Dave’s Hot Chicken keeps its 2026 menu short: tenders, sliders, Dave’s Bites, mini sliders, loaded fries, sides, shakes, and slushers. Most meals run about $10 to $18, with group Hot Boxes starting near $30, depending on your city.
The chain started in 2017 as a parking lot stand in East Hollywood and now runs more than 300 restaurants across the United States. The short menu is deliberate, and it is the reason ordering takes seconds.
This guide covers every category, current price ranges, heat levels, the Frequent Fryer rewards program, allergens, hours, and pickup steps. It also flags where the prices you see online are unreliable, which matters more than most menu pages admit.
| Item | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single Tender | $4.69 to $4.99 | Testing a heat level |
| Single Slider | $6.69 to $6.99 | A handheld bite |
| Dave’s #1 (2 Tenders, Fries) | $12.99 to $15.99 | A classic meal |
| Hot Box, Tenders | $40 to $55 | Sharing |
| Mac & Cheese | $3.49 to $4.29 | Cooling the burn |
Hot Chicken Tenders
Tenders are the base of the menu. Each order comes with white bread, pickles, and a side of Dave’s Sauce, and the chicken is fried to order before the spice blend goes on top.
A single tender costs roughly $4.69 to $4.99, which makes it the cheapest way to test a heat level. Ordering one at Medium and one at Hot side by side teaches you more than any review.
Tenders can be ordered at all seven heat levels, from No Spice to Reaper. They are also available as a cauliflower version, called Dave’s NOT Chicken, which accepts the same heat levels at most locations.
One practical point: tenders arrive with bread underneath, and that bread soaks up the sauce and spice oil. Eating it last, after the chicken, gives you something to cool the finish on hotter orders.
Sliders Combo
The sliders combo is Dave’s #2: two sliders with fries. Expect to pay about $14 to $18 in most listings, which is the highest price among the four numbered meals and the heaviest in food.
Each slider sits on a soft bun with kale slaw, pickles, and Dave’s Sauce, topped with a chicken tender at your chosen heat. The slaw is tangy, so it cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.
Dave’s also lists a Mini Sliders option, priced around $7.49 to $9.29 alone and about $12.99 with fries. Minis suit people who want the flavor without committing to a full slider’s weight in one sitting.
Hot Chicken Sandwich
Dave’s does not sell a separate item called a hot chicken sandwich. The slider is the sandwich, and it is the closest match for anyone searching that term: tender, slaw, pickles, and sauce on a bun.
A single slider runs about $6.69 to $6.99. The slaw and sauce add cooling moisture, so the same heat level can feel different on a slider than on a bare tender. Test a lower level first if you are unsure.
Tenders Combo
The tenders combo is Dave’s #1: two tenders with fries. It sells for roughly $13 to $16 in most listings, making it the best-value meal built around tenders alone, with white bread, pickles, and sauce included.
For a mixed plate, Dave’s #3 pairs one tender with one slider and fries at about $13 to $17. Dave’s #4 is a single slider with fries, priced near $10 to $13, and is the lowest-cost full meal.
All four numbered meals come in any of the seven heat levels. In Dave’s #3, ask the cashier whether the tender and slider can carry different heat levels; policies at individual stores can differ, so asking costs nothing.
Dave’s Heat Levels Explained: What Each One Means
Dave’s offers seven heat levels: No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper. The seasoning goes on the chicken, so the same heat applies to tenders, sliders, and cauliflower alike. Bites exclude Reaper.
| Level | What to expect |
|---|---|
| No Spice | Fried chicken with no chili heat |
| Lite Mild | A faint warmth |
| Mild | Gentle, easy for most people |
| Medium | Clear heat, still enjoyable |
| Hot | Strong and lingering |
| Extra Hot | Intense, for experienced eaters |
| Reaper | Carolina Reaper pepper, waiver required |
A smart first visit uses Dave’s #3 to compare one tender and one slider at Mild or Medium. Move up one level next time instead of jumping straight to Extra Hot or Reaper. Heat tolerance builds gradually.
