3 Birmingham hot chicken + picnic spot pairings you need to try now

Sponsored

Now that the warm weather is in Birmingham to stay, I immediately cleared my calendar for an afternoon picnic.

To help spice up my picnic game, the folks at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken challenged me to build picnic pairings around their varying heat levels. The team in Lakeview gave me everything I needed: yummy chicken, fresh red skin potato salad, cool banana pudding—all I needed was to find someone to join me.

We tried two heat levels and Hattie B’s classic Southern-fried chicken at three iconic Birmingham spots to get the full experience. Keep reading for what I tasted and where my adventure took me—you might find your perfect pairing, too!

1. Southern, No Heat: Jemison Trail + Park

Fried chicken with classic Southern sides, just how we like it. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

For our picnic with Hattie B’s Southern-fried chicken (spice level: none!), we took it back to our Southern roots with a picnic at classically picturesque Jemison Park in Mountain Brook.

The fried chicken sandwich topped with pimento cheese makes you wanna slap your granny! (IYKYK).

What we brought:

• Southern-fried chicken sandwich with pimento cheese
• Creamy coleslaw
• Peach cobbler

Verdict: This peach cobbler was one of the best I’ve ever had… and I’m a peach cobbler fanatic.

2. Medium Heat Level: Railroad Park

My favorite Hattie B’s heat level at one of my favorite Birmingham picnic spots! (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

For the medium heat level, we set up in Railroad Park—the center of the city and a local hot spot that everyone loves.

What we brought:

• Hot Chicken Sandwich, medium heat level
• Crinkle-cut fries with ranch + Nashville Comeback Sauce
• Red skin potato salad
• Banana pudding

Medium just so happens to be my spice level of choice at Hattie B’s… so I was right in my element with this one.

Verdict: It brings a nice zing to the picnic spread without overwhelming our taste buds. Plus, the red skin potato salad brought a nostalgic touch to our picnic.

3. Shut the Cluck Up! Heat Level: Vulcan

If you order Shut the Cluck Up! at Hattie B’s, then you have every right to stand tall and proud, just like Vulcan.

What we brought:

• Shut the Cluck Up! Jumbo Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce 
• Dirty Bird Fries
• Black-eyed pea salad
• Banana pudding

Verdict: I’m not gonna lie, the Shut the Cluck Up! heat level really got me. But for some reason, I kept coming back for more.

Luckily, the creamy coleslaw, black-eyed pea salad and banana pudding were the perfect additions to help cool down.

Visit Hattie B’s in Lakeview

This family-owned hot chicken joint is rooted in the traditional Southern meat-and-three restaurant.

My favorite thing about Hattie B’s is how well-curated the menu is. Here’s the rundown:

First, choose if you want your chicken fried or grilled. 

Next, select if you want a sandwich, tenders or on-the-bone.

Then, pick your spice level.

• Southern (no heat)
• Mild (a touch of heat)
• Medium (warming-up)
• Hot (classic Nashville hot chicken)
• Damn Hot (habanero peppers)
• Shut the Cluck Up! (ghost, habanero + cayenne peppers)

Round it out with a delicious side and dessert!

One thing I learned from my Hattie B’s taste test: This team ensures every chicken wing and scratch-made side is made to perfection.

Stop by and try it for yourself:

• Location: 2808 7th Ave S, #101 Birmingham, AL 35233
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:45AM-10PM | Friday-Saturday, 10:45AM-11PM

Visit your local Hattie B’s in Lakeview and stay a while or pick up a to-go meal + bring it to your next picnic in Birmingham.

Sponsored by: