My friends and I… we’ve got big dreams. We want to explore the world, cure diseases, and learn how to pop lock and drop it without ripping our pants open. (*sigh* maybe someday…) Some of my friends want to start families; some want to start businesses; I just wanna eat all the Nashville hot chicken I can get my grubby little hands on.
Yes–I admit it–I love fried chicken. Health nuts—avert your eyes! I also love cinnamon rolls, McDonald’s hash browns, and Dairy Queen Blizzards. I style my hair with hot tools, and when I’m really tired, I go to bed with my makeup on and don’t care what anyone thinks. I love things that are bad for me and you know what that means? I’M HUMAN.
So being from Tennessee that pretty much makes me a fried chicken connoisseur by birth. I have, indeed, fully embraced this duty. However, it wasn’t until I had moved to Boston that this Nashville hot chicken thing blew up like a marshmallow in a microwave. I decided to make “trying all the Nashville hot chicken my insides can handle” part of my annual trip to Tennessee and with the help of E-Z Rent A Car I was finally able to get started on my mission. Like every time, I land at Nashville International Airport, pick up my E-Z rental car, and go to a Nashville hot chicken joint to meet my friend Marla. And wait for it to open because we’ve become those people.
As a thank you for sponsoring this post, E-Z Rent-A-Car has always made it possible for me to see so much on my trips. As always, all opinions are my own and I will never promote something I don’t personally use and believe in, regardless of who foots the bill.
So what’s the big deal with Nashville hot chicken? Well, it’s delicious; it’s a local specialty; it’s like a hug from your mom… but like, after she just got done mowing the lawn. It’s comfort food—if you find comfort in being extremely uncomfortable. It’s basically your typical fried chicken but smothered with the likes of paprika and cayenne pepper and what I can only assume are tiny scales off Satan’s back. (Satan is totally a dragon, right?)
It’s said that Nashville hot chicken was started by the people behind Prince’s—Nashville’s original hot chicken spot (where I didn’t get to on this visit so… yeah… coming soon). The tale goes that Thorton Prince was quite the ladies’ man—a reputation his girlfriend didn’t like too much. After a night when he’d clearly been steppin’ out, his girlfriend doused his Sunday morning fried chicken (God bless the South!) with loads of hot pepper to teach him a lesson. As goes most times a woman tries to teach her husband anything, it backfired. He loved the extra spicy chicken, spread the word, and eventually opened his own chicken shack.
Now, each joint does it differently—different menu items, different flavors, different levels of HOLY HELL. As you can guess from the title of this post, I’m a big weenie when it comes to spicy foods but I’m getting better. I like to enjoy my food but I’ll also never back down from a challenge. Will I ever reach the level of my friend Marla who can eat the hottest of the hot and not bat an eye? “Oh, I haven’t even touched my water.” Absolutely not. But will I try the tiniest of bites from her food? Totally. Will I regret it immediately? Signs point to yes.
“How hot is mild?” sounds like a ridiculous and unnecessary question, I know, but until you’ve tried Nashville hot chicken you won’t understand. Mild to me means “Not spicy at all–you could totally feed this to your toddler.” Mild in Nashville means something else entirely. Something devious, something deadly. If you’re a weenie like me, you’d be a fool not to ask “How hot is mild?”
People in Nashville, Tennessee, say that Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has some of the spiciest and tastiest hot chicken. Hattie B’s hot chicken has many locations in Nashville and across the country. People are willing to wait in line to try their spicy bird.
But just how hot is Hattie B’s chicken? The restaurant offers a range of heat levels to suit different palates, from no spice to lava-hot. This guide will break down Hattie B’s spice scale so you know what to expect when you take on their hot chicken challenge.
A Brief History of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Before diving into the spice guide, let’s first understand the story behind this Nashville icon Hattie B’s was founded in 2009 by Nick Bishop Jr, whose great-aunt was the renowned Hattie B. Hayes. Hayes became famous in the 1930s for her secret family recipe of fried chicken bathed in cayenne pepper sauce.
Bishop wanted to honor the memory of his great-aunt by opening Hattie B’s. He used her same methods of brining and frying chicken before smothering it in spices. This makes chicken that is moist and juicy and covered in Hattie B’s famous flaky cayenne batter.
In 2012, Bishop brought on his friend Brian Morris to help expand Hattie B’s to multiple locations. Since then, Hattie B’s has become a Nashville staple, gaining national acclaim and a James Beard Award nomination. They’ve maintained the same focus on quality ingredients and scratch-made sides to complement their hot chicken.
Hattie B’s Spice Level Guide
Hattie B’s offers six levels of spice to choose from. Here’s a breakdown of each level and what to expect:
Southern (No Heat)
This option has no heat at all. The chicken is simply brined, fried to crispy perfection, and topped with a sprinkle of Southern seasonings. It’s perfect if you want flavor without the spice.
Mild
The mild spice provides just a tingle of heat. It’s not very noticeable, but it gives you an idea of what the spicier versions will taste like. Mild is a good level for people who have never tried hot chicken before.
Medium
Medium starts to turn up the heat. You’ll get a nice kick in this version, with the spice building as you continue eating. It strikes a good balance between flavor and moderate spice.
Hot
Now we’re getting into hot territory. The hot level brings serious heat, while still allowing the juicy chicken flavors to come through. Be prepared for lips tingling and sweat beading, but it’s manageable for spice fans.
