Hattie B's West - Nashville, Fried Chicken

5209 Charlotte Ave, Nashville TN 37209
(615) 576-3900
Parking: parking lot
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-4pm
www.hattieb.com

Last Visited: August 11, 2023

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

When you look up Nashville hot chicken, Hattie B's is one of the first places to pop up. While they aren't the original, it's clear why this place stands out.  During my recent trip to Nashville, I started and ended my ten day adventure at Hattie B's because what better way to understand the local vibe than to go where the locals go?

Hattie B's Nashville West also was one of the most accessible locations when it comes to waiting in line.  During both visits, I only encountered a very short line, and after reading about their other spots, I'm glad I chose this one and didn't have to worry about the line out the door and around the corner.  If you don't want to wait, pickup is also available and you can order ahead.

Nashville hot chicken is typically attributed to Thornton Prince (I'll write a review on that chain next).  Typically served on a piece of white bread and pickles, hot chicken is essentially fried chicken that has been dipped in a hot sauce that ranges from no spice (also known as 'Southern' at Hattie B's) to blow your top off (aka 'Shut the Cluck Up!!!' - which is a trademarked statement).  Hattie B's has made a name for having good chicken and excellent side dishes.  Here, you can mix and match your preferences - bones versus no bones, dark versus white meat, wings, tenders, and a sandwich.  For the latter two, you can get it fried or grilled.  What you're not going to find is a plain green salad where you add chicken.  Instead, there is an assortment of sides including pimento mac & cheese, crinkle-cut fries, southern greens, baked beans, bacon & cheddar grits, red skin potato salad, creamy cole slaw, black eyed pea salad, and desserts, including peach cobbler, ice cream, and banana pudding.  You can also get their waffles, fried pickles, or dirty fries. 

Parking was a bit packed, but there were still spaces available in their lot, and when I arrived, the line was short. Order at the counter and then you're given a number to place at your table.  Drinks are self-serve.  When your food is ready, one of the staff brings it to you and takes away the number when your order is complete and the staff frequently checks the table to see what baskets can be removed.  It's a mix between fast-food and light service.  

- Large Dark - A small dark is one leg/thigh quarter, and a large dark is comprised of two.  The one on the left is Southern and the Medium one on the right can be seen glistening a bit from the dipping into the spiced oil.  Medium has a tiny bit of kick and is completely tolerable.  They even say that Hot!, the next level up is an 'everyday' heat level.  Bite into this chicken and it's got crunch from the thicker areas of batter and the meat is incredibly juicy even to the last bite.  I wish we had this quality of chicken at home at more places.  Crunchy pickle slices top the chicken.  Even during my second visit, this was still perfect and the chicken wasn't too fatty.  Included with the meal is two sides.  $9.50 Small/ +$4 Large

In general, sides varied from $3 to $3.50

- Pimento Mac & Cheese - You have to eat this one hot so you can enjoy the creamy texture and softness of each bite.  Once it gets cold, it's lost what made it special.  While it wasn't the best mac and cheese I've ever had, it was definitely good.  However, if you like your pasta more al dente, this will not meet your tastes.

- Coleslaw - classic coleslaw with a light mayonnaise-based sauce.  Cabbage was fresh and not too sweet. Good. I ordered it during my second visit too.

- Southern greens - Their greens contain pork and is clearly labelled to indicate that it's not a vegetarian dish.  It wasn't too salty or mushy.  Just right and ordered it a second time.

- Red skin potato salad - During my second visit, I tried this for the first time - see picture below.  Large chunks of potato are covered in a lightly creamy, not runny, mayonnaise-based dressing.  Just the right balance without being too salty.

- Waffles - Two small waffles are served with whipped honey butter and breakfast syrup.  The waffles are extra crispy and topped with powdered sugar.  I liked how the texture was crispy and this would have been a fine dessert instead of a side. 

- Banana pudding - I had read reviews saying to be sure to leave room for dessert.  Banana pudding is typically vanilla pudding with sliced bananas topped with nilla wafers, but this one was kind of mushy.  The nilla wafers in the pudding had gotten soggy and the ratio of cookie to pudding seemed to be too high.  There was an abundance of banana so you definitely get a strong banana flavor, but of all the dishes I tried, this was my least favorite and I wouldn't recommend it. It's the cup with two spoons in the photo above. $4 

 

I liked the friendly staff, but learned during my second visit that you can order your chicken with sauces which was not presented as an option during my first visit.  Maybe the person at the register thought I had been there before, but during my second visit, I was clearly given the option to select a sauce.  You might not need it anyway because the chicken is so juicy, but it's still nice to have the option.  During my second visit, I opted for Southern and was still happy with my choice.  Hattie B's is consistent and their West location is less busy, at least in my recent experience.  The music blares pretty loudly, so it can be hard to hear if you're having a conversation, but overall, I was pleased with my experience and would recommend it for others to try. 

Love Burn, South San Francisco

130 Northwood St, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 763-1887
Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-9pm

Parking: street parking or free lot one street away
https://www.loveburnchicken.com/

Last Visited: January 31, 2021

Food: 3 to 4 stars

Atmosphere: N/A

Service: 3 to 4 stars

Price: $

Love Burn is located inside Hometown Bowl and if you're not looking, you could easily pass it by.

Hot chicken sandwiches have finally made it to South San Francisco.  Over the last couple of years, I noticed the trend popping up at Popeye's Chicken.  The legend begins back in the 1930s in Nashville, Tennessee.  Thornton Prince, a ladies' man known for being tall and handsome, had stepped out on his main squeeze one night.  When she found out, she decided to sabotage his favorite Sunday meal, fried chicken, with a punishing spice.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you view it, he loved the chicken.  And that's how hot chicken was born. 

An authentic Nashville hot chicken sandwich from the Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is marinated and spiced with cayenne pepper. Served atop a slice of white bread, the chicken is also topped with pickle chips.

Variations here in South San Francisco typically involve a bun and some kind of mayonnaise-based sauce. At Love Burn, you can choose your level of spice: 0 - Just a Friend, 1 - Crush (mild), 2 - First Date (medium), 3 - Burning Love (hot), and 4 - One Night Stand (HOT!!!).

- Hot Chicken Sandwich - A crispy fried chicken thigh is served on a potato bun with creamy coleslaw and pickles.  The price is a bit steep at first look, but this chicken sandwich can easily feed two light eaters.  It gets a bit messy, but the chicken is flavorful and fried crispy.  I chose a level 1 because I'm wimpy and was not at all bothered by the heat.  Based on customer feedback, this potato bun has already been adjusted by Love Burn since its first iteration, but it does tend to fall apart by the time you are midway through the sandwich.  Tasty, nevertheless.  Just have extra napkins on hand.  $14  

- Seasoned French Fries - While incredibly simple, these fries were delicious.  Fried just to the right level so that the outside is crispy and the inside is cooked through and tender.  I couldn't stop eating these.  $3.50 

Other menu options include a Hot Leg Quarter sandwich served on a slice of bread and sides like macaroni salad, creamy coleslaw, sauces, and churros. Service was friendly, although I had to wait a while for someone to come to the counter.  They thanked me for waiting when I did finally get greeted and when I left.  Expect orders to take time because each sandwich is made to order.  I probably waited 20 minutes during lunch hour without pre-ordering.  Love Burn is also affiliated with SSF Chickenbox (last day is July 1) which recently rebranded themselves to be Respectable Bird.  I really enjoyed my SSF Chickenbox experience since you can order fried chicken by the piece and who doesn't love that? 

 

SSF Chickenbox - Fried Chicken, South San Francisco

312 Swift Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080

(650) 273-0997

https://ssfchickenbox.square.site

Parking: small parking lot, street parking
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm 

Last Visited: April 10, 2021

Food: 4 stars

Atmosphere: N/A - Takeout or Delivery only

Service: 4 stars

Price: $$ 

SSF Chickenbox opened about a year ago, just as sheltering in place was kicking off.  Located off of East Grand Avenue, their operating model is takeout/pickup or delivery only.  Order online or at their kitchen.

My mom is very particular about fried chicken and considering that SSF Chickenbox got high ratings from her indicates just how good this place is.  

