7 Tennessee Food Trucks That Locals Claim Fry Chicken Just Like Grandma Did
Last summer, I bit into a piece of fried chicken from a food truck parked near the Parthenon in Nashville, and I swear I tasted my grandmother’s kitchen.
Golden, crispy, seasoned to perfection—it was like she’d risen from the grave just to fry me one more batch.
Tennessee food trucks have mastered the art of soul-satisfying fried chicken, and locals can’t stop raving about how these mobile kitchens capture that nostalgic, homemade magic we all crave.
1. Nashville Chicken & Waffles Food Truck — Nashville
Picture this: buttermilk-brined chicken so juicy it practically melts off the bone, paired with fluffy waffles that could make a pancake jealous. This Nashville gem parks around Music City, serving up the kind of comfort food that makes you want to call your grandma and thank her for teaching someone her secrets.
The crew here doesn’t mess around with shortcuts. They hand-batter every piece and fry it fresh to order, which means you might wait a few extra minutes, but trust me, it’s worth every second.
Locals line up like it’s a concert, and the smell alone could convert a vegetarian. The spice level hits just right—not too fiery, not too mild—exactly how Grandma would’ve done it if she’d been brave enough to experiment with Nashville hot seasoning.
2. Chicken-W-Bones — Chattanooga
Bone-in chicken is where the flavor lives, and this Chattanooga truck knows it. I stumbled upon Chicken-w-Bones during a road trip, and one bite transported me straight back to Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s table. The crunch echoed like a standing ovation.
They use a secret blend of spices that locals swear includes a pinch of magic and a whole lot of love. Each piece comes out golden-brown, with skin so crispy it shatters at first bite, revealing tender, perfectly seasoned meat underneath.
The owner claims his recipe came from his own grandmother, passed down through three generations. Whether that’s marketing genius or the honest truth, I don’t care—it tastes like heritage in every mouthful, and that’s all that matters to my taste buds.
3. Chicken Coop Food Truck — Sevierville
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains’ shadow, this Sevierville truck serves fried chicken that could make a vegetarian reconsider their life choices. The Chicken Coop doesn’t just cook food—they create edible nostalgia, one drumstick at a time.
What sets them apart? They source local chicken from nearby farms, ensuring freshness that you can actually taste. The batter recipe supposedly dates back to the 1950s, and honestly, I believe it because nothing modern could taste this authentically old-school delicious.
Tourists stop for the novelty, but locals return weekly because this chicken tastes like home. I watched a grown man tear up after his first bite, and he wasn’t even embarrassed. That’s the power of perfectly fried poultry that reminds you of simpler times and family gatherings.
4. Chicken-W-Bones #102 — Nashville
When one location isn’t enough to satisfy the fried chicken cravings of an entire city, you open a second truck. That’s exactly what happened with Chicken-w-Bones #102, bringing their grandmother-approved recipe to another corner of Nashville.
Same crispy perfection, same secret spice blend, but with a slightly different vibe since this location parks near the college campus. Students have declared it the ultimate hangover cure, though I’d argue it’s just as good when you’re stone-cold sober and craving something that tastes like childhood.
The consistency between both locations is impressive—proof that when you’ve got a winning recipe, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just keep frying chicken the way grandmas did it: with patience, quality ingredients, and enough love to make every piece memorable.
5. Dumb Cluck Food Truck — Chattanooga
Don’t let the silly name fool you—there’s nothing dumb about how this Chattanooga truck fries their chicken. In fact, they’re genius-level smart when it comes to achieving that perfect golden crust that shatters like glass but stays juicy inside.
I laughed at the name, then stopped laughing the moment I tasted their signature chicken tenders. They’re hand-cut, never frozen, and fried in small batches to maintain quality. The seasoning hits different—familiar yet surprising, like finding an old photo you’d forgotten existed.
Locals claim the owner’s grandmother was a church potluck legend, and her recipe lives on through this quirky truck. The playful branding attracts curious customers, but the legitimately incredible fried chicken keeps them coming back week after week, rain or shine.
6. Max’s Hot Chicken — Nashville
Nashville hot chicken is an art form, and Max’s has turned that art into a mobile masterpiece. My grandmother never made anything this spicy—she believed flavor shouldn’t require a fire extinguisher—but the technique here would’ve impressed her nonetheless.
They coat each piece in cayenne-laced oil right after frying, creating that signature Nashville heat that’s become legendary worldwide. The spice level ranges from “Southern Belle” to “Why Did I Do This,” so there’s something for everyone, even cowards like me who tap out at medium.
What makes Max’s special isn’t just the heat—it’s the balance. Underneath all that fiery goodness lives perfectly fried chicken with crispy skin and tender meat. The heat enhances rather than hides the quality, proving that even with a modern twist, grandma’s frying fundamentals still reign supreme.
7. The Rolling Hen — Memphis
Memphis knows barbecue, but The Rolling Hen proves the city can fry chicken with the best of them. This truck rolls through neighborhoods like an ice cream truck, except instead of popsicles, they’re delivering crispy, golden nostalgia that tastes like every grandmother’s best Sunday dinner.
They use cast-iron skillets, just like the old days, which makes a difference you can actually taste. The heat distribution creates an even crust that stays crunchy long after you’ve driven home with your order. It’s science meeting tradition in the most delicious way possible.
I’ve watched grandmothers themselves line up at this truck, which tells you everything you need to know. When the original experts approve, you know you’ve done something right. The Rolling Hen isn’t trying to reinvent fried chicken—they’re just doing it exactly the way it should be done.