancakes too many! The pancakes were delicious and had a great texture. The cheap butter and syrup were kind of lame, but who cares...the pancake was awesome. The bacon was first rate. The kindess of the server and the cook kids treating an old feller like me with kindness, the pancakes and bacon...racks up 5 Stars. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Benjamin S.
This is a great restaurant. At first glance it seems crowded, but the food is excellent. The slim stake of pancakes are almost impossible to finish! The atmosphere awesome! Parking is worth it and prices are reasonable. Overall a great restaurant.
(5)Katie H.
came here one day for breakfast with my friends. even though there was barely anyone there, our order took forever, as in maybe 45-60min. in addition, there were flies everywhere, which is a huge turn-off for any food establishment. the only thing that redeemed all of this is their pancakes, which were so delightful i was upset when i was full because i wanted more. i'll probably come back from time to time, just not that often because the waiting time is ridiculous.
(3)Eddie R.
Except for the wait, this place is like no other. Quaint, little house in the middle of nowhere. It s a great experience. Pancakes are, to die for. This is my fifth time here. This is a must do when in Chattanooga. We had a party okc seven this time around. Everybody really enjoyed the experience, the food, the atmosphere, everything.
(5)Alex D.
OK, so this review is going to be very short, and very sweet. See, many restaurants say that they have the "best shrimp and grits." Of course they are all liars, because only one place can really be the Best. In. The. Entire. World. for the exalted "Shrimp and Grits" dish. That place is Aretha Frankenstein's. Amen. Miss this place incredibly since we moved away from the 'Noog! Will definitely be back!
(5)Shelley M.
We found this place on Yelp, so we were fore-warned about the sometimes long wait. We arrived at 10 am on a Tuesday. There weren't tables available inside (there are only 4 tables), and the hostess/waitress/phone-answerer/barista/bartender (are you getting they were under-staffed?) told us they weren't serving outside yet. We sat at the bar with our two children, figuring that at 10 am it was really more of a breakfast counter, right? Nope. The guy right next to us ordered a Guiness with this french toast, and there was a dude hanging out on the front porch who kept coming in to get a fresh PBR. "There's a baby at at bar." I felt bad for the lone waitress. There was another guy working there with a t-shirt that said "landlord," but he didn't seem to be much help. I saw him fill a coffee cup a couple of times and get the porch dude a PBR, but that waitress was hustling. She wasn't super friendly, but who could blame her? There was a family sitting near us who waited for their pancakes for at least 30 minutes. How long does it take to make pancakes? The waitress went and apologized to them, but those would have to be some damn good pancakes. Our food arrived hot and in a fairly prompt manner, once the waitress had enough time to take our order. She also kept our coffee topped off and made a great cup of hot cocoa for my son. I had the Super Dave Scramble, an egg scramble with cheese, potatoes, onions, mushrooms (hold the jalapenos). It was tasty and very filling, and the fluffy biscuit was the bomb. My husband had the Sod Buster, an omelet with potatoes, onions, bacon and cheese. He enjoyed it thoroughly, and said he would order it again. Maybe with a Guinness.
(3)Kyle P.
We went around 10:30 at night. One guy working it so it did take a little while to get food for 7 but we were all in no hurry and just enjoying the setting. I had the thickest pancake ive ever had and it a was so great. My wife had a cheese omlette that i tried and it was good too. The outdoor seating is the best part and it seemed pet friendly which is great for our us! Nice little hidden restaurant in a neighborhood to visit.
(4)Kathleen D.
Well I'm not trying to brag, but our breakfasts came out in like 10 minutes. We had nary a wait. Helpful tip: Eat your breakfast at 10:30 PM, avoid the wait. Yeah, so that's why so lickettysplit. We were on a little road-trip with plans to stay over in Knoxville for the night, but wasn't sure what manner of grub would be open by the time we got there, and suddenly, scrolling, saw some hoarded bookmark from long, long ago... Hey Chattanooga, that's on the way... Hey, I saw those pancakes on TV... That's how it all went down. Pretty much always down for breakfast-for-dinner, so a quick pit-stop was made. If you are a fan of gigantic cakey pancakes, you will like what's happening here. Those are some giant cakey pancakes, is what I say. As my big mouth is always open to any and all breed of pancake, I liked em just fine. Pancakes, as you know, rule. Husband had some Polish Eggs, and seemed happy about them- a big big scramble of eggs, peppers, onions, mushrooms and Polish sausage. So kielbasy and eggs, served with potatoes (or grits) and a big ass biscuit. "Turn around and eat yo big ass biscuit!" Another thing to really consider there, Aretha Frankenstein's biscuits are quality. I thought they were just wonderful, just how a big ass biscuit should be. High karate. We ate breakfast here right before Halloween, in the middle of the night when everyone at the bar was drinking PBR and watching this bloody horror film starring Debra Morgan. I'll tell you something, that film, oddly engrossing. Aretha Frankenstein's, I like the name. Cute place, good cookin. I liked the kitschy bar, of course. I think I saw a diving bell helmet. Points for that at any bar, as it instantly makes me strangely think of Scooby Doo for some reason. Old Scooby Doo is a happy place, with the occasional special guest. So that's fun. Aretha Frankenstein's, we will be back to eat a lotta big pancakes and then, a nap.
(4)Ann U.
Small little place, easy to miss. Food is excellent. Who knew hipsters could cook so well!?!
(5)Abby D.
We attempted to eat here for a family breakfast, but we ended up leaving due to the horrible service we encountered. It was very cold outside, and two of the ladies in our group tried to wait inside while a table became available. They were told they had to wait outside. When one of the females explained that it was very cold outside and she would make sure she stayed out of the way, she was again told she had to go outside. When we asked the host to take off our name, he smiled at us for the fact that we were leaving. Definitely not hospitable or accommodating to guests. I am very disappointed in the poor service and rude attitudes we dealt with in our first experience at this place.
(1)Chan V.
This place is small. Really small. The first thing I noticed coming in is the poor ventilation in the restaurant. I could small grease all over the place. It was suffocating to me. The place was cluttered with beer and juice stacked next to my table. The waiter was pretty cool though. I had The Marilyn which is like a toasted Italian sandwich. The potatos it came with was either burnt or supposed to be unrecognizable. It was potato and onions cooked in bacon fat. It was tasty but I can't eat anything I can't see. I wasn't impressed considering Aretha Frankenstein was one of the top rated place in Chattanooga. I left the place with my hair and clothes smelling like grease.
(2)Mike O.
The food here is. So. Good. But you will wait. So... . . . . . . . Long for it. But wait for it. It's worth it. They actually have a disclaimer on the menu basically warning you that you better carve out some time if you want to eat here. I ordered the breakfast burrito with cheesy grits and a biscuit. Two out of those three were among the best I've ever had. The biscuit may have been home made, but it seemed either a) pre-made and frozen or b) made from a can. The breakfast burrito was so insanely good. All I had in it was eggs, bacon, onions and tomatoes. It tasted like something anything you could make at home but was made PERFECTLY. The cheesy grits were also very, very, very GOOOOOD. There was cheese mixed IN with the grits of course, but also melted on TOP. So much gooey good cheesea;sdflaklsf;lkajsdfasdf. The place is a little hipster, which I think is due to the locale, so watch out for aloof affrontery slash irony. To recap: service so slow but so worth it!
(4)Jakeb C.
The food is hardy. You get your money's worth. The pancakes are almost an inch thick and have a light crunchy exterior like corn bread. The atmosphere is neat, a punk and vintage horror vibe. The restaurant itself is tiny, consisting of six tables and a bar in the middle that takes up the lion's share of the floor space. Be prepared to wait.
(4)Jim B.
While in the area visiting, we decided to try some place "interesting" for breakfast. We arrived at Aretha's around 9:30 am on Sunday. There were people outside drinking coffee. Went inside and it was full. Added our name to "the list" and was told the wait was about 45 minutes. We were given some hot coffee and we just "hung out". We were seated in about 30 minutes. We ordered a Slim Stack (2 pancakes) w/ Blue Berries and a Mexican Omelette with Fried Potatoes, a Biscuit and a Side of Sausage. The food came out in no more than 15 minutes. A lot faster than we thought it would. OMG - were those pancakes good! Best we have ever had. Seriously! The Mexican Omelette was good too - though a bit spicy. It has whole, sliced jalapenos in is. I was able to set most of the peppers aside and still have the flavor and some of the heat. HIGHLY recommend this place for breakfast.
(5)Dela V.
The biscuits! Omg, the biscuits! Everything was good. Best breakfast we've had since California. The pancakes are perfect plain. Don't add anything. If you have limited time, go elsewhere. Service is friendly. Kitchen is slow, but worth the wait.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Stopped by this morning. The employee that we spoke with was EXCEPTIONALLY RUDE. There was no way I was eating there after her horrible disposition. I will never go back. Just moved to the area for grad school and would recommend that you spend your money with someone who can slap a smile on their face & not make you feel like you are interrupting them when doing business.
