5-Alarm Blaze!
So we now know Thomas Keller got to (hopefully) enjoy an iconic Nashville joint, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. Let me give my breakdown on this beloved establishment. For those not in the know, Nashville has become famous for a dish called "Hot Chicken", which is as the name suggests, is a really spicy piece of fried chicken. There's many places that do it, but Prince's has reached Superhero status and has become world famous. It's been written up in numerous publications including Southern Living, Food & Wine, and Bon Appetite. It's located in an old strip mall that is always crowded, loud, not overly clean, but that doesn't really matter because we keep going back for more.
They offer breasts & wings or legs & thighs, or a 1/2 or whole chicken, along with slaw, tater salad, and the like. Ordering is done through a cut out hole in the back wall. After what seems to be an eternity, your number is called. The chicken is served glowing red, crazy (temp) hot, on a piece of wonder bread (to soak up the grease), and a pickle chip toothpicked to the top. With a shitload of napkins on standby, you are ready to dig in. While I may not have painted the sublime, delicious picture, I intended, trust me it's all good.
With all this goodness, there is a little pain involved. When you order, you must decide which level of heat you would like to challenge. They offer Mild, Medium, Hot, and Extra Hot. I may be a bit of a wuss, but I've only tried Mild and Medium, therefore my definitions of the other two are pure speculation, but I think you will get the point.
Mild: If you like really spicy food, but aren't obnoxious about it. I mean if you put hot peppers on the occasional slice of pizza or hot sauce on tacos and such, this is the level for you.
Medium: If you order "hot" wings in a bar, enjoy jalapeno burgers, you put hot sauce on nearly everything you eat, love hot Indian or Thai food, this is as far as you need to go. I had this for lunch one day and then went to see B.B. King play at his club here in town. Let's just say, I was on a first name basis with Isaac the bathroom attendant. I probably dropped $20 in tips in the fucking can!
Hot: This is for if you have either lost a bet, must pick up lunch for some asshole at your work place and you want to be a dick, or you simply have total disregard for the inner workings of your body for the next 12 to 24 hours. In fact, if you order this they first ask if you have ever had it before. If not, they honestly try to talk you out of it. This made TK cry, no kidding!
Extra Hot: I almost think this is an urban legend because I've never seen anyone order it. I'm of the belief that if you order this, you might have completely lost your mind, or you have a death wish and want to go out in excruciating pain. Or maybe you would like to be able to shine a flashlight in your mouth and have it glow out of your ass, I don't know. The mere thought of eating this is beyond all comprehension.
You are now armed with insider's knowledge. Heed my warnings and enjoy this Nashville staple. It's a great spot to see local celebrities too. There are a ton of signed styro plates up on the wall. Oh, one last tip: forego any carbonated beverages and just get lemonade or sweet tea. The bubbles prolong the pain.
Ciao down,
Penn
They offer breasts & wings or legs & thighs, or a 1/2 or whole chicken, along with slaw, tater salad, and the like. Ordering is done through a cut out hole in the back wall. After what seems to be an eternity, your number is called. The chicken is served glowing red, crazy (temp) hot, on a piece of wonder bread (to soak up the grease), and a pickle chip toothpicked to the top. With a shitload of napkins on standby, you are ready to dig in. While I may not have painted the sublime, delicious picture, I intended, trust me it's all good.
With all this goodness, there is a little pain involved. When you order, you must decide which level of heat you would like to challenge. They offer Mild, Medium, Hot, and Extra Hot. I may be a bit of a wuss, but I've only tried Mild and Medium, therefore my definitions of the other two are pure speculation, but I think you will get the point.
Mild: If you like really spicy food, but aren't obnoxious about it. I mean if you put hot peppers on the occasional slice of pizza or hot sauce on tacos and such, this is the level for you.
Medium: If you order "hot" wings in a bar, enjoy jalapeno burgers, you put hot sauce on nearly everything you eat, love hot Indian or Thai food, this is as far as you need to go. I had this for lunch one day and then went to see B.B. King play at his club here in town. Let's just say, I was on a first name basis with Isaac the bathroom attendant. I probably dropped $20 in tips in the fucking can!
Hot: This is for if you have either lost a bet, must pick up lunch for some asshole at your work place and you want to be a dick, or you simply have total disregard for the inner workings of your body for the next 12 to 24 hours. In fact, if you order this they first ask if you have ever had it before. If not, they honestly try to talk you out of it. This made TK cry, no kidding!
Extra Hot: I almost think this is an urban legend because I've never seen anyone order it. I'm of the belief that if you order this, you might have completely lost your mind, or you have a death wish and want to go out in excruciating pain. Or maybe you would like to be able to shine a flashlight in your mouth and have it glow out of your ass, I don't know. The mere thought of eating this is beyond all comprehension.
You are now armed with insider's knowledge. Heed my warnings and enjoy this Nashville staple. It's a great spot to see local celebrities too. There are a ton of signed styro plates up on the wall. Oh, one last tip: forego any carbonated beverages and just get lemonade or sweet tea. The bubbles prolong the pain.
Ciao down,
Penn
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