Red's Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

Red’s Hot Chicken is a no-frills, flavor-forward joint that serves up serious Southern heat from a modest open-air stall. With corrugated metal walls, a walk-up window, and a couple of red stools inside, the vibe leans more roadside shack than restaurant—but that’s part of the charm. There was no line when I arrived, and ordering was fast, but the food took just over 30 minutes to prepare. Thankfully, they let me know up front. Everything is made fresh, and you can tell when you take that first bite—but if you’re short on time, it’s worth calling ahead.

Red’s accepts credit cards, but the small bar next door is cash only, so plan accordingly if you’re hoping for a cold drink while you wait. Seating is extremely limited—just a few stools inside with a ledge—so your best move is to take your food to the large park right across the street and enjoy it in the open air.

I ordered the Hot Chicken Sandwich with medium spice, and the portion was huge—two jumbo tenders spilling over the bun. The medium heat was perfect for a novice: enough kick to bring the warmth without overwhelming the flavor. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and seasoned beautifully. A creamy slaw on top added a nice cooling crunch, while thick pickle chips and a generous swipe of Comeback sauce rounded it all out. The bun was toasted just right—lightly crisped and sturdy enough to handle the layers without falling apart.

The seasoned crinkle-cut fries were a sleeper hit: hot, crisp, and dusted in a bold, smoky-sweet seasoning blend that made them hard to stop eating. They paired perfectly with the richness of the sandwich and added an extra punch to the meal.

Overall, the food was very good. Flavor, texture, and portion size were all on point, but I’m not sure I’d wait 30+ minutes again unless I had time to spare. That said, it’s definitely worth experiencing at least once, especially if you love bold, Southern-style hot chicken done right. Red’s isn’t built for speed or comfort—it’s built for people who appreciate great chicken, made fresh, with unapologetic...

Reds 615 Kitchen – This was a food truck that recently moved to a brick & mortar location next to Centennial Park. They took over the same building that Hog Heaven vacated. The NHC is solid authentic. The heat levels were on the spot with Nashville Fire bringing it. This spice blend is more forward with the chili powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. The cayenne is probably adjusted to the heat level. This flavor profile is unique and very tasty. SMOKES -3/3

They have a couple of original dishes that you should check out beyond the Nashville standard of chicken & white bread. The Southern Dirty Bird slathers their “Comeback” sauce on a burger bun plus their signature pimento cheese. The don’t miss dish is the Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese Bowl. Their mac & cheese alone is quite good with a blend of pimento cheese and some spice. Adding some NHC tenders to the dish elevates both. It’s that great balance of the chili powder and cheese that finds yourself staring at the empty container wondering how did that happen. The only item I’ve had that I would not double back on is the catfish. It was just OK and had very little NHC spice on it. It was rather pedestrian for Nashville and the cornbread dredge was think and under seasoned. LOTS of other places in Nashville for great fried catfish.

There are a few shelf seats if you must eat it on site, but this is some place to grab and go. Go explore some nice picnic table in Centennial Park. Go watch the ducks while enjoying from NHC. Tons of parking in the back gravel lot. The only downside has nothing to do with Reds itself, but the picnic shelter right next to this space is a gathering place for homeless people. Lots of panhandling and I got approached twice for money within 50 yards of the walk to my car. It did not bother me, but if you have concerns, order ahead and pull right to the curb out front. I’m sure a gentle call to Red would deliver it to you curbside if requested. My request for the return of the Fried Oreos is still pending....

I worked at a Hot chicken spot in my home state of WV, I love hot chicken but hadn't had a chance to try it in Nashville so I stopped by another place in town called Haddie BS when I was in Nashville a few months ago, I was highly disappointed because it wasn't as good as what we had back in WV. I decided on my trip this time to try a different place and man I'm sure glad I chose Reds. As a man who currently travels all over the country for work, I can confidently say you won't find a better chicken strip or sandwich in the country. Reds is phenomenal offering many different heat levels, you can scald yourself like I did (highly recommended) or if you dont like heat they have less spicy options like southern thats pleasant and flavorful. As for the Hot level I had I've never had something that was so hot yet still maintain such deep flavor. Most of the times once you hit a certain heat level it becomes overbearing and loses flavor but this will both overwhelm you while maintaining an incredible flavor i really dont know how they do it. Be prepared for a bit of a wait as they make everything to order but not to worry theres an excellent bar right next door to keep you entertained while they make their world class chicken. They have fun options as well like hot chicken mac and cheese and hot chicken and waffles, Im excited to try these in the future because ANYTIME I even get within an hour of Nashville I will go out of my way for this chicken, cause its that damn good. Do yourself a favor and go get the best hot chicken in the country if you're lucky enough to find yourself...