No food item in Nashville is more iconic than Music City’s famedhot chicken.
These are their personal favorites.
(Best not to think too much about that.)
Photo: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken / Facebook
So Kahlil knows his chicken, and Prince’s is his favorite.
“It’s soooo good and is still the OG, so they should always be number one!”
“When they are on point, they are very, very hard to beat.”
Photo: Prince’s
“They deliver on a heat scale that isn’t matched anywhere else.
Any hotter for me and I don’t think I could effortlessly enjoy the entire dish.
I do love the balance of Bolton’s spice blend.
Photo: Courtesy of Bolton’s
Tailorchef Surti isn’t afraid to face the peril.
“This is my go-to for the original ‘dry’ style of Nashville hot chicken.
Hot chicken should make you uncomfortable.
Photo: Courtesy of Hattie B’s / Nashville Guru
Growing up, the mild here was hotter than most places' current hot levels.
Bolton’s does it the old-school way, and that’s why it’s my favorite!”
I say this for a couple of reasons.
Photo: Courtesy of 400 Degrees
First and foremost, they have really dialed in the flavor, which is the most important for me.
I want to taste the seasoning of the hot chicken and not just feel a bunch of heat.
The second reason is their consistency.
Photo: Courtesy of Helen’s Hot Chicken
You always know what you’re going to get when you go to Hattie’s.”
Leina Horii ofKisserwas an early acolyte of Hattie B’s.
It was so good I went back a second time in the same day!
Photo: Red’s Hot Chicken
Bringle concurs, “After Bolton’s, I would say Hattie B’s.
She appreciates the aggressiveness of Hattie B’s hottest levels.
(Sorry for spoiling your secret, Nina.
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Surti respects Hattie B’s as a more modern option for diners.
“There’s the old-school hot chicken and the new-school hot chicken.
Surti can certainly handle it, and does often.
Gavigan has an even more personal experience that made her a fan.
The chicken meat is tender and flavor-packed, and the skin is just as l’d hoped.
Also, a small order of fried gizzards is a perfect bonus.
Helen’s is definitely one of my all-around top spots!”
One particular dish puts Red’s Hot Chicken high on Bolus’s list.
“My biggest draw for them is the creativity in their menu.
I think my favorite example of that is the Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese Crunchwrap.
In my humble opinion, this is on par with the brilliance of the McGriddle.
Red’s found a way to combine almost everything I want when I want hot chicken into one bite.
It’s the entire wish list and meal in a single bite!”
Chef Myint offered one final recommendation:Pepperfire.
The chicken skin is impressively crispy.”
