Crispy, spicy chicken with bold flavor, great heat levels, and fast service. Loved it

I've tried Dave's multiple times, different locations and was always a little meh about it especially since it's got some competition in the area BUT this time they redeemed themselves. I feel like the overwhelming saltiness has reduced, the bread is really good, and overall they just overhauled their recipe? The reaper is actually finally hot - the slow burn hurt your stomach kind worthy of a waiver. The jump between the levels seems rather off though where hot was a mild+ at best so it's a little confusing. Fast, nice online order and pickup. There is plenty of parking in the plaza. There is not outdoor seating. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Dave's #2 2 Sliders w/ Fries - They packaged the reaper separately, nice touch! - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

okay maybe it's just me but I don't get it bread was really dry so I didn't really eat it not my type of fries either so I only had a couple came w two tenders but I barely finished one - breading felt a bit much will give them a point back tho bc the chicken itself was p moist the ketchup & honey is kinda hidden on the register counter & not pointed towards the public so that was kinda strange read more

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I've always liked coming to Dave's Hot Chicken, but today was honestly disappointing. The hot mozzarella was way overcooked, and the chicken was dry and chewy. I also had to wait quite a while for them to make the ice cream for my shake and slush. Truthfully, the shake and slush were the only things that were actually good. The staff was just okay. One of the girls working there just stood staring at me instead of letting me know the shake was going to take awhile. It wasn't until her male coworker said something that she finally acknowledged it and cracked a smile...but not even toward me. The whole experience just felt awkward and off. Not sure if I'll come back to this location again. I may just stick to the other location instead. read more

The pricing at this Dave's Hot Chicken location is quite strange compared to the Monrovia and Rosemead locations in the Greater Los Angeles area. Here, Dave's #1 (2 tenders with fries) is $14.99 ($12.99 in LA), Dave's #2 (2 sliders with fries) is $17.49 ($14.99), a single tender is $5.99 ($4.99), and a single slider is $7.99 ($6.99). If you want two sliders, two tenders, and fries, the math is weird. If you order the #1 for $14.99 and add two sliders at $7.99 each, your total is $30.97. On the other hand, if you order the #2 for $17.49 and add two tenders at $5.99 each, the total is $29.47. You get the exact same items, but the price changes depending on which combo you pick. I still find it hard to believe that I couldn't find a fine dining place at night near the San Jose airport; the area felt completely deserted. There were fewer than five options near my hotel, so I tried an Indian restaurant called The Second Wife. However, I found out it was a buffet, and I have a rule about never eating at a buffet right before it closes. I checked Google Maps again and found a nearby plaza with an incredibly crowded parking lot. I had to drive around for a while before I finally snagged the very last empty spot. The food was as good as any other Dave's--nothing better and nothing worse--which is exactly what you want from a fast-food franchise. The atmosphere was fine, though the entire building was consistently shaking as if there were a metro line running underneath, even though San Jose doesn't have one. The chicken was good, and I will write reviews for the two local Dave's in Monrovia and Rosemead sometime in the future. read more

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I finally had the opportunity to try out Dave's Hot Chicken after many recommendations from friends. I should've tried this place earlier when I had the chance. The fried chicken was crispy and flavorful. The meat was tender and moist. The amount of food is more than enough with reasonable prices. My friend ordered a side of the spiciest chicken tenders, and I had a lick of it that burned my esophagus. Staff members were very friendly and professional; I was warmly welcomed. This place will be my go-to for fried chicken sandwiches. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

First time here and we lived in the area for about a year. Workers were nice. The sliders were pretty good. The flavors were there. Makes me want to go to Tennessee. Inside was clean. Prices are affordable too. We ordered Dave's #2 (Two sliders with fries) and sauce. 1 No Spice and 1 Extra Hot. We also got a side of Mac and cheese, And A Tender Add on. Private lot in front read more

