Dave's Hot Chicken

The chicken tenders are really good and flavorful. If you like sweet things, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shake was delicious. We tried the loaded fries (I think that’s how they’re called, not sure), and you could get full just by eating the fries… the mac and cheese was alright. I ordered to go, so can’t give much of an opinion about the service.

I recently visited Dave's Hot Chicken and had an exceptional experience that deserves a 5-star rating. From the moment I walked in, the service was top-notch—friendly, attentive, and efficient. The real highlight, though, was the crispy chicken. It was perfectly seasoned, with a delightful crunch that complemented the juicy meat inside. Each bite was a perfect blend of flavor and texture. I highly recommend Dave's Hot Chicken for anyone craving delicious, crispy chicken and outstanding service.

I visited Dave’s Hot Chicken for the first time. I did drive thru. The employee who worked the drive thru gave a friendly and welcoming vibe along with a lot of patience as she explained menu items. I did two numbers 2’s, two loaded fries both with lite medium spice. The food was fresh and flavorful. I’ll definitely try them again.

If you're a fan of hot chicken, then Dave's Hot Chicken is a must-try that will completely redefine what you expect from fried chicken. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of perfectly spiced chicken, and I knew I was in for something special. Spoiler alert: I was right! ### Atmosphere: 5/5 The vibe at Dave's Hot Chicken is laid-back, with a modern, street-food-inspired aesthetic. The décor is simple but eye-catching, with a trendy, urban feel that fits the brand perfectly. It’s the kind of place where you can roll in casually with friends or even grab a quick solo meal. The staff are welcoming and efficient, adding to the overall positive experience. ### Food: 5/5 Now, the star of the show: the chicken. I ordered the **Hot Chicken Tenders** and a **Hot Chicken Slider** (with varying levels of heat), and let me tell you, this place knows how to balance flavor with fire. The tenders were juicy, tender, and absolutely packed with flavor. The crispy exterior had the perfect crunch without feeling greasy, and the spice level was *just right* for each heat option. I started with "Medium" to ease into the experience, and it had a satisfying kick but still allowed the chicken’s natural flavor to shine through. Then, I tried the “Hot,” which packed a real punch but was not overwhelming—it delivered that signature heat with an extra boost of spice and depth of flavor. The **slider** was equally amazing. Nestled in a soft, buttery bun with slaw and pickles, the chicken was complemented perfectly by the tangy, fresh toppings. The pickles provided a nice cool contrast to the spice, while the slaw added a fresh crunch that cut through the richness of the fried chicken. Together, it made for a near-perfect bite every time. The sides were the perfect accompaniment. The **crinkle-cut fries** were golden and crispy, with a light dusting of seasoning that made them irresistible. I also opted for their signature **Mac & Cheese**, which was creamy, cheesy, and the ultimate comfort food. The mac made for a great counterbalance to the heat of the chicken, soothing the taste buds with every bite. ### Spice Levels: 5/5 One of the best things about Dave's is the variety of spice levels to suit all types of heat-seekers. Whether you want "No Spice" for a milder experience or you're daring enough to go for "Reaper" for a fiery, intense kick, they’ve got you covered. The heat is serious here, but it’s never overwhelming for the sake of it—the seasoning adds depth, and you can actually taste the different layers of spices at each level. For heat lovers, Dave’s does spice the right way: flavorful, but with a major kick! ### Service: 5/5 The service was fantastic. Despite being a busy spot, the staff were friendly, patient, and happy to explain the spice levels and options. Our order came out quickly, piping hot and fresh, and everything was served with a smile. It’s clear the team takes pride in their work and wants customers to have the best experience possible. ### Overall Experience: 5/5 Dave’s Hot Chicken has earned every one of its five stars. From the explosive flavors to the perfectly cooked chicken, the attention to detail and customer satisfaction is obvious. This is not just another fried chicken joint—Dave's offers an elevated experience that’s all about great food, bold flavors, and spice levels for every type of diner. Whether you're a heat enthusiast or just looking for incredibly tasty fried chicken, Dave's Hot Chicken is the place to be. I will *definitely* be back to try more of the menu, and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who loves a kick in their meal. Do yourself a favor and try Dave’s Hot Chicken—you won't regret it!

