I am craving Hattie B's (Knoxville, Sevierville: home, store, food)

[Igor Blevin]

Knoxville is growing by leaps and bounds and NO Hattie B's. I either have to drive 3 hours to Nashville or 3 hours to Atlanta. Sheesh!

You would think Hattie B's would have a store in Knoxville by now. I would even settle for Gatlinburg, which is an easy 90 minutes away and lots to do.

I tried Myrtles Chicken and IMHO it just does not compare to Hattie B's. Not even close.

I was told to try Prince's.

Drat you Hattie B's. There is even not only one but two -- count 'em two Buc-ees an hour either side of Knoxville. If Buc-ees can do it, then Hattie B's can do it!

I just can't bring myself to drive 6 hours round trip for a meal. I am so depressed.

[clevergirl67]

While we're here, what am I missing about Hattie B's?

A friend took us there when we were in Nashville, and I just wasn't wowed. The chicken was hot, but it had no real flavor. Or maybe we didn't order what other people get. Our friend ordered ahead of time and we went to pick it up. It was a grilled bone-in leg quarter, black with spices, sitting on top a slice of white bread.

I never saw the menu so I don't know what else they have to offer, but what I wanted was some down-home southern fried chicken with some heat.

[Igor Blevin]

It is all about the heat, baby! The heat! And the freshness, in my humble opinion. I like the 2nd highest heat level. They also give me lots of extra pickles when I ask for them.

If something doesn't WOW you, then it just doesn't.

I guess we just like what we like. A lot of people have voted with their wallet and like Hattie Bs. I can't find similar here in Knoxville and a 3 hour drive for lunch is something I would do in my 20s. Not so much in my 60s.

[clevergirl67]

Originally Posted by Igor Blevin

3 hour drive for lunch is something I would do in my 20s. Not so much in my 60s.

I get it! My favorite food from back home is a Camel Rider, and I'm not willing to drive 3 hours to get it, either. But luckily I come back to the area every now and then, so I can get my fix. They don't make them anywhere else.

[Igor Blevin]

I had Prince's Chicken today on Broadway Ave in north Knoxville.

I got my fix but I still prefer Hattie B's. You asked what is the big deal.

First, the heat. I had the 2nd hottest level Prince's offers on my chicken tenders. XX Hot. XXX Hot is the same but just more stuff. Princes XX Hot (the 2nd hottest they offer) is not as hot as Hattie B's "Damn Hot" (their 2nd hottest.

Prince's made my nose run and my eyes watered a bit.

Hattie B's made me sweat and suck wind quite a bit. Prince's just is not as hot as Hattie B's. I like it hot.

Second, the mix.

I had to look it up but Prince's uses a rub or mix while Hattie B's uses a spiced oil.

The mix on top of the Prince's chicen seems just a little bit chalky or gritty. Well, gritty is too extreme a word but you can really feel the pile of fine spices on Prince's and sometimes you get a mouthful. Not that it is hot, but it is not chicken.

Since Hattie B's uses an oil, I don't get any of that undesirable mouthful of fine spices like at Prince's.

So Prince's is an OK second choice but it is no Hattie B's. If I go to Prince's again, I might get the top level which is XXX Hot, but if that just means a bigger mouthful of that fine powdery sandy coating stuff, then I would prefer not.

Here is just wishing Hattie B's would open a store in Knoxville, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville.