If you don’t know about the hot chicken revolution, you’re missing out on one of the South’s greatest culinary treasures. Hot chicken (spiced-up fried chicken) started in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Sunday and Monday, we were in Nashville, and the originator of hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, was closed. So Marcela and my plan of attack in Nashville included visits to Prince’s and Hattie B’s, which now left Hattie B’s as our only one.
We hit up Hattie B’s right when it opens at 11 AM. Our hotel was right around the corner, and by the time we arrived, it was 11:01 AM.
I was a full minute late, yet almost 60 people lined up to get in. That plan went awry.
I remembered there was another location, so we drove over there. There were only five folks in front at this spot, and we could handle this.
What to Order at Hattie B’s?
Marcela orders small white (breast and wing) chicken and waffles in mild-medium heat. Of course, I had to be more daring, so I ordered the large white (two breasts and wing) in Hot! heat level.
I knew I couldn’t leave Hattie B’s without at least sampling their most intense heat level, so I ordered three chicken tenders in Shut The Cluck Up!!!. We also ordered some sides: pimento mac and cheese and the red skin potato salad.
I never tasted the waffles, but Marcela seemed to enjoy them immensely. Without a doubt, the hot chicken was the real star. It was crispy on the outside, moist, and flavorful on the inside. Looking back on it, I can say that Hot is the perfect hot chicken temperature.
That Shut The Cluck Up murdered me. My scalp was sweating, and my mouth was burning.
What about Hattie B’s Sides?
Luckily, I had the pimento mac and cheese and red-skin potato salad to shovel in my mouth to cool the pain off. Both were excellent, by the way.
I am infatuated with Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. I plan to write them love letters; if they don’t respond well, I’ll have to make the 13 1/2-hour drive to visit.
A year later, I returned and ate one of their phenomenal Hot Chicken Sandwiches.
P.S.: The banana pudding is also a perfect palate cleanser and lifesaver.
Hattie B’s
5209 Charlotte Avenue
Nashville, TN
(615) 576-3900
Website – https://www.hattieb.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hattiebs
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HattieBsMidtownNashville
Monday 11 am – 10 pm
Tuesday 11 am – 10 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 10 pm
Thursday 11 am – 10 pm
Friday 11 am – 11 pm
Saturday 11 am – 11 pm
Sunday CLOSED
They’ll likely respond – they’re cool that way. I live and work in Nashville, and hit Hattie B’s about 3 times per month (when they opened, it was 3 times per week for quite a while). There are some other places with hot chicken – Bolton’s (easily the hottest in town, by far), 400 Degrees, The Row, etc, but Hattie B’s is hands-down the best. You’ll need to check out the midtown location next time – it’s the original, and most people think it’s a bit better, though I can’t tell any difference myself. Also – make *sure* you ask for the bottle of honey they keep up front – cover your Shut the Cluck Up with honey next time, and it’ll change your life! 🙂
Thanks for all the tips.