Where Locals Go for Nashville Hot Chicken
Hot chicken may be Nashville’s most famous local dish. Legend has it that during the Great Depression, ladies man Thornton Prince cheated on his girlfriend one night. To get back at him the following day, the girlfriend served Thornton fired chicken doused with hot pepper for a taste of revenge. Ironically, Thornton loved the dish, began sharing it with others. The rest is hot chicken history. There are a number of options for hot chicken in Nashville, many of them tourist hot spots. But, where do Nashville locals go for this famous dish?
Prince’s Hot Chicken is Nashville’s original chicken hotspot and is owned and operated by the Prince family, the center of the above story that brought the tasty dish to light. Prince’s has a nearly 80-year history in Nashville and was here before the hot chicken hype. This makes it our number one pick for where local Nashvillians actually dine when in the mood for some spicy fowl. While Nashvillians are most familiar with Prince’s Nolensville location, they also have a second restaurant in the new Assembly Food Hall downtown.
2. Party Fowl
While Party Fowl is newer to the hot chicken scene, it serves up some seriously good eats. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere, chicken that is actually hot, a host of delicious sides and even boozy slushies. If you’re not in the mood to wait in the line at Prince’s or looking for a more ‘fun’ and updated atmosphere, Party Fowl delivers.
3. 400 Degrees
400 Degrees on Clarksville Pike has a slightly different take on the traditional hot chicken recipe. The restaurant deep fries rather than skillet fries their chicken. So, if you’re a deep-fried kind of person, this might be your pick. Heading out of town? Check out 400 Degrees’ new location in the Nashville airport.
4. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish
Another longstanding joint that predates the hot chicken craze, Bolton’s is a no-frills dive serving up chicken that’s actually spicy and plenty o’ sides. If you find yourself in East Nashville, stop by the Main Street location to try one of Nashville’s original hot chicken establishments.
If you’re looking for some of Nashville’s local hot chicken favorites, skip the line at Hattie B’s and try one of the hot chicken originals on our list.
Where is your favorite place to eat hot chicken?
