Hattie B's Menu 2026: Hot Chicken, Heat Levels & Sides

Hattie B's offers six heat levels: Southern (no heat), Mild, Medium, Hot, Damn Hot, and Shut the Cluck Up!!! (the hottest). Medium is the most popular starting point for first-timers. The heat is applied as a spiced cayenne paste that coats the fried chicken, so the higher the level, the more intense the burn. If you're new to Nashville hot chicken, Southern or Mild is a safe first order.

Hattie B's started in Nashville, Tennessee in 2012 and has grown to multiple locations across Tennessee (Nashville, Memphis), Alabama (Birmingham, Homewood), Georgia (Atlanta), and other Southeast states. The chain also has locations in Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. Use the official location finder at hattiebschicken.com for current hours and the nearest store.

Nashville hot chicken is a regional fried chicken specialty originating in Nashville, Tennessee. The chicken is brined and fried to order, then coated with a lard-based cayenne spice paste that ranges from mild to extremely hot. It is traditionally served on white bread with housemade pickles. Hattie B's is one of the most widely recognized Nashville hot chicken chains nationally, alongside Dave's Hot Chicken and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack (the original Nashville institution).

All Hattie B's chicken plates come with two sides and a buttermilk biscuit. Popular side choices include Pimento Mac & Cheese, Black-Eyed Pea Salad, Creamy Coleslaw, Comeback Sauce Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Greens, Mashed Potatoes, and Banana Pudding. Side availability may vary slightly by location.

Hattie B's does not offer a certified gluten-free cooking environment — the chicken is breaded and fried. However, several sides are naturally vegetarian or vegan: Pimento Mac & Cheese (vegetarian), Black-Eyed Pea Salad (vegan), Collard Greens (vegan), Creamy Coleslaw (vegetarian), Banana Pudding (vegetarian), and Baked Beans (vegetarian). If you have a serious gluten allergy, confirm preparation methods directly with your location.

All three focus on chicken, but they occupy distinct niches. Hattie B's is a Nashville hot chicken specialist — bone-in chicken and tenders at extreme heat levels, counter-service but with a strong regional identity and premium Southern sides. Raising Cane's is a national chain focused on chicken tenders and dipping sauce, without heat variation. Chick-fil-A offers a broader menu including sandwiches, nuggets, waffle fries and salads at a higher price point than other fast food. Hattie B's is the best pick if you want authentic Nashville-style heat.

Yes. The Shut the Cluck Up!!! level is legitimately very hot — it is positioned as a challenge item, not an everyday order. The cayenne paste is applied heavily at this level, and even experienced hot-food eaters find it difficult. Hattie B's recommends the Buttermilk Ranch (a housemade dipping sauce) as a coolant, along with their sweet tea. Dairy helps neutralize capsaicin, so the ranch is your best tool if you go all-in.

Hattie B's is a counter-service concept — no reservations are taken. Expect a line during peak hours, especially in Nashville locations. Most stores open at 11 AM and close in the evening; some Nashville locations have extended hours. Check the official site for exact hours per location. Weekend waits at flagship Nashville stores can run 20-40 minutes during lunch and dinner rushes.

Both are Nashville hot chicken institutions, but they differ in format and style. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is the original Nashville hot chicken restaurant (founded 1945), a no-frills counter-service spot with few locations — widely considered the city's definitive version. Hattie B's (founded 2012) offers a more polished, restaurant-style experience with a full sides program, craft beer, a structured menu with six named heat levels, and multi-city expansion. If you want history and legend, Prince's is the original; if you want a full meal experience with consistent service, Hattie B's is well-regarded.