Prince’s Hot Chicken – Nashville, TN

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When we were heading to Nashville, one of the first food goals was hot chicken.  What is hot chicken, you ask?  It is a Nashville creation and a local delicacy, created by marinating the chicken in buttermilk, then breading it then rubbing it with a paste that is heavily spiced with cayenne pepper.  And the epicenter of the hot chicken universe is Prince’s Hot Chicken.  It’s been featured on both Man V Food Nation and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,

Set in a strip mall 5 or 6 miles from downtown Nashville, when we arrived at 5:15, there were already folks lined up for carry out.

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While we were standing in the middle of the restaurant looking at the menu, the cake lady (in the green toboggan in the middle, above) became quite insistent that we needed to go to the window in the back to order. In fact, when Jo asked her a question about the chicken, she told her “they” could answer it.  If she’d just GO to the window. 

One of the first things I noticed was the styrofoam plate with “Cash Only” written on it in Sharpie.  The menu was above the window:

  • Breast quarter
  • Leg
  • Half chicken
  • Whole chicken

(all of these could be ordered mild, medium, hot or extra hot)

and the sides (which were all a la carte):

  • French Fries
  • Cole Slaw
  • Potato Salad
  • Baked Beans

We got to the window, were informed they were cash only, and ordered – Jo a breast (medium) with cole slaw and baked beans, me a half chicken (hot – why not? I like spicy food) with fries.  When I asked about drinks, she pointed to the cooler cabinet filled with Pepsi and said “and there’s that Coke machine”.  In the restaurant.  Honest-to-God.

IMG_4306We took our number (twenty-one – I noted she was calling fifteen when we walked up) and picked out a seat at one of the booths, circa 1983. I noticed while we sat there that they’re open until 4 am Friday & Saturday nights. I imagine it is a very different place at 3:30 am than 5:30 pm.

After about twenty minutes our number was called and I came back to the table with this

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which came out of the bag like this,20130126-221801.jpg

and opened into this: 1/2 of a chicken, covered in pickles, on four slices of sweet white bread, with a side of fries20130126-221845.jpgFirst, I removed the pickles, then I dug into the chicken with the two plastic forks (no knives – there was not a plastic knife in the place).  The skin was extra crispy and peeled off in long pieces.  The meat was incredibly tender and when mixing the chicken with the bread in the sauce it was heavenly (and hellish, at the same time.)

When it was oveIMG_4311r, my fingers were red, my right nostril felt like I was breathing fire and I was sweating on top of my head.  I like hot food.  I actually love it. (Jo doesn’t like hot food and medium was a bit much for her.)  This was over-the-top.  This may have been the hottest thing I’ve ever eaten.  But it was incredible.   

And both Saturday night, before we went back to our hotel, and Sunday morning, before we got out of bed, we talked about going back to Prince’s and splitting another plate, medium.

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack on Urbanspoon

8 comments

  1. […] Drive) location many times.  It is hard to believe that it has almost been five years since our first visit there.  But it’s north on 65, on the way out of the city, and we were headed south on 24, so […]

  2. […] you know that I fell in love with Nashville hot chicken back in 2013.  Since that first visit to Prince’s, we’ve been back there three times and tried it in several places […]

  3. […] “hot chicken”.  Hot chicken is a Nashville thing (the pinnacle of which, to me, is Prince’s Hot Chicken) and there hasn’t been anyone serving it in Atlanta, until now.  After talking with the […]

  4. […] favorite food discovery of the year?  Hands down, the hot chicken at Prince’s Hot Chicken.  This chicken was so amazing, that we went there three times in 2013.  To recap:  “The […]

  5. […] in Atlanta.  The kitchen manager came over to join us and I asked if this was like the chicken at Prince’s, and he said that Shaun Doty (one of the owner’s) was a fan of Prince’s and made this […]

  6. Kimberly Prince · · Reply

    On behalf of Prince’s Hot Chicken, we’re so glad you enjoyed your experience enough to share it with the internet community. We recognize that everyone’s trip into the world of “hot chicken” is a unique one indeed. Thank you for your support!

    1. You’re very welcome. I’m a full fledged hot chicken evangelist, ready to spread the word when asked (or not?)!

      Prince’s is on my “have-to” list every time I head to Nashville.

  7. […] a debate about whether we should’ve had Prince’s Hot Chicken again on Saturday night (instead of what we ate) or whether they might be open for breakfast on […]

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