Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in Nashville.

Don't-miss vendors

Mas Tacos Por Favor ★ 4.4

$ Street foodEast Nashville

Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. At 732 McFerrin Ave.

TryFried avocado tacos

TipClosed Mondays. Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of tortilla soup is the canonical order.

Hattie B's Hot Chicken ★ 4.4

$ Street foodHillsboro Village

The Bishop family's Midtown hot chicken counter in Nashville opened in 2012 and is the tourist-friendliest gateway to the dish. Located in Hillsboro Village.

TryHot chicken sandwich

TipHot chicken at Hot level on white bread with pickles is the canonical order; pimento mac and cheese is the side to add.

Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish ★ 4.6

$ Street foodEast Nashville

Bolton Polk's Main Street counter in East Nashville cuts a smaller and darker-fried hot chicken than Hattie B's, with hot whiting fish as the secondary order.

TryHot chicken thigh

TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.

Prince's Hot Chicken ★ 4.7

$ Street foodSouth Nashville

Andre Prince Jeffries's Nolensville Road shop in Nashville runs the original 1930s hot chicken recipe in counter format. James Beard America's Classic winner.

TryHot chicken plate

TipQuarter dark, Medium heat, plain white bread with pickles. Medium has more flavour than Hot for first-timers.

Pepperfire Hot Chicken ★ 4.4

$ Street foodNorth Nashville

Isaac Beard's Centennial Boulevard hot chicken shop in Nashville pioneered the Tender Royale, a chicken tender sandwich on grilled cheese. Family-friendly.

TryTender Royale

TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Order ahead online; Tender Royale at Medium is the cult sandwich.

Elliston Place Soda Shop ★ 4.2

$ Street foodMidtown

Elliston Place Soda Shop near Vanderbilt University in Nashville has poured hand-spun milkshakes and a meat-and-three lunch since 1939, recently restored.

TryMeat-and-three lunch

TipHand-dipped chocolate milkshake is the move; the meat-and-three plate runs $11 on weekdays.

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