Had to try Dave’s Hot Chicken after seeing many food influencers on social media raving about Dave’s Hot Chicken. It was very tasty! Tried the chicken tender, chicken bites, chicken slider, loaded fries, mac and cheese, Oreo vanilla milkshake, Cole slaw, and Dave’s Sauce. I would definitely go back. I got the medium heat. It was not overly hot. Very tasty. It is Nashville hot style chicken. The Dave’s sauce reminds me of Raising Cane’s sauce. I was happy after my meal.

Amazing food and even better service! Special thank you to David. He was very kind when taking our order and made me and my freinds feel welcome! Definitely come to this location if you’re in the mood for some spicy chicken!

Got my food within 5 minutes, and David was super nice and cool, 10/10 experience will come again, the food was wonderful too! My friends and I decided to try the reaper level of spice, it was spectacular!

The food was really good! The best fries I've had in a while. Monique was very helpful!

I have known about Dave's Hot Chicken for many years but never ever tried the food before. I saw on Instagram that Drake collaborated with them this year for his Birthday which is actually today and they were giving out one free slider for each person that downloaded the Dave's App and scanned the code in person so I had to stop by to get a freebie! It was extremely busy by the time I get my free sandwich it took almost 1.5 hours! Considering how many people were there I would say the customer service was really fast! The restaurant has a standard fast food ambiance. The Chicken Slider tasted amazing! 5/5 :)

My friend and I went to Dave's Hot on Valentine's Day during the worst snowy day. It was a cute, fun, casual restaurant. The staff were extra helpful and cheerful. They gave us great recommendations and even though the price was a little high it was worth it. The food was tasty, we loved the fries and we will definitely be back.

Had to try Dave's Hot Chicken after seeing many food influencers on social media raving about Dave's Hot Chicken. It was very tasty! Tried the chicken tender, chicken bites, chicken slider, loaded fries, mac and cheese, Oreo vanilla milkshake, Cole slaw, and Dave's Sauce. I would definitely go back. I got the medium heat. It was not overly hot. Very tasty. It is Nashville hot style chicken. The Dave's sauce reminds me of Raising Cane's sauce. I was happy after my meal.

Came here because the kids saw an ad, they were begging me to take them here. Looks good, smells good, food is better then wing stop. Place is busy, wait time is about 15min

I love this place. Always plenty of sauce, napkins, pickles, and food in my order. Please open more locations.

Even though mild looks spicy it actually isn't, it's nice to have options as someone who doesn't want too much though!! Chicken was super juicy, service was fine, milkshake machine almost broke but she never gave up! The inside had cute artwork too. Definitely get two sliders

great place if your looking for some hot hot chicken service is also great. Clean and always attentive

My boyfriend and I love this place!! We really appreciate how consistent this food spot is where the food and service is always the same good quality which makes us want to come back. The portion is really filling especially if you opt for the slider instead of the tender. The chicken is always super juicy and thick and a big size. The fries are a perfect crinkle cut with some slight seasoning they add. We love how generous they are with the Dave's sauce, honey, and ketchup!! They do give a good amount pickles! One downside is we wish for more slaw in the slider, but this place still deserves 5 stars. I always get the one slider and fries combo which fills me up very nicely while my boyfriend gets the two slider and fries combo. Service is always very nice here which is always a plus

I was runnin through the 6 with my woes! U know how that shit goes! I see why drake invested in this place they are BUSSING. I stg they put pussyjuice in that daves sauce. This is what i imagine dumbasses think canes is like. Canes sucks dick. This rocks. Daves has never let me down ive had it like 5+ times- different locations, delivered, in person, etc. so BUSSING

Delicious fried (only lightly breaded) chicken with a tasty rub. Simple, relatively inexpensive, no-frills counter service in a pretty clean lobby. I've only been here for lunch, but it's usually fairly quiet except the dusties playing through the PA. Fries are great, especially with their amazing sauce! Many heat levels. I find Medium is enough to feel without losing sensitivity on my tastebuds.

Great quality food. Had the hot chicken, loved it.. should have taken a picture but I was hungry LOL

So far in my experience, this is the only place that serves true juicy, tender, deep fried chicken. Friendly service and very clean overall.

