Attack of the Tatsu Brings Japanese Cuisine to Downtown

Attack of the Tatsu, Chattanooga’s newest izakaya and ramen shop, recently opened on Patten Parkway at 818 Georgia Ave. The restaurant brings exceptional techniques and ingredients inspired by Japanese culinary tradition to the Chattanooga community. 

When Attack of the Tatsu owners James Heeley and Daniel Starkey discussed bringing this restaurant concept to Chattanooga, they knew they wanted to do it properly. They took a trip to Japan together, immersing themselves in the culinary experience of local ramen shops and izakayas, informal Japanese bars that offer food and alcoholic drinks. They were met with generosity from Japanese chefs and restaurant owners who gave them a first-hand account of how they run their izakayas. 

“Outside of getting on a flight to Tokyo, this is the next best thing,” restaurant owner James Heeley said. “While it’s not exact, we’ve taken a lot of elements from true izakayas, and we believe we did it justice.”

At the restaurant, you’ll find two distinct bars, each with its own focus and wide variety of Japanese spirits. A few of the menu highlights include sake, whisky, and Highball cocktails made from a Suntory Toki carbonation machine — the only one in the state of Tennessee! The food menu features tempura shishitos, katsu sliders, miso ramen, tonkatsu sando, noodle bowls, and more. 

“We want to be downtown,” James Heeley said. “There are so many businesses and restaurants nearby. This tiny corner of the city offers many different restaurant concepts, and this is where the traffic is.”

The restaurant sits in a prime location in Patten Parkway, next to Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint and Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy. When James began looking for locations, the space stood out for its accessibility and proximity to Miller Park and surrounding businesses.

“The Downtown Chattanooga Alliance has been a great help to have downtown,” James Heeley said. “They are always here to support us and the businesses and events on Patten Parkway.” 

Learn more about Attack of the Tatsu’s food, drinks, and story at https://www.attackofthetatsu.com.