What’s hot and says Nashville all over? Next to music, our hot chicken keeps people from all over the world coming back for more. Hot Chicken is all of the razzle dazzle and more. When you visit, finding the best spots for your hot chicken adventures can quickly become overwhelming. We took the liberty of throwing together a list of the spots to get you chance to bite into the fiery bird. From mom and pop shops to downtown lines around the block, we’ve got all the spice and everything nice when it come to this Nashville staple.
400 DEGREES
★ 4.3
If you’re looking for that homestyle fried chicken, hot up the family at 400 Degrees. Owned and operated by a Nashville native, you know this hot chicken will be original and for sure to hit the spot. The menu is straight to the point, hot chicken and sides. You have the options of tenders, breast quarter, leg quarter, wings, pork chop, fish, and their popular spicy shrimp, so there’s a dish for everybody! The delicious sides are a MUST, including creamy coleslaw, sweet baked beans, crinkle cut fries, and potato salad. As far as the secret recipe, it contains various amounts of cayenne and paprika, depending on your style of heat. When you end up loving it, you can purchase your own seasoning to take home with you. Choose your spice level by choosing 100 degrees, 200 degrees, or the namesake, 400 degrees. Do you think you can handle it?
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BOLTON’S SPICY CHICKEN AND FISH
★ 4.1
Get your dose of historical hot chicken with the folks at Bolton’s! This family recipe has been passed down for generations and is sure to give you the kick you’re looking for. The ambiance gives off a cafeteria nostalgic feel and the menu has dish for everyone. You have your choice between chicken, fish and pork sandwiches. If you want those sides, (which you should!) grab a plate with chicken, fish or pork as well as house pickles and a slice of bread. The savory sides include southern style veggies like corn on the cob, green beans, turnip greens and so much more. No worries, they’ve got some of your other favorite chicken companions like mac n cheese, white beans, and fries. Depending on your location, they have another store in Antioch you can stop by. Whether here or there, the chicken will have you begging for more.
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PARTY FOWL
★ 4.3
Next up is a crowd favorite, Party Fowl. With 4 locations to choose from, there is no excuse for you to not get you some of this hot chicken. On their menu, you’ll find numerous variations of hot chicken; you’re only problem will be figuring out which dish you want more! You can find their hot chicken, with your choice of heat level, in their po’boy, beignets, street tacos, Cuban sandwiches, cobb salad and plenty others. Stop by for their popular brunch menu, which feature more variations of their famous hot chicken like in their benedict style hot chicken or their smoked chicken hash. For our less spicy preferred folks, check out their “Not Hot Chicken” menu to enjoy everything they have to offer with a lesser POW. Their bar has over 20 local beers on draft, making it the perfect pair with their main, featured ingredient. Whether its lunch, dinner or brunch, you’re sure to be more than satisfied with the hot chicken at Party Fowl.
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HATTIE B’S HOT CHICKEN
★ 4.6
Hattie B’s is on everyone’s list when they visit Nashville. This family owned restaurant is a fast-casual joint, featuring all the things you love about traditional hot chicken. With your choice of white or dark meat, choose your favorite combo of legs, thighs, breasts as well as wings and tenders. You should grab a plate with your preferred preparation of hot chicken, because paired with southern greens, pimento mac n cheese, or black-eyed peas salad, it makes for the most perfect combination. Their heat levels range from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck up; this heat comes with a heat advisory! Made with ghost pepper, this will definitely be the spiciest chicken you’ve ever consumed. If you’re in a hurry, order online (up to 2 weeks early) to avoid long wait times, this spot is VERY busy. Put this spot on your list, you will absolutely love it!
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DINO’S
★ 4.7
Make your war over to the oldest bar in East Nashville, Dino’s. Everything about this dive is a reason to visit. It’s where the locals go and also has award winning bar food. Known for the Best Burger in town for years in a row, they don’t stop at the beef. They only serve one dish of hot chicken, and it’s good enough to make it to our list. Made with ghost pepper and their house made oils, Joe’s Hot Chicken isn’t for the faint hearted. It packs a punch and offers options to take it up a notch. Make it a sandwich or if you’re feeling adventurous, ask to make it Joe’s Style. This bar is kid-friendly until 8pm, so whether you’re with the family or grabbing a late bite, Dino’s is the spot!
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PRINCE’S HOT CHICKEN
★ 4.7
Our next spot is where hot chicken began. Named after the father of hot chicken, Thornton Prince, this recipe has been pushing out hot chicken for over 100 years. It all started when a lover of Prince’s fed him extra spicy fried chicken, as a way to seek revenge against him. However, Prince loved it so much, he tweaked the recipe and started a business. Still owned my the same family to this day, Nashvillians have been enjoying this traditional dish from Prince’s for generations. Their menu makes it easy for a solo plate or to feed the whole family. Grab a whole chicken for just $26, you can’t beat that! Be sure to grab a piece of cake or pie for something sweet. You will love it so much, you’ll d=take home the whole darn pie!
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SLOW BURN HOT CHICKEN
★ 4.6
The next spot on our list is one of Nashville’s best kept secrets. Slow Burn Hot Chicken is a mom and pop shop that will have you writing home. Their original location was a little further off the beaten path in Madison, but their East Nashville spot is the talk of the town. They have a fun menu filled with different variations of hot chicken from the traditional dish everyone loves to outside of the box breakfast items you can’t miss. Their heat levels start at “Southern” (no heat) all the way to their off-menu heat, “Elephant Repellant”. This one is for our most adventurous spicy eaters because it packs a punch. Stop by for some breakfast goodies and try their hot chicken breakfast burrito, omelets and hot chicken donuts and apple fritters!
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SUBCULTURE URBAN CUISINE & CAFÉ
★ 4.7
Get “other-worldly” with the family over at Subculture. Their fun street-food inspired menu has a collection of items that come with their award-winning hot chicken. Their inspiration is predominantly inspired by Latin American street food but there is one dish that has people coming back for more; hot chicken ramen. Along with the ramen, you’ll find hot chicken tacos, sandwich and their chicken and waffles. There are 5 levels of heat available so choose wisely! Be sure to ask them about their specials, as they are known to be innovative and worthy of a prize. This family ran spot has everything you love about new American food with all the right twists.
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SCOREBOARD BAR & GRILL
★ 4.2
Located next to the infamous Opryland Hotel, Scoreboard Bar and Grill is for everyone, both locals and visitors alike. Featured on Food Network for the Best ribs and hot chicken, this BBQ smokehouse does it all. They’re also known for their seafood boils and live music. Sound like a one top shop to us! Their hot chicken menu consists of hot chicken pizza, hot chicken and waffles, hot chicken salad, and a sandwich that is the perfect lunch. If you’ve got a big crew and you’re looking for a spot to watch the game, get some good hot chicken grub, listen to live music, look no further than Scoreboard.
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