Nashville is all about chicken… hot chicken to be exact. If you carry hot sauce in your purse, you won’t need it in this town.  They’ve got levels of heat ranging from mild to ‘shut the cluck up‘ (the atomic hot level at the legendary Hattie B’s). I found (more than) my share of good chicken and a few other tasty treats during my recent visits.  If you find yourself in Music City anytime soon, here are some perfect bites in Nashville to add to your list!

Party Fowl

My first stop when I made it to town, Party Fowl welcomed me with a really good catfish po’ boy (and I’ve done the research). The bartender also brought me a sip of Cooper’s Craft Bourbon. I don’t usually drink brown liquor, but it was surprisingly tasty. When in Rome… drink whiskey?

The Row Kitchen & Pub

KT and I discovered The Row when the line out the door at Hattie B’s (which is around the corner) sent us looking for Plan B. In the middle of the afternoon, the restaurant was nearly empty and we had a whole area to ourselves- surrounded by photos of country greats. If you don’t do anything else, order the biscuits.

Between warm, fresh biscuits and my first piece of hot chicken in Nashville, drizzled with honey, I was a happy girl.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Second time was the charm, on my quest to try Hattie B’s. Easily the most recommended and reviewed place I stumbled upon, Hattie has a bit of a reputation. So the bad news? Ole girl stays busy. Lines out the door. The good news? If you call your order in ahead of time, you’ve got a better shot to sample that good hot chicken. The wings were on point. And a word of caution, even mild has some spice to it. Start low level and work your way up, if you dare. Mouth on fire? Grab a Bourbon and Coke slushie, this sweet treat is the perfect cool down.

The Farm House

Unconsciously, I rotated between hot chicken and catfish for most of my trip. The Farm House served up my favorite piece of catfish- hands down. Perfectly fried and light, not greasy. And the grits.were.awesome. Cheesy, creamy perfection. Think Cali farm to table, with a Southern twist.

Getting the Boot

When you’ve had your fill of hot chicken, walk (or waddle) down to Broadway and pick up some authentic cowgirl boots. How could you not? It’s Nashville. I found a beautiful pair downtown at Betty Boots and they ship!  These babies made it to my house the day after I got home. 

I can’t wait to wear my first pair of cowgirl boots. My Pops is from Texas and famously wears cowboy boots with most everything (yes, I’ve seen them paired with track pants). I can hear him now, “Hey babe, nice boots!” Could I possibly be a country Cali girl??  Probably not… but I’ma rock these boots.

Music To My Ears

Clearly, I enjoyed my time in Music City. Word on the street is the National Museum of African American Music is set to open in Nashville in 2020. I can’t think of a better reason to go back. After my experience at the African American Museum in DC, I’m so excited to see how this museum brings our cultural contributions to light.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Nashville?