12 Iconic Fried Chicken Restaurants In Tennessee That Are Totally Worth The Road Trip In 2026
Tennessee is a paradise for fried chicken lovers, with restaurants serving crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned chicken that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. Each spot has its own unique spin on classic Southern flavors, from fiery hot chicken to golden, perfectly fried comfort-style pieces.
The aroma of sizzling chicken, the crunch of a well-seasoned crust, and the tender, juicy meat inside make every visit unforgettable. Alongside traditional sides and inventive twists, these restaurants turn a simple meal into a celebration of flavour and Southern hospitality.
Planning a road trip through the state offers a delicious adventure, where every stop delivers mouthwatering fried chicken and a taste of Tennessee’s rich culinary tradition.
1. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack
Few restaurants in the entire country can claim to have started a food movement, but Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville did exactly that. Sitting at 5814 Nolensville Pike, this legendary spot is widely credited as the birthplace of Nashville hot chicken, a dish that has spread across the country and inspired countless imitations.
Nothing, however, compares to the original.
Walking through the door, you immediately sense the history packed into every corner of the place. The smell of cayenne-laced chicken hits you before you even reach the counter, and the no-frills setting only adds to the authentic charm.
Regulars have been coming here for decades, and first-timers quickly understand why this place inspires such fierce loyalty.
The chicken arrives on a slice of white bread with pickles, a classic presentation that lets the bold, fiery flavors speak for themselves. Spice levels range from mild to the famously brutal “XXX Hot,” so newcomers should choose wisely.
Prince’s is not just a restaurant; it is a Tennessee institution that every serious food lover needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.
2. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Nashville Midtown
Located at 112 19th Ave S in Nashville’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has become one of the most recognizable names in the hot chicken world. Since opening in 2012, it has attracted long lines of devoted fans who keep coming back for the perfectly balanced heat and satisfying crunch that defines every plate served here.
What makes Hattie B’s stand out is the thoughtful range of spice levels available, starting from Southern (no heat) all the way up to the fiery “Shut the Cluck Up” option. This accessibility means everyone at the table can enjoy the experience, whether they love heat or prefer a milder bite.
The Southern sides, including pimento mac and cheese, black-eyed pea salad, and creamy coleslaw, round out the meal beautifully.
The atmosphere inside is lively and welcoming, with a casual vibe that makes you feel comfortable settling in for a long, satisfying meal. Friendly staff, consistent quality, and a menu that celebrates Southern cooking traditions make Hattie B’s Midtown a must-visit stop on any Tennessee fried chicken road trip.
Plan to arrive early or expect a wait, because this place is always popular.
3. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish at 624 Main St in Nashville carries a kind of underground legend status that food travelers absolutely love to discover. This is not a flashy, Instagram-famous spot with neon signs and trendy decor.
Bolton’s earns its devoted following the old-fashioned way, through consistently outstanding food that has kept locals coming back for years.
The signature dry rub on the chicken is what sets Bolton’s apart from the competition. While many Nashville hot chicken spots rely heavily on cayenne paste, Bolton’s uses a distinctive spice blend that creates a different but equally addictive flavor profile.
The heat builds slowly, and the seasoning clings to every crispy crevice of the chicken in the most satisfying way imaginable.
Regulars often describe eating at Bolton’s as a genuinely authentic Nashville experience, one that feels untouched by the city’s rapid growth and tourist boom. The surrounding area along Main Street adds a gritty, unpretentious backdrop that suits the restaurant’s character perfectly.
If you are searching for fried chicken that tastes like a well-kept neighborhood secret, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish deserves a prominent spot on your Tennessee road trip itinerary this year.
4. Red’s Hot Chicken
Tucked away at 115 27th Ave N in Nashville, Red’s Hot Chicken is the kind of neighborhood spot that earns its reputation one satisfied customer at a time. The vibe here is relaxed and unpretentious, making it a refreshing alternative to some of the more tourist-heavy hot chicken destinations scattered across the city.
Locals tend to love Red’s for exactly that reason.
The chicken at Red’s is known for delivering real, honest heat without sacrificing flavor. Some spicy fried chicken spots lean so hard into the fire that the actual taste of the bird gets lost, but Red’s manages to strike a balance that keeps the seasoning complex and enjoyable even as the heat builds.
That balance is genuinely hard to achieve and even harder to maintain consistently.
First-time visitors often mention being surprised by how good the sides are, which can sometimes be an afterthought at hot chicken joints. At Red’s, the supporting cast of classic Southern accompaniments holds its own alongside the star of the show.
