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."

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!!!"

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!"

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Nashville

★★★★★ 4.8 (11)

"Walking into this joint feels like stepping into a sanctuary, if that sanctuary served the best damn fried chicken in Nashville. It's the kind of place where the smell hits you first: a savory, greasy, heart-stopping perfume that could bring a grown man to tears. This place isn't just a restaurant; it's a beacon of hope in a city that's been overrun by gimmicks and lukewarm takes on Southern classics. Here, fried chicken is elevated to near religious experience. Crisp, golden skin that shatters under your teeth, tender meat so perfectly seasoned it feels like a culinary confession. They don't mess around. And the hospitality? It's the kind of warm, unpretentious service that reminds you why you loved eating out in the first place. Ice-cold beer in frosted mugs. Simple, effective, no-frills perfection.In a Nashville scene that's losing its way, this place is a savior. It's a reminder that when you strip away all the noise, good food and good people are still what it's all about. Dreams are made here, and for once, they live up to the hype."

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

★★★★☆ 4.3 (15)

"This little restaurant makes some biggo chicken. I had the spicy chicken sandwich and it was so good.It blows Chick-fil-A and Popeyes out of the water. Got go back to try their cat fish"

BJ Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 4.3 (35) • $$

"Are you kidding me? Why is this not in the West Coast? We tried three different Hot Chicken spots during our 5 day trip to Nashville. I'm going to rate them in order with BJ's Hot Chicken being the top pick out of the three for me.For starters, this restaurant is clean and relatively new with plenty of seating for several group sizes. Our party of 4 spent the day out and about getting into shenanigans so we definitely worked up an appetite. We arrived during the dinner rush and ordered the following to share:#6 combo which was 6 WINGS + 2 SIDES ($18.99). We chose Mac N Cheese and Potato Salad as the two sides. Let me add the wings were massive! Definitely not the tiny chicken wings you would get from elsewhere.#11 combo which was CATFISH SANDWICH + 1 SIDE + 1 DRINK ($12.99). The side was french fries for this combo.Everything came out still steaming hot from the kitchen. The wings were well seasoned with their secret dry rub, and there was very little batter on the wings (which is how I like it!). I noticed a lot of chicken wing joints have too much breading on their wings making it hard for me to enjoy the true seasoning, spices, and flavors of the recipe. The chicken wings were so moist and juicy in the inside, and every bite was as savory as the next. The sides were fantastic and had its own signature taste complimenting the combos. The spice level to the Hot Chicken wasn't overly spicy for me but it certainly introduced what the kick would feel like -- I'm a fan of this restaurant and would highly recommend to anyone trying Hot Chicken for the first time.Bonus: the staff were very engaging and provided recommendations as we reviewed the menu. Very friendly and helpful.Wonderful experience all around!"

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."

Chick Fish

★★★★★ 4.5 (22)

"Ehhh.....we heard so many great things about this place and really wanted to like it. First time visiting and had questions, but felt rushed to place an order mind you there was no one else in the establishment at the time. We were told it would be 10 minutes for our food, which was fine seeing that it's cooked fresh. It was about 20 minutes before we got our order only for it to not be correct, but I blame that on the fact the man at the register seemed to be in such a rush to where he put everything I ordered in wrong. I was told it would be another 10 before it could be fixed. Get home to sit down and try it all and it seems like everything was fried in the same oil. The chicken had a burnt taste along with a fish like smell, hush puppies were rather crispy, shrimp rubbery and fried too hard, and the fish's breading separated from the meat. The pizza puff was ok, it was probably the best thing we ordered. Ask for mild sauce with whatever you get because it definitely adds that extra kick. Go try for yourself. I hope you have a better experience than we did. Maybe one day we will give it another try!"

Helen's Hot Chicken

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (88) • $

"I really like Nashville hot chicken and someone recommended I try Helen's I'm so I gave it a shot for lunch yesterday.The hot sandwich was more like a medium (not unbearable at all) the chicken itself was good but the sandwich was kind of a mess. The cheese wasn't melted, and the bread kind of fell apart eating it.It's a better value and option than a chic-fil-a sandwich at a similar price point.It just wasn't better than the sandwich I had at prince's or HB's.Glad I tried it, but it's my least favorite of the three by a pretty wide margin."

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,"

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!"

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!"

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 - 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!"

Raising Canes Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.5 (45)

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!"

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!"

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."

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!"

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!"

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!"

Chicken Salad Chick

★★★★☆ 3.6 (14)

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!"

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.))"

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!"

China Wok

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (64)

"Small little place with 4 tables and a ton of take-out orders! Their lunch specials are great, and the Singapore Mei Fun is my favorite non-lunch item. Lunch is a TON of food, so you definitely won't go hungry here! Dinner can get a little dicey as they're really busy and their parking area is nuts, so start with lunch and see how you like it...just not on Tuesdays because they're closed"

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."

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."

Granddaddy's Famous Hot Chicken

★★★★☆ 4.4 (54) • $$

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 - 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."

Back Yard BBQ

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"This used to be Big Ed's BBQ, the new owners are from Tompkinsville, KY; they know how to do it right!The shoulder, shredded, burgers, probably the best upgrade is their mayo slaw! Normally, I go vinegar slaw with my BBQ, but my wife got the mayo slaw and it was delicious.The service was fast; plenty of seating and room to get around. Everything was clean too."

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."

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!"