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Dave's Hot Chicken

4.2 (854 reviews)
ModerateChicken Shop, Halal
Closed • 11:00 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)
Updated a few days ago

Order Dave's Hot Chicken Takeout or Delivery

Dave's Hot Chicken Photos

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DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Dave's Hot Chicken

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Entrance
Eliko S.

So I was scrolling on TikTok and some influencer was taking about the cauliflower tenders from Dave's. So naturally, I had to drive into PB to try them, and M. came along to have some hot chicken. We had no trouble finding a meter spot on Garnet only a block away. There was even some time left on it. Score! We entered the shop at the SE corner of Garnet & Cass around 7:15pm on Saturday eve, and ordered easily from one of the two user friendly kiosks... great organization, clear photos of the food, and options for spice levels, sauces, add-ons, etc. We were a tad surprised that they automatically tag on a sizeable tip. There is a button to toggle the amount up or down, but it seemed especially strange since we were ordering from a computer, and there were no employees taking orders. I understand that there are folks that would benefit from the tips working in the back, but still, the optics on that are not great. Anyway, we got our water cups and found a spot inside where we sat down to wait. The dining room was busy and filled with a variety of guests from teenagers, to couples on dates, to families enjoying a fun meal together. Very lively indeed, although the cleanliness of the dining area and tables is somewhat questionable. In the 30 minutes that we were waiting in the dining room, I did not see any employees leave the kitchen area. Just an observation, but several of the tables turned over while I was there, and they were not sanitized. Once my name was called, we took our heavy to-go bag, and hustled up the block to our chariot. Upon opening the bags at home 15 minutes later, we discovered to go boxes that were laden with food, 4 packets of Dave's Sauce, and a handful of napkins with amusingly co-opted lyrics, some with a Cali twist..."All Freyez on Me," anyone? The portions are generous and commensurate with the price and popular location. So the food, well, it was honestly fine for what it is. My cauli tenders were large and crispy, but on the greasy side. The batter was mild, and very good, but the greasy flavor was a bit off putting. I could not finish both tenders and fries because they're very filling. I ate a tender and a half and about 1/3 of the crinkle-cut fries. I also got a little concerned about whether the cauliflower tenders are fried in a separate fryer from the chicken, but for now, I will settle for not knowing. M. liked the sliders and he enjoyed the pickles, Hawaiian bun and sauce on them. He couldn't finish all of his fries either, so I guess we have a snack for later. Verdict: (3.5 stars) - Dave's delivers the goods as promised. If you are a fan of this type of casual comfort food, definitely give it a go. They're open late!

Dave's #2: 2 Sliders w/ Fries
Kathryn S.

Dave's Hot Chicken in PB hit! Not just hype but actual crispy chicken with a good amount of spice. Crinkle cut fries were definitely a plus for me, you don't really see those served anymore. Service was smooth and came out quick. Outdoor seating with a beach breeze is always a plus. Good spot to grab something filling after walking around PB.

My sisters food is cold, my Mots sticks had NO cheese only oil and so did my boyfriends.. I don't recommend coming here at all

My sisters food was cold, my mots sticks had NO cheese only oil and so did my bfs.. I don't recommend coming here at all

Sue D.

10-10-2025 My spouse and I came here right when they opened the door. We were the very first customers to place our order; it took 15 minutes for or food. We had #2 2 Sliders: 1 hot, 1 reaper (must sign a waiver) with fries $14.99 ($12.99 on the menu) and mac & cheese $4.29. I am not a fan of fast food, their chicken however changed my perspective. It was tender, juicy and tasty finger liking good! Mac & cheese, creamy and melts in your mouth delicious! Rating: 3/5 service, due to long wait 5/5 chicken 4/5 overall

Large Top-Loaded Spicy Buffalo Mac
Matthew C.

Small location in PB. Not enough chairs to go with the table and you it shows they don't care about the cleanliness of the dining area. While there is a high volume of people coming thru, in my 45 minutes here the trash stayed overflowing and eventually just falling on the floor. Food is on par with other locations so good consistency there, but other than being right down the street from the beach this location of the franchise is by far the wor

Grace F.

I've had good experiences at other Dave's Hot Chickens at other locations but this was not it. The customer service was poor, we were not greeted and the worker looked like they didn't even want to be there. The service was also slow and when I was ordering it seemed like they didn't know what I was ordering. I had to repeat myself multiple times even though it was a combo option. After waiting almost 30 minutes for my order, I opened the box and there was a long hair in it. The kitchen staff all had hair nets but the people working the front did not and looked like they were laughing blaming eachother. They also did not apologize and instead started jokingly accusing eachother of whose it was immediately. They did however give me a new one and the chicken sandwhich itself was great. The food I would give a 4/5 but the service and experience was a 1/5

Raymond A.