(1)Leanne E.
I've been here many times over the years. It seems to have moved further and further away from clean. If you've never been to Chattanooga, sure, visit, get the "been there done that" t-shirt. Chattanooga is in a real deficit for brunch spots, but do take time and ask for suggestions.
(2)Lauren P.
Love at first bite! We went on a Saturday morning and had a 15 minute wait to sit at the "bar" but it was worth it. The biscuits are amazing, the cheesy grits were a delight and the pancakes were awesome! The pancakes were so good we bought a box of mix to take home a share with the whole family. After they tried them we had to purchase a case over the internet so our Georgia family could enjoy the experience regularly at home!
(5)Dan B.
Very good good Pancakes- awesome Very annoying music - loud and thumping (alternative style - nine inch mails and stuff) Employees think music is for them They are entitled to that, but may drive customers away (like me)
(3)Krud D.
Go there every chance I'm in Chattanooga! The best pancakes in the south... had Bacon, eggs, homefries, pancakes and biscuits and gravy last Saturday polished off with a Guinness! Great way to start the weekend!
(5)Hillary S.
Aretha's has some of the worst service I've experienced in Chattanooga. That being said, it's some of the most amazing food I've had in Chattanooga. I don't even mind the wait or lack of water in my cup. I typically order a pancake with a side of apple butter. It's absolutely amazing. I've never found a pancake this thick and fluffy elsewhere. It's got to be about 3/4 of an inch thick. Their biscuit and egg and biscuit and gravy are good as well. Their omelets are decadent. Elephants Gerald was a bit of a let down, not because it wasn't good, but because it wasn't as good as the pancake. However, I'm biased. It's a great restaurant, but you have to plan on a wait, especially for Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch.
(5)Anita G.
Tiny place - expect a wait. Very funky and laid back - don't go if you are anticipating efficiency in your dining experience. Do go, however, if you want some amazing pancakes. I am so glad I ordered the short stack! They're the fattest cakes I've ever seen. Delicious. The hubby got a shrimp omelet and we also ordered a biscuit and gravy since many raved over them. I wouldn't order the biscuit and gravy again but everything else was great.
(4)Katie H.
Just ate at this tiny, local spot for the first time. It was alright, but we won't be returning. There is only seating for 20-25, so keep that in mind. Perhaps we've gotten spoiled by restaurants that offer fresh and healthy ingredients, but we weren't impressed by the offerings at Aretha's. My husband got a waffle, which was fair; I got the spinach and feta omelette (which was made with frozen, tasteless spinach) and it was too greasy and not near delicious enough to finish. We also ordered a latte, which seemed to be an afterthought. The atmosphere is fun and the staff was real nice. Try it out for yourself and see what you think.
(3)Bethanie M.
The biscuits and gravy are the best I've ever had! The wait can sometimes be pretty long, depending on when you go. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday at noon and got a seat at the bar fairly quickly. However, it seemed that larger groups had quite a longer wait. The food is wonderful and the wait staff is great. The music was weird... A lot of random screemo. And it was pretty loud for a Saturday afternoon. Despite the noise, I'd definitely come here again and recommend it to all my friends.
(4)C S.
There was 10 of us that ate here 3 months ago on a Monday morning. Now mind you, my daughter in law took us there (8 of us were from waaà y out of state), and as we drove to Aretha's, I thought we were driving to someone's house because we were literally in a neighborhood. The parking is street, wherever!! I was blown away by the décor. We had no wait time because it was a Monday morning. I ordered the short stack of pancakes, which is only 2, and I couldn't finish them. If you go here share your food. Great food, highly recommend.
(4)S C.
I really wanted to like this place. I had heard of it since before we moved to Chattanooga. I read the reviews and knew we'd probably be in for a wait but that it would be worth it. Well, it wasn't worth it. The food was terrible. It's really too bad because the place is cute. We were seated pretty much right away (we got there around 2 p.m. on a Saturday). The waitress took our order fairly promptly. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. And the servers were walking by but not looking at us and not checking on us. I at least wanted to get a drink since we had already been waiting 45 minutes for our food. Someone on the patio was smoking a cigar, and the smoke was coming through the window we were sitting at inside. The waitress finally came back just before our food came out. I asked for a cider and my man asked for the sweet tea he'd ordered when we ordered food. She had forgotten, and she apologized. Then our food came. It was an hour after we got there. My breakfast burrito was bland and the potatoes tasted weird and burned. His "hoagie" was a hot sandwich doused in vinaigrette. Neither of us ate much. The waitress did apologize and offer to take the sandwich off the bill. We took a $10 coupon with us instead. I will give it to a co-worker.
(1)Grant L.
You know all those reviews about this place that complain about the piss-poor service here? They're being kind. Yes, they do serve good pancakes, but I can buy their pancake mix at any area Bi-Lo or I can go to Bluegrass Grill and get a top notch breakfast at a very fair price *and* the staff is super friendly. Aretha Frankenstein's has been around for a long time and their reputation has constantly been deservedly crap. I honestly don't know how they've stayed in business this long.
(1)Connie M.
An eclectic place for the eclectic traveler. Awesome food! Our server was awesome too. I had the Italian omelette and it was very tasty and packed with flavor. Everyone enjoyed their food. I would have does give stars but the men's restroom was out of order so all patrons had to share the women's. Add to that, no paper towels. The decor was fun! The cat head biscuits! Yum!
(4)Q H.
Cool place that's is definitely worth the trip if you're in town and looking for a hip place to breakfast. I have always stuck to the egg and biscuit side of the menu when I've gone, and the food is good but not great -- heavy on the cheese, light on the seasoning. I cannot speak to the pancakes, but I know that they look amazing. The service is pretty slow, but they're friendly and serving up plenty of hot coffee. Definitely worth the trip if you're in the area and need a solid comfort/hangover breakfast.
(4)Sam A.
Came here for a late lunch. The food was great - hearty, filling, and delicious. The menu was much smaller than expected, which was disappointing at first, but the quality of the food is top-notch. Our server came to check on us, but with only 2 others at the bar, did not give us much attention. The place is a little dim inside, and not as decorated in the Halloween/Zombie type theme as the outside. If I ever stop in Chatt again, wouldn't mind coming here again.
(3)Tristan T.
A Good breakfast....only thing its not comfortable sitting at the counter...you do not have much of a choice...its packed. Breakfast was ok.
(3)Mary S.
I was looking forward to going there. First it was hard finding a spot but eventually we found one. Second we had a 45 minute wait. Although there was plenty of seating outside, the guy taking our names said there isn't enough cook staff to accommodate outside. What ever that means. Third while we were waiting I noticed people before us that have been waiting get up and leave. Finally they called our name. Once inside I noticed the cool atmosphere and thought it was going to be a good time. That changed when a young waitress was rude to us when we asked a question. She smarted off her answer so loud and condescending that everyone in the restaurant got quite. I understand she's young but really? That made me upset, it was a downer since then. The food was good but the staff needs an attitude change!
(2)Matt H.
Wow! I am a loyal DDD viewer and try to find the spots while on the road. This was a hit! It took about 30-45 minutes to sit and we were there at an off time, but it is well worth the wait. Pancakes are crazy good (even the next day heated up). The grits, they score a 5 alone!!! Great staff as well; everyone was friendly and took very good care of you. Will go back next time I am in that area.
(5)Victoria D.
PRO's we got the last table and it was made from an old pac-man arcade which was really cool, the decor is awesome and the place plays good music. CON'S: food was bland, biscuits are super dry and the staff don't check on you very often. Also parking on a steep hill because there are only a few spots directly in front of the restaurant to park.
(2)Carolyn M.
Love it! My mom and brother went with me for a casual dinner. I got the spinach omelette, my brother got the bean quesadilla, and my mom got the pancakes. Truly the pancakes are as amazing as they make them out to be- very thick and flavorful. My mom and I aren't even big sweet tooths, but they are definitely good. Omelette was also good and potatoes and the quesadilla I thought was really good as well. Cool atmosphere as well. A+ (:
(5)Anthony F.
We waited an hour for a seat at the bar. The bar had not been cleaned when we were seated. 2 plates sat at the seats beside us for 20 minutes before any of the staff addressed them, even though people were standing outside waiting on a seat! It was another 20 before anyone took our order. While we were waiting on our food, we noticed a nice roach bug running around the countertop. He seemed to disappear. When our food finally arrived, we found the roach bug hanging on the ketchup container. He jumped off the ketchup and charged us!! We grabbed our plates off the counter, and the roach hid somewhere again! We yelled for the waitress. She came over, we told her there was a damn roach on the counter. She replied "yeah, it happens." Then she walked off!!! WTF??? Having been there 2 hours trying to get breakfast, we tried the food. It actually tasted good. Then we got a look at the cook and decided the roach probably fell off the kitchen staff. In summary, the staff looked terrible and could care less if they wait on you or not. The wait is ridiculous. The place is nasty. The roaches there are not afraid of the patrons. But, the food actually taste really good. Not that I would ever eat there again.
(1)Tom R.
Went for a Saturday breakfast and was very happy I did. There was a bit of a wait- about 10min -no biggie. Our server was on point and friendly. We ordered too much food, and I didn't want to stop eating once I got full... The pancakes are legit. Can't wait to visit chatt again and stop in.
(4)Sparkle T.
Anyone notice how there aren't many reviews from Chattanooga locals? That's because we avoid this place like the plague. Which is a shame! Aretha's is a fun little dive with fairly decent food. But the service is deplorable. Because of this uneven mix of food and service, the stars are split down the middle. The food is usually really good and the pancakes are huge. (You can buy the mix at stores, though.) Just a note - don't try to customize your plate. It won't happen. But still, everything comes out tasty. Now about why we now boycott Aretha's. My last trip to Aretha's was on a Thursday morning. We were only the second table there, and the server rolled her eyes when she saw us walk in and sit at the bar. After about a 10 minute wait, she brought menus and took our orders. I literally watched the staff hang out in the kitchen for 20 minutes pounding Red Bulls and Monsters before even firing up the griddle and cracking eggs. Once our plates were ready, I watched them sit there for another 5 minutes or so before our server brought them out...without saying a word. She never came back to check on us or bring us our bill. We finally just put some cash on the table for what we thought was about right and left. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day...but we haven't been back since.
(3)Ken C.
Stopped in on a Friday morning around 9:30a and had about a 30min wait. Staff were very nice but you need to be a bit assertive and catch someone to get your name on the waiting list. Food was served quickly and was very good. I had the waffle and my wife the French toast. Both dishes were great and you left full. Parking is a pain unless you have a small car. The full size truck I have took some searching to find a decent enough place to use. Worth the effort for a fun and unique Chattanooga locale.
(4)Sye R.
Fantastic pancakes! Humongous in size. I didn't think 2 would be enough and figured I would have to order something else but I couldn't even finish what I had. Service was a little slow but not horrible the waitress was very nice and we weren't in a hurry. We ate outside and it was a cool night. College kids, reminded me of artsy restaurants in university towns. Nice selection of beers. My husband had French toast and that too was excellent. Next time we come to town we will be going to Aretha's for sure. I also hope I can find Landshark Lager in Houston when I get home. The waitress recommended it when I asked for a Corona and they didn't have it. I loved that too!!! So good! I had never heard of it before.
(4)Paul C.
Waffles are incredible, so are any of the omelets. The place is a quirky local dive, but you definatly don't have to be a hipster to be comfortable and get great eats here. Breakfast is definately king here.
(5)Stephen G.
I took my wife and daughter here before heading out to do tourist stuff in Chattanooga. While the place certainly exudes character, it lacks a lot when it comes to getting a bite to eat. First, there is no parking, you have to park on the street. Then you end up waiting for a place to sit as they are severely lacking in seating. We finally got to sit right next to the kitchen where we were serenaded by the constant yelling of the short order cook berating the wait staff. We had to wait forever for our food to be prepared as it seems they can only cook one egg at a time. We did manage to occupy ourselves during this wait by swatting flies. While the house does remind of little 5 in my home city, I'm not very likely to go back to eat there again.
(1)kk s.
The place is quite small and the parking situation really sucks, but the food was awesome. Luckily we happened to be in town on a Monday morning and so we got there at 8am and we were able to take 2 seats at the bar. It got pretty busy later in the morning, but I've heard weekends can be really bad. We both had the pancakes with apple butter and it was soooo good. Wow, they were the thickest pancakes I've ever had. The food took a while to come out, but it was worth the wait.
(5)Timber W.
There are many benefits to having cool artists as friends. One is that they've got great recommendations on funky little shops, galleries, and restaurants. I love the atmosphere at Aretha Frankensteins. When my sister and I went there, the floor was pieced together out of old gymnasium boards and the lights looked like something out of a medieval fortress. We were surrounded by folk art and steeped in the creative vibe. The food was pretty bland, and the hot tea tasted like Kool Aid that had been sitting out in the sun. I wish the meal had been better! I might stop by to try another cup of tea, but I think Frankensteins' food is a monster that threatens to destroy the place.
(3)Bobby O.
So I basically ended up at this place after I discovered that many of Chattanooga's other breakfast spots were closed on Sunday. So my party of two and myself trek across the river to Aretha's. This place left quite an impression on me but it took my drive back to Nashville for me to determine if the impression was good or bad. Ultimately, I decided upon the latter. Here's why: While the pancakes were unique and tasty, they were certainly not worth the 40 minutes it took to get them. The place overall is just an exercise in inefficiency. This is immediately noticeable when you learn that the place only has FOUR tables indoors. There are outdoor tables but then the staff tells you that those are only for 'waiting' not for eating. Ah, and wait you will!! When we finally got a table after about a 25 minute wait (I know, not terrible) and placed our order, we had 40 minutes of additional wait time to get a relatively simple order. The server was nice and helpful. I blame the kitchen staff more than anything. There's really no reason for a restaurant to take that long to push out basic breakfast items. But none of these issues rival the true reason for me writing this review. The real reason is........ FLIES!! Yes, flying, maggot-laying insects. And they...are...everywhere. I was seated next to a window and my friend and I began playing a game to see how many flies we could count on the window sill at one time. We stopped at EIGHT. I actually saw two tables of people complain to the wait staff about the flies and ask to be moved outside into the 90 degree heat. Soon thereafter, I was actually 'fencing' with one as it kept hovering between my mouth and my glass of OJ. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy her feta and spinach omelet. My pancakes were very good. Never had cakes like that before.... However, not worth spending half a day to get them while fighting an insect infestation. Honestly, how does the Health Dept not close this place down??? I won't be going back. End of story.
(2)John T.
Rachel Ray came here when she came to Chattanooga about 4 years ago. The business burned to the ground about 18 months ago but the owner built the cafe back on the same spot. I had never heard this place before I saw it on her show. This place is located in a residential neighborhood on the North Shore. It is amall and very quaint with a good selection of beer on tap. The waffels are excellent and they have a good selection of breakfast stuff and sandwitches for supper. Well worth the hunt. Parking is not abundent, but you can generally park on the street.
(4)Michele R.
This is a neat place. You do have to look for side street parking. We went on a late Saturday morning and was lucky to grab a seat on the patio right away. We were prepared for a wait per other reviews. The service from the staff was wonderful, although we did wait about 45 minutes for food. Knowing there would be a wait made it tolerable, but I definitely would not go here hungry. They still checked with us often until the food came out. We got the Sodbuster with gouda cheese and a side of fried potatoes--yum and 2 pancakes--yummo! The pancakes were very cake like and are by far the best I've ever tasted. This was more than enough food for 2 people to split and our bill was less than $15. The pancakes was worth the trip for me. We got back several times. Definitely recommend going during the week rather than on the weekend. Also, we picked up a box of the pancake mix and it's NOTHING like the real thing. Don't waste the money on the mix, you'll be disappointed.
(4)A F.
Great food. Extremely casual. Only eat here if you have time to relax.
(4)Erin L.
Best pancakes ever and a cool little house. The service can be very poor. But the breakfast is huge and delicious.
(4)Dennis H.
This place is located in a residential neighborhood, so parking is tight. The place is cute but extremely small. Expect a 45 minute plus wait on weekends. The service was ok, but not the best. I gave an extra star because the hostess was understanding of my pregnant wife and got her a biscuit and me a cup of coffee when we were waiting. The food was above average, but not worth the wait.
(3)Andrew P.
Amazing. Ate there 3 times in 2 days. Our favorite! Try the Sod buster omelet, the elephants Gerald, and the short stack (tall if you dare). Dinner is good too. Quesadilla is HUGE! Burrito is great. Couldn't finish mine.
(5)Gen M.
This is a tourist place especially after Rachel Ray. The food is not that great. I've eaten here 3 times and am done with it. The pancakes are denssse. The biscuits are as huge as they are dry, really dry. The waffle takes like a regular waffle. It is a little pricey for the what you get and you always have to wait for seating. The waiters are fine, but they do there job, the place is like a machine pumping out pancakes. It's a very pretty cute place to take someone. They have a pretty stone patio with umbrellas but I wouldn't waist my time. Go to Bluegrass Grill, sometimes there is a wait but it is worth it.
(2)Chris H.