Greetings my Foodzies, tonight I had a taste for something spicy. We decided to try a place in Melrose Park called Dave's Hot Chicken at 2615 W. North Avenue. Nice place with white tables and red medal chairs. The girl that served us was very nice, she greeted us with a smile before we even made it to the counter. The menu was nice and small which is nice. They had southern jazz music playing which we enjoyed. They have 5 different spice levels from mild to Reaper. Glenda and the mild spice slider and I went for the medium spice slider with cheese and a tender. The portions were good sized. The sliders had kale slaw and pickles along with some Dave's sauce (basically mayo, mustard and seasoning) it was tasty with a little kick. The chicken was tender and juicy my medium spice level was right on the edge, made my nose run a little. The fries were seasoned and flavorful. This was a great choice, we'll be back. I give this restaurant a 4 1/2. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Ciao Ciao for now.

Back again (this time didn't forget the pic) Naperville location didn't disappoint and Melrose today was awesome!!! Clean place friendly staff kept it up!!!

Ordered the #4 the fries were hot, crisp, and had great seasoning. The Chicken slider (Hot) was perfectly seasoned with a little bit of kick and super juicy. The cashier was very kind and the dining area had a great vibe! Definitely would come back!

It was just an Ok for me. It wasn't giving me that Nashville Hot Chicken Flavor. Overly priced. I really don't have much to say about this place. The service was good. Nice colorful wall art decor. Clean eating area. I ordered the 2 tenders (one with no spice and one lite mild) with fries. Nice size portion of the chicken. But, not worth the money.

Awful service don't go here it will be closed soon. Waited over 30 minutes for awful overpriced food

Service is good. The tender are delicious! I was on the hunt to get good chicken tenders in the area and this place exceeded my expectations. Also the portions are big and I couldn't finish it at once but I will definitely come back. Good price, portions and service.

decent service it could have been better but the worker kept on calling me sir ( i am a female) ,my Coca Cola wasn't even Coca Cola color, got visibly upset when i asked him if i could switch my drink because it tasted uncarbonated, i asked for extra honey and he only gave me two and with those two honey he rolled his eyes when i asked for them, the food was good but not the customer service. Sincerely no complaints on the food but i was very excited to try it for the first time i really wished the customer service was better.

So...HOT! I had the slider/ tender combo. It was sooo good, but I didn't realize I ordered hot until I was halfway done. It was bearable with great flavor, if u really want to enjoy it, I recommend at least going medium. I had it about 3 hours ago, and my lips are still tingling. Either way, ....really good and crispy! I'll most certainly be back

I stopped by Dave's exclusively to try the "Dave's Not Chicken" slider, which features breaded cauliflower instead of chicken. It was my first ever trip to Dave's...I was lured in by an ad I saw while my daughter was watching YouTube videos, and the crunch in the ad was so audible it seemed fake. Anyhow, I have to say the "Not Chicken" slider is a fine addition to meatless options in the fast food space. It was indeed impressively crunchy, and flavorful for that matter, served with pickles, slaw and Dave's sauce on a soft and fresh potato bun. I splurged the extra $0.49 for the cheese slice but didn't really notice it. It being my first trip to Dave's I opted for medium heat but would probably go with hot if I visit again. Service pace was leisurely, and the cashier missed my drink when ordering, but not a horrible experience. At least the next guy in line told me "I heard you order a drink." :) On the bright side, she saved me a couple bucks so thanks I guess? Despite its deliciousness, I'm not sure the sandwich is worth $9 but I might consider Dave's again in the future if the craving strikes.

5 stars does not justify this place. Where do I begin... I have never in my 19 years of life tried a chicken sandwich THIS GOOD. Dave's hot chicken is a halal chicken spot that serves the most delicious dry rub sandwiches. I have visited 3 different Dave's Hot Chicken locations but NONE OF THEM exceeded my expectations like this one. From the food itself to the staff.. everything was efficient, hot and fresh. The worker was so beyond kind. I had asked for her name and she said it was Monce! She truly made my experience memorable and is one of the leading reasons I keep visiting this location. Thank you so much Monce for giving top grade service! Such an amazing worker!

Chicken nuggets- medium flavor, were unappetizing and greasy. They had no taste at all, no spice either and reminded me of balls of grease. Although the cole slaw was good and fresh, I won't be returning as the chicken was not good.

