Dave’s Hot Chicken has a new Charlotte location and it’s pretty good. The chicken is tender and seasoned well and, the fries are fresh.
The Livin’ Charlotte team tried Dave’s ahead of its opening on Central Avenue and, overall, we enjoyed it. The general consensus was an appreciation for the simple menu and the option to add or reduce spice based on personal preference.
The indoor and outdoor dining, as well as the graffiti decor inside, make for a chill lunch or dinner spot that we’d go back to.
About Dave’s
Dave’s Hot Chicken, a California-based food chain, where “chicken is the star” and spice is the sidekick, opens Friday, Sept. 30 in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. The chain that began as a food truck in east Hollywood has now expanded to the Queen City and we envision long lines in its near future.
The menu is simple. Sliders, tenders, and combinations of the two are the entrees. Fries, with or without cheese, kale slaw, and macaroni and cheese are the full lineup of sides. See? Simple.
From zero to fire
It’s not named Dave’s Hot Chicken for nothing. Most of our team opted for no heat, but one brave person ordered “hot”, a level five of the seven spice options. His comment afterward? “It was hot, like, hot hot.”
You might even have to sign a waiver if you want something extra spicy. The “reaper”, level seven, is the hottest option at the restaurant and we’re not joking; you’ll actually have to sign a waiver to order it.
In order from zero to what we can only assume is literal fire, the spice list includes “no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, and reaper”.
Buns make a difference
If we had to choose, we’d suggest the sliders over the chicken tenders. The sliders seemed to offer the best value for money. From our viewpoint, the sliders appeared to come with more food. Also, Dave’s sliders are served on hamburger buns instead of the sliced bread served with tenders. The faint sweetness of the bun compliments the chicken and sauce really well.
Final thoughts
Overall, we liked it. Dave’s Hot Chicken is a cool place that doesn’t complicate things. No “I just don’t know what to order” feelings at this place.
We can foresee Dave’s becoming a popular go-to for quick dining in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.
The “it”: Chicken tenders, sliders, fries, Dave’s sauce
Overall score: 4/5, an average of scores including 3.5, 4, 4, and 5 from the Livin’ Charlotte team.
Price: About $15 per person.
What we loved: The simple menu and the properly seasoned chicken.
Would we return: Yes.
Know of a place, menu, trend, or even activity you want us to try? Let us know.
