Nashville's Hattie B's Hot Chicken Opens in Wrigleyville
The popular Nashville-based hot chicken chain Hattie B's has opened its first Chicago location in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. The restaurant is known for its signature spicy chicken and plans to expand with additional locations throughout the city.
- The family-owned chain was founded in Nashville in 2012 by a father-and-son team, Nick Bishop Sr. and Nick Bishop Jr. - The new restaurant is located at 3649 N. Clark Street in the Gallagher Way development next to Wrigley Field, taking over a 3,265-square-foot space formerly occupied by Foxtrot. It features seating for 70 indoors and 55 on an outdoor patio. - Hattie B's has already signed leases for two additional Chicago locations: one in River North at 58 E. Ontario St. and another in Wicker Park at 1542 N. Damen Ave. These are expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. - The menu offers six levels of heat for its chicken, ranging from "Southern" (no heat) and "Mild" to the spiciest options, "Damn Hot!" and "Shut the Cluck Up!!!," which incorporates ghost peppers. - Alongside the chicken, the restaurant serves traditional Southern sides, including pimento mac & cheese, collard greens, black-eyed pea salad, and banana pudding. - The company tested the Chicago market prior to opening a permanent location, holding a one-day pop-up event at Dove's Luncheonette in Wicker Park in 2019 that drew significant crowds. - Hattie B's operates as a company-owned chain and does not franchise its restaurants. - The legend of Nashville hot chicken dates back to the 1930s and is credited to Thornton Prince, whose girlfriend allegedly tried to serve him overly spicy fried chicken as revenge, but he ended up loving it and opening Prince's Hot Chicken Shack.
