Milk & Honey
Saint Anejo
Puckett's
Loveless Cafe
Chauhan Ale & Masala House
You know the classics—Bolton’s, Prince’s, and Hattie B’s—but these sometimes surprising spots are serving up their own takes on Nashville Hot Chicken. Here are 10 spots to order the local classic.
HOT CHICKEN AND WAFFLES
A bustling brunch spot by day, Milk & Honey serves a spread complete with both savory and sweet offerings. Why not try their version of the Nashville classic with a dish that has both? Hot chicken is served with warm buttermilk waffles, drizzled with honey hot sauce plus maple syrup, and is paired with home fries or fresh berries. (214 11th Ave. S, 615-712-7466; milkandhoneynashville.com)
HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH
Housed within the historic Holston House, TENN signifies the Hot Chicken Sandwich as one of their menu must- haves. Hot or not, the handheld is paired with Chow Chow and a smokey garlic aioli, creating a flavorful brunch bite. (118 7th Ave. N, 629-208-1613; tennnash.com)
HOT CHICKEN TACOS AND HOT CHICKEN TACOS
This centrally-located restaurant and bar is known for their Mexican standards, but hot chicken tacos and hot chicken nachos you say? Count us in! Tacos are $5 each and are topped with habanero-agave, Mexi slaw, and scallions, while the nachos (order for the table or for yourself; we aren't judging!) are complete with all the fixin’s including refried charros, habanero-agave, cotija, guac, pico, and cilantro. (1120 McGavock St., 615-736-5301; mstreetnashville.com/saint-anejo)
MUSIC CITY HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH
Unpretentious but damn delicious is what you will find here. Keep it classic with the hot chicken sandwich, which is battered, fried, and seasoned with their own hot chicken spices, and is paired with Texas toast, coleslaw, and some plain jane French fries. (500 Church St., 615-770-2772; puckettsgro.com)
NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN
Famous (and for good reason!) for their classic Southern food made from scratch, Loveless Cafe knocks it out of the park with their biscuits, down- home dishes, and to-die-for fried chicken. While the breakfast all day menu might seem enticing, it’s the Nashville Hot Chicken you should choose. Fried chicken is simply tossed in hot sauce and is served with bread and pickles (of course!), plus a choice of two sides. (8400 Hwy. 100, 615-646-9700; lovelesscafe.com)
NASHVILLE HOT FRIED CHICKEN PAKORA SANDWICH
Locals come here often and there’s good reason: Maneet Chauhan’s vibrant eatery puts creative Indian cuisine on the menu, with brunch dishes like the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Pakora Sandwich. The spiced fritter, made with fried thigh and hot chicken oil, is sandwiched between two pieces of grilled sourdough with achar cabbage slaw and a side of masala fries. (123 12th Ave. N, 615-242-8426; chauhannashville.com)
HOT CHICKEN AND MAC
Located in the rapidly growing neighborhood of Wedgewood Houston aka WeHo, Earnest Bar & Hideaway serves up elevated tavern fare plus craft cocktails and a boozy brunch. But what’s brunch without delectable bites? Their hot chicken and mac, a combo of four Nashville hot chicken strips and a whole lot of Vermont Cheddar Cheese, equates to two words: creamy bliss. (438 Houston St., 615-915-1715; earnestbarandhideaway.com)
NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH
Hide out in East Nashville at Jane’s Hideaway. Serving re-invented Southern comfort foods alongside nightly Bluegrass and Americana sets, skip the to-share offerings and order up a handheld sammie all for yourself. The chicken sandwich, which is served either traditional or Nashville Hot, is topped with house ranch, red cabbage, Jane’s pickles, and a side salad. (407 Gallatin Ave., 615-942-7809; janeshideaway.com)
NASHVILLE HOT FRIED CHICKEN BISCUIT
Worlds collide at Liberty Common where Southern comfort foods meet French classics. Enjoy the chicken biscuit Southern-fried or Nashville hot with just a dallop of Dijonnaise, plus a side of crispy fries or a simple salad. (207 1st Ave. S, 615-649-8900; liberty-common.com)
HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH
You really can’t go wrong with the classic take on a good ole’ Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. If typical pub fare hits the spot, make it hot, hot, hot with the pub’s signature hot rub chicken, topped with ancho ranch, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Siracha. (708 Monroe St., 615-457-2145; thegermantownpub.com)