‘The cause is legit’: Kim’s Hot Fish feeds community

By William Newlin

Something’s cooking Saturdays deep in Alton Park, and it’s not whiting. Instead, Kim Lloyd is frying her fish of choice, battered in a proprietary spice blend, to raise money for a good cause.

Lloyd uses proceeds from fish sandwich sales at Kim’s Hot Fish — a tent with a deep fryer, a couple prep tables, and the relative helping her that day — to feed homeless Chattanoogans once a month.

“I’m doing this for one reason,” Kim said. “And that’s to serve.”

Kim’s Hot Fish is simple. There’s one menu item: steaming, flaky fish sandwiched between a couple white bread slices and paired with crisp, sweet cold slaw (a family recipe), a spray of mustard and some Louisiana hot sauce. Diners can customize their orders however they want, and a sandwich/cooler soda combo goes for $10.

Whether it’s customers who’ve danced and dined alongside Lloyd for nine years or first-timers, her table is for anyone and everyone. She gets rave reviews.

“Best fish in the city, I mean, I love it,” said Poo Oden, a yearlong regular. “I come every Saturday.”

If you’re not convinced, maybe take it from Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, who commented on the video we made about Lloyd: “Kim’s a gem 🔥”

Go meet “little old me,” Lloyd urged, any Saturday from May to October outside the Bethlehem center on W. 38th Street.

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Contact William at william@chattamatters.com