DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN @ EL CAJON Parking is available on the street, but it was extremely busy when my friend and I came on a Thursday afternoon. The restaurant is located in a busy complex with lots of stores, which definitely explains the crowd! Shoutout to the employee, BRENDA, she was incredible and so kind! When we walked in, there were only about 3-4 people ahead of us. We ordered two sliders with fries (drinks are not included), and the total came out to just $16. It was super delicious, especially to share with a friend. When our food came out, the chicken was steaming hot. You can choose from a variety of flavors, I got the hot, and my friend got medium. I loved how big the chicken pieces were and how tender they tasted. I also recommend trying their milkshakes or any of their drinks. I didn't get one this time, but I know that if you leave a positive review, you can get one for free! I would absolutely recommend stopping by this location. The vibe was great, the space was big, and the staff were genuinely friendly. read more

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Interesting place and location-I can see why they are popular in LA Not sure El Cajon has enough vibe to accommodate the place. A little pricey, mostly Door Dash etc folks here. read more

Absolutely love this spot. The vibe is always welcoming and the customer service is top-tier every single time. The staff--especially people like nathalie --are super friendly and always ready with great recommendations when we're deciding what to order. My family and I come here often, and every visit feels just as good as the last. We even had the chance to meet the owner, Deryl, and he was incredibly down-to-earth and genuinely cares about his customers. He noticed we were regulars and surprised us with some merch--a hat and a couple of shirts--which just shows how much they appreciate the people who keep coming back. The food? Consistently amazing. The flavor never misses. A lot of places fluctuate depending on who's in the kitchen, but not Dave's. The spice levels are always spot-on, the chicken is perfectly cooked every time, and you can tell they take pride in what they serve. Easily a 5-star place. 100% recommend. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Kids and I love this place ! Two shakes as we wait for our food. Can't wait for the new top loaded fries ! - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

Compared to the mission Dave's Hot Chicken this one is by far my favorite. They are quick with bringing out your food. They always ask if you'd like extra sauce, which I appreciate as I sometimes forget to order extra. They have a lot of seating inside and outside. Although, parking can be tricky with lots of other surrounding businesses. read more

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Food is always good even when we get it via uber. They make sure to pack everything neatly. Sauces are yummy and they have the best pickles. Service is friendly, quick and reliable. The lines are long but don't normally take too long for the food to be ready. It's ambience is interesting to the eyes due to the graffiti on the walls very well crafted art which helps pass the time to look at while getting our order. read more

Located in a strip mall area, it was pretty easy to find parking. They have both inside and outdoor seating but the space is pretty small overall. We got the slider which is a deceiving name because the size is pretty substantial for a meal if you're not starving. I got the medium spice and probably could have done one more up since it was pretty mild for me but I love heat. The slaw is really good on the sandwich too and adds a nice, fresh crunch. Service was very friendly when we were there. We also asked for extra honey and ketchup and they gave us a whole bunch. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Outdoor entrance - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

I don't have this very often but today I was out and about and hungry. I was greeted with a hearty welcome and a smile. I ordered the two piece with a drink and was informed it would take about 12 minutes. They had just opened. The food was brought out and I was thanked very nicely and it made me feel like I was actually welcome here. The tenders are huge and moist and delicious. The fries were tasty and crisp and the pickles are an added treat. Exceeded my expectations and I would come back any time. Sorry for the out of focus photo. Not sure what happened. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This is my first time eating at Dave's Hot Chicken. The cashiers are super nice and helpful. She recommended the special which was 4 mini sliders and fries. So I tried it. I was pleased with what I got. I ordered my heat as medium. Next time I'll be a bit more daring. . My order took a little time but I believe they make your order fresh. The place was clean and you have options on how you order. If you want to order from their order machine you avoid the front counter but then you'd miss out on how nice everyone is . I'll be back again read more

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Ordered food for pick up on Easter! I ordered through Yelp and it was extremely easy to do. The food was ready at the promised time. The cashier Brenda, was really nice and offered great customer service. I was greeted as I walked through the door. I've been here twice now and both times have received great service! read more

Our favorite chicken sandwich place, we are repeat customers here. Reason for review: Sirena was awesome, she's extremely personable & we were convinced to try a new menu item we wouldn't have before. 10/10 customer service, glad for the interaction read more

