Nashville Treats Football Fans to Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese and More Music City Food

Of all the sports teams that call Nashville home, its greatest annual heartbreak is delivered by its football franchise, the Tennessee Titans. Poached from Houston (then the Oilers) in 1997, the rebranded AFC South club has had its share of what-ifs — the Derrick Henry era, which ended following the 2023 season, was a lot of fun for fans of the run game. But the future remains undefined in 2024 with new head coach Brian Callahan, a green quarterback, and a roster depleted by retirements and trades. The Music City football faithful are hungry for a great year and post-season success, but as they wait, at least there’s no shortage of great eats locally, including a short walk from the Titans' home of Nissan Stadium. We picked our favorite restaurants to visit and stadium food to try when in town for a Tennessee Titans game.

Nissan Stadium food

Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese

Macaroni smothered in white queso and studded with hot popcorn chicken? We’re intrigued. Throw it in a cone? Suddenly it’s portable. This stadium select is creamy and indulgent, contrasting well with a Dos Peros, the Mexican-style brown ale from local Yazoo Brewing Company. Find it at three concessions throughout the stadium. 

Daddy’s Dogs

Local chain Daddy’s Dogs, founded in 2015 by Sean Porter in his garage, makes an offensive lineman-sized Big Daddy at its stadium stand. Start with a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog — it’s big — and then top it with cream cheese, chopped bacon, grilled onion, jalapeño, a pickle spear, and chipotle mayo. It’s the total package for halftime hunger. 

St. Vito Focacceria

While its Rigatoni Verdi al Ragu, studded with chunks of braised pork and every herb under the sun, is a must-try for a sit-down, St. Vito Focacceria’s bread and butter is its slice. Chef Michael Hanna, born and raised in Music City, dotes on his sfincione-style pizza dough up to 72 hours in advance — super-hydrated, naturally leavened, and meticulously folded with fontina cheese. It’s then topped with compelling pairings like a mulch of pepperoni basted with saffron-infused honey or a spicy giardiniera tomato sauce offset with a giant lump of burrata cheese.    

Bolton's Famous Hot Chicken and Fish

Set in a low-slung cinderblock building just over a mile from the Titans’ stadium, Bolton’s makes the best hot chicken in Nashville. Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of frills, but its generations-old recipe epitomizes the city’s widest-known culinary contribution. Go for the Leg Quarter mild — trust me, it’s spicy enough — with a side of pork-rich string beans and an extra helping of napkins to daub the sweat and snot. 

Peg Leg Porker

Since 2013, pitmaster Carey Bringle has been spreading the good news of Memphis-style barbecue within Music City. At Peg Leg Porker, his pork ribs are smoked three to four hours before a proprietary dry rub is applied just before serving. (Kansas City fan? A sauce option is also available.) The brown sugar and bacon baked beans and the large-shelled mac and cheese sides are local favorites. Save room for your sweet tooth: Deep-fried pies, made in-house with chocolate, apple, or peach, are heavenly when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Four Walls

Not a speakeasy but still tucked away, The Joseph hotel’s secret bar, less than a mile from the stadium, is my pick for elevated drinks and one-of-a-kind snacks. Sit at Four Walls' blood-red Italian marble bar and munch cheddar-dusted, lightly fried farfalle pasta; savory Korean-inspired bulgogi beef jerky; and sweet curried Marcona almonds while watching Spaghetti Westerns on the TV. 

Gabby's Burgers & Fries

When the press of NFL fans becomes too offensive, hit the gap and drive south, where Gabby’s Burgers serves the blue-collar crowd. Order the Gabby, a smash-style grass-fed double with American cheese and a side of hand-cut sweet potato fries seasoned with nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of sugar. Wash it down with a second trip to the soda fountain.

Henrietta Red

The standout seafood restaurant in the city, Henrietta Red is a must for anyone enamored with the raw bar. 2018 F&W Best New Chef Julia Sullivan balances a deep oyster bench with Mediterranean-inspired fare and perfect wine pairings. The restaurant's daily happy hour is worth setting an alarm for.