The best fried chicken on the planet. Delicious as always. Not too crowded. There was no wait and service was quick. My family has been eating here since my mom was a teenager. We will continue. read more

Bea's Restaurant - The best fried chicken on the planet - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

My rating is not in line with the general consensus of people. I was no LT impressed with the food. The chicken was an exception - that's delicious and flavorful. Otherwise the service was only mediocre and the building itself is in disrepair. The main issue I had was the cost was FAR overpriced for the quality of location/service/food. I will say I'm in a minority. Most people love it ; I'm just not one of them. read more

Down home to the roots southern experience. You'll get the best of service and the table spins. Need I say more? read more

Bea's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Love Bea's! Our family has went here for years. It's a great atmosphere and friendly staff with home cooking!

Love this restaurant..... for many, many years. The chow chow is the best on earth. Love the fried chicken.

Food was off the chain good ! Good home cooked meal with all the fixings! Would eat there again

The food was definitely not for everyone but it wasn't the worst. Sort of like a home made meal. The service was great the restaurant isn't for everyone so they weren't too busy. The staff greeted our party of 20 happier than ever and gave us the best service. It wasn't the cleanest but it wasn't gross. Tolerable but the place was slightly outdated. read more

Served family style their fried chicken was fantastic and the greens were really good.

Attentive service, as many servings as you want. The grandmother of the family started this restaurant. The grandson at the register looked to be in his 50s. Real southern atmosphere, in a good way. Good food, particularly the ribs and sides. Quite the experience. I will bring friends here. read more

Bea's Restaurant - Service for one person. Chicken, barbecue, ribs, potatoes, beans, cole slaw, beets, yams, biscuits and collards. - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

This is a great southern country food restaurant. You sit at a lazy Susan round table that sits 8 people. I counted 21 lazy Susan round tables in here. The price for this buffet style was $12.50 a person. You use your hand to turn this round table that has a glass covering. It has everything you need on this lazy Susan including a pitcher of sweet tea and of course all the food that just keeps coming. They have been opened since 1950 so that's a long time for a restaurant to be open and still in business. If you come as a couple you will probably be seated with other people. We sat with a couple who live out in the country from Soddy Daisy, TN which isn't too far from here. I'm glad we met them because we enjoyed talking to them. They were friendly and they stated that they were regulars. Some of the items we had was; fried chicken, black eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw, fried okra, potatoes, rolls, potato salad, pulled BBQ pork, corn bread and for desert we had cherry cobbler. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. So, remember that. If you have a big truck like I do you can park in the back along the fence which is perfect for big vehicles. In summary, they have been open for 66 years. You sit at a lazy Susan round table that sits 8 people. The costs is about $12.50 and includes desert which changes daily. read more

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If you're haven't been to this Chattanooga staple you need to go and check this off your list! It's a southern small town experience in a restaurant if there was ever that. It's a shareable turn table style dining with people you may or may not know at your table. Wear your comfy pants when dining here cause it's an eat until you can barely breathe type of place! And it's southern buttery soul food goodness! Now I think since covid you can't sit with people you didn't come with so I think you only sit with your party unlike pre-covid life... only deduction is the price because when I was little it used to be like $8 to eat there and now it's closer to $20/person and the food ain't changed... I mean it's good but definitely recommend going to try the experience of this style of dining! read more

This is great country cooking. You get more food than you can eat so come hungry. Family style meals.

Food like the southern grandparents used to make! Went to Bea's every time we came to town a zillion years ago to visit my aunt and uncle. The fact that they went there says a lot. My aunt could cook up a storm of good stuff. Well, it's basically the same today at Bea's. Great southern food and friendly folks. When you arrive you're seated at a table with people you don't know (You can probably ask for a diff seating option). A bit odd at first but, a good way to meet people. Food is placed on a lazy Susan in the middle of the table. You just spin it around to get what you want. Works pretty well. Cost was around $13 per person. Make sure to check them out! It could be your cup of sweet tea! read more

