Friday night, I got together with some distinguished friends of the brand in Bonnaroo Brittany, Righteous Jesse, and Plain Ol’ Lane. The goal was to record a wrasslin’ drunk history podcast on WWE’s Hardcore Championship and the history of the 24/7 rule. But, when Helen’s Hot Chicken popped up in the discussion of what was for dinner, I thought I’d have a shot at checking off another box on my quest to rate every hot chicken joint in Nashville.
Food Pics
Ratings
Flavor: 5/10 – As far as the flavor goes, Helen’s is alright. Definitely doesn’t pop as much as some of the staples of the Nashville hot chicken. Not a lot of diversity in flavor, but it’s in the right ball park.
Texture: 10/10 – I’m not fuckin’ around with this ranking. The quality of the chicken itself was completely perfect. If every place in Nashville had tenders this juicy and this thick, it would be the greatest chicken tender city of all time of ever. I seriously could not have asked for a better chicken tender – meaty, juicy (but not greasy), and prepared fresh. Even if you don’t like hot chicken, you can get the mild flavor and experience one of the best cuts of chicken in your life.
Heat: 5/10 – Middle of the road. To keep the playing field level for all reviews, I always get the ‘hot,’ and this hot was, quite frankly, not hot at all. A little bit of a kick, and it’s definitely the right kind of heat (unlike Party Fowl), but overall disappointing.
Fixins: 3/10 – Decent fries, and since we got this as take-out, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. It sure seemed like they would be out-of-this-world when fresh. But, the ranch comes out of a packet (no house recipe there), and I’m docking major points because there wasn’t a single pickle in my box. The toast (the best part of the meal to me) was good and buttery, but because the seasoning was a little drier, it didn’t absorb a whole lot of flavor.
Overall: 5.75/10 – Helen’s isn’t going to wow you in the grand scheme of Nashville hot chicken, but it’s a reliable option to satisfy the craving should you get it and not feel like seeking out the best in town. It’s a solid take-out option on the way home from work.
Jesse’s Review
I want to start this review off by being as transparent as possible-I’ve never had a single bad food experience at Helen’s Hot Chicken.
Okay, my only real complaint against Helen’s is that it isn’t somewhere I’d go for “atmosphere.” It’s a pretty plain place. Sure, you can sit and eat. Maybe catch a game or whatever they’re showing on the TV there, but that’s about it. And that’s not always a bad thing. No loud music is definitely a plus for me. But it’s not a place that screams “you should get your food for here.” In fact, I actually prefer to get my food to go there and that’s what we did Friday night.
I always get the hot chicken. It’s a perfect heat level every single time. The chicken that night was very juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right amount of spice. The fries had been compromised in transit but that’s to be expected and no one is to blame for that. That happens – fries get soggy. I’m still going to use them as a vessel for ketchup.
For years, Bolton’s has been my favorite hot chicken spot in Nashville. I’d go to other places in a pinch, but Bolton’s was always the one for me. Every other hot chicken has had some very high standards to live up to. Maybe it’s how close we live to the Helen’s in Rivergate/Madison. Maybe it’s that the chicken is always top notch. Helen’s might just be my number two spot for hot chicken. They’ve always been consistent and polite to me. I really can’t ask for much more. I’d definitely suggest swinging by the Rivergate location if you’re in the area. Maybe not to eat in but to take on the go.
Lane’s Review
I got the mild three-tender combo with baked beans and all that shit fucked.
The spice was a nice constant. Good heat while not being overbearing. The tender portion size was good and the chicken was crispy while also being juicy. Big fan of thick and juicy.
The real star of the show was the baked beans. Just a nice old fashioned home-cooked side that could have served as its own meal.
Current Nashville Hot Chicken Ratings
- Scoreboard Bar & Grill (6.62/10)
- Helen’s Hot Chicken (5.75/10)
- Party Fowl (3/10)
Lol – I’ve only reviewed three hot chicken dishes so far. Also, keep in mind, these rankings are JUST for the hot chicken and not the restaurant as a whole.
CURRENT NASHVILLE RESTAURANT RANKINGS
- Butcher & Bee (8.5/10)
- Von Elrod’s (8.17/10)
- Catch 22 (Mount Juliet) (7.125/10)
- Corsair Brewstillery (6.67/10)
- Homegrown (6.5/10)
*Keep in mind, we’re just starting out. This list is only 10 deep at this point. Stay tuned as we continue to build our anthology of Nashville reviews.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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