Ben Peres' Guide to the Best Hot Chicken in Nashville

NASHVILLE

Born in the heart of Tennessee's capital, Nashville hot chicken has grown from a local specialty into an international obsession. Built into the roots of Nashville's culinary and cultural history, this cooking technique originates from African American communities in the Southern states of America. The local dish has become a symbol in the city, and alongside country music and Southern hospitality, the hot chicken has put Nashville on the map.

Across the pond, Lucky's Hot Chicken founder Ben Peres has perfected his Nashville hot chicken technique, creating a successful business that has been built upon his culinary history in various chicken joints. Incorporating six different heat level seasonings and double frying to create the perfect golden crisp, that is the secret to his delicious menu.

Served atop white bread and pickles accompanied with slaw and sauce, Lucky's Hot Chicken brings the traditional Southern dish to London. For heat seekers and foodie's alike, check out one of these hot chicken joints, as recommended by Ben Peres himself, for a true flavour of Southern kitchen.

All images courtesy of respective venues.

1) Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

Founded by James Thornton Prince in 1945, this is where the hot chicken story begins, and if you’re visiting Nashville, you should also visit Prince's Hot Chicken Stack. Today, Prince’s is run by James’ great-niece, André Prince. Ms André— the longtime matriarch behind the phenomenon, won Nashvillian of the Year and deservedly so. She has long been an ambassador for the music city. Choose your chicken (white or dark meat) then one of 8 different spice levels, the spiciest of which (XXX Hot) will certainly leave you with a memory.

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and other locations in Nashville | Phone: +1 629-895-4688 | Website: princeshotchicken.com | Instagram: @princeshotchicken_nashville | Facebook: Prince's Hot Chicken

2) Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

Another Nashville institution that has established itself among the wider American culinary odyssey. Prince’s first real competition arose by way of Bolton Polk. In the late 1970s, Bolton, a chef at Prince’s, left to open his own place serving his own version of hot chicken. The most significant difference being at Bolton’s (originally Columbo’s Hot Chicken), the chicken isn’t dipped in a spicy oil, it’s simply hit with a dusting of seasoning laced with cayenne pepper.

3) Pepperfire Hot Chicken

First of the new generation of hot chicken joints, Pepperfire was opened in 2010 by Isaac Beard. Isaac, a Nashville resident, opened Pepperfire to honour Prince’s & Bolton’s but also endeavoured to make hot chicken more accessible to a wider audience. Enter “Chicken Tenders” and “Hot Sandos”.

Address: 5104 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209 | Phone: +1 615-915-4441 | Website: pepperfirehotchicken.com | Instagram: @pepperfire | Facebook: Pepperfire

4) Hattie B’s

The most successful of the hot chicken brands originating in Nashville — Hattie B’s run by father and son duo Nick Bishop Sir and Nick Bishop Jnr, boasts 5 locations in Nashville, and has expanded further into Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Dallas, Franklin, Memphis and even Las Vegas. Arguably Hattie B’s menu doesn’t offer as much spice as its predecessors, it is still a must-visit on a weekender in Nashville.

5) Howlin’ Ray’s

The beginning of the trend. Howlin' Ray’s was the first to bring hot chicken to LA, and, possibly, the rest of the world. Owner Johnny Ray Zone made his bones working under chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Thomas Keller but turned his attention to hot chicken and started a food truck in 2014. Its now famous queue can be over 2 hours wait, and its ‘off-menu’ Howling Plus Plus spice level capsaicin rush has made this dish the cultural phenomenon it is today.

Ben Peres' Guide to the Best Hot Chicken in Nashville

1) Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

2) Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

3) Pepperfire Hot Chicken

4) Hattie B’s

5) Howlin’ Ray’s

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