TV Restaurants

Is Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken Still Open? (Mason, TN)

Open verified

As of September 2026, Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed August 23, 2026.

Primary source
Wikipedia ·
Secondary source
gusfriedchicken.com

Last verified

What the source shows: Wikipedia's entry (revised 2026-08-23) reports the chain operating 40 locations, and the business's own site lists current daily hours for the original Mason location.

  • Season / episode Season 5, Episode 2
  • Address 505 U.S. 70, Mason, TN 38049
  • Current name Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

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What happened after Best Thing I Ever Ate?

The Best Thing I Ever Ate's 'Fried Chicken' episode (Food Network) spotlighted Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken for its spicy, cayenne-dusted fried chicken recipe. According to Wikipedia, the chain was founded in the town of Mason, Tennessee, by Napoleon Vanderbilt, and the original location is known for a hearse parked out front advertising 'chicken worth dying for.' Wikipedia's Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken entry, revised August 23, 2026, reports the chain had grown to 40 locations across 14 states in a March 2026 report, with plans to begin franchising in China. The same entry notes Travel Channel once rated Gus's the 12th tastiest place to eat in the country. Gus's own website lists the Mason, Tennessee original at 505 U.S. 70 with current daily hours posted, showing the flagship location still operating alongside the chain's newer locations.

Featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate

Season / episode
Season 5, Episode 2
Original air date
Not confirmed
Episode title
Fried Chicken
What was featured
spicy cayenne fried chicken recipe
Role
Featured restaurant
Name on the broadcast
Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken

Frequently asked questions

Is Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken still open in 2026?

As of September 2026, Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed August 23, 2026.

What happened to Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken after Best Thing I Ever Ate?

The Best Thing I Ever Ate's 'Fried Chicken' episode (Food Network) spotlighted Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken for its spicy, cayenne-dusted fried chicken recipe. As of September 2026, Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed August 23, 2026.

What is Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken called now?

Now: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (formerly Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken). As of September 2026, Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken is open — confirmed via the restaurant's current website/social account, accessed August 23, 2026.

Where is Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken located?

505 U.S. 70, Mason, TN 38049. That is the address on the record as of September 7, 2026.

What season and episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate featured Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken?

Season 5, Episode 2 of Best Thing I Ever Ate. The episode is titled “Fried Chicken”.

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Visit info

Address
505 U.S. 70, Mason, TN 38049
Venue type
restaurant
Official website
gusfriedchicken.com

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Record btiea-0408 · last verified .