This just might be the best breakfast I have ever had. The omelets were great! The kids had the pancakes and after trying them I wish I had enough room to eat both. Service was great with little wait. We will be coming back here for sure!!!
(5)Robert S.
Get a Guinness with a shot of espresso added, a slimstack of blueberry pancakes, and an order of home fries (all fried up with jalepenos and onions) and whoa... This is just about impossible to beat. The only bad thing about this place is that it needs to be about twice as big. As it is, it's nearly impossible to get seated at peak times. If you want to go on Sundays, especially, you need to get your butt there early. Would add an extra star if I could since they have a Mrs. Pac Man machine inside too.. +5 awesome points.
(5)Byron W.
Cute place, great pancakes. Rotten service. But maybe that's part of the allure. Going on a Saturday? Get there before 9:00 or you'll wait.
(2)Marisa S.
After having the Aretha Frankenstein-recipe pancakes from Blue Plate the night before, I convinced my bf that we just had to check out the real thing on our way out of town after Thanksgiving. I got the pancakes (again! even though I had just had them for dinner the night before), he got the Mexican omelette, we both had coffee, and we were very happy with the whole thing. It was Saturday, and it helped A LOT that we got there before 9, as it was raining and we would have been out of luck if the place was any more crowded. We liked the decor and overall vibe of the place -- it seems like a great place to hang out in nice weather, especially the outside area. If you're hungry, I suggest coming early though -- I can see how this place can get crowded fast. Now, off to the website to order some of that delicious pancake mix ... mmmmmmmm.
(4)funda k.
The food is delicious, my husband and I were there two days in a row, on our 3-day trip to TN. First day we were there bright and early, hardly waited for the food, and boy, it was delicious. The hipster wait staff yapped at us, because my husband walked into the restaurant with an empty cup from Starbucks and asked him if he could throw it in the trash for him. While I think the yapping was uncalled for and kind of dumb, the other waiters put the inappropriate waiter in his place quite quickly. We liked the food so much, we said we'd be back the next day. The next day, we were there a little later, we got seated immediately and hear this : waited for 2.5 hours. I would have not waited that long if I weren't hungover, if we had anything better to do, if I had the patience (and tools) to look for an alternative place, and all of the above. We drank a lot of coffee and waited. Look, I get they cook everything from scratch, and fresh and all. But 2.5 hours for pancakes and biscuits. Seriously? I will be surprised if they last for 2 more years with this business model.
(3)Emily D.
We were very excited to eat here while visiting Chattanooga. Went on a Sunday morning. There were a few people waiting outside to be seated, and we were told it would only be about 30 minutes for a seat. After waiting 1.5 hours (and checking in with them several times) we finally left. Wish i could tell you how great the food was, but we never got that far. Don't think i will bother wasting my time for another try. We went to FoodWorks and were seated promptly and brunch was wonderful.
(1)joel n.
Damn, this is the best breakfast place! Not just in Chattanooga, I mean anywhere! The bacon egg and cheese biscuit will clobber you over the head with its awesome tastiness. The waffles and pancakes will probably do the same and then knock you back down when you try to get up. The place burned down but rose from the ashes like the phoenix that it is. After i moved away from Chatty I missed the food here big time and desperately want to go back. Some times there is a wait, but that's just because like Diamond Dave said, "everybody wants some."
(5)Kim M.
We went in July with a group of friends-- altogether we had 6 adults and 4 kids between all of us. We got there around 10 a.m., and waited about 30 minutes for a table. The restaurant is VERY SMALL-- not a lot of wiggle room, but we were so hungry we didn't care. Service was reasonable, the wait for our food was a bit long-- but the place was packed (inside AND outside on the patio and deck area). I split the waffle with my son-- it is DELICIOUS. I regretted splitting the dish. My friend got the Waffle of Insane Greatness and it did not disappoint. VERY, VERY delicious. The french toast is HORRIBLE--- if you like a heavy, heavy cinnamon tinge to your french toast, fine, but we didn't. My hubs got the Philly cheesesteak and it did not disappoint-- VERY good. I would definitely go back.
(4)Cole B.
awesome.
(4)Jonathon S.
Stopped in for a beer and a bite on a Saturday evening. It was small, had a laid back vibe to it. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, good prices. Wouldn't mind visiting some time for a full breakfast.
(4)Stephen S.
I am rather tired as I write, so I will make a list with + for positive and - for negative + really cute hostess with awesome, brightly colored shoes + sufjan stevens music playing - music playing a little too loudly (when you can't talk over sufjan that says something, amirite?) + giving me a mug of coffee to sip on while i waited + getting seated pretty quickly even though it was crowded and the facility is small + "waffle of insane greatness" is the best waffle i've ever eaten + the grits with pepper jack cheese were absolutely perfect - i could eat them with my fork + sodbuster omelette was delicious, though next time i will just get the waffle with a side of grits instead of sampling my dining partner's i was just in town visiting, but i think this is probably my favorite restaurant that i tried while in town, though perhaps i'm biased because brunch is my favorite meal. i would definitely like to try it out as a late night place, because some of the guiness drinks looked intense.
(5)Javier O.
Possibly one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten! I came here with no expectations and I left extremely satisfied. Upon my arrival, the smell permeated through the air as I walked up to the restaurants. Then as I got closer to the door, I begin to hear the faint sound of a rock song further motivating me to explore further. I walked up to the bar and sat on the comfy high chairs and took in the atmosphere. Luckily, I brought my camera along to appreciate the scenery. I ordered an omelet with pepper jack cheese. They make their omelets with 3 large grade A eggs. Breakfast is served with the option of toast or a biscuit and your choice of potatoes or grits. Their potatoes are made with Jalapenos and onions. I went with the potatoes and biscuits. I know I am supposed to be dieting but I could not resist to also order the "Waffle of Insane Greatness." With a name like that jumping at you from the menu, it is very impossible to resist. Boy did I make some great choices this morning. The omelet were perfectly folded over fluffy and cheesy, just the way I like them. The pepper jack cheese coupled with the jalapenos in the potatoes sparked my morning start. The biscuit had to be the biggest best tasting biscuit I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The sprinkle of sugar on top gave it a real sweat twist. And yes, I must admit, the waffles were indeed, Insane! Aretha Frankensteins, you ain't seen the last of me. Check them out for yourself! arethas.com
(5)Scott D.
This is one reason why we love Yelp so much. Our first visit to Chattanooga and we wanted to find a good breakfast place. All the reviews were dead-on. The pancakes and the waffles were the best we have ever had. The waffles had this great crispiness and wonderful flavor, and the pancakes were amazingly fluffy and delicious. There is very minimal seating so make sure you get there early on the weekends.
(5)Thomas O.
The pancakes are like nothing ever anywhere. In fact the mix is now sold at local grocery stores and has become a favorite gift to give(my sister trades us fresh eggs). The Super Dave Scramble is another fave, but watch out for the jalapenos. Admittedly the service here is so-so but regulars accept it for what it is, a great one of kind neighborhood restaurant. And if you see nurses drinking beer at 8 AM don't be alarmed there getting off shift, not going on.
(4)Megan H.
My new husband and I were on our honeymoon in Chattanooga, TN, when we set out in search of a local spot - off the beaten path - for a quiet Tuesday morning breakfast. We found ourselves outside a quaint and very promising looking Aretha Frankenstein's. Walking up from the back parking lot, we noticed an enormous pile of trash behind the restaurant which should have been our first clue that something wasn't right, but lost in our immediate post-marital bliss, we ignored the heap, and proceeded to the front door. Passing through the patio to the front door, we noticed two occupied tables with families and thought this was a great sign. After walking into the restaurant, we were given two menus and told to "sit where ever [we'd] like." Considering this as a good sign - we took a table outside. Our waiter came to take our drink orders, and after about 10 minutes, our coffee, OJ, and water arrived. At this point, we had been given enough time to read the menu and knew what we wanted. My husband being a fan of biscuits and gravy, asked the waiter's opinion of their own. The response was honest and very surprising..."Normally yes, however, the cook is new and his first batch was thrown out and he was told to try again." With this enlightening knowledge of a novice chef, we figured we would order something easy - my husband requested scrambled eggs, 2 pancakes, and a side of bacon. I ordered an Italian omelet (ricotta cheese, peppers, onions and sausage). And the wait began...Over the course of the next 45-50 minutes, we were both able to read the USA Today, and the WSJ cover to cover. During our wait, we witnessed one of the two nearby tables of people pay their tab and leave. Normally this would have gone un-noticed, however a swarm of sparrows came in and did the bus boys job and completely cleaned up the remaining food. Now I understand that when you sit on a patio, you're subject to outside entities (flies, birds, sun...) but the dishes were still on the table when we finally left an hour later. Our food arrived about the time my husband began searching for lunch options - it was nearing that time anyway. My omelet looked ok, and the waiter placed it in front of me with the preface that my toast would soon follow..."soon" was nearly 10 minutes later. The sausage was WAY overcooked, and the eggs lacked flavor. While placing my husband's food on the table, the waiter mentioned that the new batch of gravy was ready, and asked if he would like to try it with a biscuit - why not, right? He began eating his food starting with his pancakes - and they were definitely a sight to see! About an inch thick each, the pair of cakes resembled more of corn bread than they did flapjacks. It was almost as though they had been baked on a huge cookie sheet, and cut out by the lid of an old coffee can...but they tasted good. The next item in front of him was his bacon, which he claimed was outstanding - and coming from the world's biggest bacon snob - this was saying something. The eggs were less than appealing - in look, taste and texture. They appeared as though they were prepared in a blender with the tiniest pieces of yellow mush drowning in oily goo on the plate. Were these scrambled eggs - or the remnants of a baby's diaper? The biscuit and gravy arrived soon after, with the gravy in a side-cup next to a biscuit that suited the standard breakfast biscuit size. Watching him taste the gravy though made me feel every ounce of disgust that hit his tastebuds at that very moment. He reviewed that the gravy tasted like warm floury dough with specks of pepper and sausage...not really the most appetizing response one would look for. We "finished" our meals, with no one in sight to ask for refills, how our meal was, or if we needed anything else. Normally a patient person - as I had explained at the start of this review - I was more than ready to pay our tab and leave. Having waited much longer than was necessary, I got up from the table and walked inside, seeking our waiter. Standing at the counter for no less than 2 minutes without a single ackno
(1)Whit K.
