Travel Itinerary
Tennessee’s I-40 cuts through the heart of hot chicken country, where spicy, crispy goodness awaits at nearly every exit.
This iconic Southern dish combines crispy fried chicken with fiery spices that’ll make your taste buds dance and your forehead sweat.
Whether you’re road tripping across the Volunteer State or just looking for your next heat-packed meal, these 15 spots deliver Nashville’s famous food with their own special twists.
1. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Locals line up before doors even open at this Nashville institution. The heat levels range from ‘Southern’ (no heat) to ‘Shut the Cluck Up’ (which might require signing a waiver!).
Their chicken comes with perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat underneath, plus those signature pickles on white bread. Don’t skip the pimento mac and cheese – it’s the perfect cooling counterpart.
2. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
The OG hot chicken spot that started it all back in the 1930s. Legend has it Prince’s was born when a scorned girlfriend tried punishing Thornton Prince with overly-spiced chicken – but he loved it!
Even their medium will have you reaching for napkins to dab your forehead. Paper towels at each table aren’t just a convenience, they’re a necessity for this gloriously messy experience.
3. 400 Degrees Hot Chicken
Owner Aqui Hines learned her craft at Prince’s before opening this spot where temperature is literally in the name.
Their chicken arrives with a deep mahogany color that’s your first warning about the heat coming your way.
What makes 400 Degrees special? The perfectly balanced spice blend doesn’t sacrifice flavor for heat. The 400 degrees level isn’t for the faint-hearted, but their 100 degrees option satisfies without overwhelming newcomers.
4. Red’s Hot Chicken
Family-owned Red’s brings Memphis-style hospitality to their Nashville-inspired chicken. Their secret? A 24-hour brine that keeps every bite juicy, even under that crackling, spice-laden crust.
Red’s offers a unique “dry hot” option alongside traditional wet applications. The cooling slaw they serve isn’t an afterthought – it’s a carefully crafted companion that balances the heat perfectly, making this roadside spot worth a dedicated detour.
5. Rocky’s Wing Shack
Rocky’s puts a spin on traditional hot chicken by focusing exclusively on wings. Their twice-fried process creates an impossibly crispy exterior while keeping the meat pull-off-the-bone tender.
Unlike competitors who rely solely on cayenne, Rocky’s incorporates ghost peppers in their hottest offering.
Their house-made blue cheese dip contains local Tennessee honey, creating a sweet-heat-cool combination that keeps fans coming back despite the highway-adjacent location.
6. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Memphis-style meets Nashville heat at this legendary spot just off the interstate. Unlike traditional Nashville hot chicken, Gus’s builds the spice into the batter rather than applying it after frying.
The result? A more subtle, complex heat that surprises you with each bite. Their chicken sports a thinner, almost glassy crust that shatters beautifully.
A family recipe guarded for three generations, Gus’s offers a different – but equally addictive – take on Tennessee’s favorite dish.
7. Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Uncle Lou’s “Sweet Spicy Love” sauce creates a category all its own.
Not quite Nashville hot chicken, not quite traditional Southern fried – it’s a honey-kissed, cayenne-spiked revelation.
The chicken gets a distinctive honey-based glaze after frying that caramelizes slightly, creating a sticky-sweet exterior with serious heat lurking underneath that’s utterly unique in Tennessee’s hot chicken landscape.
8. BJ Hot Chicken
Goodlettsville’s hidden gem specializes in massive portions that’ll fuel your entire I-40 road trip. Their chicken thighs are nearly the size of your face, with a spice level calibrated perfectly for each cut.
The owners believe different chicken parts need different spice applications. Wings get a dry rub, while breasts and thighs receive their wet application.
Their signature move is a final drizzle of spiced oil right before serving, creating an aromatic experience that hits your nose before your taste buds.
9. Granddaddy’s Original Hot Chicken Shack
Three generations of spice-masters work side-by-side at this family-owned joint.
Their chicken gets a 36-hour brine in sweet tea before meeting the fryer – a technique that infuses moisture and a subtle sweetness that balances their aggressive spice blend.
The walls are covered with vintage family photos and newspaper clippings documenting their 60+ years serving Tennessee travelers looking for authentic hot chicken with a distinctive family touch.
10. Blazin’ Bird
College students crowd this late-night spot where the chicken stays hot and the kitchen stays open until 3 AM.
Their claim to fame? Infusing the oil itself with peppers before frying, creating layers of heat that develop as you eat.
The “Blazin’ Challenge” dares brave souls to finish their hottest offering in under five minutes. Winners get their picture on the wall and their meal free.
11. Mama’s Fire Cluckers
Housed in a converted gas station just off Exit 192, Mama’s brings together Cajun and Nashville influences.
Their blackened hot chicken option offers a unique twist with a dry-rubbed exterior that creates complex flavor without the traditional wet application.
The small dining area only seats 20, but locals happily eat from the hood of their cars when tables fill up – a testament to chicken worth waiting for.