Make you wait 45 minutes and when you walk to the counter to see if your food is ready they tell you, well call you when it's ready. I have three kids and it's 8:49 at night. I got here at 8. The girls are stuck up and rude and make you feel like you're wrong for asking for your food. 40 minutes and still waiting after spending 60$ on chicken sandwiches read more

I recently stopped by the Dave's Hot Chicken in El Cajon and had one of the best (and hottest!) experiences yet. On a previous visit I wasn't really in the mood for anything too spicy, but this time the craving hit hard. As a spice lover, it comes in waves--so I went all in and ordered the Dave's #2: two sliders with fries. I did one Medium and one Reaper. While ordering, the cashier let me know I'd have to sign a waiver for the Reaper heat level, acknowledging how extreme it is and releasing the restaurant from liability. I'd already seen online that the Reaper recipe had been changed and made even hotter, so honestly, that just made me want to try it more. Because the Reaper requires a special prep process, my food took a bit longer--around 20 minutes--but the staff handled it perfectly. They kept me updated throughout the wait and made sure I knew what was going on. Big props to them for being so attentive. They also packed the Reaper slider in its own separate container so the powder wouldn't get on anything else, which I really appreciated. I took my food to go since it was mid-afternoon and pretty crowded inside. Once I got home, I started with the Medium slider. Super delicious--the pickles and Dave's sauce always hit. The Medium heat didn't bother me at all, but my spice tolerance is definitely way higher than average. Then came the Reaper. Let me say this as clearly as possible: DO NOT DRINK WATER WHILE EATING THE REAPER. It makes it way worse. Eaten dry, it's extremely hot but manageable if you love spice. That being said, I do not recommend this for older people, younger kids, or anyone who doesn't regularly eat seriously spicy food. I tried it purely for the love and challenge of extreme heat. The burn in your mouth is temporary. Your stomach, however... that's a different story. You'll be fine in a day, but it definitely hits hard afterward. The sandwich had me sweating, face red, and breathing heavy. Super flavorful, super dry from the powder, and absolutely no joke. Try at your own risk. The fries were great as always--perfectly seasoned--and the staff loaded up my bag with sauces: honey, Dave's sauce, ketchup, and more. Always appreciate when places don't skimp on the extras. Overall, this location is fantastic, especially if you love spicy food. If I'm ever feeling it again, I might take on the Reaper another time. Until then, I'll definitely be back for the other levels of Heat. Great service, great food, and an unforgettable spicy experience. read more

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Food is solid as always. You can choose to order with the cashier or at the self service kiosk here which is convenient. The environment is clean. I would just state that sometimes there's a rush and it could take a pretty long time to get your food so order ahead if you know you're going in around a peak time. read more

Love their chicken it's the best heat I've come across and the taste is always on point t!

Medium is the perfect level not too hot just the right amount. Glad I can select no pickles or sauce so I don't have to deal with the pickle juice all over my chicken or waste the sauce since. Don't eat it. I do love the fries and the seasoning they put on it. Service is always quick though the parking lot is always a nightmare. They do have kiosks inside to order at so you don't have to interact with people read more

The chicken is delicious and even better when you squeeze some honey on each bite. The dining area is large. They have different levels of spice for the chicken. The service is always good. But the parking situation is a nightmare. read more

First time here. Very busy is always a good sign. We got the #2. Two chicken sliders w fries. You get your money's worth for sure. The sliders come w kaleslaw and pickles. The fries are crinkled. My fave. The sauce on the sandwich is minimal but they give you plenty extra. It's a pink mayo sauce. Very good. The chicken on the sandwhich is a giant fat juicy tender. It's a full size burger bun, so slider is a misnomer. It's a full on sandwich. We got mild spice. I think I'll get medium spice next time. Mild seemed to be the same as no spice for me. Perfect thin amount of breading. Not hard to find the meat. $13.99 for a #2. You'll probably only eat one sandwich. Super delicious. We will definately go back. read more

Was not worth the hype and left me disappointed. The chicken was fine, not dry and the rub was alright but nothing to write home about. The cheese fries were a pretty small portion for a $15 meal with a $1.50 upcharge and they were lukewarm when we got them. Same with the tiny $5 mac and cheese that tasted the same as KFC. And the also tiny $5 side slaw had no flavor. Overall, id expect a lot more from a meal that was almost $30. Wingstop is better, at least in this area. read more

