All Over The Map Destinations, JOurneys, and Diversions
Nashville
Burnin’ Love
by Alison Stein Wellner
If someone in Nashville asks if you’ve ever had hot chicken, they’re not talking about the kind of heat that comes from an oven. They mean hot as in off-the-charts spicy. This local variety of fried chicken gets its name and reputation thanks to a long bath in a fiery marinade, a spiced crust, and a light coating of burning-hot sauce. Here’s where to find it.
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
The city’s original hot-chicken business was founded by current owner Andre Prince’s great uncle. Legend has it that a vengeful girlfriend once prepared him the hottest chicken she could conjure from her skillet, but the plan backfired. He liked it, and a family business was born. Sixty years later, one meal defines the cuisine: bone-in chicken served atop two slices of white bread and garnished with dill pickles. Order it mild, medium, hot, or extra hot. “Medium” gives you a nice heat that spreads through your mouth and throat and puts a tingle on your lips; “hot” burns all the way down like straight bourbon mash. A side of home-made potato salad turns down the heat.
123 Ewing Dr.
615.226.9442
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
To order here, walk past the two plastic-draped tables and rap the brass knocker on the bright pink door to summon the cook. You don’t have a choice of spice level at Bolton’s — it’s all hot. Slide one slice of bread under your meat to catch the drippings, and save the second slice to cool your mouth. On the side, try the sweet, hearty baked beans and the spicy turnip greens.
624 Main St.
615.254.8015
400 Degrees
The chicken here is served in degrees: Zero is plain, 100 degrees is mild, 200 is medium, and 400 is hot. If the server hasn’t seen you before, you’ll get a lot of questions and head-shaking if you order yours at 400. (A persuasive argument: Say you order it “hot” at Prince’s.) Be sure to get an extra fork to keep your hot chicken from mixing with your side of cool, creamy coleslaw.
2012 Clarksville Hwy.
615.244.4467
Illustration by Jon Flaming
