Prince's Hot Chicken

Rumor has it that Prince’s was the first hot chicken purveyor on the scene, the product of a spicy revenge dish cooked up by a spurned lover. That itself makes it worth a visit, but the chicken here is also freakishly hot, simple, and always juicy. The meat comes in a crispy crust dusted with a blend of spices, and can be served plain or ramped up to your chosen heat level. So show up, stand in line, and get ready to sweat. Just make sure to order some sweet tea and a side of creamy mac and cheese to console your blistered palate. The original location is out on Nolensville Pike, but their outpost at the Assembly Food Hall on Broadway has a shorter line and is more convenient if you’re just in town visiting.