This is my first try of Dave's hot chicken. It was really good, particularly for fast food. I ordered the #3 menu, which is 1 chicken slider and 1 tender with fries. I was wondering why they called it a slider rather than a sandwich and I think I understood when I got the order. The chicken slider is a little smaller than a chicken sandwich elsewhere -- but not tiny, and certainly larger than a standard beef slider. The tender, on the other hand, was much bigger than I expected. The chicken on the slider and the tender was cooked really well. It's made to order, so when you pick it up, it's piping hot. The crust is very crispy and the meat very tender and juicy. I ordered them as medium spicy and it was just right for me. Not very spicy at all, but you can definitely taste a little bit. Some people might want more and might consider this more of a mild. If you want noticable kick you should order more than medium. The fries were pretty good, and while I normally don't really like pickles in my burgers, it worked really well with the fried chicken. I'm definitely coming back. read more

See all

So slow. I waited like 30 minutes in their drive through line with only a couple of cars ahead of me. I ended up asking folks behind me to back up so I could escape because I had an appointment to get to. I wish I bailed sooner. Thank goodness they don't make you pay ahead of time, otherwise I would have been stuck. read more

I placed a catering order well in advance, received a confirmation receipt but on the day of the birthday, when we went to pick it up, they said they never received the order and did not have anything ready for us to pick up. Despite me having proof of the order, they took no responsibility for their system failure. There was also no apology for for the massive inconvenience. I had a room full of guests and no food to serve them. It was like an "it is what it is" attitude. After the party, I called to speak with the manager and was told "corporate will contact you" - which we all know is code for "no one will contact you." It's sad because we really liked this place - we liked it enough to have our event catered from here, but lesson learned. They clearly don't care about their customers or the impact of their mistakes. Not worth the stress or the money. read more

It's honestly been a good minute. Since I've had a really good chicken sandwich. Everybody sells them. But unfortunately the majority. Taste like crap. I was out in Irvine visiting my boy. And came across Dave's hot chicken. And I had to try it out for the first time. And damn I wish they had one in every City. Honestly hands down sandwiches. Delicious. Good service. Good fries. Also, Got a Shake and let me tell you they ain't shy with the toppings. Definitely coming back the next time. I'm in Irvine. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

The french fries were honestly my favorite part because they were seasoned really well, but the chicken itself was slightly underwhelming. Maybe it's just not for me. It definitely wasn't bad, but I thought it would be a lot more flavorful and I ordered medium spicy. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Cashier was very enthusiastic and energetic. Chicken tasted crispy and moist and seasoned well. Not as spicy as I had it last time. Fries are a great texture. Wish they would switch out the white bread for Texas toast read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Dave's #3 1 Tender & 1 Slider w/ Fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

It's crazy how the employee followed me to the restroom right after me just to check the toilet like I'm a thief or do some shit. And went back inside after looking at the toilet without washing his hands. It was a night shift worker around 10pm both men. I would never buy again from this place the way they treat customer read more

Love Dave's. Such good service, good food. We always look forward to a Dave's run with Austin in the drive thru!

Disappointed with the quality of chicken here. Tried the Dave's bites which is supposed to be white meat but the meat was dark some times and inedible. It was like stretchy tendon gooey gross bits. I've posted photos of some pieces. One pieces even had dark red vein which looked like blood coming out of it that I also did not eat. Even the white meat pieces did not taste that great. It's hard to describe the texture but you can tell when chicken is cooked properly vs. tasting kind of blocky and thick and that's how the chicken was here. I have eaten a ton of chicken tenders and boneless wings from all kinds of places and will not be back here as there are numerous better options. read more

See all

I keep passing by Dave's locations, and so one day I decided to pull the trigger and give it a try! Overall we enjoyed our experience. Pros: - open 'til midnight (nice to have more late-night options in Irvine) - seating area is pretty clean - chicken strips are pretty hefty and well-seasoned - staff is friendly and accommodating (surprised to see negatives reviews on this!) - happy to see a somewhat healthier option for sides with the kale slaw Cons: - Spice levels are inconsistent, ironic given that's their M.O.. "Medium" not spicy at all, but one level up as "Hot" was damn spicy! - Not a huge fan of their slider/sandwich option. Seems kinda thrown together as an afterthought rather than a considered menu item. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Slider strip combo w/ kale slaw - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Really slow service. Placed a very simple order for pickup online (Dave's mini sliders) I asked the cashier when I arrived if it was ready and it had been almost ten mins since I ordered... he said they were still working on it.... I sat on the dining room watching orders and orders get sent out of the kitchen for over 20 mins... Finally I was ready to cancel the order and it wasn't magically ready. Definitely not convenient read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Slow kitchen on a Sunday - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

