Bolton’s East Nashville shack serves fiercely spicy hot chicken and crispy fried fish with classic Southern sides in a no-frills, laid-back spot.
"When it comes to hot chicken, it seems like the whole entire world wants to duke it out over Hattie B’s and Prince’s. And that’s fine. Because we’ll happily be at Bolton’s sweating it out to the spiciest hot chicken and hot fish sandwich in town. This little red-and-gray bungalow has been punishing hungry masochists with off-the-chart heat levels for over 25 years. There’s only a handful of tables inside, so if the shack’s at capacity, place your order at the carryout window and take your feast to the patio outside." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak, adam sloan
"Bolton's Famous Hot Chicken and Fish is located just over a mile from the Titans’ stadium and is renowned for serving the best hot chicken in Nashville. Their generations-old recipe is the highlight, and the recommended dish is the Leg Quarter mild, which is sufficiently spicy, served with pork-rich string beans." - Jon Gugala
"The top spot for Nashville chicken is a contentious one, but Bolton’s in East Nashville consistently rises to the top over and over again. It’s a no-frills situation here — don’t expect fancy art or ambiance lighting — but what you’re here for is a hot chicken with a spice seasoning that’s widely regarded as some of the hottest in town. The fried fish is also a can’t-miss here and gives the chicken a run for its money. —JGJ" - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Ellen Fort
"Bolton’s does one of the best hot chickens in the city. But what makes Bolton’s so famous? Part of it is their off-the-scoville-charts heat levels. Maybe it’s also that the hot fish dish somehow manages to run circles around the chicken. For us, it’s because this isn’t tourist hot chicken—it’s just a small shack in East Nashville doing what it does best, with little to no fanfare. photo credit: Eliza Kennard When we’re talking Bolton’s, we’re talking heat. The highest intensity level at most hot chicken joints is like a medium at Bolton’s, and honestly, the extra hot should come with a liability waiver. But while the chicken is a fine choice, what you’re really coming here for is the hot fish. You’ve got your choice of catfish or whiting, and you can’t go wrong with either one. Through some sort of under-the-table deal with Satan, they’ve somehow perfected the spice ratio in this dish so you can still taste the delicate fish. Pair it up with creamy potato salad to try and help take some of the sting off your palate. But who are we kidding? You’re going to be feeling it for hours. photo credit: Eliza Kennard But here’s the thing we love most about Bolton’s: unlike some of the big hot chicken players around town, it’s a singular old shack where basically nothing has changed. It’s still operating out of its original location, chicken paintings and all. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Food Rundown Leg Quarter When it comes to hot chicken, bone-in is the way to go, because it helps retain some of the flavor and moisture in the meat. So focus on the leg quarter at Bolton’s and approach the heat levels with caution—a mild is more than enough to get the sweat factory going and anything beyond a medium is playing with fire. We have gotten it a bit overcooked and dry sometimes, but when it’s good, it’s some of the best in town. photo credit: Eliza Kennard Hot Catfish Or Whiting The hot fish is the true star of the show, so if you only have room for one dish, make it this one. Unlike some other hot fish iterations around town, you can actually taste the delicate catfish or whiting through the spice. It’s topped with onions, mustard, and pickles, too, which all deliver a hit of acid that sends the senses into overdrive. Potato Salad A scorching meal calls for cool sides, and at Bolton’s that means potato salad. The fries are your other starchy option here, but they won’t help cool you off like the creamy potato salad will." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
"Don’t expect any wacky slogans or funny names for the spice levels at Bolton’s—just a few well-worn tables and a simple takeout window that’s been quietly doling out plates of spiced poultry for over 25 years. This East Nashville shack had the number one spot on this list for a minute, and while it’s still a top contender, inconsistency has knocked it down a few rungs. The chicken has been steadily slipping since Dollye—the late Bolton Matthews’ wife—went out on her own last year. But what this joint always gets right is the heat. When they say “hot,” they mean it. A “medium” here is the equivalent of max heat at other hot chicken joints (that’s due to them using it on a dry rub instead of sauce). Oh, and the hot fish is still the best in town." - jackie gutierrez jones 2