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We went to our first Dave's Hot Chicken in Downtown San Leandro several months ago and we were so happy to learn there was a location not too far from where we live. So after church on a Sunday, we headed to visit the Dave's Hot Chicken in San Jose. The staff behind the counter were friendly and helpful as we used the self-service kiosk (the San Leandro location doesn't have this convenience). This location is much more spacious, and clean. Lots of varied seating for 2 and for groups especially for families like us with 5 people. This location didn't disappoint as the food was hot when we got it, with each of our family members ordering at their choice spicy level. I had the combo spicy chicken slider and tender. I love dill pickles so really happy at the amount of slices they include. Family was really pleased with their food (the spicy chicken sandwich or tenders combo) and we are going to make this one of our regular spots when we have a craving for spicy chicken! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Spicy chicken slider and tender combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

I can't believe I finally got around to trying Dave's Hot Chicken! This location opened up in 2022. Wow! The parking is challenging here with popular restaurants like Yoshi's Sushi, Flaming Ox, Noah's Bagel, Philz Coffee, Bobaholics, etc. I like that they are open til late night. The service was nice and friendly. Spacious and crowded place with both outside and inside seating options. Nice and energetic decor. Three unisex single-user restrooms. *Dave's #4 (1 slider with fries): Served with kale slaw, fries, and Dave's sauce. I ordered Medium spicy though I didn't feel the heat when biting into the slider. Also, I felt it was not as juicy. It was a good slider/sandwich but it didn't wow me. The fries were nice and hot right out of the fryer. They were crispy, crunchy, and had a nice season on them. Overall, 3.5 stars for my experience. read more

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Daves Hot Chicken - the dorrito styled seasoned take on good ol fried chicken. Nashville would be proud, but not like the A+ student proud. More like B+, good service, good flavor, and good value. Paid $13 for some good tastin protein after the gym! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - No fries but extra pickles! - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

Customer service seems like it very big here. From how your greeted how your order is taken. For a chain fast food spot it was a great surprise. The chicken. We all know how Dave's does you is tender it's seasoned it's hot when you want it to be. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

Love Dave's so much, and this location is one of the very best! I love their cauliflower offerings, and the cauli bites were large and hot upon hitting the table. I have found that sometimes they just sit there in the back at other locations. I also got a cauliflower slider - it was great! The one thing about most locations is the heat scale is super varied. One location's medium could be another's hot. I ordered a hot and didn't find it noticeably spicy. Service was great - the cashier was friendly and kind! The food came out pretty quickly. Restaurant was clean with the option to order on a touch screen if needed. I'll return and highly recommend the Dave's NOT chicken! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Cauli - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

very good food very good service very good chicken very good seasoning. Very good milkshakes and very good drink options.

Solid hot chicken with bold flavor Tried Dave's Hot Chicken and it definitely hits the spot when you're craving something spicy and indulgent. We ordered: Dave's #1: 2 Tenders w/ Fries ($14.99) - The tenders were juicy on the inside with a crunchy coating. Seasoning was bold and flavorful, especially if you like heat. Dave's #2: 2 Sliders w/ Fries ($17.99) - The sliders were filling and satisfying. Soft buns, crispy chicken, good balance with the slaw and sauce. Ordering is super easy through the self-order kiosks, and the seating area is spacious, making it comfortable. Food came out fast and service was smooth. The fries were well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the chicken. Portions are generous, so it's definitely a hearty meal. Overall, it's a great spot for fast, flavorful hot chicken, especially if you're into customizable spice levels. Simple menu, consistent quality, and very satisfying for a casual meal. read more

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This is the second time in a month that I've stopped here for lunch. They're always quick friendly, and the food is consistent. read more