The chicken tenders look like they would be crispy but they aren't really, the breading is very thin. I also didn't care for the chicken itself, and the mild seasoning tasted very sugary which I didn't like, but that's just my opinion. The fries were good and the only thing I ended up eating in my meal, which was $14 and doesn't include a drink, but not much better than any other fast food fries. Drive thru service was super slow even though there was only 1 car ahead of me. Way too overpriced for the quality. read more

Delicious chicken, mediocre service. The chicken sandwich and tenders were flavorful and juicy, and the fries were excellent, but it took over 10 minutes for the food to come out, and everything was only slightly warm instead of hot. I really enjoyed the Dave's sauce, and the meal was definitely filling. The staff were very friendly as well and gladly provided extra sauce when asked. Overall, I loved the taste of the food, but I just wish the chicken had felt fresh out of the fryer. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Dave's #3 1 Tender & 1 Slider w/ Fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

The two piece tenders combo box is the way to go with the hot seasoning. Spices could be spicier here but it's always great service and so quick too. Ambience is your usual Dave's with the street art. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Two piece tender - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Drive thru takes a while, but the food is great. David was an amazing cashier as well!

Austin is pone of the best staff I've ever encountered in a fast food spot. He put up with my drunken rambling and somehow added to the experience. What a great Dave's read more

This place never disappoints and the food is great, usually quiet and easy to talk in. Alonzo is always friendly and attentive.

Amazing Dave's location! The chicken is nice and crispy, no taste of stale oil, and the spice levels are great. Our food always comes out hot and consistent to taste. The young gentleman working the drive thru speaker is also so kind! He asked if it was our first time, made great suggestions, and explained the menu well. I will definitely be back. read more

Overall (4/5) A consistent and dependable hot chicken chain that delivers bold flavors at a fair price. First Impressions (4/5) This was a return visit. Dave's maintains a familiar and casual fast food vibe. What We Got (4/5) Hot Tender and Chicken sandwhich plus a Mac and cheese sub for fries Taste and Quality (4/5) Tenders are flavorful and usually a good size. Crispiness can be inconsistent. Sauce is a standout. Mac and cheese is a better option than the fries, which feel generic. Service (4/5) Efficient and organized with reasonable wait times. Space and Atmosphere (3.5/5) Functional and casual, best for quick meals. Was It Worth It (4/5) Good value for portion size and flavor. Final Thoughts Best for reliable hot chicken cravings. I would return, especially when craving something spicy and quick. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

I love the food but the wait time can be a bit excessive. Service is a hit or miss and the cleanliness of the place depends on what time of day you go tbh. I think the good is really tasty but not sure if its worth the price. Definitely good to check out but won't become a staple for me. read more

We ordered 70 of the Dave's #2 menu item for work and it was hit! The amount of food was so filling. The chicken on the sliders were ginormous, crispy with an amazing batter. I love spice and the medium was not too spicy. There was tasty cabbage and crispy dill pickles on each slider. The crinkle cut fries had a Cajun spice and everyone was stuffed and satisfied. This was my first time trying Dave's and I'm disappointed I waited so long. I can't wait to have it again and maybe try other menu items. Highly recommended! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - 2 Mild Chicken Dave's #2: 2 Sliders w/ Fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here because I saw that the Hot Mozz was back on the menu. The hot mozz was amazing as to be expected, but the standout was actually the cashier that helped me out. His name is Austin and he went above and beyond to greet my fiancé and I, he made sure our order was perfect, and he also checked in after to make sure we didn't need anything. I will definitely come back to this location. Great staff and very clean for a fast food place which I appreciate! read more

Avoid this location!!! Ordered 2 tenders on doordash, they looked ok, but has no flavor what so ever. Did they ran out of salt and chili powder??? No wonder the rating here is the lowest. read more

