Nashville-style hot chicken is enjoying a season of vogue in the 'ville. Royals Hot Chicken celebrates their grand opening Tuesday, January 5, with lunch from 11:20 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m. at 736 E. Market Street.
This is what you should order from the hotly anticipated restaurant.
Start with…duh, the Nashville-style hot chicken. A quarter plate of dark ($8.50) or white ($9.50) fried chicken comes with a side, but you're definitely going to want more than one side. You can order chicken at six different heat levels, from "classic fried" to "Gonzo." The Gonzo-leval chicken at Royals is actually tear-jerking; it's made with Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion and Ghost peppers. Go hot or go home, but fair warning: the Gonzo will end your world.
Side note: the pimento cheese grits, the black eyed pea salad and the broccoli and bacon salad are worth ordering all on their own as a vegetable plate ($8). The hot bacon dressed kale salad ($8) with cheddar, tart apples and hot bacon dressing will almost make you forget about the hot chicken. Almost.
Finish your meal at Royals with something to soothe your no-doubt scorched tongue: a fried pie shake ($6) with vanilla soft serve and sweet potato & marshmallow pie.
Follow Royals on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and check their website for updated hours and information.