Damn Hot
Damn hot means business. This level is very spicy, so people who aren’t used to it should stay away. The cayenne burn lasts a while, so you might need to take a break between bites to let your taste buds heal.
Shut the Cluck Up!
The hottest of the hot. Shut the cluck up! is Hattie B’s maximum spice level, reserved only for the most hardened spice warriors. It’s a searing, sweat-inducing cayenne burn that shouldn’t be approached lightly. Milkshakes are recommended to survive this one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hattie B’s Spice Levels
Here are answers to some common questions about navigating the spice levels at Hattie B’s:
Is the Southern level really heat-free?
Yes, Southern has absolutely no spiciness. It’s a great option for kids or adults who want to avoid heat.
What spice level should I start with?
If you’re new to Nashville hot chicken, start with Mild to get a feel for the flavor. Medium packs more punch but is still manageable for those with moderate spice tolerance.
How much hotter is Medium compared to Mild?
Medium adds noticeable heat, but won’t completely overwhelm your palate like the upper spice levels. Expect a tingly burn.
Is Hot extremely spicy?
Hot is very spicy and requires you to have a solid tolerance for heat. But it won’t cause unbearable pain and suffering.
How does Damn Hot compare to Hot?
Damn Hot takes the spice up several notches compared to Hot. It’s an intensely burning cayenne flavor reserved for serious spice lovers.
Will Shut the Cluck Up! make me cry?
It very well might! Shut the cluck up! is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for extreme spice that lingers.
Can I ask for a custom spice level?
Yes, you can request a custom spice level, and Hattie B’s will try to accommodate it.
Are there other flavors besides spice?
Hattie B’s does offer some non-spicy flavors like honey gold chicken and hot honey chicken. There are also veggie options without spice.
What sides should I order with the hot chicken?
The cool, creamy mac and cheese or coleslaw balance the heat perfectly. Baked beans and greens are also great options.
Can I get Hattie B’s chicken delivered?
Yes, Hattie B’s offers delivery through their website, third-party apps, and some locations. Check availability for your address.
Conquering the Heat at Hattie B’s
As this spice guide outlines, Hattie B’s chicken ranges from no heat to five-alarm inferno levels. Novices are best starting on the milder side before working up to hotter versions once they understand the Hattie B’s heat scale.
Bring plenty of water, honey, ranch, or whatever you need to tame the spice dragon. But don’t be afraid to push your boundaries – half the fun of Hattie B’s is testing how much heat you can handle. Just be prepared with milkshakes if the Shut the Cluck Up! level proves too much to take.
With its juicy, cayenne-coated chicken and iconic spice blend, Hattie B’s continues serving up delightful hot chicken experiences. Use this guide to figure out which spice level sounds perfect before your Nashville hot chicken feast.
WHY I LOVE HATTIE B’S
GREAT OPTIONS | Hattie B’s has a huge menu with a ton of face-melting items to choose from. A Nashville hot chicken sandwich, tenders, plates with a variety of chicken parts, chicken and waffles, and even a child’s option in case you’re a tiny adult like yours truly or maybe your kid has just been a real asshole today and needs to learn a very hot lesson.
GREAT SIDES | For me, it doesn’t get any better than delicious side items. I love them so much that I could eat them for every meal. I’m the biggest coleslaw snob you’ll ever meet. I’m basically the Frasier Crane of Southern side dishes but with boobs and a better hairdo. I’ve had Hattie B’s collard greens (fantastic!), coleslaw (stupendous!), baked beans (yes!), and their fried okra (ooh, come to mama!)—all good.
FAST AND FRIENDLY SERVICE | They know their lines are long and tackle this with no-bullshit, speedy service but in the friendliest way possible. Manhattan quickness with Southern hospitality plus a mouth-burn from the depths of Hell. Take a number, take a seat, and the food will be brought to you.
GREAT ATMOSPHERE | I love a patio. I love eating fried chicken on a patio. I love big wall menus I can read no matter how far back in line I am. I love music while I eat. I love paper towels on the table. I love sharing picnic tables with friendly strangers. Tennessee gemütlichkeit.
FREE WATER, thank the good lord above! | I apologize, state of Tennessee, for the drought you must be facing this summer. I take full responsibility. I ate the Nashville hot chicken. There was no other choice—I consumed your entire water supply.
BOLTON’S SPICY CHICKEN & FISH
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish is a seriously no-nonsense chicken shack. There won’t be any fancy goods or a menu that looks fancier than printer paper in a plastic bag, but there will be an Indian girl in the corner who is about to lose it over how hot her pants are. DOES THAT TELL YOU ANYTHING? Even she was like, “I’m from India! I thought I could handle it!”.
Bolton’s boasts “the hottest chicken in town” and I totally believed that as soon as I saw the sign basically warning you not to touch your private parts until you’ve thoroughly washed your hands. (That’s a good lesson in and of itself, right?) I stayed away from the hottest parts of the room to protect my organs, but I could tell they weren’t joking. Bolton’s has what Marla and I refer to as “Ninja Heat. ” At first you’re like, “Okay, this is fine… I can handle this. ”.
And then… HI-YAH! Roundhouse kick to the face! Punch-punch-punch! And a swift kick in the groin for good measure. Just when you think you’ve made the right ordering choice, the spice sneaks up and crane kicks a very important lesson into your skull.
Pro tip I learned the hard way: The tiny window directly ahead of you when you enter is where you place your order.