Whether you are a Nashville regular looking for a casual weeknight dinner or a road tripper ticking off great fried chicken spots, Red’s Hot Chicken delivers a dependable, flavorful experience worth seeking out.
5. Nashville Chicken And Waffles
Smyrna, Tennessee might not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a fried chicken road trip through the state, but Nashville Chicken and Waffles at 37167 gives food lovers a very good reason to make the detour. This spot has built a loyal following thanks to its dedication to Southern comfort food done right, combining two beloved classics into one seriously satisfying meal.
Chicken and waffles is a dish that sounds simple but requires real skill to execute well. The chicken needs to be crispy and well-seasoned, the waffles need to be light and fluffy, and the combination of sweet and savory flavors needs to feel intentional rather than accidental.
Nashville Chicken and Waffles gets all of those elements right, which explains why reviewers consistently praise the experience.
Smyrna itself is a charming suburb south of Nashville with a friendly, small-town atmosphere that makes the drive feel worthwhile before you even sit down to eat. The restaurant carries a welcoming energy that encourages you to slow down, enjoy the food, and appreciate the Southern hospitality that Tennessee is genuinely famous for.
Add this one to your road trip list and save room for a full plate.
6. Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant
There is something genuinely special about sitting down to a meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Located at 295 Main St in the small, charming town most famous for being home to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, this historic restaurant has been welcoming guests since 1908.
Walking through its doors feels like stepping back into a slower, warmer era of Southern hospitality.
Meals here are served boarding-house style, meaning everyone gathers around large tables and dishes are passed family-style among strangers who quickly feel like old friends. The classic country-style fried chicken is a centerpiece of the spread, golden and satisfying in the way that only truly traditional Southern cooking can be.
Everything on the table is made with the kind of care that chain restaurants simply cannot replicate.
Lynchburg itself is a beautiful small town with a relaxed pace and genuine Southern charm, making the drive from Nashville or Chattanooga a pleasure rather than a chore. Reservations are strongly recommended since seating is limited and demand is high, especially during peak travel seasons.
Miss Mary Bobo’s offers a dining experience that goes beyond food, delivering a taste of Tennessee’s rich culinary and cultural heritage that you will remember long after the meal ends.
7. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Memphis
Memphis gets its own slice of the Hattie B’s magic at the Cooper Street location at 596 Cooper St, and the city has embraced it enthusiastically. Sitting in the heart of the Cooper-Young neighborhood, one of Memphis’s most vibrant and eclectic areas, this outpost brings the beloved Nashville hot chicken formula to a city that already has a deep and serious appreciation for great food.
The Cooper-Young district surrounding Hattie B’s Memphis is worth exploring before or after your meal. Lined with indie shops, art galleries, and a generally creative energy, the neighborhood gives the whole experience a distinctly Memphis flavor that makes it feel different from the Nashville locations.
The food itself maintains the same high standards that made Hattie B’s famous, with that signature crispy coating and layered heat that keeps people ordering again and again.
Memphis locals have clearly adopted this spot as their own, which is the highest compliment any transplanted restaurant can receive. The community feel inside the restaurant is warm and genuine, with staff who seem to genuinely enjoy being there.
If your Tennessee fried chicken road trip takes you west toward Memphis, planning a stop at Hattie B’s on Cooper Street is an easy and rewarding decision that you will not regret making.
8. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
The name says it all. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken at 310 S Front St in Memphis has achieved a level of fame that stretches far beyond Tennessee, drawing food travelers from across the country who make the pilgrimage specifically to taste what many consider to be some of the finest fried chicken on earth.
The original Gus’s was founded in Mason, Tennessee, and the Memphis location carries that legacy proudly.
What makes Gus’s chicken so extraordinary is the batter. It achieves a crispiness that somehow manages to stay crunchy well into the meal, and the seasoning underneath carries a gentle, building heat that is addictive without being punishing.
The chicken is juicy inside and shatteringly crispy outside, which is the fundamental promise of great fried chicken and a promise Gus’s never breaks.
The Front Street location sits in a historic and scenic part of downtown Memphis, close to the Mississippi River and the vibrant South Main Arts District. The combination of a remarkable meal and a beautiful surrounding neighborhood makes a visit to Gus’s feel like a complete Memphis experience rather than just a quick food stop.
Expect a line, embrace the wait, and prepare yourself for chicken that genuinely lives up to its world-famous reputation.
