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Yelp/Hattie B's

Where to Eat Hot Chicken in Nashville

These 9 spots are tops.

by Kristy Lucero Updated
2 comments / new
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by Kristy Lucero Updated
2 comments / new
Yelp/Hattie B's

It's been way too long since this guide to that most hallowed Music City tradition, Nashville hot chicken, has been updated. Over the past couple of years we've seen several new hot chicken hot spots emerge, each with their own interesting take on this Nashville classic. So for this addition we welcome Helen's Hot Chicken and Party Fowl.

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400 Degrees

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Don't be fooled by the sterile, food court location. This SoBro eatery, owned and operated by Nashville native Aqui Simpson, is serious about hot chicken. If you want to test your internal fortitude, try yours '400 Degrees.'
319 Peabody St, Nashville, TN
(615) 244-4467
(615) 244-4467
Yelp/400 Degrees

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

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Hattie B's is no longer the new kid on the block, having quickly made their way to the upper echelon of Nashville's hot chicken community. Serving up plenty of spice, high quality sides and brews, you can hit the always booming Midtown location, or head out west to their Charlotte Avenue spot, offering a lot more parking and a whole lot more seating.
112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 678-4794
(615) 678-4794
Yelp/Hattie B's

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Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish

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One of Nashville's most famous purveyors of hot chicken (they even made an appearance in a Taylor Swift/B.o.B. music video), Bolton's has been serving the hot stuff for over 15 years. Their original Main Street location in East Nashville gives you the true 'chicken shack' experience, but their Franklin Pike spot provides a slightly more convenient dine-in setting.
624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 254-8015
(615) 254-8015
Yelp/Bolton's

Pepperfire

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Simple and straightforward, East Nashville's Pepperfire puts the focus on the main attraction. Their 'xx hot' packs more than enough punch to challenge avid heat seekers. And with their new location, you'll finally have air conditioning and cold beer to help ease the pain.
1000 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 582-4824
(615) 582-4824
Facebook/Pepperfire

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

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This is the grandaddy of them all. Having started serving their legendary fiery chicken over 70 years ago, Prince's is the original 'Hot Chicken Shack.' Honored as a 2013 James Beard Foundation America's Classic, this North Nashville treasure is sure to continue gaining devoted followers across the country.
123 Ewing Dr, #3, Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 226-9442
(615) 226-9442
Yelp/Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

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Scoreboard Bar & Grill

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While not a traditional hot chicken destination, Scoreboard still brings the heat. Levels range from 'Sissy' to "Satan's Tongue.' [Photo via Tripadvisor]
2408 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883-3866
(615) 883-3866
Facebook/Scoreboard Bar

Hot Stuff Spicy Chicken & Fish

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Hot Stuff admirably holds up the Nashville hot chicken tradition. And for those not quite ready to take the plunge, a variety of other seasonings are offered as well.
1309 Bell Rd. #218, Antioch, TN 37013
(615) 712-6100
(615) 712-6100
Yelp/Hot Stuff

Party Fowl

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Specializing in fried chicken, Party Fowl serves up some mean hot chicken in either the traditional "Nashville Hot" flavor, or the even hotter "Poultrygeist" for those feeling extra daring.
719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 624-8255
(615) 624-8255
Website/Party Fowl

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Helen's Hot Chicken

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Although Helen's has only been open for a little over a year, it's already gained a reputation as one of the best hot chicken places by connoisseurs of the dish. If you like to feel the heat try the "hot" flavor, or get the "hella hot" for a kick of spice that will make your eyes water.
1801 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 484-7460
(615) 484-7460
Yelp/Helen's Hot Chicken

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400 Degrees

319 Peabody St, Nashville, TN
Don't be fooled by the sterile, food court location. This SoBro eatery, owned and operated by Nashville native Aqui Simpson, is serious about hot chicken. If you want to test your internal fortitude, try yours '400 Degrees.'
319 Peabody St, Nashville, TN
(615) 244-4467
(615) 244-4467
Yelp/400 Degrees

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Hattie B's is no longer the new kid on the block, having quickly made their way to the upper echelon of Nashville's hot chicken community. Serving up plenty of spice, high quality sides and brews, you can hit the always booming Midtown location, or head out west to their Charlotte Avenue spot, offering a lot more parking and a whole lot more seating.
112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 678-4794
(615) 678-4794
Yelp/Hattie B's

Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish

624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
One of Nashville's most famous purveyors of hot chicken (they even made an appearance in a Taylor Swift/B.o.B. music video), Bolton's has been serving the hot stuff for over 15 years. Their original Main Street location in East Nashville gives you the true 'chicken shack' experience, but their Franklin Pike spot provides a slightly more convenient dine-in setting.
624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 254-8015
(615) 254-8015
Yelp/Bolton's

Pepperfire

1000 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Simple and straightforward, East Nashville's Pepperfire puts the focus on the main attraction. Their 'xx hot' packs more than enough punch to challenge avid heat seekers. And with their new location, you'll finally have air conditioning and cold beer to help ease the pain.
1000 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 582-4824
(615) 582-4824
Facebook/Pepperfire

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

123 Ewing Dr, #3, Nashville, TN 37207
This is the grandaddy of them all. Having started serving their legendary fiery chicken over 70 years ago, Prince's is the original 'Hot Chicken Shack.' Honored as a 2013 James Beard Foundation America's Classic, this North Nashville treasure is sure to continue gaining devoted followers across the country.
123 Ewing Dr, #3, Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 226-9442
(615) 226-9442
Yelp/Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

Scoreboard Bar & Grill

2408 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
While not a traditional hot chicken destination, Scoreboard still brings the heat. Levels range from 'Sissy' to "Satan's Tongue.' [Photo via Tripadvisor]
2408 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883-3866
(615) 883-3866
Facebook/Scoreboard Bar

Hot Stuff Spicy Chicken & Fish

1309 Bell Rd. #218, Antioch, TN 37013
Hot Stuff admirably holds up the Nashville hot chicken tradition. And for those not quite ready to take the plunge, a variety of other seasonings are offered as well.
1309 Bell Rd. #218, Antioch, TN 37013
(615) 712-6100
(615) 712-6100
Yelp/Hot Stuff

Party Fowl

719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Specializing in fried chicken, Party Fowl serves up some mean hot chicken in either the traditional "Nashville Hot" flavor, or the even hotter "Poultrygeist" for those feeling extra daring.
719 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 624-8255
(615) 624-8255
Website/Party Fowl

Helen's Hot Chicken

1801 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN 37208
Although Helen's has only been open for a little over a year, it's already gained a reputation as one of the best hot chicken places by connoisseurs of the dish. If you like to feel the heat try the "hot" flavor, or get the "hella hot" for a kick of spice that will make your eyes water.
1801 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 484-7460
(615) 484-7460
Yelp/Helen's Hot Chicken

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