Everybody talks about it but not everyone wants to set their taste buds on fire. If you want it and your friends don’t, two options:

• Plan A: they can order fried chicken without the heat.
• Plan B: head for a restaurant with a broader menu.

I surveyed a number of friends to get their recommendations for primo pyrotechnical poultry in a restaurant that serves a variety of entrees.

Acme Feed & Seed

Downtown Hot chicken rules the roost on the first floor of this Broadway dining. Very casual environment where you order, get a number and a server delivers your food. The menu lists a variety of sandwiches and snacks as well as southern favorites including shrimp and grits and meatloaf.

Nashville Underground

Downtown It has a kick but isn’t overpowering and was pleasantly moist. The other hors d’oeuvres I tried were equally tasty. The southern-leaning menu here is pretty wide-ranging so you should be able to make everyone happy. Vegetarians will find their selection confined to salads, maybe a soup and fried green tomatoes.

Other Lower Broadway honky tonks/music venues that feature hot chicken (though I haven’t received first-person endorsements):

Nudie’s Honky Tonk, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Rooftop Bar, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red and Tin Roof Nashville. For a comprehensive roster of honky tonks, check out my Complete Guide to Broadway Honky Tonks.

The Stillery

Downtown and Midtown A longtime Nashvillian claims The Stillery brings out the city’s best bird at its two locations. These take the form of zippy chicken tenders or hot chicken pie but your friends can chow down on pizza, sandwiches, salads, catfish or steak. They serve a slew of brews and an extensive list of libations served in Mason jars.

Green Hills Grille

Green Hills I prefer the hot chicken salad over the sandwich because I can convince myself that I’m eating healthy. The mix of greens, cheese and kale reminds me of slaw; may not sound like it works with blazing bird but it does. Other stand-outs on the menu include the marvelous chicken tortilla club, fish tacos, salmon and a raft of interesting salads. Highly recommended, especially if find yourself in the Green Hills area.

Scoreboard Bar & Grill

Opryland/Donelson My friend, the social media guru, crowned Scoreboard’s creation as Nashville’s best. If you’re in the Opryland area, it’s a convenient destination–next to the Willie Nelson & Friends Museum and Cooter’s Museum. The menu is deep on barbecue and serves the only hot chicken pizza I’ve heard about. You can also go the burger, sandwich and salad route.

The Southern Steak & Oyster

SoBro Don’t the name fool you. This eatery serves a respectable hot chicken salad or, last time I checked, you can add a hot chicken tender ala carte for $5. The recommendation comes from Delaney who knows her way around Nashville’s nicer restaurants.

Sportsman’s Grille/Sportsman’s Lodge

Belle Meade and Cool Springs/Franklin My friend liked their version more than I but it’s still quite good. Personally I prefer the catfish basket or barbecue on corncakes. Look for daily specials with a menu that goes beyond sports bar fare.

Tennessee Brew Works

SoBro Come for the craft beer, stay for the food. The menu is concise but competent including a hot chicken sandwich. The deck’s nice if the weather’s good. Plus, they serve up live music Monday through Saturday.

Bishop’s Meat & Three

Cool Springs Their Friday hot chicken special was so popular that they used the recipe to create their Hattie B’s chain. Now it’s a fixture on the menu along with typical southern favorites.

55 South

Brentwood and Franklin Down the road, 55 South swings from salads to southern favorites with an emphasis on Mississippi fare including shrimp and oysters. I’ve tried the hot chicken and can testify that it packs a punch.

Subculture

Between Brentwood and Antioch Off the typical tourist trek, this wildly eclectic restaurant also serves up empanadas, burritos, tacos, crepes, salads, French toast and sandwiches. Hot chicken fanatics claim its due much more love than it gets for its inventive hot chicken ramen, tacos, biscuits and sandwiches.