Tennessee is a hotspot of Southern food, whether you’re looking for Memphis barbecue or Nashville hot chicken. As the birthplace of MoonPies, my hometown, Chattanooga, is no exception. The culinary scene there has continued to grow since I moved to Alabama over a decade ago, but there’s one spot that hasn’t changed a bit—and it’s become a mainstay in my family.
Lupi’s Pizza Pies opened in downtown Chattanooga in 1996 and has been churning out made-to-order New York-style pizza and calzones ever since. Their self-described “farm-to-pizza” offerings feature ingredients sourced from local farms and businesses, including their very own Flying Turtle Farm. Not only does that mean you get quality fresh ingredients, but this also allows Lupi’s to cut down on food waste (kitchen scraps are sent to the farm to feed the pigs).
My Family’s Incurable Craving
My dad has worked within walking distance of the pizzeria since its inception. While my dad is an excellent cook, his lunches usually focus on sustenance rather than enjoyment. But every Friday, for the last 28 years, he has treated himself to a slice.
Of course, he’s found more excuses to hit up Lupi’s than just his Friday tradition. Maybe he needs to do a quick confab with a client out of the office on a Thursday. Maybe he’ll just get a salad instead. But the wildcard my dad wasn’t expecting? My husband, Cameron, may be an even bigger fan of this regional pizza chain than he is. It’s gotten to the point where my parents have stopped asking what we want to do for dinner when we’re in town. I think Cameron views any visit to Chattanooga without a trip to Lupi’s to be nothing short of a tragedy.
What Makes It So Good?
Each pizza or calzone starts with either a homemade whole wheat or traditional dough base. Then you can choose from over 30 toppings to make each meal your own. For our opinionated crew of eaters, it’s such a nice option for everyone to customize their own slice rather than fight over how to dole out our preferred toppings…