Does Hattie’s make the best hot chicken in Nashville? No. Is it where the locals go? Again, no. It is probably the most ubiquitous hot chicken spot in Nashville, and one that’s become a national behemoth churning out consistent and relatively affordable plates of poultry. But the sides are the move here—things like potato salad, pimento cheese mac and cheese, cole slaw, and banana pudding are not only the perfect foil to the heat, but are better than the hot chicken itself. Good news about that hot chicken, though: consistency is one of Hattie’s selling points. No matter how long you wait, you can count on a reliably delightful piece of poultry. A medium is always going to taste like a medium at Hattie’s. Same goes for the “Shut the Cluck Up,” Hattie’s highest point on the heat level barometer. Seeing as how there’s no shortage of Hattie B’s around town, we’re going to gently steer you in the direction of the Melrose location—it has the shortest wait out of all of them. It’s also a solid fast-casual option for lunch with friends who are visiting from out of town (they’ll probably ask to come here anyway). All of which you’ll enjoy in a room of brash colors, flashy merch, and cheesy taglines—welcome to Hot Chicken Disneyland.