Cultural Heritage and Ancestry Are Behind This Upcoming Chattanooga Restaurant
Neutral Ground is opening in a permanent location.
CHATTANOOGA, TN - With roots in West Africa and a childhood in Louisiana, Chef Kenyatta Ashford is bringing his Anfro-Creole concept, Neutral Ground, to a permanent home in Chattanooga at 801 Dodds Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404.
An exploration of Creole cuisine and West African culinary traditions, Ashford is opening permanently after popping up and catering in the area since 2020.
Ashford told Business Debut that the concept grew from his New Orleans upbringing and from travel and study in West African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Benin and Nigeria. Chef Ashford traveled as a James Beard Foundation scholarship recipient on the Roots to Glory Tour.
What to Expect
Neutral Ground will seat about 65 guests inside with an additional patio space behind the building that Ashford estimates at about 30 seats. The restaurant will offer full table service and a bar with five to six seats, Ashford told Business Debut.
Ashford said he aims to create an immersive dining room where guests can experience the stories behind his dishes. He shared that colors, themes and design decisions are tied to the cultures and histories that shaped the menu.
Neutral Ground Menu
While studying and traveling through West Africa, Chef Ashford familiarized himself with dishes like suya, jollof rice and many others. Additionally, he will be drawing on his Louisiana influences and training at the Culinary Institute of America as he shapes the dishes to fit his menu.
"I make a version of Red Red that is reflective of Ghana and my Creole heritage growing up in New Orleans," Chef Ashford shared.
In addition to dishes sourced from West Africa, Chef Ashford will be drawing on cuisines from African diaspora from South and Central America and the Caribbean.
Dishes highlighted are New Orleans-inspired Smoked Brisket Meatball Yakamein, which is described as “a comforting and savory bowl of rich broth, flavorful meatballs, watermelon radish, charred kale, scallion, and perfectly cooked noodles,” and Hot Catfish & Cheese Grits, which "blends bold spice, Southern comfort, and Louisiana flavor notes with our smoked tomato gravy.”
Opening Timeline
Ashford said the restaurant is in the construction phase. Recent work has included demolition, installation of a grease trap and framing.
“We are planning to open this fall 2026 and I don't have an exact date,” Ashford told Business Debut. He said permits and other logistical steps will influence the final timing.
Hours
Ashford said Neutral Ground plans to serve lunch from 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The restaurant will serve dinner Tuesday — Saturday. Ashford also plans a prix fixe brunch on Sundays.
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