Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has earned a reputation for serving some of the spiciest and most flavorful hot chicken in Nashville Tennessee. With several locations across Nashville and around the country Hattie B’s hot chicken draws crowds who are willing to wait in line for a taste of their fiery 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 aimed to honor his great-aunt’s legacy by launching Hattie B’s, using her same techniques of brining and frying chicken before smothering it in spices. The result is moist, juicy chicken encrusted with Hattie B’s signature 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 barely noticeable but gives a hint of the flavor to come in the spicier versions. Mild is a good introductory level for those new to hot chicken.
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 packs some intense spiciness, so it’s not for spice novices. The cayenne burn lingers, and you may need to pause between bites to let your tastebuds recover.
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 can make an entire meal out of them and consider myself 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. You won’t find any of that swanky merchandise or a menu any fancier than a piece of printer paper in a plastic sleeve, but you will find a girl from India over in the corner about to lose her shit over how hot her tenders 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. (A decent life lesson in itself, no?) I personally stuck to the lower end of the heat spectrum out of respect to my internal organs but I could definitely tell they weren’t kidding. 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.
