Nashville Hot Chicken Guide
Real talk— I wouldn’t recommend eating Nashville hot chicken three times in one day. (I did it, so you don’t have to!) I only had a very short weekend in Nashville and was curious which hot chicken was worth the hype and which wasn’t. I sampled two long-standing classics and one up-&-comer.
I am going to preface this by saying that there are pros and cons to each place. All had good food that lived up to the Nashville hot chicken title, but as with every food, some establishments stood out more than others. Also, this post isn’t necessarily about which one is the best, but helping you decide which one is the best for YOU. Your decision would depend on multiple factors, like — how long you’re gonna be there, if you’re mainly hanging around just the downtown area or not, etc.
Hattie B’s (has multiple locations but I went to the one on Lower Broadway— 5069 Broadway Pl)
Verdict: Worth the hype? YES. The food was my absolute fave. Not only on the chicken front but on the sides & drinks as well. The chicken had the perfect crunchy fried texture while not sacrificing the chicken’s tenderness & moisture. Do yourself a favor and also order the mac & cheese as a side and a boozy slushie while you’re in the line. Be prepared to wait in a line that extends all the way around the block. To me, totally worth the wait though.
Pros: perfect chicken, amazing sides, boozy slushies, multiple locations, order came out quickly so they are clearly used to high volume
Cons: long lines out the wazoo (waited in line for about an hour), pricier than other places ($10 for that boozy slushie), crowded and hard to find a seat
Prince’s Hot Chicken (their downtown food truck is at 423 6th Ave S)
Verdict: Not worth it if you’re just going for the food alone. For the ambiance? Yes! The downtown food truck is located on Yeehaw Brewery Co.’s patio— which is complete with live country music and really great beer. Line was pretty long but you can order for pick up and then just have a beer & listen to some live music until it’s ready for you. Also, this place is the OG. The Prince’s franchise has been serving up hot chicken since 1945. For me, the chicken was a little soggy and didn’t have the texture I was looking for in hot chicken. But maybe they were just having an off day!
Pros: food truck is located at a very cool local Nashville venue, you’d be trying out the OG of hot chicken, you can order pick up and eat onsite, great beer right by it
Cons: hot chicken/sides pales in comparison to others around town, not much variety, long line & an even longer wait for your food if you don’t order pick up
*Disclaimer— Their brick & mortar has a more expansive menu and probably has better chicken, but it’s not conveniently located downtown.
Slow Burn Hot Chicken (East Nashville food truck located at 726 Mcferrin Ave)
Verdict: Definitely worth the try if you’re looking go off the beaten path like I’m super into doing. If you want to support a new small business and are more interested in a local, hole-in-the-wall vibe, this is the place for you. Located in a food truck at a gas station, Slow Burn is the epitome of a hidden gem. With each bite, it was clear that the food was made with love, almost as if it were homemade. For me, the chicken was a touch dry but the flavor & spices made up for it. East Nashville is considered an “artistic” and “trendy” neighborhood packed with beloved local businesses and is growing in popularity. Go against the grain, be a trendsetter and make a stop in East Nashville.
Pros: you’d be supporting a new small business, a large variety of choices on spices for the chicken, friendliest service ever, in trendy East Nashville
Cons: it’s away from downtown & take-out only