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

Chicken sliders are good as always. I went with the "hot" level sauce. I'm pretty sure that's my limit. They have four basic combo meals, see menu pics attached. I'm not a fan of their fries, which are kind of dull. They really need ketchup. Parking can be dicey as there are a lot of restaurants in the same strip mall. There's also a huge City Sports gym right there! It's clean and fairly well kept. I've always been able to find seating. I think they have seats outside too. Workers are cordial. No other comment about that. Crazy thing happened this recent visit. Some pipe or something busted in the ceiling and water came raining down in one section of the restaurant! I hope nothing is too damaged for them. read more

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I'm not the biggest fan of anything fried, but I'll make an exception for DHC! Moist chicken without the fatty, greasy feeling afterwards. Parking is a challenge at this location, for sure, during peak hours. read more

I'll start with the inside. The restaurant has colorful and bold wall art, giving it a fun and playful vibe. It was pretty clean inside as well You can order with a cashier or on the ipads. And there are single restrooms! I tried the #2 two sliders with fries but I added cheese to the fries (worth it). For the sliders, you can choose the spice level for each. For one I got mild, and the other spicy. I will say, there's NO in between spice level between the two, yet there's such a drastic difference between them. Mild had no spice flavor at all and but the spicy slider was pretty spicy-- and that's coming from someone who can handle some spice lol. So keep that in mind when ordering! The fries were crinkle cut, nicely salted, and were so good with the cheese. I'd come back to try something new! read more

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

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I first had Dave's Hot Chicken back when I lived in LA, and I was genuinely happy when they opened a location here. It still hits the same. The chicken is consistently super juicy with a great crunch. I usually order medium spice--enough heat to taste it without overpowering the chicken. I skip the pickles and sauce and it's still full of flavor. The buttermilk bread is underrated and surprisingly good, and the fries are solid every time. Simple menu, done right. If you like hot chicken that delivers without gimmicks, this place is a staple. read more

Okay I don't normally write reviews for chains unless it's bad but this is for a good reason. My partner and I tried the Cauliflower substitute for the hot chicken and it was really good. Of course it takes a little bit longer to prep since I imagine they don't prep they as much as the main dish, chicken, but it is still fast, delicious, and crispy. We liked it so much we separately order it for delivery and it also delivers pretty well maiming most of the crisp. If you are here this is a great vegetarian friendly option! read more

Picked up a hot box for a to-go order and it was hottt. Our order was a great value. 10 sandwiches. Everything came out great. The hottest one wasn't that hot though. Order was correct and the store looks really nice. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Hot box - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

Hit and miss for their chicken sandwiches. The first time I went their it was great the second time my bun was soggy and chicken was not hot. read more

You can make it really really really hot if you like. I did the medium and it was plenty hot enough. And I like hot things! I love having the free soda refills nearby because I needed it. Gets a little noisy in the afternoon with all the kids and Teens and families but that's what a good place is all about. Highly recommended read more

i'm sorry but this location is absolutely HORRIBLE. this is the closest to me and every single time there is something wrong with my order. i recently ordered a meal on the app and picked up my food, drove home and discovered that my food was ice cold, on the verge of being frozen in the middle. i did the survey and wrote about my huge disappointment of a meal for a $18+ meal (drink not included). whoever i spoke with gave me a credit of $15 to try to rectify the situation. fast forward to today ... i drove back to this location and opted to not order online to ensure that i mention that i got cold chicken last time, please make sure you cook it all the way. i get to the counter and the gal ringing me up is confused when i show her my code/credit. she calls someone else to assist and they come shortly. the next gal tells me that it's fake/scam and whoever it is .. they are trying to steal my information. they tell me to THROW IT AWAY and do not click it again. let me say when i click on the link to redeem ... it shows $15 balance. they talk to me for like a good 10 minutes telling me over and over again its fake. don't try to use it. i choose to jot down my code and apply it to my order on the app. low and behold, my credit was applied to my order and immediately the monitor dinged with my order. train your staff better brokaw location. all 3 girls i dealt with had no idea what it was about or of my credit. i wasted 20 minutes plus another 10 to get my food ... just RIDICULOUS! read more

