10 Tennessee Eateries That Refused to Take Fried Chicken Off the Menu

Tennessee takes its fried chicken seriously, and some restaurants understand that you simply don’t mess with perfection. Across the state, from Memphis to Nashville and beyond, certain eateries have built their reputations on crispy, golden fried chicken that customers crave day after day.

These ten spots have made it clear that no matter what food trends come and go, their fried chicken isn’t going anywhere.

1. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Nashville)

Walk past Hattie B’s on any given day and you’ll see a line stretching down the block. That’s because this Nashville institution serves some of the most sought-after hot chicken in the entire state.

The menu features heat levels ranging from mild Southern to burn-your-face-off Shut the Cluck Up. Each piece gets hand-breaded and fried to crispy perfection before being brushed with their signature cayenne paste. Whether you order white or dark meat, the crunch stays consistent.

The restaurant has expanded to multiple locations, but the original recipe remains untouched and always available.

2. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (Memphis)

Since 1953, Gus’s has been serving up what many consider the gold standard of fried chicken. The Memphis location carries on a family tradition that started in a small town and grew into a regional legend.

What makes Gus’s special is the simplicity. They use a secret blend of spices in their batter, fry each piece to order, and serve it piping hot. The skin shatters when you bite into it, revealing juicy meat underneath that’s been marinated for hours.

People drive from neighboring states just to taste what all the fuss is about. Once you try it, you understand why removing this from the menu would cause an uprising.

3. Red’s Hot Chicken (Nashville)

Red’s doesn’t play around when it comes to hot chicken. This Nashville favorite consistently earns top ratings from locals who know their way around the city’s competitive fried chicken scene.

The chicken arrives with a distinctive reddish-orange glow from the cayenne-based sauce that gets applied after frying. You can customize your heat level, but even the mildest option packs more punch than most chains. The crispiness stays intact despite the sauce, which is a testament to their frying technique.

4. The Chicken Coop Cafe (Somerville)

Step into The Chicken Coop Cafe and you’ll feel like you’re visiting your grandmother’s kitchen. This Somerville classic has been serving hearty fried chicken plates that remind folks of Sunday dinners for years.

The chicken comes out golden brown with a seasoned flour coating that’s not overly spicy but full of savory flavor. Each plate arrives with generous portions of home-cooked sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and buttery biscuits. It’s comfort food at its finest.

The restaurant has a loyal following of locals who wouldn’t dream of letting this place change its menu. The fried chicken is the star, and everyone knows it’s staying put forever.

5. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack South (Nashville)

Prince’s literally invented Nashville hot chicken back in the 1930s, so suggesting they remove it from the menu would be like asking the sun not to shine. This legendary joint started the entire hot chicken movement that swept the nation.

The story goes that Prince’s was created out of revenge, but customers loved the fiery chicken so much it became a phenomenon. The recipe has stayed the same for nearly a century. Each piece gets fried in cast iron skillets and coated with a secret spice blend that burns so good.

6. Christine’s Kitchen (Lafayette)

Christine’s Kitchen brings that down-home cooking style to Lafayette with fried chicken that tastes as if it came straight from a family recipe book. The restaurant prides itself on keeping Southern food traditions alive and well.

Every order gets made with care, from the hand-breaded coating to the careful monitoring of oil temperature. The result is chicken with a light, crispy exterior and meat so tender it falls off the bone. Paired with classic Southern sides, it’s a complete comfort meal.

7. Pepperfire Hot Chicken (Nashville)

Pepperfire earned its place among Nashville’s hot chicken royalty by delivering bold flavors and serious heat without compromise. The restaurant’s name tells you exactly what to expect when you walk through the door.

Their chicken gets a double dose of seasoning—first in the breading, then again with a cayenne-heavy sauce after frying. The heat builds gradually, letting you taste the complexity of spices before the fire kicks in. Even their mild option has enough kick to wake up your taste buds.

8. Waldo’s Chicken & Beer (Brentwood)

Waldo’s figured out the perfect pairing early on: exceptional fried chicken and an impressive beer selection. This Brentwood favorite creates a casual atmosphere where friends gather to enjoy both in equal measure.

The chicken arrives in baskets with a light, crunchy coating that doesn’t overpower the meat. They offer different preparations, but the classic fried version remains the most popular. The kitchen maintains high standards, ensuring each batch comes out golden and delicious.

Regular customers have their favorite beer and chicken combinations worked out.

9. Helen’s Hot Chicken (Nashville)

Helen’s has carved out its own space in Nashville’s crowded hot chicken landscape by focusing on neighborhood charm and consistently delicious food. This spot feels more intimate than some of the bigger names, but the chicken holds its own against anyone.

The kitchen hand-breads every piece and fries it to order, ensuring maximum freshness and crunch. Their spice blend hits differently than competitors—a little smokier, a touch more complex. The heat levels accommodate everyone from beginners to seasoned hot chicken veterans.

Locals treat Helen’s like their secret weapon, though the word is spreading.

10. BJ HOT CHICKEN (Nashville)

BJ Hot Chicken keeps things straightforward and delicious with classic Nashville-style fried chicken that hits all the right notes. Regulars return week after week for that perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat that never disappoints.

The preparation follows traditional methods—chicken gets marinated, breaded, fried in hot oil, and finished with their signature spice blend. Nothing fancy, just executed exceptionally well. The result is chicken that satisfies cravings and keeps people coming back for more.