Express Market & Pizza Inn in Chattanooga: A Neighborhood Grocery with Carryout Pizza
A combination convenience store and pizzeria on the North Shore, Express Market & Pizza Inn stocks packaged groceries, drinks, and snacks while operating a small kitchen that makes pizza to order. The place functions primarily as a quick-stop market for the surrounding residential area, with pizza as a secondary draw rather than the main event. It occupies a modest footprint and serves locals who need milk, bread, and beer without a trip across town to a full supermarket.
What Express Market & Pizza Inn Actually Is
Express Market operates as a small independent grocer with a pizza counter. The market section carries basics: dairy, frozen goods, canned items, beverages, and a modest selection of fresh produce depending on the day. The pizza side runs from the same location, accepting orders for hand-tossed or thin-crust pies made fresh. This dual model is common in older neighborhoods where a single business fills two roles: it stays open longer than a delivery-only pizzeria and keeps the lights on by selling groceries between dinner rushes.
Menu, Pricing, and What to Expect
Pizza prices fall in the $12 to $18 range for a large pie, depending on toppings, according to local reports. Standard sizes include small, medium, and large. The market does not publish a full online menu, so calling ahead to confirm current prices and specialty offerings is practical. Grocery items price competitively with chain convenience stores; milk, eggs, and bottled water typically cost within 5 to 10 percent of what you would pay at a standard supermarket, making Express Market useful for filling gaps rather than a weekly shopping run.
Carryout is the only service; there is no seating or dine-in option.
How It Compares to Other North Shore Grocery Options
Chattanooga's North Shore has limited small-format grocers. The nearest full-service supermarket is Kroger on North Shore Boulevard, roughly one mile away, which offers a full produce section, butcher counter, and pharmacy at lower unit prices but requires a longer drive. For pizza specifically, Champy's Creekside and Rib & Loin are both within two miles and offer sit-down dining, table service, and more expansive menus; they charge slightly more per pie but sell the experience of a restaurant rather than carryout convenience. Express Market makes sense if you live within a few blocks and need both milk and dinner in one stop, or if you want pizza without waiting in a restaurant.
Who Should Go and Who Shouldn't
Express Market suits North Shore residents running errands nearby and households that stock up on emergency groceries late in the evening. It works for takeout pizza on a weeknight when cooking feels like too much. It does not replace a weekly grocery trip; selection is limited and prices do not beat bulk buying at a full supermarket. It is not a destination for pizza enthusiasts seeking Neapolitan-style or Detroit-style specialty pies; the kitchen makes straightforward American-style pizza. Diners seeking table service, beer on tap, or full appetizer menus should go elsewhere.
What a First Visit Involves
Walk in, browse the small market section if needed, and approach the counter to order pizza. Cash or card both work. Pizza takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on how many orders are ahead of you. There is room to stand and wait, but no comfortable seating. Peak hours are typically 6 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and Friday and Saturday evenings; visiting midday or early afternoon means faster service.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Hours vary seasonally; call ahead to confirm, as small independent grocers often adjust for staffing. Parking is available in a small adjacent lot, adequate for a quick stop. The location is accessible by car on a North Shore residential street; public transit options are limited. Delivery is not offered; carryout only.
Express Market fills a practical niche on the North Shore where residents need convenience over selection. It stays open when time matters more than choice.
