South Nashville Hot Chicken Guide
South Nashville is where Prince's has been serving the original hot chicken for generations. This is the pilgrimage spot — not a curated dining experience, but the real thing.
The Prince's Pilgrimage
The Prince family created Nashville hot chicken in the 1930s when Thornton Prince's girlfriend reportedly doused his chicken with hot sauce as revenge — and he loved it. The recipe has been in the family ever since.
- No frills, no ambiance — just chicken on white bread with pickles
- Late-night hours on weekends make it the best post-show stop in Nashville
- The wait can be long on weekends — plan accordingly
- Cash is preferred; the experience is part of the deal
The Spots
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack — South Nashville
The Prince family invented Nashville hot chicken. This South Nashville location carries the full legacy: the same cayenne-paste recipe, the same white bread and pickles, and genuinely punishing heat at the top levels.
Nashville Hot Chicken & Gyro
An only-in-Nashville mashup: hot chicken meets Mediterranean. The chicken gyro wrap is a genuine sleeper hit — spicy, messy, and worth the detour.
South Nashville Hot Chicken FAQ
Is Prince's South different from the other Prince's locations?
Same family, same recipe. The South Nashville location on Nolensville Pike is the flagship — and the late-night weekend hours make it uniquely valuable for the post-concert crowd.
How hot is Prince's 'Hot' compared to Hattie B's 'Hot'?
Significantly hotter. Prince's "Hot" is comparable to Hattie B's "Damn Hot!!" — the cayenne paste is applied differently and accumulates heat as you eat. Start one level below where you think you should.
Is Prince's cash only?
Cards are technically accepted, but cash is preferred and the line moves faster with it. There's an ATM nearby.