Keystone Breakfast & Lunch — Restaurant in Chattanooga

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Keystone in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and let me just say — this trip was long overdue. I’ve been longtime friends with the chef and partners behind this incredible spot, and I finally made the trip down, flying into Georgia and driving over to reconnect with them and see firsthand what they’ve built. And wow — they’ve truly outdone themselves.

From the moment you walk in, you can feel the heart and pride that went into this place. It’s not just another sandwich shop — it’s a carefully crafted experience that pays tribute to the rich flavors of the Northeast. Every bite brings a sense of nostalgia for anyone who’s ever enjoyed food from Philly, New Jersey, Delaware, or New York. The menu feels like a love letter to that region, but with a fresh Southern touch that fits perfectly in Chattanooga’s growing food scene.

I tried their latest special, the chicken cutlet sandwich, and it was absolutely perfect — no exaggeration. The bread was toasted just right, with that satisfying crunch that doesn’t overpower the fillings. The Cooper Sharp cheese melted beautifully, adding a rich, savory balance to the crispy chicken. The arugula gave it a fresh, peppery bite, tying everything together in a way that shows true culinary precision.

And then there was the falafel — light, fluffy, and full of flavor. The smooth tahini sauce complemented it beautifully, showing just how much thought goes into even the smallest details on their menu. It’s the kind of food that speaks for itself — simple, honest, and done to absolute perfection.

Seeing my friends’ hard work, passion, and dedication come to life in a place like Keystone genuinely made me proud. They’ve built something special — not just a restaurant, but a destination that brings people together through food that’s made with love and skill. I have no doubt this shop is only at the beginning of its journey. With the quality, creativity, and heart they’ve put into every detail, I can easily see Keystone expanding and becoming a cornerstone of Chattanooga’s dining culture.

If you’re in the area — or even a few states away — trust me, it’s...

Oh mama! This is THE place ! This one goes out to real sandwich lovers. The ones who know that simple done right can be transcendent. Add a spark of creativity grounded by years of experience in the food industry, and you have something downright magical. I’ve never had a sandwich spot I could call home, truly, until now. Keystone has just what I need- a menu full of classics perfected, as well as rotating features that allow their passion for the sandwich form to shine. A small bakery shelf at the counter features freshly baked treats to pair with your lunch or breakfast, also rotating with seasonal features. The sandwich themselves are a textural delight and exploding with flavor. Perfectly hot, crisp, and sauced expertly without overwhelming the architecture of the bread. And don’t be mistaken- the sides are no afterthought ! They could honestly be a meal on their own, standalone with hot salty fries or dressed up tots. Finally, the service. We walked out of the joint at lunch rush hour without one of our sandwiches. One of the guys working the front ran after us for TWO BLOCKS (in August heat mind you) to give it to us, smiling all the way. Stellar; it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Keystone. I’m already looking forward to my next meal. Eager anticipation is an...

Literally the best new restaurant in Chattanooga and I had one bite of the pita/dip and one bite of the shawarma tots and knew it was amazing. Shawarma meat was more than just cumin and garlic and the pico on the tots had a really nice super punchy lime to it. I know that sounds weird but I stg it stood out. The sauce drizzle is almost like a typical white gyro sauce mixed with tahini - I’ve eaten a lot of banging gas station gyros and never had the sauce like that. Locked it!

Menu is small, huge green flag, service was phenomenal and wasn’t just some clueless $14/hr cashier with their eyes permanently rolled back into their skull shoving an iPad in my face. Actually engaged w me when I asked what was popular and were ENTHUSIASTIC - shocking these days some people take pride in their job and care!

Prices were SUPER good and on par with literally any fast food chain for lunch and you can park in front or in back. With the new Barton avenue traffic pattern, they redid those janky streets near La Santa and you CAN park behind.

This place is so good though. I don’t want to post this bc I want the parking to be open and the wait times to stay short, but it’s just too good and if they...