Chicago has plenty of its own famous sandwiches, but the Nashville hot chicken trend is still going strong across the city. In honor of Hot Chicken Day — yes, that’s today — here’s the story of the dish, plus where to find it.
What is Hot Chicken?
Traditionally, “hot chicken” is spiced with cayenne pepper, fried in lard, covered in more cayenne, and served on white bread with pickles.
The recipe has a pretty great origin story, according to Prince’s, Nashville’s original, Black-owned hot chicken joint. In the 1930s, founder (and womanizer) Thornton Price spent a long, philandering night out, and his girlfriend was pissed. So she cooked him his favorite meal … with a “devilish amount of peppers and spices.”
The Hot Chicken Craze
For almost 70 years, hot chicken remained a staple in Nashville’s Black neighborhoods. It became popular throughout Nashville more broadly in the early 2010s, in no small part due to white-owned Hattie B’s … call it hot chicken’s gentrification era.
In Chicago, the rise of hot chicken seemed to coincide with the sandwich wars. Remember when Popeye's released a fried chicken sandwich so popular that people were fighting for it in 2019? That sandwich, along with other fast-food copycats, could be ordered regular or spicy.
Around the same time, smaller chains boasting Nashville hot chicken began expanding in Chicago. While the trend may not be as buzzy as it once was, there are still plenty of local places to celebrate Hot Chicken Day.
The Nashville, Chx and Cheese, and Spicy Butter sandwiches from Fry the Coop. Their Nashville sandwich is $5 today only! (Courtesy of Fry the Coop)
Where to Eat Hot Chicken in Chicago
- Fry the Coop has locations in West Town, Portage Park, and Lincoln Park, in addition to several suburbs. TODAY THEIR NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH IS $5!
- Hot Chi has locations in Chatham, the Old Post Office and Sterling Food Hall in the Loop, and, recently, in Lakeview. I thought their Popeye’s Ain’t Sh!t had a nice, tangy heat, and my friend really enjoyed the buttermilk mac and cheese.
- Dave’s Hot Chicken in Roscoe Village and River North
- 3 little pigs (3LP) in Bridgeport pulls from Chinese, as opposed to Nashville, tradition for a salt-and-pepper fried chicken sandwich
- Hotties Chicken, Seafood, & Grill in Crestwood
- Nashville Hot Chicken in Logan Square
- Cleo’s, in Bronzeville, Lakeview, and the Loop, hot honey chicken sandwich isn’t Nashville-style, but it is beloved.
- Roost Chicken & Biscuits in Roscoe Village and River West
- The Budlong Southern Chicken in Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, and Oak Brook
- Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Irving Park
- Hangry Joe’s in Wicker Park and several suburbs
- Byrd’s, also halal, in Lincoln Park and several suburbs
- While Parson’s is experiencing something of a slowdown, two locations are left in Logan Square and Lincoln Park, both with spicy options.
- Red Light Chicken in Lincoln Park, recommended by Neighbor Chris P.
- Nashville's own Hattie B’s just opened a spot in Wrigleyville, too!
