CHICKEN GUY! FLAVORTOWN DELICIOUS

By Kathy Fox

Anyone who is a fan of the Food Network knows who the Mayor of Flavortown is — Guy Fieri. He is also a chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best Selling author, Emmy Award-winning TV host, and one of the world’s most recognizable and influential culinary stars. Fieri’s culinary empire began in 2006, when he won Next Food Network Star, Food Network’s popular television competition show, and was awarded his own series, the Emmy-nominated Guy’s Big Bite. Over the years, Fieri has created a successful culinary empire as a host of top-rated TV shows including Emmy-nominated Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Guy’s Grocery Games and Guy’s Ranch Kitchen. Furthermore, Fieri and his team at Knuckle Sandwich, LLC, have opened over 75 restaurants around the world. On land and at sea, from the Las Vegas Strip to Dubai, Fieri’s culinary creations are enjoyed every day around the world.

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

Now add the Chicken Guy! concept to the mix. Created by the collaboration of Fieri and founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood, Robert Earl, Chicken Guy! was hatched. It was a vision to make exceptional chicken and exciting sauces in a casual, home-style environment that everyone could enjoy.

CEO and Co-Founder at FACE, Bucky Mabe, partnered with Fieri to bring a Chicken Guy! franchise to the 2nd Avenue Historic District in Nashville last year. Foodies who have visited have not been disappointed and it’s definitely worth the trip. As guests walk in, a life-sized photo of Fieri on the wall greets them as they walk by towards the counter to order. With its flagship location in Disney Springs® at the Walt Disney World Resort®, Chicken Guy! features one-of-a-kind all-natural, antibiotic-free, never frozen, fresh chicken tenders. The tenders are hand-pounded to maximize crunch and brined in fresh lemon juice, pickle brine, and buttermilk, and infused with a proprietary blend of fresh herbs giving them their unique flavor and texture. These tenders absolutely deliver and when paired with one of the 22 house-made scratch-made sauces, your taste buds will squeal in delight. And the Flavortown Shakes are top-notch too — hand-spun, rich and thick, and topped with fresh whipped cream.

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

On Father’s Day, Fieri stopped by Chicken Guy! in Nashville to do some filming for an upcoming television show and hosted friends, some lucky contest winners, and a few first responders for lunch. Fieri has a strong admiration for first responders and Chief Ty Cobb, from Columbia’s Fire and Rescue Station #1, and Chief Glenn Johnson and Assistant Fire Chief Greg Baltimore, from Franklin Fire Station #7, were invited to join. In addition, Kensie and Casey Harley with baby Cash, residents of Columbia, were one of the lucky contest winners that got to enjoy lunch and meet Fieri. It was a special day for all who attended as Fieri made the rounds once filming was done taking pictures with everyone and stopping at each table to chat.

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

Fieri is a fan of Music City and owns 17 acres in the Nashville area. He loves visiting friends here and said, “I've been back to Nashville six times in the past year. Now that we have locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Nashville, I will be here a lot.” When asked why there were 22 sauces and what his favorite Chicken Guy! sauce was Fieri did not hesitate, “Peri Peri it’s hot and spicy, but the Nashville Hot Honey is dynamite. They are all so creative. Not every day do we want to have BBQ, but you could come in and have a little Indian, Cuban, or even a Mexican kick, and diversify what’s going on by the sauces. You could order the salad with fried chicken and then pair it with a sauce to make it ethnic one way or another. That was the reason why I made so many sauces.”

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

When talking with the Mayor of Flavortown one must also ask what his favorite ethnic food is and of course, he had the perfect answer, “It depends on the day of the week. I'm a big Asian food fan, I like the simplicity of it, how clean it is, and fresh. I love soy sauce and garlic, but it really just depends on the day. It might be Mexican tomorrow (laugh, laugh).”

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX

The next time you are in Nashville, take a stroll down historic 2nd Avenue and stop by Chicken Guy! for the delectable chicken tenders and sauces. Who knows, you might run into the Chicken Guy! himself during your visit. For more information including details about the menu, visit chickenguy.com and follow Chicken Guy! on Twitter and Instagram at @chickenguy and Facebook at @realchickenguy.