I ordered online and waited over 40 min for my food. Other guests who ordered at the kiosk after I had already been waiting... received their food before I did. Absolutely ridiculous. I don't blame the workers. They were kind and working hard. Dave's do better!!! read more

Ordered to go and it was a little busy but got my food in a decent time. I ordered the 1 slider meal with fries. I got the medium spice and it was a good amount of spice but not spicy at all. Bathrooms were clean and service was great. I've been here multiple times and will come back again soon! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - 1 slider with fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

It was our first time at a Dave's, and Martin was so helpful in explaining the menu! I'm allergic to nuts and was able to safely eat here because they had an allergen menu available! The restaurant is very clean and the staff was friendly. We will be back! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - #3 and side of fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Great food, good vibes, average service, good price point. Had the #3 combo which come with the sandwich, chicken strip, medium fries and a bucket of sauce. Texas toast also included added a soda for about $17 total. The food is delicious, I got the mild spice, which was not hot at all. I probably could've got medium or hot. I recommend starting with medium with like spice. The vibe here are pretty cool on the wall. The service is just average. read more

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I've been loving on Dave's Hot Chicken for awhile now. Whether we're in sunny warm SD or AZ we've never had a bad meal. An overly spicy one, yes, but that was a rookie mistake! There are multiple heat levels to choose from, ranging from savory to burn the house down. Kale slaw and mac and cheese sides are just as good as their fries, which are never soggy or oversalted. Counter staff is always polite, helpful and patient, and clearly repeat back your order to make sure it's correct. Service is usually pretty quick, although they do get slammed during lunch and dinner rushes. I've had to wait about a half hour for an online order. Ambiance is cool and airy, a bit industrial, and yeah, like everywhere else these days, it's a bit loud due to cement floors and walls, and high ceilings. The industrial vibe is accentuated with spray paint art, and they play a variety of chill but upbeat music. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Wall art - nice! - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

I ordered my food 30 mins in advance online, and the estimated time should be 11:15. so honestly overall that seems like it should be one of the first orders to be made, nope! People that barely came in got their orders first, someone even had a big order and got theirs before mine, mind u I have a simple order, just a regular sized top loaded fries no pickles no slaw no Dave's sauce, so they're making LESS food overall. I got my order around 11:21, which is okay but if I ordered in advance, a SMALL order it should've been even closer to the estimated time. Not after people who JUST ordered. Also yall skimp SO bad on the cheese sauce, im having to order extra cheese because im getting one drop of cheese on my actual order. read more

I love coming to Dave's Hot Chicken! I usually go with their chicken sandwich with fries combo. The food here is amazing, I love that they give you the option to select your spice seasoning level for your chicken. I usually go with their medium spice seasoning, but if I am feeling bold I'll try their hot or extra hot. I can never order enough of their Dave's sauce, it's too good to avoid. The prices are fair and reasonable. The combo I went with was about $11. The chicken sandwich is great, enough seasoning in the chicken and great portion size for the sandwich. The fries are nicely seasoned as well and fried perfectly. The service at this location is awesome, very accommodating and friendly! I love that I can always place my order online and it will be ready to pick up once I arrive! Usually takes about 15 minutes. This location does have enough seating, but does fill up quick in the late afternoon's. Parking is never an issue as this location is inside a plaza with enough parking. Can't wait to come back again! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Sandwich with fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

First time here. Be prepared for a LONG wait time. Waited 25 minutes for one meal. I definitely recommend ordering ahead. Food was very good but that wait time is ridiculous. Also they serve the food in plastic takeout boxes even if you're dining in which sucks. Seems super wasteful . read more

Ate here on June 12. First time. Lunch. Crowded. Don't choose this if you are in a rush. Food was cooked after we ordered and our order took about 15 minutes. Worth the wait. Food is tasty. Messy, but tasty. The #4 slider was a good sized meal. Drink is not included, so lunch for two was $30. Definitely not a budget lunch. Only really big eaters should spend for the #3 with the extra chicken tender. The slider has a nice slaw component. The fries are crinkle cut and with some good crisp without being hard. The joint is plain inside with some nice tables outside. The napkins suck. With the sauce and dripping juicy chicken, I used half a dozen and still needed more. read more

