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.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card; tiny counter, takeaway is the move.
Address: 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. The canonical Nashville taco shop.
Try: Fried avocado tacos
Tip: Closed Mondays. Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of tortilla soup is the canonical order.
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.
Try: Hot chicken plate
Tip: Quarter dark, Medium heat, plain white bread with pickles. Medium has more flavour than Hot for first-timers.
Isaac Beard's Centennial Boulevard hot chicken shop in Nashville pioneered the Tender Royale, a chicken tender sandwich on grilled cheese. Tight counter, fast turnover.
Try: Tender Royale
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Order ahead online; Tender Royale at Medium is the cult sandwich.
Elliston Place Soda Shop near Vanderbilt University in Nashville has poured hand-spun milkshakes and a meat-and-three lunch since 1939, recently restored to its original counter.
Try: Meat-and-three lunch
Tip: Hand-dipped chocolate milkshake is the move; the meat-and-three plate runs $11 on weekdays.
Teresa Mason's McFerrin Avenue taco counter in East Nashville opened as a converted Airstream and now runs full kitchen service. The canonical Nashville taco shop.
Try: Fried avocado tacos
Tip: Closed Mondays. Two fried avocado tacos and a bowl of tortilla soup is the canonical order.
The Bishop family's Midtown hot chicken counter in Nashville opened in 2012 and is the tourist-friendliest gateway to the dish. Six heat levels, pickles included.
Try: Hot chicken sandwich
Tip: Hot chicken at Hot level on white bread with pickles is the canonical order; pimento mac and cheese is the side to add.
