Back in November my husband and I were driving through Chattanooga and stopped at this fun place for lunch – the Yellow Deli.
We had been here once before several months earlier. We were driving through Chattanooga at lunch time, and simply got off at an exit, drove around and found ourselves here. Our food that time was fantastic and we looked forward to being able to come again, but most of the time when we are in Chattanooga, we are driving through and have the puppy dog with us. On this particular occasion it was just me and the hubby, so we made the stop.
The Yellow Deli is not like any restaurant we have ever been to. When we walked in the door, we instantly felt like we had walked into a hobbit house – a hobbit artist’s house. Everything is earthy, painted, decorated and festive, from the walls to the hand-drawn menu itself.
Right off the bat, I ordered their pina colada smoothie. I had had one the first time we came, and knew I wanted it again.
My husband ordered a cup of their butternut squash soup. Let’s just say, what I wouldn’t give to get my hands on this recipe! This soup alone is worth the trip – if it is season.
For lunch, I ordered the Deli Pesto sandwich – turkey, Swiss, provolone, tomato, onion, sprouts, pesto spread, mayo & mustard on a kaiser roll.
Jeff ordered the Deli Rose – roast beef, corned beef, hot pepper jack cheese, provolone, onion, tomato, mayo and their special sauce on onion bread.
Looking around the Yellow Deli.
I love the atmosphere in this place. You feel like you walked into a 1960’s hippie commune – and in a way, you have. The walls are painted with murals of their story and how it came to be.
The location in Chattanooga has a lovely second floor area with comfortable seating where you could enjoy a cup of hot coffee or a fresh fruit smoothie.
There is an open air section in back as well as outdoor seating.
The Yellow Deli is run by a religious group, and the restaurant serves to support their lifestyle. Both times that we have been there, it has been a friendly and inviting experience and left us walking out with happy tummies and smiling faces. When we arrived back home in Alabama on this day, my son was very upset with us. “You went to Yellow Deli without me!?!? How could you!”
While I have only been to the Yellow Deli in Chattanooga, there are a number of them all over the country. Find out more or look for a location near you on their website.
Hiddenite nc, gf and 2 grumpy wet kids, 1 gets sick and they took us in for the night and took care of us! Didn’t accept any money and sent us on our travels with banana milk and energy bars. Love!
We have one here in NC in Hiddenite. My all time favorite restaurant and we go there about once a week. Love the food and the people! We even went to a wedding they held at their community and it was lovely, fun, and festive.