The Tastiest Chicken Shop in Nashville

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

★★★☆☆ 3 (20)

"Off to a great start! So glad a Cane's is in the area! Great chicken tenders and the sauce is soo good. Taste and flavor was exactly what I've had at other Cane's. Friendly staff and they had the high number of customers moving comfortably."

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken - Nashville - Midtown

★★★★☆ 4.4 (7509) • $$

"When in Nashville you must try Hot Nashville Chicken. I went with "mild" but probably should have tried something spicier like medium!You order first and then find a table to sit at and they bring the food out. Everyone who worked here was very nice and helpful. I recommend!"

Red's Hot Chicken

★★★★★ 4.7 (197) • $$

"As I've been saying in most of my reviews from my Nashville trip so far, on the whole, I had so many great meals there... but of course, I had to go for some Nashville Hot Chicken, and this place near Vanderbilt's campus came highly recommended. I am happy to say, it was phenomenal!Red's is quite simply a roadside chicken shack. They have a small outdoor covered eating area with counter seating around the edges, everything is served take-out style no matter where you plan to eat it. There is a bar next door that they'll bring your food to, but I didn't explore that, it was a fairly nice day to just eat right out front.I approached the window and my order was promptly taken, no non-sense, no fuss, they're just interested in getting you great chicken made fresh. This IS NOT fast food, and they express that on their sign, but regardless, I waited just 15 minutes for piping hot, made to order, hot chicken. I went with the Hot Chicken Plate with the 3 jumbo tenders, as they were currently out of thighs due to a power outage that spoiled their last supply. That mattered exactly not at all, because the tenders were enormous, juicy, and very filling with a perfect level of spice. I went medium to gauge, and it was just right for me. Flavorful, good heat, not excruciating. The plate came with two sides, I opted for their pimento mac n cheese and cole slaw. The mac was exceptional, really nice sharp cheddar flavor, very creamy. The cole slaw was refreshing and cool, not too mayo heavy, and provided a nice switch to the hot chicken. I also got some great ranch for dipping. It also came with a couple slices of white bread, as is tradition, for mopping up sauce and making little bite size sammies.All told, I could not recommend this place more. I love a place that just cuts to the chase with great food, and Red's is exactly that. I'm sure there is lots of excellent hot chicken available around Nashville, but this should be one of your choices!"

Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Franklin

★★★★★ 4.5 (71) • $$

"First time trying Hattie B's and they definitely didn't disappoint! I know they're hyped up as one of the best chicken joints in TN so I've been wanting to try them out.My husband and I weren't too hungry when we visited though so we decided to share the dirty bird fries. Highly recommend! It was a good amount for two adults. We both loved the fries with all the toppings it came with. Top notch as far as loaded fries go!Service was quick and the interior was kept very clean. We came on a Friday afternoon and it was packed! But surprisingly the wait wasn't too long for us to get our food.I will definitely be back to try more of their options! Their chicken sandwich and the desserts sound delightful!"

Waldo's Chicken & Beer

★★★★☆ 3.9 (56) • $$

"THE BEST chicken tenders I've ever had. Perfect in every way. Truly tender. Selection of sauce to boot! Variety of sides?!? The chop chop salad with rotisserie chicken was perfect portion with fresh mixed greens and strong blue cheese!This particular spot is extra great b/c of their staff. Everyone I've encountered here is dang delightful and great customer service. The set up is a blend of fast & casual dining, but the food is true quality. They have a bunch of TVs and a nice bar set up that seems perfect for game watching; and the bar is full service of beer and liquor with great selection. Or there's a drive through for your food to go!Bonus - Tuesday tenders special!Hoping one of these will open on the east side of town!"

Chicken Salad Chick

★★★★☆ 3.6 (14)

Chicos Chicken

★★★★★ 5 (1)

Chicken Salad Chick

★★★★☆ 4.1 (22)

"Wonderful place to stop by for a quick chicken salad lunch. I like to get the fruity and nutty kind as a croissant sandwich. The sweet tea is always my go-to drink."

Raising Canes Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.5 (45)

Prince's Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.9 (10)

"Had time to kill so I decided to eat at the other hot chicken spot I read about. You can place your order the counter or self service kiosk. I chose the kiosk as the associate didn't seem friendly. Easy enough to follow. Paid and waited for my order. They also have beverages in a refrigerator in addition to the soda fountain. And bags of chips. I ordered the chicken tenders with fries. Medium hot. The spice level is more spicy than Hattie B's. The chicken tenders were not that tender but a good serving size. The fries were average. My preference is still the other brand. But for spice level Prince's is king. Associates were ok. Not friendly."

Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville West

★★★★★ 4.5 (1581) • $$

"I love Hattie B's Hot Chicken. I'm not normally a spicy food lover, so I stayed away from Hot Chicken when I first moved to Nashville, being scared and saying it's just not for me. Then a friend had a party and got Hattie B's Hot Chicken on a couple of different varieties and levels of heat. I was hungry and had to break down and try them. Boy, am I glad I did. I couldn't stop eating them. Even tho it was hotter than I typically prefer, I didn't care the flavor and crisp was so flipping good, I fell in love. Now, whenever I get a craving for Hot Chicken I go to Hattie B's! The service is always friendly, but it can be obnoxious how busy they get. You feel a lot of pressure to order quick and get out of the way! I can't complain about that though- it's a blessing! The Ambiance is casual and fun. Highly recommend!"

Helen’s Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.5 (105)

"Service was great. Food was DELICIOUS! Great music playing while we ate. Will be back again."

Flamie’s Hot Chicken Factory

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (32)

"We wanted to try some Hot chicken and came across this place for lunch while in Nashville. We walked in and placed our order. We decided on 20 party wings and some fries. We ordered three different sauces to try. Our favorite one was the sweet heat. Second favorite was the Nashville hot chicken and third was Flamies mild. The wings were on the small side. Since they were so small they were so crunchy and a bit over cooked and dry. Not very juicy. There were more drumsticks then wings. The fries were big fat crinkle kind. Came out very soggy and soft. Not crisp at all. There seemed to be a steady flow of people coming in. We were the only ones eating inside. Very casual place."

Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville Melrose

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1174) • $$

"Best hot (fried) chicken I ever had in my life!!! Food was perfectly cooked, perfect crisp and spicyness, fresh, juicy and delicious! Mac and cheese and collard greens were delicious too. Staff were friendly and service was great. This place had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating area, and very clean and tidy. Definitely recommend this place, you have to try their hot chicken!! I will definitely be back here when back in Nashville!"

Grilly's

★★★☆☆ 3 (2)

"Tried this new place I was curious off and hands down best wraps I had so far. The shawarma wrap and falafel wrap was delicious!!!"

Lilly's Hot Chicken

★★★★★ 4.6 (18)

"Very authentic hot chicken. Spicy is already pretty spicy here (unlike other hot chicken places where spicy is just a tickle). The tenders I got were juicy, and they were HOT (temperature wise), which was great. Seasoning was good, and the fry was crispy with texture.The wait can be a bit long at peak times, I had to wait 25 minutes. But you can run around the market and get something to drink while you wait for your order."

Only Chicken

★★★★★ 4.9 (68)

"First time in today after reading glowing Yelp reviews and the restaurant did not disappoint. Excellent and friendly service. Everything we tried was affordable and fantastic. Our favorites were the sampler appetizer, chicken wings, thyme chicken and baklava dessert. Everything was cooked fresh and super flavorful. We enjoyed our meal on the cute patio on a beautiful evening in Nashville. Can't wait to come back and try more menu items. PS for Vandy students, restaurant will be added to Taste of Nashville and accepting Commodore Cash in August."

Waldo's Chicken & Beer

★★★★☆ 4.3 (263) • $$

"Ohhhhhhh my this place was fantastic! Located in a strip with several other places to get food this restaurant was a definite food highlight of our trip. I ordered the large chicken strip meal with potato wedges and the macaroni and cheese I had two dipping sauces- jalapeño ranch and habanero oil. Both of the sauces were so good. The habanero oil is quite spicy as one would imagine. I only wish the ranch would have been in a bigger size. The food is seasoned and cooked perfectly. My potato wedges were the perfect mix of crispy on the outside while maintaining a softer center. The chicken here is a star! Excellent in every way. I was so happy in its flavor and overall presentation/preparation. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. The prices are reasonable for what you get. The only foreseeable issue is finding a parking spot."