Still crushin it like the rockstars you are!! A top 2 late night PB spot. The chickens is forever goood!!

This is just outside Dave's hit chicken.  People sit outside and eat next to Dave's sticky mess.  Don't go to Dave's in pacific beach
Lino V.

Don't go to the pacific beach location. They don't clean the outside mess that they created. The inside is dirty too. You sit outside and it smells like piss. Homeless just outside this place makes it horrible try another place. Do you see from the pics that the oil on the sidewalk is coming from their business? Why?

Chicken sliders with fries !
John W.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Kids told me about this place but I was a doubter. Fast food? Ok but, arguably the best hot chicken I've ever had. Fries were top shelf. If I wasn't worried about heart disease I'd eat here ever single day.

Georgina R.

Worst customer service. I came in for a fundraiser and was greeted with attitude by the young man behind the counter when I tried to scan the QR code. The service was also extremely slow, I waited a long time for my food. I will not be coming to this location again.

Artwork on the wall
Courtney L.

I've lived here for 6 years and for some reason this is the first time I have tried this! I have been waiting to for a long time. I love spicy chicken sandwiches. You order at the counter or touch screen and then come to the back to wait for your order, I like the screen that shows where you are in the line up. It's a little bright and loud but it fits the vibe and decor. For the food itself I got the slider and tender meal. I wanted a little of each !! It came with fries and a sauce. I would say it was a lot of food. My fiancé also got a combo and I would say next time we will share fries. We also tried the mozzarella stick. Yum. We only ordered one and that was enough for me. I really liked the breading on the items. It was thin with a little texture. The chicken was moist. It also comes with pickles and a slice a bread with the sauce. Honestly it was a good amount of food for the price. I forgot to take a photo of the food because I was so excited to eat it. I would say if you are around it's worth a try

Order number 1
Tune N.

The chicken was very tinder and fresh, and the fries were crispy, loved the fries seasoning. It's my first time so I started with mild- def will come back to try it with little more spice! The ambiance depends on the day/ might- since this one is PB, the younger vibes are all over the place especially after 12 am.. service is great, and fast.

Honey ALL over everything ... EVERY time ... it's ridiculous
heidi v.

I always order Dave's ... the last few times it's been such a mess .. the saucy bites? With all of the money you're making perhaps come up with better packaging ... the honey pours out and ruins everything in the bag along with the fact now the honey is off of the chicken ... if it wasn't for how delicious it all is I'd stop but I'd figure they'd fix the issue ... also, I order the kale salad and this time there were huge pickles in it ... and I'm allergic ... it has never come with pickles ... looks like someone accidentally dropped them in there ... door dash wouldn't refund the order ... anyhow ... maybe put the "saucy bites" in a to-go container that doesn't have holes. Just a thought

2pc Dave's #1: 2 Tenders w/ Fries

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Brett G.

We appreciate those 5 stars, thank you for your review!!!!

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Julie C.

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10 months ago

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11 days ago

Good food, service was nice as well, only issue is the heat of environment. The location is located near a beach so the shop is rather warm.

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Brett G.

We aim to impress! Thanks for the 5 stars!

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11 months ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

Prepare to wait over an hour and for the workers to not be very kind. I literally don't understand

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3 days ago

amazing service and jorge was amazing best sercvice in the coty or maybe the whole world

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Dave's Hot Chicken Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Dave's Hot Chicken

Why are fries half size now, compared to 6 months ago?

I'd love to know the same thing. Prolly gettin a lot more food orders

Is the chicken hand slaughtered? Where is the chicken from?

It's mechanical

Is the chicken hand slaughtered zabihah halal? Usually those are crescent and tahir.

Yup

Is the location in San Diego halal?

Yes we are Halal!

Is the chicken served halal hand slaughtered?

Yes it is. They have a certificate on the wall.

Are there gluten free options? Or any plans to add any to the menu?

The slaw and fries are gluten free. I've asked for gluten free chicken and they are working on it, but they'll never have a 100% gluten free kitchen, so it wouldn't work if you have celiac.

The voicemail says that we can order our food online to pick up however, order online ordering does not work on Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Door Dash, Postmates, or your own website. How'd do you suggest we place an order?

https://www.toasttab.com/dhc-pacificbeach/v3 I used this link to order today.

Doesn't seem like take out is optional. I've been trying since they opened and it's always said closed?

Hello! We are open for takeout and we have limited hours of online ordering ability through our website and our affiliates for delivery!

Online ordering for this location says closed. Is that going to change soon?

It lets you order for pickup on Door Dash!

Do you have to wait in that crazy line if you order on Door Dash for pickup or is there a separate line?

