Is Hattie B’s Worth the Wait for Nashville Hot Chicken?
Nashville has become known for its hot chicken, and if you ask for recommendations on where to go to try it, Hattie B’s will definitely be mentioned.
Hattie B’s isn’t the original hot chicken place–that would be Prince’s Hot Chicken, which you’ll also find in Nashville.
However, Hattie B’s is definitely one of the most popular places to get hot chicken in Nashville. Even with multiple locations across Nashville (and an East Nashville location coming soon), there is frequently a long line to get into Hattie B’s.
The first time my husband and I went to Hattie B’s years ago, we waited in line in the rain for over an hour. Now, that we live here, we’ve been back many times and also tried out other hot chicken places.
So, is it actually worth it to wait in line to try the hot chicken at Hattie B’s? Keep reading, and I’ll tell you what I think so you can decide for yourself?
Hattie B’s Menu
Hattie B’s is a relatively casual restaurant with a menu built around hot chicken. You can get it on a sandwich, as tenders, or on the bone.
You can choose exactly which heat level you’d like your hot chicken from Southern Style which has no heat at all to Shut the Cluck Up which is labeled ghost. Honestly, I think that it’s really hard to enjoy eating anything past the Medium level, but some people get the hotter levels anyway. I get mine Southern Style every time though because I don’t like any heat.
In my opinion, the best thing about Hattie B’s is that they make really good chicken regardless of the fact that it’s “hot chicken.” They are really focused on getting the basics right rather than trying to get too outrageous.
Another great thing about Hattie B’s is their sides. All of their sides are good, so you’re getting quality throughout the entire meal, not just the chicken. I really love their pimento mac and cheese.
Comparison to Other Hot Chicken Places in Nashville
You’ll probably hear about both Hattie B’s and Prince’s as the top hot chicken places in Nashville. While there are plenty of other places these two really are the best.
Since we live here, we do get hot chicken from other places sometimes, and we occasionally get hot chicken that’s even better than Hattie B’s and Prince’s, but none of the other places are able to do hot chicken as good consistently.
I’m sure Hattie B’s sometimes messes up, but they have such a solid strategy for producing large quantities of really excellent hot chicken.
I personally think that you can skip Hattie B’s if you plan to get hot chicken from Prince’s. There are just fewer locations of Prince’s, so it might not be as convenient to visit depending on your itinerary. The easiest location for most visitors to get to is the Prince’s in Assembly Food Hall downtown.
How to (Possibly) Avoid the Crowds
Part of the reason I keep going to Hattie B’s is because I go when there isn’t a line. The busiest days tend to be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so I just pick other days to visit. A lot of times, the crowds are even gone by dinner on Sunday. Of course, you will probably end up going during a busy time if you are only in town for a weekend. If you are staying for longer, plan your meal at Hattie B’s for a weekday or weeknight.
You can also be strategic about which location in Nashville you visit. The Melrose and West Nashville locations are sometimes less busy. (Also, Hattie B’s has started expanding to other cities and states, but that’s really not relevant if you’re in Nashville right now.)
Another option is to order to-go in advance, and then, pick up your food. You can’t eat to-go food inside Hattie B’s, but it’s not a particularly beautiful restaurant or anything so you’re not missing out.
Is Hattie B’s Worth Waiting For?
Even if you aren’t able to avoid the lines, I think Hattie B’s can be worth waiting for. If you want Nashville hot chicken and only plan to go one place to get it, either Hattie B’s or Prince’s is your best option.
I would not necessarily wait hours and hours, but waiting an hour to have this experience while visiting Nashville is worth it. Hattie B’s might be on the border of being overhyped, but they really do deliver such delicious hot chicken. Just have realistic expectations about your schedule, and be prepared to wait to get in.
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Thanks for reading my review of Hattie B’s. You can find the menu and opening hours along with locations on the Hattie B’s website.
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