Tupelo Honey Cafe, known for its made-from-scratch, farm-to-fork creative mountain south cuisine, announces plans to add locations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this September and Charlotte, North Carolina, in December. This neighborhood eatery, which started in downtown Asheville more than 13 years ago, is also located in the communities of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Greenville, South Carolina.
“We are excited to become part of the fabric of the Chattanooga and Charlotte communities and a place for friends and family to make lasting memories around our dinner table,” says Steve Frabitore, Tupelo Honey Cafe owner.
Chef Brian Sonoskus’ focus is on flavor and interpreting regionally-inspired dishes. They include such signatures as Southern Fried Chicken Saltimbocca with country ham and mushroom Marsala; Appalachian Egg Rolls with slow-roasted pork tossed in smoked jalapeno BBQ sauce; Shoo Mercy Sheer Bliss Burger; Fried Green Tomatoes over goat cheese grits; and their famous biscuits served at each table with blackberry preserves.
In addition to the full menu, Tupelo Honey Cafe offers a full breakfast menu available all day, which includes such customer favorites as Sweet Potato Pancakes and Fried Chicken and Biscuits. They also have an extensive list of gluten-free items such as the Cajun Catfish Skillet served over goat cheese grits; Sunburst Mountain Trout with capers, roasted red peppers and spinach beurre blanc; the Breakfast Bowl with seasoned salsa verde black-eyed peas and goat cheese grits topped with two over-medium eggs, maple peppered bacon strips, and cheddar cheese and Sunshot Salsa. And like their entrées and sandwiches on the regular menu, the kid’s menu features hormone-free chicken and beef.
Each location will feature a uniquely designed bar specializing in “cocky cocktails” and an extensive whiskey list of small batch bourbons and whiskey flights including Moonswine Mary, jalapeno and bacon-infused moonshine blended with Whiskey Willie’s Bloody Mary Mix garnished with pickled okra and Ode to Muddy Pond, Maker’s Mark bourbon, Tennessee’s Muddy Pond sorghum, muddled basil, and Blenheim ginger ale.
While favorite dishes from the iconic Asheville restaurant will be available at the two new locations, the new Tupelo Honey Cafe’s architecture and spirited atmosphere will be decidedly authentic to both Chattanooga and Charlotte. Local artwork and furnishings will be added to the Cafe’s artsy vibe of bright colors, antique belt fans and an open presentation kitchen. Each location will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Frabitore and his team are committed to the company’s core values, which include service to communities where restaurants are located. In every community where they have a restaurant they initiate an extensive public school partnership. Hands-on demonstrations in the classroom help students learn not only about nutrition but also about the environment, agriculture, history and regional culture. The goal is to encourage elementary school students to take their learning and enthusiasm home and encourage their parents to make time to gather together around the table with a healthy meal.