Hello! We have a side entrance for orders that were placed through our online platforms. Thanks!

Why am I not able to place a online order and there phone isn't answering calls?

They're a little too popular right now and demand prevents them. Only option is to go and wait in line.

Are they open? Dine in, takeout, delivery?

Yes, they are open. No dine-in. I tried calling in an order and was unable to. I also tried to order online-- also unsuccessful. I had to stand in line with everyone else...the one thing I didn't want to do, lol! Takeout and, supposedly, delivery.

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The Food Box - The Whitefield Fried Chicken Sandwich

The Food Box

4.5(212 reviews)
0.0 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

I was so hungry and found this place on Uber with a BOGO deal. Just landed in SD and all the…read moretraveling just hit me all at once when we got to the final destination. I checked Yelp naturally to make sure the place was okay and the reviews were better than I expected. I can second all the good reviews. This burger and fry combo is just what I needed. The burger was super flavorful, like the addition of the spinach. Wasnt weird at all and knowing i got some healthy greens somewhere in this meal, makes me feel less guilty about the calories lol. What sold me most was the soft bun, the perfectly seasoned and crispy fries along with the homemade ranch. I would love to try other items in the future and now my go to spot for burgers when im in the area.

First time visiting on a Friday at 6pm…read more It was a one man show as 1 person was working on the entire diner. But he was working fast and hard and made a great burger. Have to order on the kiosk. Not sure if they take cash. Lots of seating and nice to have board games while you wait. Bacon cheese burger 4/5 - Great burger, smashed, juicy but the flavor wasn't all that there. Maybe the burger sauce was masking the burger flavor. But it was good enough for me to give it another try. Truffle fries 4/5 - love the amount of seasoning and large portion, you can definitely split it with someone. Me and my wife could not finish it together. But fries could be a little more crispy. I would definitely recommend anyone to stop by and give a review for themselves!

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The Food Box - Inside

Inside

The Food Box - Inside

Inside

The Food Box - Inside

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Inside

The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach

The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach

4.1(117 reviews)
0.2 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

The Crack Shack in Pacific Beach is one of my favorite spots when I'm craving a fried chicken…read moresandwich. It's also super close to the beach, which makes it an easy place to stop before or after spending some time by the water. I almost always get the Firebird. The chicken is consistently juicy, crispy, flavorful, and has a really good amount of heat. It's definitely my go-to here. I also love that they have such a big selection of condiments and sauces, so you can try different combinations with your meal. The open patio is another big plus and fits the casual PB vibe really well. The employees have also always been nice and helpful whenever I've visited. The only area I think could use a little improvement is the cocktails. The ones I've tried have been okay, but I'd love a little more flavor and a stronger pour, especially compared to how bold the food is.

Solid place for some well fried chicken I have been here…read moremany times since it is near my place and I gotta say it is a solid choice and one of my favorite chicken places in San Diego. The Le Cluck and the jidori chicken nuggets have to be my favorite items. The Le Cluck is a beautiful marriage between French onion soup and a fried chicken sandwich. I honestly love this thing so much and hope it isn't just a seasonal item, but becomes a permanent on the menu. The Jidori Nuggets are always very well done and the sauces here are bangin and they have a good variety of sauces. The sandwiches on the other hand are a bit inconvenient with seasoning and fry. I've gotten the Coop and other multiple times and it seems to be different based on who is in the kitchen. I went for the Phily Chicken Cheesesteak and it was underseasoned and terrible. I wouldn't recommend it but I've had friends say it was good - but again the spot is inconsistent. I really appreciate the sauces and the different kinds of food they have here because there seems to be someone for everyone here - no matter how picky you are. Don't skip the nuggets

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The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach
The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach - Jidori Chicken Wings

Jidori Chicken Wings

The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach

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Dirty Birds

Dirty Birds

3.9(1.4k reviews)
0.3 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

Came in on a Saturday and easily got a seat for 2 to watch the football game. There's plenty of TVs…read moreto have multiple games on at one time. The ambiance is very dive bar, but also very personable and welcoming. The wings... are probably the best wings in Pacific Beach... maybe in all of San Diego. Their awards don't lie. The wings are big meaty portions, and juicy to the bite. We ordered a set of 10 wings, all flats, half lemon pepper and half apple bourbon chipotle (a fan fave). Did not disappoint!!! Ask the staff their favorite flavors - ALWAYS! My only note is they could make a better mojito, but I'll just order a different drink next time. 10/10 will be back again!