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Food came out fast and hot. The boy got a #3 (1 slider + 1 tender) mild. It was the perfect level for an 8 yr old, not spicy but has a hint of heat. The chicken was super juicy, tender, and with a crispy crust. The fries were a thin crinkle cut, lightly dusted with seasoning, and had a good hit of salt. Will come back again! read more

A solid Dave's Hot location in the South Bay! We came for a late weekday dinner; food came out quickly, service was friendly. Though, we didn't realize that there were self-service kiosks when you walk in on the right side. I ordered Dave's #4 which comes with a slider and fries. Portion sizes are already pretty large to start with IMO; in the future, I'd probably do a Dave's #2 (which comes with 2 sliders and fries) and share it with another person! The mild is already at the perfect heat level for me. Pair your slider with some of their honey - it definitely makes it 100x better! Fries could be a lil crispier though. read more

Chicken was juicy with a good solid breading. Flavor had a good amount of seasoning and had good taste. Dave's is pretty consistent with Angry Chickz chicken. Not really worth the hype and is not one of my top options for a chicken sand-which. Plenty of parking and self service kiosk. Really cool bright murals on the walls that were cool to look at while you ate. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Inside - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

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The 6 piece Cauliflower Tender Bites are amazing!! The dry rub packs a ton of flavor. I'm not much of a sauce person, but I definitely use extra Dave's sauce for this. The tender bites are large and are worth the price. My only knock on this place is that it took way too long for me to get my food. I waited about 20 minutes to get this. However, I really like the tender bites, and I would come again, thanks! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - 6 piece Cauliflower Tender Bites - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

First time having hot chicken sandwich and it didn't disappoint! For $10.99 you get fries and a hot chicken slider! Usually my spice tolerance is terrible but I was able to handle the medium spice! Plenty of parking for the plaza and this place opens late for those late night munchies! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

I've been following Dave's Hot Chicken on socials for a minute, and have been dying to try it. Now that I'm in an area where they have locations, I finally got my chance. The chicken sandwiches were really special. And the medium spice level was very manageable. I'll probably go a little hotter next time. My only real complaint was that I wanted more of the sauce on the sandwiches, and the side cup they provided didn't really make that easy. Although, that's honestly a pretty small complaint. I'd very much recommend stopping by Dave's if you're in the area. Well worth it. read more

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I waited 20 min for a milkshake.... the service was good at the counter... all i ordered was a milkshake and it took so long... that's just ridiculous.. read more

Got two #2 which came out to be $34 dollars! When I got here I was scared because the sign said Dave's Not Chicken when I was looking for the word Hot, but it was all good at the end. I ordered through the app and they gave me a free drink which I was unable to redeem for some reason, but it was streamlined. You get points based off each dollar spent. When I went to Dave's Hot Chicken in Santa Clara, I got the cheese which I suspected made the burger hot and cold in temperature, so I opted out of the cheese this time. I wasn't sure if it affected anything because I ate the food 40minited later and microwaved it, which I did by taking off the top bun and chicken then stacking it back on. The fries were amazing as usual though and the associates were very kind! I love the side window for pickup since it's super convenient! The medium didn't hit right for me so I will go higher next time, other than that, perfectly crispy chicken. read more

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Why has it taken me so long to try Dave's Hot Chicken?? It was pretty much love at first bite for me. The chicken is incredibly flavorful and impressively juicy. Dave's Hot Chicken has made it to the top of my list for amazing chicken tenders, and their chicken sandwiches are nothing to scoff at either. The spices are a burst of flavor, and you can choose your spice level. The side sauces are also really good. So glad I have this option in the neighborhood for a relatively affordable and delicious meal! read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

