At Easy Bistro & Bar and Main Street Meats in Chattanooga, Tenn., everyone gets tips

At first glance the tipping system at Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, Tenn., appears tricky. Servers get a percentage based on a points system, which increases when they excel in their jobs and stick around for a while, and the back-of-the-house makes a portion of the tips, too. But after two-plus years, owners Amanda and Erik Niel see the benefits of their approach, and so do the employees.

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Posted in News on April 3, 2023

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Posted in News on June 5, 2026
Meet the Chef: How Easy Bistro’s Benjamin Wilt went from ‘ingredient household’ to executive sous chef

Having no bags of chips or processed meats in his childhood home meant Benjamin Wilt, 29, had to get creative when it came to snacks, and as he aged, some of his meals.

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Posted in News on April 21, 2026
The Perfect Culinary Road Trip Through Tennessee

Tennessee’s soul has always lived in its music halls, mountain towns and front-porch hospitality. But the state’s food scene deserves equal billing.

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Posted in News on February 24, 2026
This Chef Is Passionate About His Barrel Picks

Erik Niel owns three restaurants in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and he’s passionate about whisky— especially exclusive barrel picks. He offers more than 20 private barrel selections at his venues—Easy Bistro & Bar, Main Street Meats, and Little Coyote—and plans to expand that repertoire.

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