Hiya B.U.M.S., What…read morea treat! We happened to show up on a half-off tequila and $5 à la cart taco day. In true "us" fashion, we somehow didn't fully take advantage of all the drink deals--I have no idea why we always do that!--but the food and ambiance more than made up for it. Plus, our server was pretty helpful and awesome. We ordered: Wings (5 Spicy Garlic & 5 Ninja): Both flavors were delicious. The Ninja sauce was so good we actually talked about taking a bottle home to brush over smoked ribs! Fried Shrimp Taco: Had an incredible, satisfying crunch. The sauce on top was a bit heavy-handed for my personal taste, but the flavor was spot on. Baja Fiesta Salad with Beef: Fresh veggies and a perfectly crisp tortilla bowl. We were able to finish the whole thing before any part of the shell got soggy, which is rare for taco salads! Plain Tater Tots: Served with that ideal golden-brown outer crisp. Tips: Time it right: If you love a good deal, drop by on their promo days for the half-off specials on tacos and tequila and other deals they have. Sauce on the side: If you prefer controlling your crisp-to-sauce ratio on fried items like the shrimp taco, ask for the top sauce on the side. What's your favorite chicken wing flavor? If you enjoyed this review and the photos, drop a like or a helpful vote. You can also follow our family adventures on Instagram @advntrbums and @advntrbums_mb for more dining spots and travel recommendations.

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Dirty Birds - TV's.

TV's.

Dirty Birds
Dirty Birds

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Main Chick Hot Chicken - Now offering Harlem Hazy IPA, Abnormal Hazy IPA & Westfalia Red ale

Main Chick Hot Chicken

4.2(511 reviews)
3.5 mi•Clairemont
•$$
Free parking
Outdoor seating

Probably my favorite chicken place that beats out Dave's Hot Chicken!…read more Main Chick Hot Chicken is located in Clairemont Square, right next to where the old theater was in the line of restaurants down the strip. This place is definitely more of a grab and go since there isn't too many spots to sit and the location is a little narrow around the seating. Service is just okay in my opinion. You used to be able to order from the cashier but I guess they have decided to switch to a kiosk setup now. They also charge a ton for the extra sauce in small packets which I think is pretty lame of them to do, but I guess you gotta make profit where you can. Also, the wait times for getting your order can take a while so keep that in mind if you're in a crunch. Now for the main reason you would come here: the chicken. I think they have such a great flavor for their chicken (which isn't pickle fried like Dave's - Yuck) and just always hits the spot whenever I'm craving chicken tenders or a sandwich. The price isn't too bad for what you get in their combos either. I'll definitely be coming back here when I need my next chicken sandwich/tender fix!

I was so excited to try this location by my house since I had finally had their chicken in Carlsbad…read morefor the first time. This wasn't the same experience I had with the Carlsbad location. The chicken was a little dry and the fries were too crispy and dry. I did not finish my fries. The sauce was still amazing though. Overall the service was great. The cashier was friendly and this location was super clean. If it wasn't for the dryness of the food, it would have been perfect!

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Main Chick Hot Chicken - 2 Dark Meat Sandwiches

2 Dark Meat Sandwiches

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Sandwich

Main Chick Hot Chicken - Combo #1

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Combo #1

North Park Beer Company Pizza Shop - Crown Point - Pep on Pep on Pep Pie

North Park Beer Company Pizza Shop - Crown Point

4.4(107 reviews)
1.0 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

Best pizza in town!!! Love the atmosphere it's very sweet…read moreand fun Food might take a bit to arrive but it's so nice there that you don't count the moments

North park beer co pizza shop in crowne point is a great beer and food bar in the outskirts of…read morepacific beach! Pros: this restaurant is a pizza shop and a brewery at the same time which is great for those who want to have a great selection of drinks and food simultaneously. The food options are wide and very tasty for most people's taste pallets so everyone can enjoy food here, young and old. The beer is also a great selection which is common throughout the North Park beer co locations. Bathroom heater, nice and service here is even better. Cons: the biggest con here is trying to find some sort of parking nearby. The best way to find parking is to go to any other side streets nearby and try to find street parking. There's a small parking garage that would most likely feel pretty quickly next to the main patio area, but I don't know if this is strictly for North Park or for another nearby business since I did not park there, but I saw that that was an option. Verdict: this is a great pizza shop in brewery for all ages who want to enjoy the food and root beer! I recommend coming here again again if you're in the area.

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North Park Beer Company Pizza Shop - Crown Point - Sign post next to the outdoor patio

Sign post next to the outdoor patio

North Park Beer Company Pizza Shop - Crown Point - Fried Chicken Sandwiches are served all day only on Wednesdays!

Fried Chicken Sandwiches are served all day only on Wednesdays!

North Park Beer Company Pizza Shop - Crown Point - Cheesy BFF with housemade pesto

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Cheesy BFF with housemade pesto

Dave's Hot Chicken - chickenshop - Updated October 2026

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