Martin’s Chicken & Waffles

★★★★★ 4.7 (41)

"Just off the main square, Martin's Chicken and Waffles is in a repurposed office buidling from years back. However, the interior is warm and welcoming. The seating is classic southern kitchen.Martin's serves up southern meals/sides, particularly fried chicken. The chicken is very good, served crispy and hot. We chose Nashville hot but classic fried chicken is also available. The gentleman who greated us was very helpful and pleasant. Took great care of the whole place. We were there late in the day so not too busy but lots of takeout going on."

Bishop's Meat and Three

★★★★☆ 4 (324) • $$

"While I landed at 4 stars, my true rating would be 3.5, and here is why...Nostalgic southern spot in Franklin next to the Chick-Fil-A. I really wanted to love this spot, as a Meat & 3 speaks to my soul...however, I was underwhelmed here. I popped in for lunch and ordered the Fried Catfish with fried okra, mac n cheese, and rice casserole. What struck me initially was the portion size - only one piece of catfish, which was below average in size. While the sides were decently portioned, the main dish left a bit to be desired.The catfish and okra were disappointingly dry and chewy, lacking the crispiness and tenderness that I look for in fried southern classics. The mac n cheese was sadly watery and thin, however the chicken, broccoli and rice casserole was solid, and of course the sweet tea was sweet! Service was stellar, as you would expect at a southern joint.While my first go was a bit underwhelming, I am comitted to stopping back by for another round of meats and veggies...as I don't give up on a good southern spot so easily!"

Banjo's Food Truck

★★★★☆ 3.8 (13)

"Was extremely impressed with their smoked wings. The honey mustard sauce was excellent. They brought the food out to us and were very friendly."

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken - Nashville - Lower Broadway

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1000) • $$

"First off, this place has great music. They play music from every decade, including there's. This place has a cult following, but in a good way. When we drove by, the line was around the block. It is like this all day. I really hope employees are paid extremely well and get lots of breaks. They need it. Think of the busiest restaurant you can think of, and this place is much busier.We dis wait in line the fiest day because we wanted the experience of dining in. The next day, we ordered on the app and we're allowed to eat outside. I wanted to try the beer chcheese and peach cobbler, but they were out. Sounds like they haven't had desserts in a while and no telling when they are coming back.Ok, onto the food....I chose the chicken tender meal and it is a very good choice.i oordered Nashville Hot but in medium strength. I really wanted medium buffalo but it doesn't seem to be offered in Nashville. The tenders had almost a tiny bit of sweet flavor to them. Delicious. I ordered a side of pickles but wish they gave more than 5. The Mac and Cheese is excellent. So creamy and fresh The fries are good, not great. Overall, this is basically a cheap place to eat. They give lots of food for about what a Big Mac combo would cost. The quality here is good for fried food. I wish they had Hattie B where I live."

Pepperfire Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 4 (24)

"This is a TO-GO ONLY spot now! It isn't as good as I remember, and I'll give reasons why.First of all, they no longer do the version that comes with a waffle. This is a missed option that I felt was simple and still delicious back when this restaurant was open in East Nashville on Gallatin.Second, the spice levels are quite misleading. Don't go with anything below a level 4 if you want to taste any heat at all. While their seasoning looks like a ton if you get a level 3, it's as mild as a plain tender. I will give them credit for having super juicy and soft chicken tenders. It was not dry at all.Their fries are good, and their cinnamon apples are as good as I remember. I also like their fried okra also this is very reminiscent of a frozen variety you can buy at a grocery store.Overall while the quality of the food is good, the fact that the spice levels are inconsistent and it isn't readily know that this location is now to-go only bring their rating to a 4 star."

Maniac's

★★★★☆ 4.1 (224) • $

"Upon entering we were greeted by a smiling face, I believe her name was Brittany. Brittany was friendly and seemed to enjoy telling my buddy & I all about the menu. It was our first time but we seemed to be right at home. We both ordered the hand battered chicken tenders with hand cut fries. The fries were seasoned well. The chicken was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Whatever they marinate it with makes it almost melt in your mouth. We both agreed that we'd return for another visit. Order at the counter, take a number and grab a seat. They will bring your food, sauces and utensils right to you."

Riddim N' Spice

★★★★☆ 4.4 (186) • $$

"While in Nashville we were looking for something that wasn't nearby where we were staying. We found this place on Yelp and ordered right before they were closing for pickup. We ended up getting their large chicken plate with a side of rice.The chicken was succulent and flavorful. It came with some original jerk watery sauce that was pours into our to go container. It was a little messy but we dealt. We also got it with mac n cheese which was too salty but still good. We got yellow rice and a side of rice and beans. The yellow rice was okay. We enjoyed the rice and beans one better. The girl at the counter was very nice. We ended up paying $17 for our meal which we though was very affordable considering how much meat we received. We just picked up our order and didn't dine there. The restaurant has its own parking lot which makes it easy."

