Universal Joint - Chattanooga

After a morning of touring we were looking for a place to relax outside and get burgers or salads or things like that. We ended up at Universal Joint and had a wonderful experience. Housed in an old gas station, the place has a very cool vibe. Lots of families, lots of people sitting outside with their dogs. We were a group of 12 and the service was perfect from the money we sat down. Everyone liked both food and drinks. One appetizer was the pimento cheese plate, which was a good size and excellent cheese. My wife had the perfectly done 23 oz smash burger and I had the excellent Old 1 -2 burger. Fries were perfectly cooked as well. Loved the Million Island dressing on my burger. Draft beer was cold. Loved everything about this casual restaurant.

I can hardly believe I didn't take any photos during my visit, but I am thrilled to share how much I love this place! The atmosphere is incredibly laid-back, the service is friendly and prompt, and the food is simply delicious. I ordered the fish tacos, and I was absolutely delighted with my choice. Everything was packed with flavor, and my friends at the table also seemed really pleased with their meals. I can't give this spot anything less than a 10/10—I definitely need to return for a photo!

I used to visit this place often for trivia night, which is a great time whether you’re in a big group or a small one. However, the service can be inconsistent—I've had more bad experiences than good. I really love the outdoor seating area and the fact that they’re dog-friendly. The food is quite good, with generous portions and quality. They also offer a wide variety of cocktails. I recommend going on a nice day to enjoy sitting outside.

I particularly enjoyed the sweet potato fries and the smokehouse burger, which were both excellent, along with my espresso martini. The burgers are massive—I couldn't finish mine—and there was definitely enough for a second meal! There was a minor issue with one of my drinks that didn’t match the description on the menu, but it was promptly replaced with the martini, and I wasn't charged for it. This level of customer service is truly commendable. It's clear why the trivia company chooses to host tournaments here, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Dropped in for lunch since it is close to the office. If you are driving, there is some street parking right beside the restaurant. There is plenty of outdoor dining as well. They have some interesting apps on the menu, so I selected the fried green tomatoes. They came with a slaw on top with a nice remoulade. The breading stayed fairly in tact when cutting into them and were good with the sauce. They have a nice selection of burger styles for beef, turkey, and veggie patties, but I opted for the chicken quesadilla. Lots of filling and a tasty choice. Very casual place, with a special posted, and a full bar and bar area.