Been wanting to try this place for a while and it did not disappoint! We ordered two sliders and fries (one medium, one spicy) and one reaper tender. The fries were YUMMYYYY!! Crispy and seasoned to perfection. I usually don't think places put enough salt/seasoning on their fries but they definitely did here haha. The sliders were a little smaller than expected but delicious. The chicken was nicely breaded, seasoned and juicy. Medium leveled spice wasn't too bad and spicy had a nice kick to it, but nothing super crazy. The reaper tender was unbearably spicy, as expected lol, but it was one of those straight up powder spice and not much flavor IMO. One of the best and overlooked components of a chicken sandwich is the slaw, and I reallyyyy really liked theirs! The kale slaw compliments the sandwich perfectly and gives a nice bite, as opposed to other chicken sandwiches that use thin piece of lettuce or nothing at all. We ordered with pickles but didn't receive any... but that's alright. Other than that, everything was fantastic even though we ordered to go, so I can't wait to try it again when it's fresh and even better. Def worth giving a try!

Friends, family, and I come here when craving a yummy chicken sandwich and cheese fries! We usually get the "medium" level of spice and I think it's the perfect hint of kick. They also have more spicy and milder. We order from DoorDash (for pickup) and pickup from drive-thru. Super convenient. Have never had an issue, everyone's nice, and they're quick! Please bring back the mac & cheese!

I am addicted to this place. We've ordered at least 5 times and the biggest problem we had was two weeks ago em when we got no Daves Sauce. This week, the Daves Sauce is in new sealed packs, not a cup with a lid, so maybe it was just a period of transition. I get the slider and a tender: one mild one hot. Throw a little honey on the hot one and you are in heaven. The Mac & cheese is decent and so are the fries. All of that makes for a meal that'll put you into a food coma. One wish is that they had in house lemonade or sweet tea.

I was ecstatic to try Dave hot chicken but to be frank I was deeply disappointed. First the chicken was a bit sweet and I was surprised to taste that there was no spice on the chicken, hardly felt a tingle on my tongue(I ordered the medium heat) by the look of the chicken with the dark red color and red seasoning all over the chicken, this chicken looked like it was flesh ripped off the devil but tasted like sunshine and rainbows. I was expecting to be thrown of my chair looking for the nearest bottle of water but no it was so disappointing I now will no longer be buying from here. Not to mention the fries tasted like they had a little lime to them not my forte to be honest, I ordered online so much much to say about service or the overall ambience of the inside of the restaurant. Overall 2 out of 5, would give 1.5 but I still ate the sandwich, the chicken by itself was unappetizing couldn't finish it still didn't want to give it a 1 star because at that point I wouldn't touch the food in conclusion a very disappointing meal. Do better Dave's hot chicken!

Second time getting the chicken sliders, I really can't get enough, spicy and juicy. The cheese fries are delicious also.

Wow! I have been craving hot chicken and when I heard there was a Dave's near me, I had to check it out. First of all, the indoor decor is so cool! Second, if you like heat, order at least a spice level of medium and above. I can handle a bit of heat and I got medium and it was barely spicy. I would get hot next time! The food was delicious. Very seasoned and the Mac n cheese was amazing. I will definitely be returning!

Seen this place on tiktok , and wanted to try of course. It was decent ; not bad at all.

The food here is bomb. The person who attended us was david and he was super patient with us. The chicken is no joke and the fries are greatly seasoned. They have this sauce as well that comes with the meal and it's so good with fries. Overall the service here was great!!!

Kasha is such a good employee as I walked through the door she's greeted me and was very helpful on the best kind of heat to choose fr may you please give her a raise because she deserve it thank you Kasha for everything

Made to order Fresh chicken tenders and fries. My son demolished it, Service was good.

Take this review very seriously food is excellant however this is the type of place where hot means HOT !! . If it goes in hot and spicey be prepared for the end results make sure your toilet has a seat belt and a CO2 extinguisher near by!

This place is worth a first look, second and just keep coming back. I had the fries with two sliders in the medium sauce. I was expecting two small sliders , they actually were pretty big . I only ate one and saved the other till breakfast. The fries were great as well , the sauce that add to the item is great. I also like the fact the put honey packets as well. The sauce range is really very accommodating, from light to scorching. The chicken on the sandwich was so juicy and tender I will definitely be back.

Chicken was proper Nashville style. And in typical Nashville style, the heal ratings are in a different category. Fries were crispy and seasoned well. Mac n cheese was decent. But overall great meal. Highly recommend trying.