Hoppy Bird

★★★★☆ 3.6 (21)

"This place was connected to my hotel. Decided to try the Nashville hot chicken. Had the chicken and waffles with their standard heat. Man I love chicken and waffles with syrup. So yummy. It was pretty quiet on a Sunday night and the service was top notch. Bar tender was very nice and social. I also had the Nashville beer on tap and really really liked it. I'm sure the locals will laugh at me, but it was really good. Got a discount too for staying at the hotel."

SS Gai

★★★★★ 4.8 (61)

"I'm perpetually searching for the next great thing in Nashville's culinary scene. And a place like S.S. Gai that looks incredibly unique on paper while fetching near-perfect ratings on every user-driven platform will certainly catch my attention! But I also found something I didn't expect. Arriving at 1101 McKennie Avenue in East Nashville, just on the periphery of the Eastwood neighborhood known for a plethora of fabulous restaurants, I parked on the street and headed for the address. Instead of a single dining option, I found many! In a little strip of six bays called The Wash, each place has a different cuisine (Peruvian, Cuban, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, and cocktails). Only the Cocktail Bar is dine-in, while the others take orders at a window and offer shaded outdoor seating. It's a great option for restaurateurs who don't want to pay the exorbitant rent for an entire dining room in the pricey Nashville market.Five of the six eateries are rated 4.7 or higher by the public - only the Vietnamese spot has a respectable 4.3 rating - an insane concentration of top-rated culinary experiences in one place. It's yet another unique dining adventure that makes our city so awesome! Even on a hot day amidst a cicada apocalypse, the shaded seating was very pleasant!The slogan at S.S. Gai is "Chicken that hits different." Yes! Isn't that the truth! By the way, S.S. stands for "same same" which is a phrase we've heard in Thailand. For instance, a Bangkok taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong temple with a similar name, only to reply "same same, but different" as a way of laughing at the situation. Likewise, this chicken has a "sameness" when compared to the most glorious Southern fried chicken you ever had, but it's uniquely its own thing! The difference with this Thai street chicken is a slightly modified batter, perhaps some turmeric in there, and fried onions coating the chicken! It's spectacular and a flavor you've probably never had.The tamarind sauce with cilantro is wonderful, but it's the chili vinegar sauce that's legit! And the meal comes with the chewiest sticky rice you've ever eaten, an absolutely wonderful addition! The chicken wings are probably even better than the breast quarter, and I'd give the chicken a stellar 4.4 rating. But after careful consideration, the exceptional uniqueness of the whole presentation and that chili vinegar sauce and chewy rice just kicks it up to a perfect five! Oh no! I inhaled it so fast that I didn't even take a picture!"

Helen's Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 4.3 (93)

"If you're looking for hot chicken, look no more! We came here looking for some hot chicken sandwich and this place was worth it. There was no line and the wait was minimal since they make the food to order. I enjoyed it and the staff was super friendly!"

Waldo's Chicken & Beer

★★★★★ 4.7 (9)

"I assume this location is new so that's why there aren't many reviews. First time trying this chain and it was amazing! Good food good people decently priced beer!"

Bj Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 4.1 (182)

"Went to support a locally owned business food was hot and fresh. The service was friendly and the ambiance was clean. We were the only ones there then it got busy,"

Waldo's Chicken & Beer

★★★★☆ 4.3 (24)

