USA TODAY 10Best
Hattie B's Hot Chicken wins Best in Tennessee award
Best Hot Chicken in Tennessee (2019)
While evidence exists to suggest that spicy fried chicken had been served among Tennessee’s African American communities for generations, the dish as it exists today has an origin story dating back to the Great Depression. Thorton Prince has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and in an act of revenge, his scorned girlfriend served him fried chicken — his favorite — loaded up with peppers and spices. The prank didn’t have the desired effect; instead Prince loved it and decided to open Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Over the past several years, this quintessential Nashville dish has skyrocketed in popularity across the nation. But who makes it best?
The top 10 winners in the category Best Hot Chicken in Tennessee are as follows:
- Dino's - Nashville
- Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish - Franklin
- Deezie's Hot Chicken - Murfreesboro
- 400 Degrees - Nashville
- Jackie's Dream - Knoxville
- Slow Burn Hot Chicken - Madison
- Myrtle's Chicken + Beer - Knoxville
- Prince's Hot Chicken - Nashville
- Party Fowl - Multiple Locations
- Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville & Memphis
Photo courtesy of Andrea Behrends / Dino's
No. 10:
Located in historic East Nashville, Dino’s is the city’s oldest dive bar and a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its comfort foods. Among the options is Joe’s hot chicken, served with pickles, a side of tartar and a slice of white bread.
Photo courtesy of Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish / Facebook
No. 9:
Diners can choose their level of heat at Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish in Franklin, ranging from the heat-free original recipe to the sweat-inducing Executioner made from the world’s hottest peppers. This classic Tennessee dish also comes as chicken and waffles, tacos or a salad.
Photo courtesy of Deezie's Hot Chicken
No. 8:
The hot chicken from Deezie's in Murfreesboro is available in a range of heat levels, from mild original recipe to X Hot. The crispy, juicy chicken is also available in Cajun, lemon pepper and sweet heat flavors.
Photo courtesy of 400 Degrees / Facebook
No. 7:
Nashville native Aqui Hines, owner of 400 Degrees, grew up eating Prince’s Hot Chicken. Today she owns her own place where diners come for the crispy, spicy hot fried chicken served alongside creamy coleslaw and sweet Southern baked beans.
Photo courtesy of Jackie's Dream / Facebook
No. 6:
Jackie’s Dream is a local favorite for soul food in Knoxville. Hot chicken lovers can order fried chicken by the piece with buffalo sauce for an extra kick.
Photo courtesy of Slow Burn Hot Chicken / Facebook
No. 5:
Slow Burn Hot Chicken is known for their Nashville-style hot chicken and fish, served as pieces, wings or tenders. Choose your level of heat, from Singe on the mild end to fiery Inferno.
Photo courtesy of Myrtle's Chicken + Beer
No. 4:
Diners at Myrtle’s Chicken + Beer in Knoxville have two heat options to choose from: Damn Good (medium heat) or Hot Damn (extra hot).
Photo courtesy of AW Photography / Flickr
No. 3:
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is a Nashville original, where father of Nashville hot chicken Thorton Prince launched a nationwide obsession. The restaurant remains in the Prince family, and diners can get their chicken with heat levels from mild to XXX Hot.
No. 2:
Diners come from around the state and the country for the hot chicken and cold drinks at Party Fowl. Executive Chef Bart Pickens has fashioned a menu of several hot chicken dishes with heat levels ranging from mild to Poultrygeist.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Woodley / Hattie B's Hot Chicken
No. 1:
Hattie B’s has a loyal following of hot chicken lovers who come for the sandwiches and plates. Heat levels vary from no-heat Southern to Shut the Cluck Up!!! with a serious burn factor.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
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Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Sally Walker Davies
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Shawanda Mason-Moore is the writer behind the blog, Eat.Drink.Frolic. who's obsessed with Chrissy Teigen, pineapples and fancy cocktails. She's the co-founder of the Tennessee nonprofit, The Chattery, and the founder of a quarterly brunch series for creative women entrepreneurs called, The Brunch Collective. When she's not experimenting with new food or drink recipes, you can find her watching reruns of Golden Girls.
