
Aretha Frankensteins
A quirky Chattanooga breakfast institution famous for its inch-thick pancakes and unique punk rock-meets-horror decor in a converted home.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Aretha Frankensteins

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A quirky Chattanooga breakfast institution famous for its inch-thick pancakes and unique punk rock-meets-horror decor in a converted home.
"Legendary pancakes and a vibe you won't find anywhere else!"
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long wait times by arriving early, especially on weekends.
Share Generous Portions
Portions are large, so consider sharing dishes, especially the renowned inch-thick pancakes.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American Diner
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Monstrous Inch-Thick Pancakes
Indulge in famously thick and fluffy pancakes, often topped with house-made blueberry melange. A must-try for any visitor!

Quirky Punk Rock Ambiance
Immerse yourself in a unique punk rock and horror movie-themed decor with concert posters and vintage cereal boxes.

Cozy Outdoor Dining
Enjoy your meal on the spacious patio or in the cozy interior, surrounded by funky design elements and a welcoming atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long wait times by arriving early, especially on weekends.
Share Generous Portions
Portions are large, so consider sharing dishes, especially the renowned inch-thick pancakes.
Parking Strategy
Parking can be limited; circle the block or walk from nearby areas if needed.
Don't Miss Toppings
Enhance your pancakes with house specialties like the sweet blueberry melange.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early
Beat the crowds and long wait times by arriving early, especially on weekends.
Share Generous Portions
Portions are large, so consider sharing dishes, especially the renowned inch-thick pancakes.
Parking Strategy
Parking can be limited; circle the block or walk from nearby areas if needed.
Don't Miss Toppings
Enhance your pancakes with house specialties like the sweet blueberry melange.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Aretha Frankensteins is a beloved spot for its unique atmosphere and famously thick pancakes. Diners rave about the quirky decor and generous portions, making it a memorable experience. While the food is generally praised, some reviews mention flavor inconsistencies and parking challenges.
"The best pancakes you will ever have and I am an unofficial pancake connoisseur. They’re fluffy and huge. We bought a mix to take home. All of their other food is good and hearty. You get big servings. The restaurant is cute and funky. There isn’t a lot of seating so plan accordingly. We got there right after opening and when we left all tables were full."
Brooklyn Daniel
"Cory was our service and he was fantastic, friendly, and attentive. There is about enough street parking for the amount of seating inside. Decor is fun and whimsical. Would definitely recommend as an experience.
Shrimp and (spicy) grits were tasty, would be amazing if they were spicy cheese grits (maybe next time). Biscuit was butter and fluffy. Pancakes were fluffy and thick. Food is good enough that I would bring people here for the experience, but probably not good enough that I'd want to fight for parking for myself."
Nom Nom Nom
"Tried a quirky and quaint place for breakfast today. Have heard great things about this local eatery. Ordered the shrimp and cheese omelette and my wife ordered the sod buster omelette. The service was excellent, the food was hot and the coffee was on the money. Outdoor dining on the wrap around porch. Located in a quiet part of old town Chattanooga. The eatery is really geared for smaller crowds since it’s in a former home. I suggest getting there early since it fills up fast and the wait times can be up to an hour or more. Our wait time, for 2 people, was 12 minutes.
If you are tired of eating at the same old restaurant chains, try this place out. They offer some unique dishes and southern cooking. It’s just a nice place with honest food."
Evan Lapinski
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is most famous for its inch-thick pancakes, which are incredibly fluffy and can be topped with various house-made melanges like blueberry.
Yes, especially on weekends, the restaurant can get very busy, leading to long wait times. It's advisable to arrive early.
The restaurant has a unique and quirky atmosphere, described as punk rock-meets-horror movie, with concert posters, Frankenstein memorabilia, and vintage cereal boxes.
Yes, diners consistently mention that the portion sizes are generous, particularly for the pancakes and other breakfast items.
Parking can be a challenge in the residential neighborhood. It's recommended to circle the block or be prepared to walk a short distance.
Yes, Aretha Frankensteins offers a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccinos, and café lattes.
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Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Northshore sits Aretha Frankensteins – a delightfully unassuming establishment that delivers on portions and taste. Although Aretha’s has a generous breakfast menu featuring omelets, biscuits, and a customizable breakfast burrito, it’s the monstrous inch-thick pancakes that make this spot famous. Order a stack to share – and top it with the house-made blueberry mélange if you’re feeling fancy – and you’ll be sure to leave with a full stomach and a smile.
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Located in a former home in a residential neighborhood in North Chattanooga, Aretha Frankenstein's is the most memorable spot for breakfast in town. The restaurant is equally known for its quirky punk rock-meets-horror movie decor (the interior is plastered with concert posters, Frankenstein memorabilia, and vintage cereal boxes) as its ridiculously thick and fluffy pancakes and waffles. The dining room is tiny, and waits can be long on weekends, but the experience, and the pancakes, are worth it.
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Nestled in the residential area of Tremont, you could easily mistake Aretha Frankenstein for just another house on the block and you may need to circle the block a few times to find a parking spot. But, one bite of their pancakes will have you wondering why you haven’t stopped by sooner. The restaurant looks like an ordinary house from the outside with a spacious patio perfect for outdoor dining in the warmer weather, and the inside’s funky design is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