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To preface this, I was starving like Marvin when I came here. What I enjoyed was the fact that once you sit down the food rolls out and keeps coming. Everything tasted great. The sweet potatoes yams made my taste buds scream. The coleslaw was great. The ribs were awesome. Fried chicken was great. The peach cobbler was great too. The service was phenomenal. Everything is just perfect and the big wheel of food keeps turning and turning and the nice waitress staff keeps replenishing the delicious food. read more

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Best chicken ive ever had. Service was on point never in the way. Ambiance is a family diner its gonna be a little loud but its so good of food. read more

My family has enjoyed eating here for 50 something years at least. I know for sure the last 40 years. The service is good and the food is good. read more

I've eaten at Bea's most of my life and always look forward to my visits. It's usually predictable, enjoyable comfort food. Last week, for the first ever time, it wasn't as enjoyable. The fried chicken that I've loved for so long was way below par. I got there shortly after opening as I've done many times, expecting the chicken to be fresh, hot, and crispy as always. This time however, it was soggy like it had been sitting in grease and warmed up before being brought to the table. It didn't even look like the familiar Bea's chicken - was darker in color. Everything else was classic Bea's (BBQ, beans, potatoes, rolls, and excellent service), but the chicken was a huge disappointment. I'm going to think twice about paying $21 just to take another chance. read more

I haven't been here in years since moving away from Chattanooga, and I must ask myself why not. I dropped in on Saturday afternoon, and they were busy, not packed and was able to be seated pretty quickly. They do awesome job with the spacing out of customers, all the employees are wearing gloves and mask. The food was outstanding, fried chicken was amazing, all the vegetables hot and cooked to perfection and my server was very attentive and never let me run out of any thing read more

My husband raves about this place, so he brought me to try it. Unfortunately, I am not near as much of a fan as he is. Yes, it is all you can eat but I don't eat enough for that to matter (not the restaurant's fault). The chicken was okay but was an odd "scrap" cut. The BBQ was ketchup based and definitely not my taste. The chicken and dumplings were good as were the fried okra, coleslaw, and pinto beans. I am not a fan of black-eyed peas, but theirs were pretty good. There were a few things that I did not try. The service was good and the place was clean. Even though it included a drink and dessert, it was still not worth $20 a person for me. It was okay, but nothing that I would seek out if I was not close by. read more

The best fried chicken in the country! Love the little pulley bone chicken ! Great potatoes , pinto beans , rolls , slaw, chow chow , also cobbler of the day! All homemade! read more

How good is this place? So good that they only have to be open six months out of the year. So good that they are tucked away from the main part of Chattanooga, in an old building, with limited seating and out of date decor yet the parking lot is never empty. That's how good this place is. First let me confirm you know what a Lazy Susuan is, as that is vital to understanding the experience that is bea's. Lazy Susan is NOT a person working there (no one there is, and all super friendly). A Lazy Susan is a turn table placed in the center of a table, with food-drinks-various condiments placed on top. Instead of passing a plate of fried chicken, you simply rotate the table until the chicken is in front of you. Now this sounds convenient, but I don't want you to be caught off guard upon entering. The tables sit up to 10 people. If there's four in your party, you get added to a table with open seating. Aka, you get to make new friends. If that's not your thing, bring ten people with you. Once you get settled in, it's time to start eating. The menu is right in front of you. I can guarantee some fried chicken and veggies, with dessert. Outside of that, you just have to show up and find out. But I promise you this, it is all good. Having a buffet at the table (the team changes out the food as serving plates are emptied) is a dangerous thing. Be sure to pace yourself if you have any hopes of trying the cobbler. As far as drinks, sweet tea and Coke is always on tap. Coffee and more are available upon request. If you grew up around Southern food, come here. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, come here. If you have a cheat day from your diet, come here. Basically, if they are open and you are hungry...come here. read more

We have visited Bea's several times since we moved to Chattanooga. The chicken is excellent! The service has always been good. We love taking visitors for the experience. read more