Awful food and service. Most of the kitchen staff and waitresses took frequent cigarette beaks. It took a very long time to get served. The pancakes had hair in them and the cafe Latte was barly warm.
(1)Brett E.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant, I come here whenever I visit my parents. Wonderful pancakes, awesome omelettes, a waffle of insane greatness, and the biscuits are ridiculous. A must if you come to Chattanooga. I have never had a bad meal here, honestly. I would say the best time to go is late at night, it's when the awesome people are there and mom and dad leave the kids at home.
(5)Lisa M.
We decided to give this place a try after finding it here on yelp. At 8:30 on a Sunday morning they were already really full. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table. We didn't mind so much since the reviews were so good. The atmosphere at first glance is great. It has an artsy vibe and is very unique. Once we were seated inside our waitress was there immediately to get our drink order and arrived quickly with our drinks. Unfortunately, we didn't see her for another 20 minutes to take our order. Our food took 30 minutes to prepare. With all that time we had a lot of chances to take a look at our surroundings. Probably not the best idea. The interior is in a desperate need of a thorough clean. There was an inch of dust and grime on all the pictures and fixtures around the place. Some of the food was great and some not so much. The pancakes were very good and I can see why they sell the mix. The french toast was terrible. The biscuits were okay, but so heavy. This place didn't meet the expectations at all - disappointing!
(2)Darren B.
Best Breakfast in Chattanooga hands down! Can someone send me their pancake mix that they sell in Publix?
(5)Jeremy C.
Ate here for breakfast after checking out some reviews on Yelp and it wasn't bad. Not the biggest place with just a few tables inside but we sat outside on the deck and there were a few separate tables outside for those that enjoy the hot Tennessee sun. Took a little bit longer than I thought it would for breakfast but it was really good once we got it. A few of the couples outside we heard complaining that they hadn't gotten their food yet. The staff is nice and the menu has a nice selection. I'd definitely recommend it. They do allow dogs for the outside seating but if you do bring your dog and then decide to eat inside, where they don't allow your dog, please don't leave it in your car with the black leather seats outside in the hot sun. Not cool.
(3)evan m.
Yep, the service is slow. But the food is worth it, and the decor and music makes the wait bearable. Get the shrimp & grits. You won't regret it.
(4)Noah J.
Simply Amazing. I had one of the best meals in a long time in this establishment. The staff was great, on the ball, and the environment was inviting also. Highly recommend.
(5)Katelin R.
Aretha's is a good breakfast place, but definitely not my first choice. The pancakes are very fluffy and giant but that's about the only thing I'm overly fond of on the menu. The service is very laid back and at times, may come across as inattentive. The space is small, but provides a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Definitely try the pancakes!
(3)Jenny R.
My folks relocated to Chattanooga and were really excited to bring me to Aretha's for breakfast as soon as they discovered it. I was in love the minute I walked in! Funky/ecclectic/artsy decor, LOTR on the flat screen behind the bar, a diver's bell housing the beer taps, great mix of alternative music and a wraparound porch/outdoor seating area. I hadn't even gotten to the food yet. Great coffee!!!! My cup has rarely been empty at Aretha's(and I go at least once a visit, if not more). They don't make it watered down to save a little cash either-this is coffee that wakes you up. Yes, this place did get popular after Racheal Ray had it on '$40 a Day', and yes, the service is slower paced that a usual 'get them in and out' type of breakfast place, but this is the south! Things are a bit more leisurely down here. I enjoy not feeling like I have to hurry it up and get out at a restaurant-esp if the coffee hasn't quite kicked in yet in the morning. The waffle of insane greatness is aptly named. If you're especially hungry(or have hypoglycemia), order the Elephants Gerald(same waffle, but with ice cream and pecan maple syrup on top!). The pancakes are always light, fluffy, buttery, and crisp around the edges with tender cake middles. They sell the mix in house and at a few grocers in the area. I always bring back several boxes for myself and friends that I've gotten hooked on it. My dad always orders the 'sod buster' skillet and it is delicious! Sometimes a bit too much pepper in the potatoes for his taste, but he's kinda picky when it comes to spices. Their biscuits are a mile high and taste light and delicious no matter what you top them with-sausage gravy, butter and jam, or honey. I've flown home to Chicago with several in my carry on bag to top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream(they should add that to the menu it's so good). The staff here has always been absolutely sweet and friendly-and I like a place where I can see the cook dancing at the stove while he's flipping hot cakes from my table. I wear my Aretha's t-shirt proudly and send anyone traveling through Chatt. :D Also noteworthy is that this place had a fire a few years ago and came back just as great as before! Thrilled we didn't lose this gem.
(4)J L.
This place is the thing we most miss about Chattanooga (besides friends)! Breakfast on the patio! The waffles and pancakes are a must, as is the potatoes. We love it so much that we have friends send us their mix! Eclectic, great food but you might have to wait. Well worth it, though.
(5)LN K.
Was disappointed in this visit. Ordered a bacon omelette with fried potatoes. The omelette lacked flavor and fluff, the potatoes were soggy, as if they had been left in a steamer way too long. I give 3 stars because the omelette was LOADED with delicious bacon. Yes, we had to wait a bit, but not too long, and the people watching was great.
(3)Tony L.
I would describe Aretha Frankensteins as a restaurant with modest commercial ambitions. If you are not from their neighborhood, they are certainly glad to see you, but you have to go with their deal, which is this: Seating is ridiculously limited and service is extremely slow, but the food and friendly atmosphere are great. They explain right on the menu that the kitchen is tiny. Our waitress was right up front "You can go ahead and sit, it will be about an hour for food." Think backstreet Key West meets Southern breakfast. We took the deal and had a great time. They took our order right away, repeating the time stipulation. We sipped coffee and chatted with our neighbors.We watched the day get going in the neighborhood. We noticed that nobody was in a hurry and everyone seemed pretty happy. At about 40 minutes, here came our food. And it was really good. Mary had a classic bacon-eggs breakfast with a gigantic biscuit and gravy. I had "Jack's scrambler," with onions, mushrooms, potato, and hot peppers mixed in. Extra good and definitely got our day off to a wonderful, slow start. Don't go there if you are in a hurry.
(4)Helene J.
We came on a weekday, late morning, no wait at all. It was a little dicey to locate, and parking is awful. Very pleasant to sit outside. We ordered the blueberry pancakes (stack of 3 is way too much for one person....) and eggs with potatoes. It did take a little longer than you'd expect, and the service wasn't great, but the food and prices, and the funky ambience, made it worthwhile.
(4)Max P.
Great food but insanely slow, even if the place is empty. Still almost worth it for the pancakes.
(3)shawn r.
Arethas...well the thing about Arethas is that its known for it's bad service, and long wait times, it's just a staple in Chattanooga. You come to Arethas for the late night variety of food, the superb pancakes, the beer on tap, or just to chill out. It's a neat place, but not somewhere that I would show off to someone visiting.
(3)Jasmine A.
I wished i still lived in TN so that i could have Aretha Frankenstein super thick pancakes! Best pancakes ever! And everything else is awesome! I love the small hidden restaurant. The staff is very friendly and i recommend this place to everyone. I now have to ship in Aretha Frankensteins pancake mix online so that i can have my fix. Best MIX ever.http://www.arethas.com/
(4)Scott H.
