Daves Hot Chicken

"Verdict: A shell of its former self. There was a time (2017, to be exact) when we would’ve emphatically told you Dave’s was making some of the best hot chicken in LA. But that was a long time ago—our night serum regiment is much stricter now and Dave’s Hot Chicken is no longer a destination. That’s partly because this chain with East Hollywood roots can now be found in over 21 states, but also because the quality of food here has nose-dived faster than a Cessna in the Bermuda Triangle. If you’re completely hammered walking down Fairfax at 1am, their slider combo will probably hit the spot. Otherwise, this dry, poorly built sandwich can be skipped." - sylvio martins, brant cox, nicolas zhou

"There’s a good chance that whatever kind of craving you’re having late at night, it involves something fried. Fortunately, most things at Dave’s Hot Chicken are fried, and they’re all pretty damn good, too. Just about every location is open until 12am on weekends (and 11pm during the week), making hot chicken that’s (almost) as good as any you’ll find in town. Get some cheese fries to balance out the spice of the tender/slider combo platter you’re going to be ordering." - kat hong, brett keating

"Dave’s Hot Chicken, which started as a pop-up in an East Hollywood parking lot, has grown to over 150 storefronts across the US and Canada. Known for its spicy chicken tenders, the restaurant maintains the same energy and food quality from its early days." - Eater Staff

"Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a late-night food stand in a Hollywood parking lot, quickly gained a rabid cult following, and opened up an order-at-the-counter shop on Western. The menu is simple and features three different hot chicken combos, with your choice of tenders, sliders, or both. Just be careful with your heat level. Anything above a medium is going to be very intense. Order: Combo #1 (two tenders and fries), $10.50." - brant cox

"There are hundreds of hot chicken options in greater Los Angeles today; the dish has made millionaires out of the Dave’s Hot Chicken owners, a trio of under-30 Armenian Americans in Los Angeles who have an eye for social media and personal branding, and rapper Drake is now a celebrity evangelist for the brand." - Farley Elliott