Rishi
Google
First of all, I absolutely love Dave’s Hot Chicken — it’s hands down my favorite spot for a cheat meal. I usually eat there once a week, sometimes even twice, because the food is just that good. I typically go to the Union City or San Jose locations, and they’ve always delivered great food and top-notch service.
Today, though, I decided to try out a different location and was honestly really disappointed. I placed my usual order, which totaled close to $60. That’s not a small order, and I expect at least decent service for that. But right from the moment I walked in, there was no greeting, no welcome — nothing. The staff felt cold and unapproachable, which already put me off.
The worst part? This is the only location I’ve been to where they’re stingy with the sauce. The guy at the counter told me I could only get two sauce packets per order. I even offered to pay for extra, and he said there’s no option to charge for more sauce. I mean, really? What kind of customer experience is that? The sauce is one of the best parts of the meal, and not being able to get more — even when I’m willing to pay — felt ridiculous.
On top of that, the food itself was disappointing. I’ve eaten enough Dave’s to know exactly how the heat levels are supposed to taste. I ordered the “Extra Hot” heat level — like I always do — but this time, it tasted milder than even the “Medium” level. It was completely off, and it felt like they just didn’t care to get it right.
I left feeling really dissatisfied. Dave’s is known for quality — not just the food but also the service — and this location just didn’t live up to that standard. On the flip side, I have to give a shoutout to the Union City location. The staff there is always friendly, welcoming, and happy to serve. By far the best service and management I’ve experienced at any Dave’s.
The manager and area of operations really need to look into this store and help bring it back up to Dave’s standards.