Some of the best fried chicken in Tennessee isn’t served at a sit-down restaurant with cloth napkins, but at the counter behind the fuel pumps. From a rural Scott County deli to a Chattanooga shack that starts frying before sunrise, these six gas stations have earned a following for what comes out of the fryer, not just what comes out of the pump.
Each one brings something different, whether that’s Cajun-style chicken in the Sequatchie Valley, hand-breaded pieces in North Nashville, or lemon pepper wings with a side of turnip greens. Save this list for your next road trip, because a fill-up and a box of chicken in one stop is a very good deal.
1. Stop N Go, Elgin, TN
Out in the quiet stretch of Scott County, a gas station deli can be the only lunch option for miles. Stop N Go on Scott Hwy handles that job well, and it does more than just keep the tank full.
The counter here covers a surprising amount of ground for a corner store. Burgers, pizza, pies, salads, and breakfast food all share space with the fryer, which turns out chicken sandwiches and a lineup of deep fried sides…