State of Confusion

Tinker Ma is proud to have designed State of Confusion, one of Chattanooga’s most iconic and beloved restaurants. In 2018, Thomas Palmer worked with ownership to transform the former home of Estate of Confusion, an eclectic collection of salvaged items housed in an old Auto repair shop, into an eatery serving fresh, made-from-scratch fusion food, such as ceviche and wood-fired meats. The design team worked with the existing buildings and added multiple kitchens in order to convert the market into a restaurant. The big idea was to preserve the existing character and use the patina of time as an integral aspect of the design and atmosphere of the restaurant. It is a quintessential Southside adaptive reuse. 

The main space features an open-fire grill, and the team utilized shipping containers to create a second cooking area on the patio. The building closest to the road is now a private bar designed to accommodate special events. Each space opens directly to the central, open-air patio creating a lively atmosphere. 

Learn more about State of Confusion here.

*Photo Credit - 161 Photography