A Nashville restaurant received a low inspection score from the Tennessee Department of Health following a July 17 visit. Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish was cited for multiple violations, including missing date marks, grease accumulation beneath cooking equipment, and other sanitation issues.
Please note that the score mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on July 17. It may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.
Highlights
- Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish received a low score in a routine inspection.
- The restaurant is known for fried chicken, fish, and Southern-style sides.
- Food inspectors of the Tennessee Department of Health noted missing waste receptacles, damaged floors, and other violations at the Nashville restaurant.
Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish
Food items at Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish (Source: Facebook@ Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish)
- Where: 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
- When: July 17, 2025
- Score: 72
With its menu built on a family recipe, Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish has been serving Nashville patrons for years. The popular dishes include a variety of fried chicken and fish items, such as wings, tenders, catfish, and whiting. The Nashville restaurant offers Southern-style sides and veggies as well.
Inspection Findings
Food inspectors first noted that raw chicken was stored next to an open container of cooked chicken in the reach-in cooler. The bleach sanitizer showed a low reading of 10 ppm (violating the required limit of 50-200 ppm) in the 3-compartment sink at Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish.
The chicken leg quarter read 107°F after being fried, not the required 165°F for at least 15 seconds after frying. The on-site inspectors then found that the date mark was missing in a fried chicken container at the Nashville restaurant. The deep containers of fried chicken were being cold-held in a cooler without separation.
A rodent repellent was found in the storage closet at Bolton’s Famous Hot Chicken & Fish. The on-site inspectors reported that the unisex restrooms did not have waste receptacles. They found damaged floors at the restaurant as well. Inspectors also noted grease buildup beneath cooking equipment.
The restaurant is expected to address the violations outlined in the inspection report.
