"Credited as the birthplace of Nashville hot chicken, this original operation traces its origin to Thornton Prince, who — legend has it — after being served fried chicken seasoned with hot pepper spices as revenge by a girlfriend in the 1940s, liked the dish so much he started the first hot chicken restaurant in Nashville. The Ewing Drive location is noted as permanently closed, but other locations continue to serve the signature fiery fowl, and the dish has spawned countless variations across the city (bao buns, tacos, pizza, etc.). Anthony Bourdain highlighted the city’s burgeoning hot chicken scene during his 2016 visit to film Parts Unknown." - Missy Frederick