"Anecdotal evidence suggests that spicy fried chicken has been served in Nashville for generations. The current dish may have been introduced as early as the 1930s, however, the current style of spice paste may only date back to the mid-1970s. It is generally accepted that the originator of hot chicken is the family of Andre Prince Jeffries, owner of "Prince's Hot Chicken". She has operated the restaurant since 1980; before that time, it was owned by her great-uncle, Thornton Prince. Although impossible to verify, Jeffries says the development of hot chicken was an accident. Her great-uncle Thornton was purportedly a womanizer, and after a particularly late night out his girlfriend at the time cooked him a fried chicken breakfast with extra pepper as revenge. Instead, Thornton decided he liked it so much that, by the mid-1930s, he and his brothers had created their own recipe and opened the BBQ Chicken Shack café."
For those of you who don't have a cast iron stomach, let me suggest that you order the mild version. Anything hotter than mild will keep you up all night. I thought I could eat hot foods, but I am no match for the chicken from hell.
I picked up take out orders from Pepperfire's for the family on the way back from the gym for lunch today. Pepperfire is one of approximately 14 resturants in Nashville that specialize in hot chicken.
If you are ever in Nashville, give hot chicken a try.
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