Minus the chicken and the Dinner Rolls, The food was not fresh. It's mostly can food. Everything from the Greens, the BBQ Pork meat, beans, Store brought slaw. Instead of make some mash potato's, They took can potato's and added some flour and water to the potato's to make a gravy like soup with potato's in it. The food was bad. It wasn't worth $17 dollar. That for sure. Then to top it all off, and what really upset me was they set me at a big round table with 2 other groups. Ok I didn't have a problem. So a few mins later, one of the guys in one of the group ask for a to go plate to put his pinto beans in. which they brought to him. after they brought him the plate, they stop bring food to the table. So a few mins go by, I ask waiter for some more chicken. So the lady say they cant bring anymore food out to the table since they brought the guy at the table a to go plate. I told her, that him. The rest of us at the table are still eating. Only 1 person ask for a to go plate. So that who you all need to deal with that matter with. Then the owner comes over, Looking me like I'm crazy, then toss his hands in the air. So I told them, Again, while you tossing your hand up in air. This is a all you can eat place. Only 1 person ask for a plate. You got 3 groups at this table. What the hell do that got to do me get chicken. 3 groups,1 table. For $17 dollars you need to be bring me my chicken like I requested. Then when I go to pay for my food, He goes to say something smart. And I told him, I know you not talking to me. You got the right one today. Come talking about, He was talking to his son. I sure the hell want be back. Never again. read more

A great Chattanooga staple. Historic Bea's isn't full of pomp and circumstance, it is simply great homemade food they've been doing for well over 50+ years! The fried chicken is some of the best you'll ever get, the sides and nightly special entree are not to be overlooked either! The cobbler, well, it's the best in town period. The way the food is served is great and you just might make some new friends too. read more

Bea's Restaurant - The front door. - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

This is a must eat place !! Best chicken anywhere period. If you don't agree I'll meet you out back to discuss it at Length. Better come hungry! read more

Apparently this place has been around since 1950...to look at it you would think how? But now I know how...it's the kind of family style restaurant that brings me back with home cooking that actually tastes like home cooking. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the all you can eat price is very reasonable! This was my first visit but it will definitely not be my last! read more

The staff was nice but the food left much to be desired. I would not return...I will leave it at that.

Giving a three because I want to give a good review ... so bad! Grew up visiting Bea's and have the best memories! Now we live out of town and only get by maybe once a year if that. Someone told us Bea's had THE ABSOLUTE BEST catfish of ANYWHERE on Fridays. We planned a week ahead and looked forward all week. Long story short, fish wasn't good, at all, and turned out to be talapia??? Figured chicken would be my backup, but it was so over cooked and dry it was hardly edible? Cole slaw was another favorite and some of the lettuce was so tough it seemed more like kale. Maybe COVID has affected the work force and the menu? Just so disappointed. Hope they come around or maybe were having an off night. read more

Stopped by today for the first time. This place came highly recommend. I can't highly recommend it but do recommend that you at least stop in and try it. It's a limited buffet style with home cooking type food. You're sitting at a table for 10 with a lazy Susan that gets filled up and you spin up what you want. There was beef stew, BBQ pulled pork, potato salad, slaw, fried chicken, cabbage, new potatoes, pinto beans & peach cobbler. I didn't care for the beef stew but that's normal for me. It did have a fresh out of the can feel. For the most part everything was decent but nothing was outstanding. The fried chicken was the best part. The peach cobbler was runny but tasted fine. Nothing was terrible but nothing was outstanding. No complaints about the service because of the lazy susan approach- that's kept stocked so you don't need much. Honestly I really liked the lazy susan set up. I travel through Chattanooga pretty often and wouldn't be against stopping by but would try something else first. Oh the $15/person price is a little steep, IMO, for the food. read more

Bea's Restaurant - This is the lazy Susan and you can see the set up - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Awesome food, server and atmosphere. Can't say enough about this place. All the food is put on a lazy Susan at your table and every time you empty a dish they refill it. Fried chicken , pulled pork, chicken & dumplings, potatoes, okra, slaw, beans, greens, rolls and peach cobbler to top it off. Someone posted that you sit with strangers that become friends. This is so true! It doesn't get any better than this! We're just taking a road trip and so very glad we found this place on Yelp. Will definitely stop here again if in Chattanooga read more