Delicious pancakes for sure!! They are super fluffy and tall. The biscuits are great and homemade. The decor is super cute and there are 7 or 8 tables and a bar to belly up to. Be careful bellying up to the bar cuz those pancakes will push your belly to its max. There is outside seating when warm. Oh, who cares? Just go there and eat pancakes, they're good!!
(4)Tara M.
For my 300 review it had to be somewhere awesome 5 star worthy and funky. Thinking back over all the fabulous spots I stopped at on a road trip through TN I remembered Aretha Frankensteins and instantly new this was the 300 hands down. Where do I begin? This place is very funky it seems more like a place you would find in Austin, San Fran or New Orleans. We discovered it by asking around town and 4 out of 6 locals recommended it along with The Mellow Mushroom but that is another review. We found the place easy enough and I was so happy to see it is in an old house and not a strip mall. I have a thing for old houses turned restaurants. And this old house looks like it was previously a vintage collectibles store but our waitress told us the owner had collected all the kitsch himself and also knocked out the the walls and did all the painting as well. I would have loved to meet the owner but it was slammed busy all 4 times we ate here - 3 times in 2 days.... The first time we ate at lunch I had the Shrimp and Grits with a side of home fries fried up with jalapenos and onions - southern food at its best! I could not stop thinking about the omelets so the next morning we stopped in for eggs and waffles. I got an omelet with potatoes, onions, bacon and cheese and since my omelet included potatoes I selected grits and toast as my sides. My best travel buddy ever ordered the Belgian Waffle topped with vanilla ice cream and pecans and syrup. We loved our meal so much we decided to eat dinner here again before we left town. Since they pretty much just serve breakfast for breakfast lunch and dinner I ordered the Italian Omelet that was stuffed with ricotta cheese and everything else you would expect to find in lasagna minus the noodles and pasta sauce. My friend who has a sweet tooth got the french toast and kept talking about it for the rest of the trip. Know before you go: this place is not fast food - it is made from scratch and you will have to wait for everything to be freshly chopped and cooked. And this might sound extremely rude but if you are a wide load do not go here - you will embarrass yourself and the other guests. The dining area is barely navigatable by a normal size person - I'm talking suck in your gut and walk sideways tight seating - but the food is worth it.. Since our mini van/hotel broke down on the way back through town we dined here for a 4Th time 3 days later with the same 5 star food!
(5)Tim D.
If you see people waiting, run! Not worth the wait. Server told us 30 minutes and it ended up being 90 minutes. The food took another 45 minutes and we are talking breakfast food in a place that has 25-30 seats at the very most.
(1)Benjamin W.
Aretha's is an interesting place in an interesting location, nestled on the eastern hill of Tremont street. The decor is funky and cool, as is the staff. The many times I've been for dinner it's been pleasant, but the real deal is breakfast. There is likely not a better place if it's a Saturday morning and you've got plenty of time on your hands and a huge appetite. All of the breakfast eats are exceptional, especially the pancakes and giant, buttery biscuits. The service is very slow-paced and deliberate, but it's not a real issue with me. Don't go there if you're in a hurry for sure. Overall a solid place.
(4)Derrick D.
I actually give Aretha Frankenstein's 3.5 stars, but I guess I'll round up because if I do go back to Chattanooga then I'll go back here... which makes me a fan, right? Yes, their pancakes really are really thick. Yes, you will get full off of 2 of them. I had the breakfast burrito, and I'm not sure if my eyes were bigger than my stomach but I thought I could polish off both the burrito and pancakes. David W. told me there was no way, and I'm glad I took his advice. The setting is quite interesting... it's nestled on the corner in a residential area in a weird triangular plot of land. it's on slight hill, and that makes the outdoor seating in a somewhat courtyard like area. Then there's the possibility of eating ON the railing of the wrap around deck/porch. The railing is tall enough to be perfect to sit on a stool to eat, and wide enough that plates can fit. However where I sat it was slanted away from me, though it really didn't turn out to be a problem while eating (although you always thought your water glass was going to tip over). My biggest gripe: that there were ants climbing up the posts and therefore a stray ant would get near my food. Not good. Service was great, the interior is small (really small) and they even tell you on the menu that the kitchen is so small you may have to wait longer than normal for your food.
(4)Kerry S.
Best pancakes I've ever eaten and the jabber omelet is killer! FYI just remember to bring a fly swatter!
(4)Erik A.
First time in Chattanooga and we wanted to have the best breakfast in town and I found Aretha in yelp, the only problem was that all the reviews mentioned the terrible wait and with a 18 month old that almost removed it from our list so ... we still decided to give it a chance and I'm glad we did it. So we got there at 8:30 AM on Sunday and there were not empty tables (they only have like 4) but at least we were first in the waitlist and 5 min later we were sat. The service - The server was very busy but he was nice and he did a good job. The food - We ordered the Dave scramble and 3 pancakes to share everything with my wife and toddler. The server reminded us that the pancakes take some time to prepare and 15-20 min later we had our food in the table. The scramble was delicious, the real deal, it's just something that I would eat everyday. The pancakes, ah the pancakes!! ... believe me and believe all the other reviews, you will not find better pancakes, I still dream about them and I'm trying to convince my wife that we should drive 5 hours from Charlotte just for the pancakes.
(5)Goh H.
Found this from Thrill list, I ordered polish eggs with pancake, it was good, the coffee is normal. The pancake is really thick and smell good! This is the first pancake that I ever had in my life without needing any syrups. Although, polish eggs taste good, but it was too oily. Food wise it deserved a 4 stars, but it was disturbing seeing so many flies wander around beer draft tap, so I decided to give it a 3. The place doesn't have a lot of seats, so please do expect longer waiting time if u are going in a group.
(3)Terri D.
Delicious food. The Philly was delicious; my 6 year old said "that was the most delicious sandwich I've ever had! can we PLEASE get another one!" He almost cried when we said no! It was great, real steak. Yum. I had the eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast, and it was phenomenal. I don't know what they're cooking with, but man, it was delicious. And I'm thinking, let me get a grip here, it's just eggs bacon & toast, but man, it was really awesome. The atmosphere was really cool, tiny place, wall to ceiling to stall, covered in really neat, take me back to a different time, photos, cereal box covers, just neat kitschy stuff. We came around 1pm on a Thursday and we sat right away, the other tables filled while we were there, and ate about 15 minutes later, not unreasonable at all, but especially for a place that makes everything from scratch to order. I felt like a kid again, the 80's came rushing back, I got to enjoy seeing the boys play the same games I played as a kid, on their very own table top Pac-Man game. I'm pretty sure I smiled the whole time we were there. It was cool. To top it off, we had an awesome server Torey, who made us just passers throughers feel very welcomed to Chattanooga, and well taken care of, & a wonderful Chattanooga charm - a great find, Aretha Frankenstiens as We4DoExplore.Life
(5)Mike S.
Literally the coolest and best place to get brunch ever. Quirky, a little punk rock, amazing food, large portions, friendly service, great prices! One pancake is enough to serve an army. Frisbee sized and about an inch thick. I was full but proceeded to my bacon, egg and cheese on a homemade biscuit. For $5 it was the size of two of my fists! Oohhhh try the biscuits and gravy small portion. That gravy is perfect and has a little kick to it. You won't be disappointed. Keep in mind there are a lot of bad reviews here about how "slow" they are. It's a small place that's packed to the brim. Everything made from scratch. This isn't fast food so plan accordingly. When in Chattanooga stop at Aretha Frankensteins!
(5)Drew B.
Watched the cook dig in the trash with gloves on. While keeping the same gloves on, started making my food. I walked out. I also observed multiple guests coming in from outside, walking into the kitchen, and grubbing on anything laying out. Will never be back.
(1)Kathleen B.
We've lived in Chattanooga 2 weeks and we've been here at least 5 times. It's a short walk from our house, it's amazing. The biscuits and gravy is delish! Personally I'm a fan of the bean burrito too! I hear there pancakes and waffles are the best, have tried those yet.
(5)Kevin C.
Food was fantastic, but the wait was a bit ridiculous. The place is pretty small and on a Saturday you can end up waiting over an hour so be prepared. They will at least make you a coffee while you're waiting.
(4)Joey T.
Eclectic, hole in the wall place with delicious breakfasts and a wait that is epic, like their pancakes. The shrimp and grits were fantastic. If you have the time to spare, I would highly recommend this place for breakfast or brunch if you are in the area.
(4)Lena H.
