The Single Recipe That Put These Tennessee Restaurants On The Map

Tennessee has always been a place where food tells a story, and sometimes one single dish can turn a restaurant into a legend. From Nashville’s fiery hot chicken to Memphis’s smoky ribs, these iconic recipes have drawn crowds for decades and put their restaurants on the national map.

I’ve had the privilege of tasting my way through the Volunteer State, and I’m excited to share the signature dishes that made these twelve spots unforgettable. Get ready to discover the flavors that define Tennessee dining.

1. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

Legend has it that Nashville hot chicken was born from revenge when a scorned woman tried to punish her cheating man with painfully spicy fried chicken, but he loved it instead. That’s the origin story behind Prince’s, and honestly, I believe it because this chicken packs serious heat.

The cayenne-laced coating delivers a slow burn that builds with every bite, and you’ll find yourself reaching for white bread and pickles to cool down.

Prince’s has been slinging their famous recipe since the 1930s, and locals still line up at 123 Ewing Drive, Nashville, TN 37207 for a taste of authentic Nashville hot. I always order the hot or extra hot because medium feels like a warm-up.

The chicken arrives glistening with that signature reddish oil, crispy on the outside and juicy within.

What makes Prince’s special isn’t just the spice—it’s the perfectly seasoned, well-fried bird underneath. You taste the quality of the chicken itself, not just the fire.

This is where the hot chicken movement started, and it remains the gold standard.

2. The Loveless Cafe

Biscuits might seem simple, but when they’re done right, they become the reason people drive miles out of their way. At the Loveless Cafe, those buttery, flaky biscuits have been the star attraction since 1951, and one bite explains why.

They arrive warm at your table, practically begging to be split open and slathered with homemade preserves or sorghum syrup.

Located at 8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221, this roadside treasure started as a motel restaurant and grew into a Tennessee institution. I’ve watched tourists and locals alike devour basket after basket of these golden beauties.

The texture hits that perfect balance between tender and structured, with layers that pull apart easily.

What really seals the deal is the scratch-made approach—everything feels authentic and lovingly prepared. The cafe serves Southern classics alongside those famous biscuits, but honestly, the biscuits steal every show.

Whether you pair them with country ham, fried chicken, or just eat them plain with butter, they’re unforgettable.

3. Biscuit Love

Sometimes a dish comes along that redefines brunch, and the Bonuts at Biscuit Love did exactly that for Nashville. These aren’t your typical donuts—they’re made from biscuit dough, fried until golden, then topped with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote.

Sweet, tangy, rich, and impossibly addictive, they’ve become the restaurant’s calling card.

Biscuit Love started as a food truck before opening its brick-and-mortar location at 316 11th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, and the Bonuts were always the menu item that had people lining up. I remember my first bite—the contrast between the tender, flaky interior and the crisp exterior was perfection.

The lemon mascarpone adds brightness without being too sweet, while the blueberry compote brings fruity depth.

Beyond the Bonuts, the entire menu celebrates Southern comfort with creative twists, but nothing matches the cult following of this signature item. You’ll see them on nearly every table, often accompanied by happy faces and sticky fingers.

Brunch in Nashville isn’t complete without experiencing these innovative treats.

4. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Fried chicken debates get heated in the South, but Gus’s has a way of quieting the room once people taste their perfectly seasoned, crispy bird. What started in a small town in Mississippi eventually made its way to Memphis, where it became a destination for fried chicken pilgrims.

The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but the results speak volumes.

You’ll find the Memphis location at 310 South Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103, tucked into a historic area near the riverfront. Every piece comes out hot, with a thin, incredibly crunchy crust that’s seasoned with just the right amount of spice.

It’s not Nashville hot chicken level, but there’s a pleasant kick that keeps things interesting.

I always appreciate how the chicken stays moist inside while maintaining that shatteringly crisp exterior—a balance many places struggle to achieve. The seasoning penetrates deep into the meat, so every bite delivers flavor.

Gus’s proves that sometimes the classics, executed flawlessly, are all you need to build a legendary reputation.

5. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous (Memphis)

Memphis barbecue has its own personality, and Rendezvous helped define it with their distinctive dry-rubbed ribs. Unlike the saucy, slow-smoked ribs you find elsewhere, these beauties get coated in a secret blend of spices and cooked over charcoal.

The result is a completely different barbecue experience that’s become synonymous with Memphis itself.

Hidden down an alley at 52 South Second Street, Memphis, TN 38103, Rendezvous has been serving these iconic ribs since 1948. The basement location adds to the speakeasy vibe, and the walls are covered with decades of memorabilia.

When your ribs arrive, they’re dusted generously with that famous dry rub—tangy, slightly sweet, with hints of paprika and other mysterious spices.

What surprises first-timers is how the char from the grill combines with the rub to create intense flavor without heavy sauce. The meat pulls cleanly from the bone, tender but not falling apart.

I love how this style lets you taste the pork itself, enhanced rather than masked by seasoning.

6. Peg Leg Porker

Whole hog barbecue is an art form, and Carey Bringle at Peg Leg Porker has mastered it with his competition-winning recipe. This isn’t just pulled pork—it’s a careful balance of smoke, seasoning, and technique that earned Bringle the title of Grand World Champion at the Memphis in May competition.

His restaurant showcases that championship quality every single day.

Located at 903 Gleaves Street, Nashville, TN 37203, Peg Leg Porker smokes whole hogs low and slow, creating incredibly tender meat with beautiful smoke rings. I’m always impressed by the depth of flavor you get in every bite—smoky, savory, with just enough fat to keep everything moist.

The meat practically melts on your tongue.

Bringle’s dedication shows in the details, from the custom-built smokers to the carefully sourced pork. You can order your pulled pork with or without sauce, and I recommend trying it naked first to appreciate the smoke and seasoning.