- Family Box - 4 pieces of chicken (thigh, drumstick, breast, wing), choice of 2 sides, and 2 plain mochi muffins.  The chicken is lightly breaded and well seasoned; even after a 15 minute drive, the chicken was still crispy.  The dark meat was juicy, and what was incredibly impressive was the juicy breast meat.  Most of the time, I avoid fried breast meat because of how dry it is, but this one was moist even after letting it sit about 30 minutes.  The choice of sides include coleslaw, french fries, macaroni salad, rice, or chicken gravy.  I opted for the french fries and chicken gravy.  The seasoned fries were ok, not as crisp, and better after being popped into the air fryer at home.  The gravy was tasty with lots of flecks of fresh pepper and great on the chicken as well as rice that I had already made at home.  The pickles that came with the chicken was just ok.  I opted to have one plain mochi and to pay an extra $0.50 for an ube mochi.  Both were ok, but not particularly exciting. Even popping them in the microwave for a few seconds didn't do much for me. Slightly crustier top and chewy on the inside, but not as crusty/crisp as what I prefer.  $22

- Individual pieces of fried chicken $4 for the first piece, +$3.50 for the second and third piece, etc.  I ordered three pieces and was given a drumstick, thigh, and wing.

If desired, sauces are also available for purchase.  The menu also includes chicken sandwiches if that piques your interest.  

Service was friendly.  I ran the bell upon arrival, and was promptly greeted. 

My food was ready as scheduled, 30 minutes after the order was placed, and the temperature was hot. 

I highly recommend getting the fried chicken and gravy.  Fun fact - SSF Chickenbox is affiliated with LoveBurn.

Bonchon Chicken - Korean, South San Francisco

Westborough Blvd, South San Francisco CA 94080
Parking: crowded shopping center parking lot
http://www.bonchon.com/
Hours: 12pm -2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm

Last Visited: October 22, 2014

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

While Bonchon Chicken is a chain restaurant, the amount of hype for it in the Peninsula warrants a review. Recently opened at Westborough Square, this place is packed on a weeknight evening during this soft grand opening.  If you want to watch a game, there are a ton of screens - at least one on each wall, and more than that on some walls.  A minimal amount of bar seating is also available.

- Chicken Combo - Combos come with pickled radish as a side.  Depending on the combo size you select, you may be given additional sides - you can choose from coleslaw, kimchi coleslaw, kimchi, french fries, or steamed rice.  The chicken is offered with your choice of Soy Garlic (soy sauce and garlic mix) or Hot sauce (made with red chili peppers).  We got half and half so we could try both - I didn't have a preference between them though. The skin is crispy, even for the big pieces of chicken, and you'll appreciate the crunch.  Even with the sauce, it's still crispy, but you won't be able to get additional sauce - it's brushed onto the chicken, so after frying, it's a dry addition.  The chicken is juicy on the inside, but most of the flavoring is on the skin, so this is an area of improvement - I would love to see the flavor infused into the chicken.  See comments about sides below.  Small (6 wings, 3 drums) $12.95, Medium (10 wings, 5 drums) $21.95, Large (15 wings, 8 drums) $29.95, Extra Large (20 wings, 10 drums) $36.95

Wings, strips, or drums of various sizes can also be ordered on their own.

Sides - Depending on the size of chicken you order, you will have a choice of sides.  Pickled radish comes with all of the chicken.  Additional choices include french fries, coleslaw, kimchee coleslaw, kimchee, and steamed rice.  I found the pickled radish to be refreshing, but aged - not as tender as it could have been if the radish had been younger.  The fries are crispy and good.  The kimchee coleslaw could be a lot spicier - it's basically coleslaw with a mild kick.

- Bibimbob  - Steamed rice served with assorted vegetables and Korean pepper sauce in a sizzling hot pot - choice of bulgogi, seafood, or spicy chicken.  Compared to other places serving this, I found the dish to be a bit on the smaller side and rather unremarkable.  It will pass if you want to have it, but it's not a wow experience.  $13.95

Aside from chicken, you'll also find other Asian appetizers including edamame, octopus dumplings, potstickers, and seafood pancake on the menu.

Service is ok - they're friendly and check on you, but there is room for improvement - like filling your water glass in a more timely way.  There were many take out orders the evening of my visit and that seemed to keep servers busy as the main counter became a very busy place.

Bonchon is worth checking out to try something different, but stick to the chicken - a better version of the other items can be found at places that specialize in Korean and other Asian cuisine.