My husband and I are die hard horror movie fans and when anything has the name and allure of a classic Hollywood monster we total suckers. I saw Richard R.'s ( yelp.com/biz/aretha-fran… ) review on this place and even before I finished reading it I knew we had to visit. Quite honestly we ended up at Aretha Frankenstein's rather serendipitously. We had driven to Chattanooga on a day trip and were looking for a place to eat. I had completely forgotten about Richard R.'s review because I was too busy throwing a temper tantrum after my husband refused to let me visit the Sephora at the Hamilton Place Mall. It was until he said something about Frankenstein that Richards review came back to mind. Immediately I looked it up on Yelp and we navigated our way over. Initially I thought that our map was mistaken because we ended up in a very picturesque residential area. There was no oversized sign out front distinguishing the restaurant from the other homes and the large stonewall, though beautiful, restricts your street view. After circling the block we finally spotted the umbrellas of the outdoor tables and upon closer inspection noticed the sign. We must have just missed the lunch crowd because it was rather empty. We took a seat inside, since we were told they wouldn't be serving outside due to the weather, which was fine by us. Now, let me start off by saying that there is nothing "scary" about this place and honestly it's all in the name, but nonetheless we ended up having a great time. The restaurant is small and it looks like it used to be more of a bar. When you walk in you immediately notice the old fashion dark wooden bar at the center. On the ceiling you will find framed photos off cereal box covers from times past. They had Rainbow Brite, Batman, The Joker and bunch of other characters that have been used to sell kids cereal, very nostalgic. There are two large and what look to be wroth iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and all around the walls are different posters of old punk bands, "morbidish" art work and of course Frankenstein. It's almost like a mini museum. When it comes to the menu it's small but to the point. My husband insisted that I have the shrimp and grits. He opted for the Philly cheese steak sandwich. I like grits but I've always had them oatmeal style, with milk, brown sugar and a little bit of butter, not to mention that I've always had them for breakfast. I really wasn't sure what to expect and though I'd seen pictures and the reviews I was still skeptical and anxious about what was to come. When our meals came out, I like saw mine and secretly thought "OMG, this looks like vomit after a hard night of partying" oh yeah how's that for appetizing. Luckily, it didn't taste at all like they looked. The grits, like tofu, take on the flavors of whatever it's cooked in. The dish had plenty of medium sized shrimp, Ortega chili, grits, grits and more grits all mixed with Tabasco sauce, which gave it a definite kick. The shrimp were well cooked and had a nice sweetness to them, which was perfectly off set by the Ortega chili and kicked up a notch by the underlying flavor of the Tabasco sauce.....score!!! It was pretty tasty and I wouldn't mind going back for more. My husband's Philly cheese steak sandwich was nice and sizable. He gives it a solid 3.5 stars on it's own. The bread was warm, toasty on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. The meat was nicely seasoned and the green peppers were cooked but with just enough firmness to give you something to bite into, and finally enough cheese to get stringy when pulled apart but not so much that it overwhelmed all the other ingredients and bulged up at the back of your throat in a knot. I can say our visit was a success. We absolutely love the feel and the decor; even better the food was better than expected.
(4)Brandon H.
This rating doesn't reflect the quality of the food, the taste of the food or even the ambiance of inside the restaurant. More than anything, it reflects on the brain-dead beatnik working the front door and taking the names of folks to be put on the wait list. My wife walked up to this dude, he asked our name and told us it'd be about 40-45 minutes. No problem at all. We walked to the patio and waited. And waited. And waited. We sat outside for about an hour and 20 minutes before walking up to this dude again and asking about the wait. It was at that point he realized that he never even wrote down our name. "Are you sure you didn't leave it under another name?" he asked, scrambling. Nah, bro. Kill yourself. Needless to say, we left.
(1)Ty C.
They succeed in spite of themselves. Seemingly clueless with regards to any principles of restaurant management, it is one of the more eclectic places to have breakfast. But be prepared to wait quite a while first for a table and then for service practiced by a staff acutely afflicted with ADD. The pancakes are fine, the sausage was standard frozen fare, but the coffee was good. One major annoyance on this visit was the staff's inability to get three self-indulgent millennials up from hogging a table with their smart phones after finishing breakfast with people lined up waiting for a seat. Oh well, I'll go back in a couple of years and get reminded why I do not go more often.
(2)Amanda B.
We passed through Chattanooga on a long road trip. I love going to local stops over chain places so thought we would try AEs. We got there right when they opened so we didn't have to wait for seating and were served pretty quick. OMG the pancakes are an inch thick and amazing. I wanted the waffle of insane greatness with the Elephant Gerald toppings but the waffle maker was out of service so I got a short stack with the goodies. It. Was. Amazing. The pecans dripping with gooey syrup topped with ice cream, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. The cook even threw some pecans IN the batter. The other diners had the B&G and shrimp & grits. No one had any complaints about the food. We all left VERY full. The server was very pleasant and kept our coffee full.
(5)Matt G.
The Food: Incredible. We had Biscuts and Gravy and a Spinach Omlette. Both were fresh and very good. The Experience: Not so wonderful. Empty beer cans and cigarette butts were covering the front patio where we waited for nearly an hour for a spot at the counter. But, then again, the place only has seating for 20 people. So, the wait should be expected.
(4)varion w.
It's a cold December morn and the pancakes at Aretha Frankenstein have truly been calling me. I've only eaten here durn the spring and summer because I love the cobblestoned patio. Aretha Frankenstein, home of the "monster pancakes and biscuits!" Seldom disappointed.
(4)Melissa J.
First, I have absolutely no idea why this place has such great ratings. I checked Yelp BEFORE I went so my expectations were that it would at least be decent. SEATING/WAIT TIME: One reviewer mentioned "plenty of seating indoor and out"... um, there are only about 4-5 tables inside, and when we went, they were not using the outdoor seating though the weather was perfect and we were on an hour wait. Strike one for next to NO seating therefore making a ridiculous wait time... but honestly, I was thinking the food was going to be good, so I really didn't mind the wait for something special for my out-of-town family. SERVICE: The waitstaff left much to be desired. They did not check if we were ok at all, and seemed like they wanted to get us in and out (most likely because of the waiting line....because they have no SEATING). Strike two. Again, I feel like I'm a fair and patient person, so I was just waiting to be wowed by the food, and make it worth putting the 8 other family members I brought along, through this lack luster breakfast. FOOD: The kicker? You guessed it. The food was awful! I got an omelet with potatoes, bacon and cheese. Now granted, those aren't the healthiest of ingredients, but there was literally a POOL of grease/oil. I wasn't expecting a "clean-eating" breakfast obviously, but was expecting something edible. The pancakes were THICK...think about 1.5" - 2" high. I didn't have them, but my husband relayed his distaste. We also were not aware they were going to be so massive -- so he ended up ordering WAY too much. The "cappuccino" was disgusting. Maybe this is my fault--I thought ordering a cappuccino = sweet. Really, it just equaled black coffee + frothy milk. I had to add sugar to be able to drink it. Again, maybe I'm too Starbucks-ified, but this was not what I was expecting at all. PRICING: The icing on the cake was the $40+ bill for the 3 people I paid for, to eat breakfast. All I could do while walking to the car was apologize to the rest of my family for suggesting this place...
(1)Cherie A.
Okay it is a totally nitchy and small looking little house but this is an excellent breakfast choice! My husband and I only had to wait 25 minutes, but we enjoyed Guinness with added expresso shots, delicious! I ordered the Super Dave scramble with biscuit and added gravy, and my husband chose the bacon potato omelet with a single blueberry pancake. The pancake is enormous, as well as the rest of our food! The service was friendly too. The decor is fun to look at. Overall a great experience. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jane J.
The best biscuits and great coffee!
(4)Anita C.
I have never given a restaurant a one star before. Especially since I never made it inside! We have tried 3 times to get in to this place without any success. The parking is horrible.... or shoud i say there is no parking. My husband is handicapped and there is no place for parking near at all.... unless I missed something! As much as I would love to have this experience, 3 times and yer out!
(1)Derek H.
Killer good breakfasts. The pancakes really are that good. Best to go at an off time. Service can be unpredictable.
(4)Stephanie T.
Love Aretha's but can only go when I have a weekday off and no other immediate plans as the place is rather small and the wait is very long. Service is slow, like good 'ole southern molasses...but if you are a hipster/college student/retired/shift worker/have a weekday off kind of person, with no rush to be anywhere, this is fine with you. The food is great. You must try the pancakes...even just one. They have their own mix that you can actually buy locally in the grocery stores too. It has a cornmeal type consistency/taste to it that makes it like a Johnny Cake/Pankcake. The biscuits are super delish and the sausage gravy is the best I've had at just about any restaurant...tastes homemade, not out of a mix. Love the funky décor in the place and the laid-back vibe. Again, as long as you know you're in for a wait, it's fantastic. If you're in a hurry or have no patience, this is not the place for you.
(5)Brian M.
Service by hipsters that 'don't care' in addition to lack of seating made for a lackluster experience overall. Save yourself the hassle, order pancake mix online.
