If you’re wondering whether or not Nashville has any quirks, look no further than the city’s ravenous obsession with a culinary oddity: hot chicken. The city is so enamored with this lip-flaming, sweat-inducing fried poultry that former mayor Bill Purcell launched the Music City Hot Chicken Festival. Every July 4 for the last five years, the Hot Chicken Festival offers amateur hot chicken cooking contests, games for children and plenty of watermelon and beer to soothe any singed taste buds.
This year, as in the past, Nashville’s Hot Chicken Festival will be held on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in East Park. But if you can’t make it to the festival, there’s no reason not to partake. Here are four spots worthy of your sweat.
The grandfather (and godfather) of all Hot Chicken, Prince’s is a James Beard Award-winning must-eat on the pilgrimage of poultry. You might wait two hours for a plate of fried chicken at this hole-in-the-wall in North Nashville, but it’ll be well worth it. Founded more than 60 years ago by brothers William and Thornton Prince, today’s head honcho, “Big O,” serves finger-burning chicken smothered in pickles and white sandwich bread from behind the linoleum counter. On weekends, expect the line to stay long into the wee hours of the morning, so feel free to call ahead, since it’s all made-to order. Or, prepare to wait in line alongside a bunch of hungry, salivating admirers such as yourself.
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish
Another Nashville original, Bolton’s is known for its juicy fried chicken and catfish, as well as for its unmatched macaroni and cheese. Again, calling ahead is always a good idea, and if you’re taking it to go, the “chicken on a stick” will be both portable and delicious.
If you’re looking for something more refined, check out molten poultry at the newest downtown outpost, Hattie B’s. Launched by father and son duo Nick Bishop Sr. and Nick Jr., Hattie B’s offers traditional southern fried chicken, as well as the hot variety in four different intensities: mild, medium, “hot!” and “damn hot.” Here, the poultry is served with your choice of local craft brews (including selections from Jackalope and Yazoo breweries).
For serious heat seekers, venture out just beyond the Cumberland to Scoreboard, a sports bar and hot chicken mecca. Less posh than Hattie’s, and with a shorter line than Prince’s —Scoreboard’s hot chicken ranges from “sissy” to “Satan’s tongue.”