Been going to Dave's since their OG location in LA was the only location! Always got combo #2- hot and drizzled honey on always! Recently had a great experienced with the sandwich portion- where the chicken is cutlet size and width rather than ck tender size in sandwich. Staffs are always so friendly and nice- never any complaints with their customer service :) The only complaints now compared to the OG location are fries no longer loaded up but is measured by the small paper plate & they don't offer complimentary sides with a yelp check in. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Best sandwich chicken size ever made at Dave's !! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Waited at the window for ~20 minutes after ordering a loaded mac and cheese. When I finally got my order I was told it was a spicy buffalo loaded mac so i was like ok and just left since it's been so long. Got home and there was barely any mac and cheese :( I specifically order this because I don't like fries that much. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Always a good time- high quality. Mild is good for a little flavor but not spicy. They source the food from somewhere high quality clearly

Underwhelming experience overall. The menu is pretty limited -- mostly chicken sandwiches and tenders, without much variety. I'm not sure what all the hype is about. On top of that, you have to keep asking for extra sauces, which gets a bit annoying. Nothing really stood out for me. read more

We waited for 30 minutes for the order of (1)Flight of Saucy Bites and (2) loaded spicy buffalo mac. Buffalo mac was for other person, so I made sure to check the quality before leaving, but my chickens were half sauced and some not even breaded properly. Front was understaffed, back was crowded with smirks and flying boxes. Front being frustrated, was rude and couldn't even hand us sauces as she was too busy. I understand there is busy hours, but food quality and worker's attitudes should not fluctuate. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - One of the three boxes from Flight of Saucy Bites - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Tried Dave's for the first time today and I can't say I was disappointed. I had the mini sliders which was good and my order was ready when I came to pick it up. The sliders are very mini but it's ok it was good. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Austin is the MVP, he handled a line of full of people on his own and the best part is he did it with consistent amazing service. Thank you Austin! read more

Dave's is among my top 5 places to go in Irvine for a quick lunch. The food is ready fast, and they sometimes give an extra chicken tender if they're on the small side. I usually drive-thru, but it's an interesting atmosphere on the inside with the painted chicken figures on the wall. One thing to note, they don't put napkins and forks in the drive-thru to-go bag. You have to ask before you drive away. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Tenders (Medium Spice) - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Easy to order via the app and picked up my order. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and the food was ready. The chicken sliders and fries were delicious. And so were the chicken tenders. I like how you can choose your spice levels for each tender and slider. There's construction going on outside so parking is available but not directly outside the restaurant. read more

There was this young guy behind the counter. Presumably Caucasian, some arm tattoos. He was amazing. Super positive, helpful. Brought the whole room up. Such an anomaly in today's day in age. We'll gladly eat here again. Thanks for the great vibes! read more

Took 30 minutes to get through the drive thru for $30 chicken. I grew a beard in the time it took to get through here.

Placed an order with them through DoorDash and they sent a wrong order! Contacted DoorDash they are telling me to contact the restaurant and when I called the restaurant they told me they can't do anything because the order was placed through DoorDash! I'm getting a run around for something I paid for! read more

Absolutely wonderful... We love Dave's chicken... Always fresh always hot... Perfect... I wanna shout out to the employees of Dave's chicken off Culver in Irvine... Excellent service... They always go above and beyond .... thank you read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Irvine culver the best employees!!! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Well, I guess viral ad marketing works because I saw the Dave's Hot Chicken ad like 18,000 times and eventually it did indeed bring me to Dave's. The service was wonderful and the person at the front was helpful and even informed me of a cinnamon toast crunch milkshake that was not yet on the menu so or course I got that. Did it live up to thehype? For me it did. I didn't shout, "Oh my God," like the girl in the ads and my eyes didn't pop out of my head, but it was really good. Our party agreed - it's definitely made it into our rotation. It might just be because we got a little carried away, but the bill was extremely high. It ended up averaging over $26 per person and I don't think we got that much food, so just be mindful when you're ordering. The ambience was of a fast food place but roomier and more hip! I dug the soundtrack. I'll definitely go back, but I'll probably order a little bit less next time. You should check it out! read more

See all

Fantastic service! Placed the order online and was ready by the time we arrived to pick it up. The sliders were pretty huge and we loved the slight kick of the fried chicken. Love the Dave's sauce too! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Dave's #2 2 Sliders w/ Fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Love Dave's Hot chicken! My faves are the cauliflower tenders. Love the drive through at this location and our man, Ricky in the night shift. He's super affable with great customer service! read more

Shrinkflation is here. New private equity ownership at the corporate level and they have shrunk the size of their chicken and not chicken portions. Next will come price increases and finally drop in quality. Note: ever since I posted this there have been a bunch of new 5 star reviews from accounts with 0 other reviews specifically praising employees by name. Suspicious behavior. read more