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For breakfast (or evening beers) cross over the river (by car, or by the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge) to Aretha Frankenstein’s, a kitschy-cool restaurant in the hip North Shore district. Served in a cozy room with pop culture, rock and punk memorabilia adorning the walls, the huge breakfast portions include Slim or Fat Stack Pancakes, airy Belgian waffles called the Elephants Gerald, ten different omelets, and SuperDave’s Scramble with jalapeños, mushrooms and potatoes.
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Address: 2518 Tremont St, Chattanooga, TN 37405Hours: [7:00am – 12:00am | Everyday][ Bar + Restaurant ]. It's hard to find a single list of bars or restaurants in Chattanooga that doesn't include Aretha Frankenstein's. It would seem that this place is one of this city's most famous places, right up there with the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.
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They even have the pancakes packaged and sold in stores around the Chattanooga area. I am not sure if they are sold in other regions of the USA but they are here. When I visit this great breakfast restaurant I always get the pancakes and a traditional egg and bacon but I also come prepared to wait but let me tell you it is absolutely worth the wait.
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If you're looking for a heartier breakfast consider grabbing a bite at Aretha Frankensteins which is famous for it's 1 inch thick pancakes (they're amazing, just prepare for a bit of a carb coma afterwards),or The Daily Ration which hosts a variety of breakfast classics including breakfast burritos, fried chicken and grits, chilaquiles, and more.
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Upon entering Aretha Frankensteins, I was immediately captivated by its unique ambiance. The punk rock decor created an edgy and vibrant atmosphere that instantly set it apart from other breakfast spots in Chattanooga. This is certainly a place where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast while listening to the sounds of punk classics.
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Aretha Frankensteins serves monster pancakes — the kind that put a little wonder in your mouth. When owner Jeff Brakebill started his pancake empire, it was just a small eatery in a little house in a North Chattanooga neighborhood. Now, his pancake mix is sold in funky, eye-catching boxes in stores and online throughout the U.S.
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Aretha Frankenstein’s serves hearty and creative breakfast dishes at reasonable prices. Their pancakes are a local favorite and a great way to start your day with cheap food Chattanooga visitors will surely love. Plus, their coffee is excellent and affordable.
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Located in a sleepy residential neighborhood, their thick pancake stacks and loaded breakfast biscuits never disappoint. Plus a box of their pancake mix makes a perfect Chattanooga souvenir. Step into this eclectic restaurant for a top tier dining experience.
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518 Tremont StChattanooga, TN 37405(423) 265-7685 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. This laid-back cafe is a culinary find serving amazing breakfast dishes such as pancakes, omelets and waffles, plus coffee, hot chocolate and other beverages.
Highest-rated Brunch Restaurants in Chattanooga, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (509 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (3.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 518 Tremont St, Chattanooga, TN 37405-4153- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Aretha Frankensteins for Brunch Chattanooga is a great place to visit for a unique breakfast experience. The food is good, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy. It’s a great spot to visit with friends or family.
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No list of Chattanooga’s hidden restaurant gems is complete without Aretha Frankensteins. I hesitated a but in including it because of it’s long wait times and basically nonexistent service … but the pancakes are just so good.
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This spot was a recommendation based solely on getting these pancakes. They aren’t a fluffy light consistency, they almost have more of a corn bread feel. I did like them and was absolutely stuffed until dinner time.
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518 Tremont St, Chattanooga, TN 37405Phone: 423-265-7685 Visit Website. A post shared by Aretha Frankensteins (@arethafrankensteins). Another one of my favorite places for brunch in the city is Aretha Frankensteins.
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Aretha Frankenstein’s is located off the beaten path on Tremont Street in Chattanooga. This unique restaurant is actually located in an old house full of funky decor. They offer delicious food in generous portions.
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A post shared by Mik🌈 (@mikailarummage) on Aug 31, 2017 at 6:55pm PDT. Aretha Frankenstein’s is a funky Northshore hot spot. The made-from-scratch, thicker-than-grandma’s buttermilk pancakes are worth the wait.
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At Aretha Frankenstein’s, you can choose from pancakes, omelets, and biscuits for breakfast. And if you love the pancakes, you can buy the mix to go. Lunch brings quesadillas, burritos, and sandwiches.
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Last, but certainly not least, for the best full breakfast experience in town you’ve gotta head to Aretha Frankensteins. It’s a wonderful, quirky, small-time breakfast spot that I love!
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Enjoy an insanely great breakfast featuring a short stack of pancakes made famous by Rachael Ray at local-favorite Aretha Frankenstein’s.
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So, Timmy looks at me and says, “What about Aretha Frankenstein’s?. ” So, I said what the heck let’s go.
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