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Local Vibes

Local Vibes

9 Favorite Places In New Jersey To Try Nashville Hot Chicken

By Robyn Lane

Favorite Places In New Jersey For Nashville Hot Chicken was an easy list to compile. Nashville hot chicken has become a big trend across America for the last several years.

I  first remember seeing it being sold via a KFC sign on Route 35 in Neptune while sitting at a red light about 6 or 7 years ago. I wondered what it was all about. It seems as if it’s on everyone’s list of trendy foods.

9 FAVORITE PLACES TO GET NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN IN NEW JERSEY - BIRDIES IN PARSIPPANY

What’s The Story Behind Nashville Hot Chicken

According to CNBC, the origins of the dish are unofficially traced back to the kitchen of Thornton Prince in the 1930s, according to his great-great niece, Semone Jeffries, the CEO of Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville.

As the story goes, Prince’s scorned lover wanted to teach him a lesson after a suspicious night out — and that lesson manifested in what the restaurant likes to call a “devilish” amount of spices and flavor atop a delicately fried chicken.

That recipe was soon perfected and transformed into a Nashville classic, becoming central to local Black residents’ lives, Jeffries said. The chicken is covered in a blend of spices, topped with pickles and served with fries atop a toasted slice of bread.
Jeffries said the hot chicken at restaurants outside Nashville is an entirely different version of the dish and that the authentic recipe can only be found at Prince’s or other local restaurants.

A List Of Places For The Best Fried Chicken In New Jersey

I love the hot chicken sandwich at The Galley in Asbury Park. So far, it’s my favorite one. It’s a buttermilk brined organic Bell & Evans Cajun breaded chicken thigh with house-made Nashville hot sauce, pickles, arugula, and chili aioli.

The more heat, the better. I dig a lot of spicy food, especially fried chicken with lots of hot sauce and any other added heat.

If you follow my blogs, you know I hit the message boards and social media pages to find out where New Jersey goes for their favorite Nashville Hot Chicken.

I’ve compiled a list of 9 places in New Jersey to try this spicy delight.

  • The Galley Pizza & Eatery - 1313 Memorial Dr, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

    I have to start with my current favorite, The Galley. The thing is freakin’ huge! Aside from the heat, the crunch and the taste of a deep fried chicken thigh brings a smile to my face.

  • Smashville Hot Chicken & Burgers - 377a George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

    Raphael told me to ,”Get here now.” They offer their customers a heat index that goes from mild to Xtra Hot! You can order the chicken sandwich or the hot chicken tenders. If you’re super adventurous, add a side of hot fries that are topped with chopped up Nashville hot chicken tenders, pickles, coleslaw, and their signature Comeback sauce served over a bed of crispy seasoned fries.

     

  • Fluffies Hot Chicken - 252 S Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601 & 492 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002

    NOT labeled Nashville Hot Chicken, but something you should try nonetheless if you’re a lover of spicy fried chicken.

    Fluffies Hot Chicken is a restaurant that specializes in hot fried chicken seasoned to perfection. The restaurant was founded by brothers Raad and Saad, who added their spin on the traditional hot chicken movement by mixing it with their South Asian roots. The menu includes hot fried wings, filled fries, Frankie rolls, mac & cheese, and more!

    I would totally get the hot chicken sandwich on the buttermilk biscuit.

  • Hoagitos - 807 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, NJ 07719

    The Nashville Hot here is a light and crispy fried chicken thigh with cayenne dip, cabbage slaw, with pickles and spicy mayo. The food here is fantastic. The vodka parm is a must try,

     

  • Namkeen - 410 Main St, Metuchen, NJ 08840

    Another place that isn’t entirely focused on Nashville Hot Chicken, but a few different types of hot chicken, You can order the Nashville Hot Chicken which is fried chicken, pickles, coleslaw, chipotle aioli on brioche. They also offer the Tikkaville Sandwich – fried chicken, tikka sauce, coleslaw, pickled onions, mint chutney on
    brioche. Both are right up my alley. Get the hot wings or tenders if a sandwich isn’t what you crave at the moment.

     

  • Robbie's Chicken Shack - 857 Mill Creek Rd, Manahawkin, NJ 08050

    I know they have great wings, and now I know about the crispy Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich thanks to my friends and listeners who live in South Jersey.

    Home - Robbie's Chicken Shack

    Shackwiches All shackwiches served on a brioche bun, with mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles.

  • Broadway Hot & Honey Chicken - 1861 NJ-35 Unit 102, Wall Township, NJ 07719

    One of the newest businesses in our community has got a kick ass hot chicken sandwich. My co-worker Gotts was the first to try this place. He loved it, so I headed over and went all in for the buttermilk fried chicken breast, dipped in their Nashville Hot blend with buttermilk ranch and extra pickles. You can also get the same preparation on the wings and tenders. Delicious!!

     

  • Freddy J's Bar & Kitchen - 5698 Somers Point Rd, Mays Landing, NJ 08330

    Billy R. said “If you like spicy, then this is your jam.” Billy puts Freddy J’s hot chicken sandwich near the top of his list if you’re talkin’ places outside of Nashville, A nice juicy buttermilk fried chicken thigh co-stars with a bold dredge of hot spices. Billy also recommended the wings which he describes as some of the best wings in his neck of the woods.

     

  • Birdies Hot Chicken - 131 New Rd, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054

    Marty said to try their Bird In A Bun sandwich- Nashville Style Hot Chicken seasoned and brined to perfection, in a brioche bun with crispy pickles, fresh coleslaw, and Birdies’ special sauce.  the coleslaw is amazing and the sauce is incredible and may knock you on your butt.

     

     

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