I really love to try out new places. I especially love to try out new places that serve food that I absolutely love like Nashville Hot Chicken. This leads me to the next place where I was eager to try out: Daves Hot Chicken in Melrose Park. This franchise has been on my radar for quite some time. I first heard about this place a year or so ago when it was only located on the west coast. The pictures of Dave's Hot Chicken that I had seen on social media made their chicken look phenomenal. I then heard that Dave's Hot Chicken was starting to branch out all over the country in multiple locations. I was driving down North Ave in Melrose Park and noticed they had a drive-through. I did a quick Yelp look-up and noticed this location did not have very good reviews. I did not really care because I wanted to check this place out for myself and give an honest review. This review by the way is solely of my experience via the drive-through. The line of the drive-through was busy. The staff working the windows seemed pleasant. I ordered two orders of Chicken tenders and fries and a small mac and cheese. I ordered an extra tender order so my wife could also try it when I got home. I also want to add that the tender order consists of two large chicken tenders and fries. The order without drinks and just four large tenders and fries and a small mac and cheese is a whopping $30!! Talk about chicken price inflation!! My first reaction was I ordered the hot spice level for myself and my wife had the mild. The spice was a dry rub and had a very nauseating heat to it. I love spice, but this was a spice that was not overwhelming, it just made me feel very nauseous. The chicken strips were very thick and with a fist bite, it felt like they were seconds away from being undercooked. The mac and cheese tasted as if it came straight from a kraft box. It was extremely generic tasting. The food did not taste good. I would dare say the Nashville Hot Chicken from KFC was much better. This chicken also comes at a high price. I cannot say I would ever recommend going here for Nashville Hot Chicken

The women in the front evelyn was really great, took my order fast and the food was great, the place was clean and the environment was great and staff was very friendly. 10/10 definitely coming back.

Nothing special about this chicken. Strips are crispy but dry on the outside. The ghost pepper seasoning is a joke it's not even spicy. Just not worth the price and servings. Would recommend other chicken places before Dave's

Was my first time here and the wait time was short, food was delicious, and the girl who served us was super nice! I would definitely recommend coming here!

Simple menu. Sauces are tasty and the prices are reasonable. Recommend for a quick lunch or dinner.

Hot and fresh which was good. It was ok. I had the sandwiches. I think the coating good but maybe a bit too much. I would have rather had the tenders only.

Food was AWSOME!!! And the manager Garrett was great!!! Good food, better service!!! What more can you ask for. Great job!!!

Been seeing this place pop on my Facebook feed for a while and have had a lot of friends go here recently and talk about how good this place is. So I decided to give it a shot today because my whole family loves good chicken. I'm just gonna review mine. I ordered the Dave's #2 two sliders and fries. First the pictures online make it look amazing but when I looked inside my take out box, the chicken doesn't look as good. And then first bite, ok. After that it was all down hill. I had the extra hot but it was just too over seasoned. I just thought it was very basic as far as the chicken tasted. I expected the inside temperature to be warmer like steaming inside. The fries were basic and more seasoned and the Mac and cheese... Kraft is better. Sorry to leave such a shitty review but it's way over priced and even more overhyped.

i been wanting to try this place for a while and do not recommend it. no one will be missing out coming here. first off their was so much seasoning that me and my friend both could not taste the chicken itself; usually i like a good amount of flavor but this was over the top, about 4 layers of marinations with seasoning & spices. then the woman who took our order was rude af, she seemed angry she had to take our order & was in a rush with no one else in line. than when you walk in the place smells like body oder misting in your nostrils, so far this is one of my worst food spot experiences yet.

Great food and great service! My family came in early and was greeted by the server Kasha she was so polite and helpful with navigating the menu the food was delicious we will definitely be back!

I love Dave's Hot Chicken especially in the LA area, but this one here near Chicago has the best service. Friendly & precise... definitely coming back soon!

Delicious Chicken, Great Service! We were greeted immediately when we walked in even though the place was full! we did not wait long for our food, and it was Hot and tasty. The girl who worked there came by the busy tables and asked if we needed anything like sauce or napkins or cups for water, super friendly and super delicious. 10/10 will return to bravely try a level hotter!

The best food!! And dude in the back does a great job all around everybody need to try this spot u will love it