9. Alcenia’s
Alcenia’s at 317 N Main St in Memphis is the kind of restaurant that feels like eating at someone’s beloved grandmother’s house, except the grandmother in question happens to be an extraordinarily talented cook. Owner Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo, known affectionately as B.J., has poured her heart into this spot, creating an environment that is as warm and welcoming as the food itself is delicious.
The fried chicken here is a standout, prepared with a Southern sensibility that prioritizes deep flavor and satisfying texture over trends or gimmicks. The menu celebrates classic soul food traditions with genuine passion, and you can taste that commitment in every single bite.
Regulars often describe meals at Alcenia’s as deeply comforting, the kind of food that makes you feel genuinely cared for.
The restaurant sits in the North Main area of Memphis, a neighborhood that blends history with a slowly evolving creative energy. The decor inside Alcenia’s is colorful, personal, and filled with character, reflecting B.J.’s vibrant personality and her deep connection to the community she serves.
For anyone seeking a fried chicken experience that goes beyond technique and into something that feels truly soulful and human, Alcenia’s in Memphis is an essential stop on any Tennessee food road trip.
10. Fannie Lou’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles
Named in tribute to the legendary civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, Fannie Lou’s Gourmet Chicken and Waffles at 500 Tennessee St in Memphis carries a meaningful spirit alongside its delicious food. Located in the South Main neighborhood, this restaurant brings a gourmet sensibility to the beloved Southern combination of fried chicken and waffles, elevating the dish while keeping it approachable and satisfying.
The chicken and waffles here are executed with clear attention to detail, offering a dining experience that feels thoughtful and celebratory rather than ordinary. The chicken is crispy and well-seasoned, the waffles are made with care, and the overall presentation reflects a kitchen that takes pride in its craft.
Guests frequently highlight the welcoming atmosphere as one of the best things about eating at Fannie Lou’s.
South Main is one of Memphis’s most exciting and culturally rich neighborhoods, filled with galleries, boutiques, and historic architecture that makes wandering before or after your meal a genuine pleasure. Fannie Lou’s fits naturally into this creative, community-focused environment, drawing a diverse crowd of locals and visitors who share an appreciation for good food and good company.
A meal here is both a culinary highlight and a meaningful cultural experience that makes your Memphis visit feel complete.
11. Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken
Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken at 1725 Winchester Rd in Memphis has the kind of loyal neighborhood following that money simply cannot buy. This is a Memphis staple in the truest sense of the phrase, a place where the food has remained consistently excellent over the years and where the community connection runs deep.
Locals treat Uncle Lou’s with the kind of affection reserved for places that feel genuinely irreplaceable.
The fried chicken at Uncle Lou’s is classic Southern preparation done with skill and consistency. The coating is crispy and well-seasoned, the meat inside is juicy and flavorful, and the whole experience delivers the kind of simple, honest satisfaction that great fried chicken always should.
There are no unnecessary complications here, just excellent chicken made the right way every single time.
Winchester Road sits in a part of Memphis that is far from the tourist trail, which actually adds to the appeal for food travelers who want to see and taste the real city beyond its famous landmarks. Eating at Uncle Lou’s feels like being welcomed into a Memphis neighborhood rather than just passing through it.
For anyone building a serious Tennessee fried chicken road trip itinerary, Uncle Lou’s represents the kind of authentic, community-rooted experience that makes food travel genuinely meaningful and memorable.
12. Kukuruku Crispy Chicken Lakeland TN
Lakeland, Tennessee might surprise you as a destination on a fried chicken road trip, but Kukuruku Crispy Chicken at 8950 US-64 Suite 102 is giving food lovers a compelling reason to point their GPS toward this growing suburb northeast of Memphis. Kukuruku has built a strong local following thanks to a commitment to genuinely crispy, well-prepared fried chicken that keeps customers returning regularly.
The name is playful and memorable, and the food backs it up with substance. The chicken here achieves that satisfying crunch that fried chicken enthusiasts chase, with a coating that holds together beautifully and seasoning that adds real character to every piece.
Strong online reviews from local fans consistently praise both the quality of the food and the friendly service that accompanies it.
Lakeland itself is a pleasant and growing community that offers a quieter, more relaxed Tennessee experience compared to the bustle of Memphis or Nashville. Stopping at Kukuruku on your way between major cities is a smart move that adds variety to your road trip and introduces you to a newer restaurant that is clearly earning its place among Tennessee’s best fried chicken destinations.
Sometimes the most exciting food discoveries happen in places you least expect, and Kukuruku Crispy Chicken is a perfect example of that rewarding road trip truth.