(3)Mel P.
We went after my son's lacrosse game. It was later in the day so they were out of waffles, but his pancake was delicious. The rest of the food we ordered was just ok. The service was SLOW despite it not being overly crowded.
(2)Stephanie C.
This is a LONG LONG WAIT!!! But worth it! Best shrimp and grits I ever had. Pancakes were huge and the DAve Scramble didn't disappoint. You will wait about an hour to sit and another 30 for your food. But it is worth it! Great breakfast. I would go back!
(4)Becca J.
Not only fantastic food but an awesome space to eat breakfast! Shrimp and gritz is a must, just be prepared to have left overs. The two biggest bummers is parking(lack of) and the staff is a little cold.
(4)Sheri R.
Great little restaurant. There are only 5 inside tables so go at an off time!! Breakfast was wonderful and the pancakes are the size of frisbees, so go hungry!
(5)Jon W.
The place is small, so if the weather is bad, and there's no outside seating, be prepared for a wait with no particular place to wait. We went for breakfast, and will return anytime we are in town! I got a shrimp omelet, which was weird of me, but have never had a better breakfast food. The environment is great as well. But the food! Yum.
(5)Erin S.
This place is awesome and a must to go to if you are living or visiting Chattanooga. The outside looks like a house and off the beaten path. The place is small so be prepared to wait. The blueberry pancakes are amazing and my favorite. However, the shrimp and grits are great too. The atmosphere is very fun and is decorated with crazy items. This place is open all day and at night is a bar.
(5)Melissa K.
Rolling into Chattanooga with empty, growling stomachs is no way to start a vacation now is it? No way! So I picked Aretha Frankensteins as our first food stop in the city and I'm happy with the choice. First, I must state that I do NOT do brunch. There is no way I'm waiting just to be sat for over an hour all the while growing hangrier and hangrier. That's hungry + angry from years of dining experience. I also can't eat eggs much anymore. Dang it! After reading reviews about the wait and how small this place is I knew we were making the right choice to go at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. I'm just stating this so that if you go during peak hours your experience may be different than ours. Parking was not a problem for us since we found a spot right outside the restaurant but I could see where it would be limited during busy times. It's primarily a residential neighborhood after all. There were folks drinking and smoking away on the covered porch due to the cool drizzle but the interior was *very* clean with not a whiff of what was going on just outside the door. During peak weather there would be 5-8 tables out on the patio in addition to the bar stool type situation surrounding the porch area. On a day like the day we went, it was just the 5 tables and indoor bar being seated. Maybe enough room for about 22 people in total? We were greeted very quickly and with not a smile but with an affable grin and friendly banter. A table in the corner suited us just fine and we ordered and received our drinks and food within 15 minutes. We both got shrimp and grits (hey, it's vacation so I'm splurging on seafood) and we split one of their famous pancakes. Here's the rundown: *the good - good sized portions - shrimp not overcooked - grits are REALLY GOOD by being nice and creamy - pancakes is fluffy and dense and lives up to the reputation and you can even add a bunch of stuff to them like chocolate chip, blueberries, etc - beer prices are reasonable even though we didn't imbibe - the service was on point and friendly - the decor was awesome especially for Halloween - they make the most of the space by stacking high and keeping it tight *the bad - syrup is cheapo stuff (blech) and maybe folks would like some other options even if meant more $ - the shrimp and grits were good but they were a *lot* greasy that wouldn't blend but got soaked up with a napkin or two - the biscuit had no flavor So, just a few 'meh' things but overall I'd definitely come back here and try something else in a heartbeat. Oh, and case anyone is wondering the reason the place is so small is because most of the original building burned down in 2006 and the current restaurant is what they could save.
(4)Jess F.
Love this place. Amazing pancakes. They have old cereal boxes lining the ceiling. Just spent most of my time looking at all the decor...awesome!
(5)Brad C.
Awesome biscuits, pancakes and potatoes. Only four tables so be ready for a wait (we waited nearly an hour for a table and another 30 minutes for food on a Friday morning). Baffling that they don't utilize the patio tables for service. We had a great waitress but the host was either stoned or functionally retarded. Getting a coffee while waiting was an act of God. If they could fix the uneven service and get the food moving faster, this would be a great spot.
(3)Lou G.
I wanted to hate this place. I wanted to hate this place so much. I hate waiting. I hate waiting even more when I see empty tables, bar stools, outside tables all available. Why I am waiting??? I don't get it! I wanted to hate this place and write a bad review. But.... The servers are super-friendly, all of them. The pancakes are outrageously good, get them. The place is fun and cool and hip. Everything on the menu rocks. Great beer selection for breakfast... There is definitely something wrong in how they do their seating, staffing or whatever, but nonetheless I make it a point to come here whenever I am in Chattanooga..I love Aretha Frankenstein's. I am still tempted to write a bad review, but only so I wont have to wait when I come back again.
(4)Liz F.
I, like many reviews before me, want to give Aretha's a bad review... But I just can't because the food is too good. Yes the wait for a table is usually extremely disorganized and sometimes the staff is a bit disgruntled, but nothing beats the inch thick blueberry pancakes with a big blueberry beer on the patio. I think that is one of the biggest selling points for this spot, their awesome outdoor seating. I also think I may have tried everything on the menu at least once and haven't been disappointed. But they are famed for their pancakes so do yourself a favor and get at least one to share with the table. They also have delicious apple butter you can put on those mountain high biscuits, don't miss out on asking your server for a bottle!! The super Dave scramble is also a legit choice. Honestly, if you can get a table you probably won't be disappointed.
(4)Anthony H.
I live in Chicago and I've never had such an amazing breakfast as I have as Aretha Frankenstein. I got the breakfast burrito with cheese, sausage, refried beans, mushrooms, and onions. It fucked ruled. Not only was the burrito ridiculously awesome, but the potatoes and biscuit were the best I've ever had. By the end of the meal, I was looking up real estate in the area just so I could be close to this joint. If you ever open a second location, put it in Chicago. Please.
(5)Sheldon C.
Don't know what the buzz on this place is about. We went for breakfast and were completely disappointed. The place was gross. It wasn't busy but tables were dirty and had not been cleaned; flies, flies and more flies. Only one group of medical folks still drinking after a long night shift. Service was slow. The food was very mediocre. Even the highly touted pancakes. My son had steak and eggs and it was awful. He said it tasted funny so I tried it. The meat was rotten! I took one bite and almost threw up. Will never go back here again.
(1)Ashley T.
We were visiting rock city and went here based on a recommendation of a friend. Kind of located awkwardly in a neighborhood but we found it with the help of gps. The restaurant itself is cute, inside and out. If you are looking for quick service and a personable staff, do not come here. Once we were seated, we waited at our table for probably 5-10 mins before our server even came over to take our drink order. We asked if we could go ahead and order food too and he seemed annoyed that we had waited so long for him to come over and take our drink AND food orders combined. I asked if the gravy was vegetarian. He said no. I asked if the shrimp and grits could be made without any meat other than shrimp. He said it was made with chicken stock. I began to order a breakfast burrito with refried beans. He said they were out of beans. So I ordered a biscuit, two eggs over medium, fried potatoes, and cheese grits. Luckily we didn't wait too long on our food to come out. My husband ordered the 2 stack pancakes and they were huge and really good. One friend ordered the French toast and it was good too. Another friend ordered sausage and eggs with a side of biscuits and gravy and he said it was also good. The server brought out my grits and said my eggs would be another minute because they had been overcooked. I sat and watched my husband and friends eat while I waited on the rest of my food to come out. When he brought the eggs out I told him I had also ordered a biscuit and fried potatoes. After a few minutes he brought those out. I was seriously frustrated at this point because it seemed like I wasn't meant to eat here! But everything I ordered really was very good. The cheese grits had a little heat to them and the potatoes were full of flavor. Good large biscuit & eggs were cooked how I like them. A couple of women asked if they could sit outside at an empty table and the server told them it would be about 10 minutes because he was alone. They then asked if they could just look at a menu while they waited and he repeated that it would be 10 minutes. Our server never came over to ask how things were or if we needed refills. My husband went to the bar to ask for a refill on his drink. After finishing our meal, we then waited close to 10 minutes for our server to ask how we wanted our checks split up. I will say he did comp every bit of my meal with the exception of the grits so that was nice. I would rate 4 stars based on the food being very tasty and decently priced for the portions. Otherwise I would have rated a 1 for service. I know it is difficult when you are working alone but this restaurant is fairly small and it wasn't packed. So I'm rating 3 stars to be fair. Despite the food, I probably won't go back the next time I'm in Chattanooga.
(3)Betty V.
You cannot beat the pancakes and biscuits. I've only been to Chattanooga twice and I still talk about the food.
(5)