Thank you for reading the first installment of Dinner with Dave, a new column of restaurant reviews that will appear in each issue of the Bagpipe. I think it will be a wonderful way to introduce Chattanooga to the Covenant community, especially freshmen who haven’t experienced the city pre-COVID-19.
Photos from Sugar Ribs Facebook Page
On any given Saturday night, you and your friends have probably driven west down Highway 24 to Cookout or Waffle House. There, on the straight stretch before the highway curves around Missionary Ridge, a neon sign confronts you as if it were the writing on the wall itself. In bright red, it says “Sugar’s Ribs.” I bet you’ve said to yourself, “Maybe one day, we’ll go there to eat instead.” If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t made the trek yet, but last month I finally went.
Restaurant aesthetic: Entering the restaurant, behind the bright teal, yellow and red walls of the counter, you get a glimpse into the kitchen. Chicken is cooking in a rotisserie oven; you get a full look at the kitchen team making every order. The color and décor evoke the nostalgia of a drive-in diner with its jukebox, old timey Coke ads and roadmaps, but the real kicker is the view. We saw the sunset and as the daylight died, the city lights came to life and illuminated the valley below. A view second only to our beloved mountain’s.
Food Quality: Not surprisingly, ribs are what Sugar’s Ribs does best, and they don’t take any shortcuts with them. Their ribs are slow-smoked in order to absorb a rich smoky flavor, and in the process, they form a hard crust on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. As for their chicken and beef brisket, I was less impressed. Both were a little dry, and neither had the full-bodied flavor of the pork ribs. My brisket sandwich was redeemed only by the assortment of seven different barbecue sauces to try on it.
Cost: On a college budget, Sugar’s Ribs is not cheap, but it is doable. My colleague and I each got an entrée and also shared 3 spare ribs, and with a tip, it came to about $40.
Overall assessment: I think this would be a great date spot, especially when it’s warmer and you can sit on the porch. I would recommend it as much for the view as I would for the food. In other words, the view was exceptional and the food was fairly good. I see myself going back there in a month or two and enjoying some Smoked Pork Butt Tacos. And as a side note, there are goats in an open next to the restaurant that you can go and pet—definitely a plus.
If you have any suggestions for restaurants I should highlight, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to send an email at david.gaffin@covenant.edu.
Photo icon for this article is taken from stelmopress.com.