Bea's Restaurant - The "after" picture - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Awesome restaurant! Stopped here on a road trip, not knowing what to expect. But expecting something great, bc the parking lot was packed! They seat you at a big round table and immediately start bringing food. Fried chicken, rolls, corn bread, potatoes, coleslaw, potato salad, and cobbler. I'm sure I'm forgetting something! It was a ton of food! It all tasted great, service was friendly. I'm sorry I live so far away from this place. read more

Bea's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Met family here for lunch - the recent cleanliness score of 96 made me feel better about the place, until I watched 2 waitresses in a row go elbow deep (literally) into the ice machine as they filled cups for the tables. The first held the cups directly while the other used a scoop, but both were bare handed/ armed and burrowed into the ice to their respective elbows.... and the 2nd just dropped the scooper into the ice, handle & all. Huge cleanliness violations. Regards the food the flavor was mediocre at best, so the price would have discouraged me from a 2nd trip all by itself. I'd have given them three stars had I not been so disgusted at the ice bin. The servers were all very nice and tried to be helpful. read more

What an amazing little find. My wife typed in "home style food" and up popped Bea's, lucky for us. Bea's is a little diner with lazy Susans at each table. No menu, no guess work, no problems. You are seated and the food starts coming out. Cole slaw, potato salad, beans, greens, pork, chicken, potatoes in gravy, seeet tea, spaghetti, rolls, cornbread, and all the fixins. AND dessert too. It's like eating at your grandma's house on a Sunday evening They fill it up as you eat it up and it keeps coming untill you tell STOP! It is in a slightly questionable looking neighborhood but take the drive/risk and give them a try. You'll be happy you did. Talked to the owner on the way out to find out that there is fifth generation family members working at the restaurant. That's some real family dedication there. read more

I've lived in the area for 10 years and people always look shocked when I tell them I've never been to Bea's so yesterday I had to finally try it. When you first walk in you are hit with a musty old building smell. The restaurant appears to be clean but very outdated and in need of renovation. The food was served quickly and the waitress staff was efficient and friendly however that was the highlight of the trip. The sides ranged from ok to very good. The potato salad and the potatoes were definitely the best food I had. The fried chicken was good, not great. Apparently that's what they are know for so my expectations were high. Honestly, I'd rather have the fried chicken from Kentucky. The absolute worst part of the meal was the BBQ and ribs. The BBQ honesty wasn't even identifiable and was the weirdest tasting food I've ever had. The ribs were just terrible cheap and low quality. The peach cobbler was ok but my wife's is 10X better. Don't buy the hype! If you're in the Chattanooga area and want decent country food, just go to the local Cracker Barrel. read more

I have heard about this place for years, so we made a special trip. We live almost two hours away. I thought the food was good and we enjoyed the experience of the buffet style, sharing of food. Our waitress was on top of keeping our portions full. read more

Go for the food, but if you're looking for ambiance this is not the place. Needs updating and is pretty dilapidated. Fried chicken is AMAZING and peach cobbler is great. Everything is served family style and they refill as needed. Beverages are water, unsweetened tea and sweet tea - there is a soda machine if you want something else. read more

I love this restaurant! But, I am disappointed with the management last night. While there I witnessed the staff being talked to with great disrespect! All this was in front of the customers. I'm sorry but if you have a problem with your employees you can handle that in private. Don't know if I will ever be back just because of this fact. read more

The food was delicious. Meats were properly prepared and bread was great. The servers were impeccable. The only thing I didn't care much about was the seating. Overall, the experience was good. read more

Great chicken and veggies was great chicken most of the time good family owned restaurant potatoes are excellent so are pinto beans.

Family style Southern food. Overall, is a well known place off the beaten path. Has a wide variety of choices. Meats are good, but the sides (as is true of most really good Southern restaurants) are what make it really good. Cobblers are quite good. Is always pretty much the same mix of food (fried chicken, pinto beans, collards, sweet tea). Very much a classic Southern food experience. read more