The bourbon-infused sauce is excellent too, but the pork itself is the real star here.

7. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Nashville hot chicken exploded in popularity over the past decade, and Hattie B’s played a huge role in bringing it to the masses. While Prince’s started the tradition, Hattie B’s refined and popularized it with consistent quality and multiple heat levels.

Their version delivers authentic Nashville heat while remaining approachable for those who want to ease into the experience.

With several locations including their original at 112 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, Hattie B’s offers heat levels from Southern (no heat) all the way up to Shut the Cluck Up (which I’ve only attempted once). The medium hits my sweet spot—enough spice to make your lips tingle without overwhelming the chicken’s flavor.

Each piece comes with that signature reddish-orange oil coating, crispy skin, and juicy meat underneath. The sides are solid too, especially the pimento mac and cheese, but everyone comes for that hot chicken.

Lines wrap around the block during peak times, proof that Hattie B’s struck the perfect balance between tradition and accessibility.

8. Husk

Chef Sean Brock brought his acclaimed Husk concept from Charleston to Nashville, and his wood-fired cornbread became an instant sensation. This isn’t the sweet, cake-like cornbread you might expect—it’s savory, smoky, and baked in a cast-iron skillet until the edges get beautifully crispy.

Served with salted butter, it’s a revelation for anyone who thinks they know cornbread.

Husk Nashville sits at 37 Rutledge Street, Nashville, TN 37210 in the historic Rutledge Hill neighborhood. The restaurant focuses on Southern ingredients and heritage recipes, but that cornbread steals the spotlight every time.

I love how the wood-fired cooking adds subtle smoke without overpowering the corn flavor, and the texture is perfect—crusty outside, tender and slightly crumbly inside.

What makes it memorable is the attention to detail, from the stone-ground cornmeal to the cooking technique. It arrives at your table still warm in the skillet, practically begging to be slathered with that butter.

Even in a menu full of elevated Southern dishes, this simple cornbread remains the most talked-about item.

9. GRAYS on Main

Franklin’s food scene has grown impressively, and Grays on Main helped put it on the map with their famous tomato soup. This isn’t your standard canned variety—it’s a rich, creamy, perfectly balanced bowl that’s become the restaurant’s signature.

People drive from Nashville specifically for this soup, especially when paired with their grilled cheese.

You’ll find Grays at 332 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064, right in the heart of historic downtown Franklin. The soup arrives velvety smooth with a beautiful orange-red color and complex flavor that suggests hours of careful preparation.

There’s a subtle sweetness from the tomatoes balanced by savory notes and cream that makes it incredibly comforting.

I always order the soup and sandwich combo because that grilled cheese, made with artisan bread and melty cheese, is the perfect dunking companion. The contrast between the crispy, buttery bread and the smooth, warm soup creates pure comfort food magic.

It’s the kind of meal that makes you understand why people become regulars, returning again and again for that familiar, satisfying experience.

10. The Pig on Beale (Memphis)

Memphis’s famous Beale Street isn’t just about blues music—it’s also home to The Pig, where their pulled pork nachos have achieved legendary status. These aren’t ordinary nachos with a few toppings scattered on chips.

We’re talking about a mountain of house-made chips loaded with slow-smoked pulled pork, cheese sauce, barbecue sauce, and fresh toppings that create the ultimate bar food experience.

Located at 167 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103, The Pig serves up Memphis barbecue with a fun, casual vibe perfect for the Beale Street atmosphere. Those nachos arrive piled high, and you’ll want to share them—though you might not want to.

The pulled pork brings authentic Memphis smokiness, while the cheese sauce ties everything together in gooey perfection.

What I appreciate most is how they don’t skimp on the meat—every chip seems to have its fair share of tender, flavorful pork. The combination of textures and flavors, from crispy chips to creamy cheese to smoky meat, creates something addictively delicious that keeps people coming back between blues sets.

11. Monell’s Dining & Catering

Family-style dining has become rare in modern restaurants, but Monell’s keeps the tradition alive with their all-you-can-eat Southern feast served at communal tables. Their fried chicken anchors the spread, arriving golden and crispy alongside bowls of vegetables, biscuits, and other rotating Southern classics.

Strangers become friends as platters get passed around, creating a dining experience that feels like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.

Monell’s operates locations including 1235 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, where the Victorian mansion setting adds charm to the experience. The fried chicken comes out hot and fresh throughout the meal, with a perfectly seasoned coating that stays crispy.

I love how the family-style service encourages conversation and sharing, making every meal feel special.

Beyond the chicken, the rotating sides showcase Southern cooking at its finest—creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and more. Everything is made from scratch, and the quality shows.

It’s the kind of place where you eat until you’re uncomfortably full, then somehow find room for one more piece of that excellent fried chicken.

12. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

Shrimp and grits has become a Southern staple, but Tupelo Honey elevates it to an art form with their signature version. Creamy stone-ground grits provide the foundation, topped with plump, perfectly seasoned shrimp in a rich sauce that brings everything together.

This dish represents modern Southern cooking—rooted in tradition but refined and thoughtfully executed.

Franklin’s location at 1 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064 overlooks the Harpeth River, creating a lovely dining atmosphere that matches the food’s quality. The grits arrive smooth and buttery, cooked low and slow until they reach that ideal creamy consistency.

The shrimp are generous in size and never overcooked, maintaining their sweet, tender texture.

What sets this version apart is the balance of flavors in the sauce—a little heat, some acidity, plenty of richness—that complements rather than overwhelms the delicate shrimp and grits. I always appreciate how the dish feels both comforting and sophisticated.

It’s become Tupelo Honey’s signature for good reason, showcasing Southern ingredients and techniques with skill and respect for tradition.