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Gavin and I came here late one weeknight because we went back to Milpitas to try and trap a stray and injured cat. My colleague from out of town was staying at a hotel nearby and told me about the cat. This place can get crowded, so if you are in a hurry I don't suggest coming here. When we came in, the place was rather empty, there were 2 gals in front. As we were seated to wait for our order, a few large groups walked in. We each ordered the #2 and a side of mac and cheese. They had a limited milkshake (cookies and cream) that I ordered for him as well. I did "no spice" for him and I selected "HOT" for myself. The gal taking my order warned me about the spice level, but I told her if I cannot handle it then I will order something else. I do love spicy, but I will admit the hottest at Angry Chickz and the hottest at Smoke Eaters make my entire internal body hurt. We both enjoyed it; the crinkle cut fries, the sliders, the mac and cheese. It's expensive. I paid over $60 including tip, but it's not like I go here regularly. read more

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The commercial is misleading regarding the size and taste of the chicken strips. In the commercial, they look the size of a large male hand, but in reality, they are even smaller than the frozen chicken strips you buy in the store. There was no taste to the batter, but in the commercial, the actors portray it as so tasty. I was highly disappointed and will not pay $17 for one strip when I can buy a whole bag with superior taste for the same price in the frozen food section of my local store. read more

We always come to Dave's hot chicken for a juicy and spicy chicken sandwich with fantastically seasoned fries but today I was wanting to try the cauliflower sandwich for an extra $2 or so. I got the cauliflower sandwich in extra spicy. Let me say, Jesus, this "patty" was gigantic. It was so large that you probably could split it into two sandwiches! As soon as I got it, it was burning hot in my mouth and definitely needed to cool which speaks to its freshness. As for the flavor, cauliflower doesn't really impart a lot of flavor but the breading was the classic Dave's breading which made it taste fantastic. The texture was great because it wasn't overly breaded and just large chunks of cauliflower as if they split a cauliflower into a slab. Overall, my Daves Not Chicken experience was good and if I ever wanted to do a meatless day, this would be fantastic. I'd definitely eat it again if offered. Was it worth it for the two extra bucks? I think it's good to try but I would more likely stick with the classic chicken sandwich. Perhaps the nuggets would be tasty. The service here is always friendly and has a nice San Jose sharks and graffiti theme going on. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Daves #4 1 Cauli Slider with Fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

So I was told to try this place and make a video by my team. "Coach Dave, go to Dave's hot chicken" Place was pretty cool inside. Staff was nice. Now, it cost me 25 bucks for the two slider meal. To much! Fries tasted really good but the sliders. Egh. I would go back if you are paying lol. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

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DO NOT GO HERE. genuinely such a racist team and management. if you're not hispanic, they won't service you properly. insanely rude to us. they don't stick to military discount policies and we're insanely rude to a veteran. after they wouldn't, they made it so difficult for us to pay. after we paid and sat down, the two employees, one of them being the manager, keep staring at us, making us uncomfortable on purpose. they stared at us the whole time we were seated and eating. would never step foot in this establishment again. read more

I visited at the recommendation of a local. I needed to get back on my side of town so I opted to use the order online service which was very easy to use. I arrived about 5 minutes later and found that there was plenty of parking. Upon entering my food was ready right away. Service was fast and the staff were very kind. The experience was great. When I got to my food it was fresh and hot. You can tell that the fries were cooked to order. The chicken was just not my favorite. I got the two tenders hot. They were massive and kind of rubbery. The seasoning is similar to hot Cheetos. For those who like that type of flavoring I would recommend a visit here! Unfortunately the type of chicken is just not my personal preference. read more

Dave's Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - San Jose, California

FCUK YEAH, this place is good. If you like some spice in yo life, come through foo. Ok all jokes aside, this place is really good. Juicy moist chicken and hot fries fresh out of the fryer. Spicy levels. Let's talk about that. DO NOT GO ABOVE "HOT" unless you can handle authentic low ocean or Thai foods, if you know what I mean. I can handle a lot of spicy foods, but this place, they don't mess around. Anything above the "hot" level would be uneatable even for an intermediate level of spicy cuisine like me. I highly recommend trying this place. Great knowledgeable customer service. Clean and roomy ambiance. read more