I heard of Dave's but never had the chance to actually stop on by until this day. Inside is setup as a usual fast food place. The cashier was very patient and chill. We order the 2 sliders with fries. I didn't timed how long it took for our food to come out, but I'm estimating it was 25 mins to 30 mins. I was getting pretty hungry but they were pretty busy as well. Once the food arrived we were pretty excited by the size for the sliders. Thinking of sliders I thought it was going to be the size of the bread rolls, But it was bigger and it was definitely enough for me. The taste was unexpected as well, in a good way. The chicken was crispy and flavorful. I was pleasantly surprised. Their famous sauce was good but really not my thing so I did like it without it. Overall it was good place and somewhat a quick lunch to grab a bite. read more

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Love the service here, the food is actually fresh and flavorful. Lowkey one of the best chicken spots to this day.

This chicken was fire!! I had been wanting to try this place and finally got to see what all the hype is about. The prices are reasonable, the place is clean, the service was good, and I got my order fairly quick considering how busy they were. The only down side is the parking sucks and what a nightmare. It's in a small shopping center and they are next to an In & Out, which is madness with the drive thru line snaking through the parking lot and blocking parking stalls etc. Other than the parking situation the food was good. I would only recommend coming on a weekday before or after the lunch rush. I ordered the #3 - chicken slider, chicken tender, & fries. I love spicy foods, but was unsure exactly how hot their levels of heat were. So I opted for the hot, and I'll just say I could have gone extra hot and maybe even the reaper. The chicken was juicy, fresh, had good flavor, and was filling. I thought 1 slider wouldn't be enough since I was hungry, but I couldn't even finish the fries or the tender. I was pretty stuffed and the chicken tenders were a good size. I'll definitely be coming back and it's worth trying. read more

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This was my first time here per recommendation of my teenage son. We ordered at the restaurant using the kiosk. It was fairly crowded at 9pm and noisy. I would definitely order ahead online or from the app if I returned. Wait time for our order of 2 combos at that time of night was over half an hour. The food was mostly delicious. My cheese fries were cold, but I would return and try them again maybe at a different time. Parking lot is a mess, but the location is convenient to us that live up the hill in Alpine. read more

I thought it was super yummy and the customer service was friendly and helpful! They do have tables inside and out if you want to eat onsite. Good flavor, tried the chicken with sides of macaroni, coleslaw and fries. read more

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This is some of the best chicken I've had in not going to lie because I will now be a lifetime customer and I want to let the higher ups to know that Daron/Dylan I can't remember perfectly but he was a super helpful dude that helped me troubleshoot a problem with the app read more

Absolutely amazing! Dave's Hot Chicken never disappoints. Sliders were so good and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of spice. The service is friendly, and the atmosphere is casual and fun. Definitely my go-to spot for hot chicken, highly recommend read more

Food is always great, staff friendly, vibes are always good here, food never fails to amaze me here

First and foremost, the customer service here is TOP TIER! Every employee behind the counter was delightful. We ordered two orders of the chicken tenders and the wait time wasn't as long as we expected! The tenders were filling and tasty! The inside was clean and in order. Based solely off the customer service, this place deserves a 5 star! Keep up the great work! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Tenders and fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

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First time at Dave's hot chicken, Brenda was the sweetest and very welcoming! I got the two sliders with a side of Mac and cheese. The two sliders ended up being a lot of food for myself, but were delicious. The Mac and cheese was creamy and hot! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Mac & cheese! - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Small menu, but the chicken is soooo good! The inside I is always clean but usually pretty busy and the service is a bit slow. Order ahead and pick it up or sit at the little hidden outside seating area. read more

I am first time here in Dave's hot chicken and El Cajon and the cashier is name. Chris is really friendly and we have a really customer service. read more

I love to eat the loaded fries. Medium heat is good even though I don't handle spiciness very well. I always get extra kale slaw to put on top. The slushie is good but it's a little watered down at this location. I always get a shake. I ask for chocolate ice cream and get it with m&ms. All the staff were super friendly. I ordered inside and it only took about 10-15 minutes for it to be ready. I like their app too. I've been earning a lot of points every time I come here. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Loaded fries, regular fries, shake and daves sauce - Chicken Shop Near Me - El Cajon, California