Celeb-Approved Fried Chicken Chain Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens in Houston | Eater Houston

"Opening at 12161 Westheimer Road on Friday, September 24, the Bayou City’s first outpost of Dave’s Hot Chicken brings the popular Nashville-style hot chicken that began as a 2017 Los Angeles parking-lot pop-up to Houston. Founded by Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Dave Kopushyan, the chain — backed by investors including Drake and Samuel L. Jackson — helped popularize extra-spicy cayenne-breaded fried chicken on the West Coast, drawing long lines and explosive growth after a licensing deal. Chef Dave Kopushyan, who worked under Thomas Keller at the French Laundry, developed individual recipes for each of the seven spice levels (from no spice to reaper), and the menu includes hot chicken sliders and massive trays of tenders and fries topped with a zig-zag drizzle of special sauce; the chicken is halal and the chain has become hugely popular among LA’s Armenian community (all of the founders are Armenian). When the first Texas location opened in Dallas in May, fans lined up for hours — some driving from Houston — and the brand has continued to attract attention (Drake even asked Dave’s to cater his Billboard Artist of the Decade party). After it opens, hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday, and the company plans several more Houston locations including Rice Village, Spring, Missouri City, and Midtown." - Brittanie Shey