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NASHVILLE
CULINARY EXPLORATION IN TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE = SPICY YARD BIRD
I only had 12 short hours in Nashville, but I knew where I wanted to go, and what I needed to eat. At the end of those few hours, I had eaten at nine places, ordered five half birds, two racks of ribs, three upscale hot dogs, four doughnuts, two pulled pork sandwiches, 3 melt in your mouth buttermilk biscuits, and something called a redneck taco. I got nowhere near scratching the surface here, but I call it a good start and will be back for more great food.
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The Pig
PIG'S PICKS
Where to find finger lickin' screaming hot fried chicken in Nashville
HATTI B'S HOT CHICKEN
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN
WHEN: You want to eat the gold standard of Nashville Hot chicken.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Thur: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Fri & Sat: 11:00am – 12:00am
Sun: 11:00am - 4:00pm
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MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Hot Chicken Sandwich
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1/2 Bird
WHY: Hatti'B's may have not been first, but the have perfected it. Don't be scared by the lines, they move fast and the food comes quickly. Word to the wise, if you're new to heat or are just a little bit leery don't order the "shut the cluck up" heat level your first time out.
MARTIN'S BAR-B-QUE JOINT
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: WHOLE HOG BBQ
WHEN: You want some serious ribs and pulled pork.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun - Thur: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Fri & Sat: 11:00am – 12:00am
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Baby back ribs, dry
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Pulled pork sandwich
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Redneck Taco
WHY: This is a roadhouse style whole hog BBQ pit fired joint. And while the interiors is really nice and may have a little chain feel to it, the food is SOLID western Tennessee BBQ that any Nashville local can be proud of.
THE LOVELESS CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: SOUTHERN FARE
WHEN: You're craving a southern meal to stick to your ribs and your memory.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Mon - Sun: 7:00am - 9:00pm
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MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Buttermilk Biscuit
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Fried Chicken
WHY: These guys take southern breakfast to a whole new level. The Bacon is sinful and the pepper jelly turns a simple breakfast sandwich it to something magical. Don't plan on running in and out, they get busy, but know it is worth it.
THE DONUT + DOG
PIG SCORE: 3.5 / 4.0
WHAT: DOUNUTS & HOT DOGS
WHEN: You can't decide between a donut or a hot dog.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Tue - Sun: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Monday: Closed
MAP IT:
3503, 2127 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Stairway to Heaven Donut
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Ultimate S'More Donut
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Banh Mi Dog
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Chili Queso Dog
WHY: The Donuts are made of brioche dough, and are truly sublime. I highly recommend the early day approach of a chilled coffee and pastry. The Dog's are good too, but the donuts steal the show.
PRINCE'S
PIG SCORE: 3.3 / 4.0
WHAT: THE ORIGINAL NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN
WHEN: You want to scratch the original off your bucket list.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
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HOURS:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tue - Thurs: 11:30am – 11:30am
Fri: 11:30am - 4:00am
Sat: 2:00pm - 4:00am
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
-
The half chicken
WHY: This place is where the Nashville hot chicken craze all started, so it's worth the nod and the historical visit. The ambiance is exactly what you would hope for in such a place. The booths are from the 50's with multiple layers of paint, and the dinning room is small and informal. But the chicken is delicious and can bring a sweat to the top of your head if you dare for the XXX-Hot. The only down side was the tremendous wait after I ordered and paid for my food.