"I didn't want to go to Waldo's. I didn't want to like Waldo's. I failed on both those fronts.Let me explain. Waldo's took over the space that was previously occupied by BurgerFi. And I love BurgerFi. I freaking LOVED BurgerFi and I was shattered when it closed. It was one of my two go-to places when I visit Brentwood. Out of spite, I was determined to not visit Waldo's because it took over what was rather hallowed space.So for dinner while I was in town I was headed to my other go-to place (Tacos4Life), only to find it closed because of an HVAC issue. Since I was already over there I decided to begrudgingly give Waldo's a try.When I first walked in the door (aside from a sentimental "this should be BurgerFi" in my mind) the first thing I noticed was Red, White, and Blue. The colors of the flag make up a large part of the decor, along with some cool modified posters of celebrities holding chickens.It's an order-at-the-counter here's-your-number-we'll-bring-it-to-you kinda place. Sandwiches and tenders and salads make up the bulk of the menu, and a selection of home-made sides. While waiting for my food I looked around the place. It's got a nice bar (not a full bar, but a decent bar, given it's a restaurant first and not a place meant for nightlife.). Horizontal red, white, and blue stripes surround you while country music (rather loudly) fills your ears.My food came in about 12 minutes. I opted for 3-piece tenders with tomato-cucumber salad and a drink. (I had a late lunch so I wasn't extremely hungry). The jalapeño ranch sauce for my tenders and (much to my surprise) I happened to visit on National Biscuit day, so I got a free biscuit. Actually it's a small biscuit. We'll call it a bisquit-ette: Cheddar, Jalapeño, and Bacon...and it was GOOD.The tenders were great. They were served hot-out-of-the-fryer and were great. Moist and not dry at all. It worked well with the jalapeño ranch sauce. The tomato-cucumber salad, however, was The Star of this show. It was almost exactly like what my grandmother used to make. I could make a meal out of just that salad. Granted, it'd be a lot of tomato-cucumber salad, but I could do it.The restaurant was very clean and the staff was hustling. Everyone I interacted with (ok, one person) were great and friendly. During the half hour or so I was there at least 6 people come in for carryout.Ok, I like Waldo's. Can't say I love it yet because I've only visited once, but there's potential. We'll see the next time I'm in town."

Hattie B's - Airport

★★★★☆ 4.1 (94) • $$

"not sure what took so long for hattie b to be at the airport but boy was i glad to see it!the menu is an abbreviated version of the non-airport locations limited to their basics- tenders, wings, and sandwich.opted for the tenders and they were generous in size and at medium heat, sure had a good kick. boozy slushes and beers alcoholic offerings and fountain drinks. communal high top table, bar, and low top table seating options at first come first serve. don't forget the comeback sauce!"

Smokin Chickin

★★★★☆ 3.9 (34)

"Assembly Food Hall is huge, so it's easy to sometimes miss all of the restaurants that are here. We've been trying a new one every time we go (usually before concerts) and we ate at Smokin Chicken in July. They have quite a few options, ranging from rotisserie chicken quarters to bowls with a variety of sides mixed with chicken. We tried one of each and we really liked them! They were very flavorful and my bowl was nicely balanced both from a flavor and texture perspective. Our meal was also made quickly, which is a plus as the food hall gets absolutely packed at times. It's a good option at Assembly Food Hall and one that we would definitely try again!"

Coneheads

★★★★★ 4.7 (141)

"This unique place is a must-try in Nashville! Loved my perfectly crispy fried chicken in a waffle cone with a mac & cheese "cap" on top, served with a side of crinkle cut fries! They also have a fried cauliflower option. They have a neat covered front patio with picnic tables that have a hole built in to place your cone so you can easily set it down--you just won't want to because it's so delicious!"

Helen's Hot Chicken

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (174)

"Three stars for mediocre effort, less than mediocre hot sauce, but a fair size portion of whiting.I began this lunch trip by trying to order ahead on the app. Everything was fine until I paid and my card was charged. That's when I got a message that there was a problem with the order. (It was just a simple hot chicken sandwich, so what's the big deal?)Since I was close to the restaurant, I decided to go inside to see what the issue was. Inside I found a large, clean open dining area with tables widely spaced. Not crowded, just 2 other customers. I stepped up to the cashier and asked about my Apple order. She said it did not go through because they do not have any chicken... They're out of chicken?. Uh???? I asked, "what do you have". She replied that they had fish. I said fine I'll take that. But just a sandwich. The cashier was polite but curt. My order was prepared very quickly and I took it to my car rather than eating inside.Needless to say it was disappointing. Two large pieces of fish, fried ok, lying on top of a piece of white bread, and some generic hot sauce sprinkled near it. Oh, and a couple of pickle chips next to a pile of raw onion. Simply not impressive for nine dollars -- although that said, the portion was decent (see photo).Bottom line: no class, no character or ambience, no style, no flavor - other than fried. Three stars is probably generous, but today they'll get the benefit of the doubt. So, it's called Helen's Hot Chicken but sometimes they only have fish. Timing is everything I guess. ((I did get a refund the following day.))"