For those on the hunt for quality hot chicken, or if your tastes lean crispy, spicy and Southern-fried, definitely pay a visit to Mack’s Hot Chicken in Smyrna.

Specializing in the peppery delicacy revered and craveable to some, shockingly terrifying to others—Nashville hot chicken—Mack’s serves the greasy, dangerously spicy chicken leg quarters atop the customary plain white bread to catch the radioactive drippings, along with some pickles and ranch dressing.

“Some of the best hot chicken in the greater Nashville area,” said customer Ryan Gilbert. “Made to order so you’ll have to wait a minute, but, boy, is it worth the wait.”

Mack’s has occupied a space on Old Nashville Highway for the past six years (within a building also home to O’Riley Karate Center), and this family-run Smyrna spot has built a devoted following dishing out its hot chicken as well as fish, fried okra, greens, tenders, potato salad, mac and cheese, cakes and more—food made with generous levels of heat and heart.

As some newcomers enter the hot chicken place, smooth music greets them, ranging from Marvin Gaye to some bouncier selections. The cashier alerted a party that orders are prepared and fried to order, so they take about 30 minutes.

This individual running front-of-house duties at this local, made-to-order operation turns out to be Morgan Lowe, the daughter of Mack’s owner and founder Raychelle Lowe, busily cooking chicken in the back.

Raychelle created the brand in honor of her father, longtime Nashville firefighter Mack Holt, hence the firefighting theme tied into the chicken joint’s logo.

Holt was a fan of Nashville icon Prince’s Hot Chicken, Lowe has said, and she set out to create a Smyrna restaurant and hot chicken recipe on par with the top Nashville bird houses.

Mack’s offers seven flavor options for its chicken and fish: plain, mild, medium, hot, Mack Attack and Mack’s Revenge, as well as lemon pepper. Choose your spice level wisely, the menu warns.

“Had the Mack Attack sandwich,” posted David Rousseau Charbonneau after trying out Mack’s. “The spice level was as painful as expected.”

For him, this was a good thing, giving the place five out of five stars in his review.

Those with hot chicken experience report that Mack’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to their heat levels. Hot has some serious kick, and Mack’s Revenge may hurt you; few dare to try that hottest level, it appears.

Shane Ramsey said the bird was “flavorful and fiery.”

“Mack Attack lived up to its name, delivering a serious punch of heat that left my taste buds tingling. It was intense but not overwhelming,” he said. “Mack’s Hot Chicken is a must-visit for hot chicken enthusiasts.”

The medium heat level here is flavorful but manageable—not nearly as punishing as the “medium” at places like Party Fowl and some other Nashville-area hot chicken places, another customer says.

While Mack’s has the spice to impress hot chicken veterans, those seeking a less extreme dining experience can still find something flavorful without the fire, as long as they enjoy fried fare—fried okra, fried fish or fried tenders.

Mack’s serves both whiting fish and catfish, either selection involving a huge portion of fried fish, seasoned to the preferred level, served atop white bread, topped with the recommended yellow mustard drizzle, raw onions and pickles.

“It is so daggone good!” posted another pleased customer, Ieshea. “They put soooo much fish on one fish sandwich that you really can make two sandwiches out of it.”

Many regulars are pleased that Mack’s still serves catfish as an option.

“This is what a fish sandwich is supposed to taste like!” says another.

The sides deserve praise, too. The greens are legit; the potato salad creamy and made in-house, with large, just-firm-enough chunks of potatoes. There’s also cole slaw, fried pickles, baked beans, fries, mac and cheese and okra.

And the delicious pineapple fruit tea can come in handy after eating some spice, a sweet relief from the heat.

“Beware, Mack Attack spice level is serious. Get the fruit tea, it’s the perfect drink for the meal,” Phillip Kennedy “Amazing service and delicious food.”

Raychelle gets creative on Wednesdays for the weekly “Wild Wednesday” conception. Mack’s patrons highly recommend that fans of crispy fried and spicy items visit on a Wednesday to see which wild card special Mack’s plays that week.

The weekly wild card could be fish tacos, loaded mac and cheese, Cajun shrimp & grits, or a hot chicken pita wrap.

The hot bourbon wings on a recent Wild Wednesday were fantastic, the chicken fried crispy, and the glaze bringing some sweet to balance out the heat—these can come with any spice level of seasoning added as well, in addition to the special glaze—the wings served whole, with the drum, flat and tip all still connected.

Other wild cards that Mack’s has pulled include hot oysters and shrimp, a hot chicken potato bowl, hot chicken BBQ sandwich, hot sweet chili naked wings and hot chicken loaded fries. Follow Mack’s Hot Chicken on Facebook to see what’s up on Wednesday from week to week.

Though most looking for hot chicken and fish seem pleased with Mack’s, some report that wait times can on occasion be even longer than the quoted 30 minutes.

Many, to save time, will attempt to call ahead to place their order, but multiple customers have said that phone calls may go unanswered, frustrating for those wanting to place a pick-up order. Regulars recommend texting your order, instead, to the listed phone number, 615-768-5477, and that works for placing advance orders.

Additionally, some point out that the floors can get greasy, unsurprising for a purveyor of hot chicken, and that the small business seems to run out of certain items (they were out of napkins . . . and all desserts on a recent visit).

But if you want some good, spicy, fried food, homemade Southern sides, a monstrous fish sandwich and some adventurous Wednesday specials, hit it up.

“They just rule,” said Shawn Michael Foster. “Might be the new king of hot chicken.”

For those chasing the Nashville heat and up for a spicy surprise on a Wild Wednesday, this Smyrna business delivers with some serious soul. Plus, the family operating the restaurant has received an enormous number of positive comments.

Mack’s patron Skylar Grace said she found Raychelle and Morgan to be the “kindest, most willing to serve ladies I’ve ever met.”

“Phenomenal food and customer service,” David Patterson said. “Highly recommend the whiting and fruit tea.”

While Robert Renfro said “Morgan is awesome, and so is the Mack Attack. It’s truly one of my favorite places ever.”

Many say they are quite pleased with the portion sizes and the value, as well.

Just be warned: when Mack’s says hot, they mean it.

“Best chicken I’ve ever had in my life,” said Gail Boren Stafford.

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IF YOU GO:

Mack’s Hot Chicken
12978 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna
Tues.–Fri.: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat.: 12–6 p.m.
615-768-5477 (text to order)
Leg quarter: $8.99; Catfish sandwich: $13.99; Fruit tea: $2.99; 3 tenders, side and drink: $14.98; Chess square: $3.99; 2 tenders and waffle: $11.99
facebook.com/mackshotchicken