If you’ve ever scrambled eggs with Hoff Sauce like it was a secret ingredient handed down from the heavens…
If you’ve ever brought a bottle to a cookout and told everyone it was “just in case”…
If you’ve ever described hot sauce as “comforting”…
You’re probably still processing.

After 10 spicy, glorious years, Chattanooga’s own Hoff & Pepper has closed up shop. Hoff Sauce wasn’t just a hot sauce. It was a staple. A reliable kick of joy.

It stings. We get it. But Chattanooga’s got options. Real ones. These local sauce slingers are doing their thing and keeping the flame alive. Here are a few to help fill the Hoff-shaped hole in your heart:

🌶 Gitt’s Pepper Sauce

Started in 1940 by Mother Gitt and still going strong thanks to her grandson George, Gitt’s is the definition of timeless. Small-batch, vinegar-based, and full of that soulful Southern flavor, this sauce is made in Georgia with a whole lot of Chattanooga pride.

Why we love it: It’s balanced. Tangy, peppery, and smooth, with just enough heat to make your taste buds take notice. We’ve tried it on everything—pizza, veggies, soups, you name it. The hot vinegar alone is worth keeping in your rotation.

🌶 Ryan’s Pepperworks

Made in Red Bank, Ryan’s brings a small-batch, handmade approach with bold, fermented blends that pack serious flavor.

Fan favorite: Fermented Orange Habanero. Bright, citrusy, and just the right kind of dangerous.

Use it on: Tacos, wings, pizza, or anything that could use a little excitement.

🌶 The Lucky Cajun

This one’s a bit of a unicorn. We’ve only had it once, and we still think about it. Bold, rich, and packed with deep Cajun flavor, The Lucky Cajun sauce was a one-off small batch and might not even exist anymore. Elusive doesn’t begin to cover it. If you ever spot a bottle in the wild, grab it. Immediately.

Why we love it: The Lucky Cajun hit just right. Smoky heat that built up slow, then mellowed out with a touch of sweetness that kept us coming back. It lingers in all the right ways, not like that one friend who hangs out long after everyone else has left.

Beg them for more: If you're out there, Lucky Cajun folks… we need it back. Let it rain.

🔥 In Loving Memory of Hoff (don’t worry, he’s fine)

Losing Hoff Sauce hurts. But this town knows how to rally. There’s a whole crew of makers out here bringing the heat in their own way. Try them. Support them. Share them with your spice-loving friends.

And if you’ve still got a bottle of Hoff stashed in your glovebox, hold it close. Or better yet, use it. That’s what he would’ve wanted.

Got a local favorite we missed? Drop it in the comments.