Fish and chicken April 23, 2022

 For something completely different,  we headed to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga today. 

It was voted one of the 10 best US aquariums in a USA  Today ranking of Readers' Choice, and has an interesting organization. Therefore 2 buildings: one celebrates Tennessee River life, the other focuses on the ocean. Rather than roaming the buildings looking at exhibits, you are led to the top level of each building. You then follow a path from the top to the bottom of the building. Nice aquarium,  but they could use a few docents spread around the facility to answer questions,  and the signage around each exhibit could be better.

For dinner,  we landed up at a little place called Bea's. 

This place was very unique. No menus. They put everything they make on the table and you eat as much as you want. Drinks are a choice of sweet or unsweetened ice tea or water. They brought fried chicken, collard greens, Cole slaw, pinto beans, pulled pork, corn bread, biscuits, creamed potatoes. When and if you want more, you just ask. For dessert, they brought cherry cobbler. Everything is made from scratch. This place was originally located in a manufacturing area in 1951 to serve the workers. In the 70s, the manufacturing companies started to close down,  and they had some tough times. But they made it through,  and have been going strong based mostly on local support. It's nowhere near the tourist area, and is still run by the same family.

So you walk in, they seat you, and ask what type tea you want. Then they bring the food. No menu, no explanation. I think we were the only folks there from outside a 2 mile radius, and the place was packed. When we asked for a menu, the server might just as well have said:  "You're not from around here, are you?"

Tables are big round ones that seat 8. As people come in, they fill the tables, and you might find yourself sitting next to a new acquaintance. To make the food accessible,  there is a large lazy Susan in the middle of the table. We sat at one of a few tables for 4. Fried chicken was great, the other dishes, good.