Dave’s Hot Chicken London - Review - Soho - London - The Infatuation

"Dave’s Hot Chicken, an LA original with countless spots across the US, is a social experiment in poultry extreme sports. The incineration nation experience begins out on Shaftesbury Avenue in a queue of people who have never heard the siren call of a dial-up modem. The line is long, and slow, and confusing, because it’s actually pretty empty inside. But you’ll come to miss this queue—the fresh air, the opportunity to flee and continue your formerly innocent existence that meant never having to sign a legal waiver involving the words ‘heart palpitations’ in order to consume a chicken tender. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley video credit: Emily Hai photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Pause Unmute Inside, the aesthetic is ‘pubescent PewDiePie games room’ with the overwhelming scent to match. On the graffiti-esque walls, ‘HOT AF’ is Dave’s tag of choice and the sliding scale of heat that ranges from ‘mild’ to the apocalyptic ‘reaper’ is the reason that everyone’s here. But the heat is a firework that’s all bang and no flare. Even in the case of the mild and middling hot level, the spice of the supposedly Nashville-style chicken doesn’t build or taste of anything other than salt, so much salt, and perhaps, suffering. The crinkle chips arrive cold and although the fluff factor is decent, this is London. Even the pigeons can source a good chip if you give them five minutes and a complimentary twig offering. Nothing at Dave’s Hot Chicken is worth queuing for. Whoever said pleasure is pain never had to bathe their own burning tongue in a pot of mac and cheese. Food Rundown The Hot Slider The real riddle of this burger is how it can be so spicy but lack any of that complex, slightly sweet flavour we love in a cayenne rub. The chicken is pretty dry and the only redeeming feature is the pickles. PlayMute video credit: Emily Hai The Reaper Tenders A one-way ticket to Hades and the journey is paved with so much rub. Hard pass. PlayMute video credit: Emily Hai Mac N Cheese Sweet dairy salvation. It doesn’t taste of salt—or anything really—or threaten your sinuses, so we’ve got a somewhat Stockholm syndrome soft spot for this mac and cheese." - Heidi Lauth Beasley