The Reaper uses Carolina Reaper pepper, and estimates for the finished chicken run from about 1.6 to 2 million Scoville units. Dave’s does not publish an official figure, so treat those numbers as reporter estimates.
The waiver requires customers to be at least 18 and acknowledges that the heat can cause harm. Expect to sign at the counter before the order is finalized. If you have a medical concern about spicy food, choose a lower level.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu With Prices 2026
Prices below are typical ranges drawn from 2026 menu listings. They conflict by several dollars between sources because locations price independently, and third-party delivery apps often add markups on top. Treat the app price as final.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Single Tender | $4.69 to $4.99 |
| Single Slider | $6.69 to $6.99 |
| Dave’s #1: 2 Tenders, Fries | $12.99 to $15.99 |
| Dave’s #2: 2 Sliders, Fries | $13.99 to $18.49 |
| Dave’s #3: Tender + Slider, Fries | $12.99 to $17.29 |
| Dave’s #4: 1 Slider, Fries | $9.99 to $12.99 |
| 10 pc Dave’s Bites | $6.99 to $7.99 |
| 10 pc Bites with Fries | $9.99 to $10.49 |
| Mini Sliders | $7.49 to $9.29 |
| Top Loaded Fries (S / R / L) | $6.99 / $10.99 / $15.99 |
| Fries | $3.49 to $3.99 |
| Cheese Fries | $4.99 to $5.49 |
| Mac & Cheese | $3.49 to $4.29 |
| Kale Slaw | $2.99 to $3.49 |
| Hot Box, Bites | $30 to $45 |
| Hot Box, Tenders | $40 to $55 |
| Hot Box, Sliders | $60 to $70 |
| Box of Fries | $10 to $12 |
| Slushers | $4.49 to $5.69 |
| Large Top Loaded Shake | About $10.49 |
Combos save only a small amount over buying pieces separately in the listings compared, so choose them for convenience rather than discounts. The real saving comes from the Frequent Fryer points, which accrue on every dollar regardless of what you order.
Delivery changes the math. Third-party delivery apps may list higher item prices and add service and delivery fees, so pickup through Dave’s own app is usually the cheaper route for the same food. Compare totals before checking out.
Value shows up in small places. Joining rewards before your first order starts points immediately, and the app carries offers such as free-drink promotions and early access to new items that a printed menu never mentions.
The Most Popular Item Of Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu 2026
Across 2026 menu guides, the tenders and sliders consistently lead, with the sliders combo and the tenders combo as the most common meals. Mac and cheese is the side people praise most.
Dave’s does not publish official sales rankings, so popularity here reflects reviewer consensus and menu positioning rather than verified sales figures. Treat any exact ranking claimed online with caution, since most are guesses.
Hot Chicken Tenders
Tenders win on flexibility. They work as a snack, a combo, or a Hot Box centerpiece, and the heat dial lets one item suit both cautious first-timers and people chasing the Reaper. That range explains their top spot.
Sliders Combo
The sliders combo is the heaviest numbered meal and the one many reviewers recommend for a first visit. It shows the slaw, sauce, bun, and chicken together, which is the closest thing to Dave’s signature bite.
Hot Chicken Sandwich
People searching for the sandwich land on the slider, which is why single sliders and slider meals rank high. Ordering a single slider at about $7 is the cheapest way to try the full build.
Tenders Combo
Dave’s #1 is popular because it removes decisions. Two tenders, fries, bread, pickles, and sauce arrive together, and the price sits near the middle of the menu, so it feels like a safe first order.
Cheese Fries
Cheese fries cost about $5 and turn a plain side into something that stands up to a hot tender. They are also one of the items you can redeem points on, usually at 600 points in the app.
Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese runs about $3.49 to $4.29 and is the side reviewers recommend most. The dairy helps calm capsaicin, so it works as a practical cool-down when you order Hot or above. A shake does the same job.
Why Are These Items Popular In Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu 2026?
Two forces drive popularity. A short menu means every item moves fast and gets cooked fresh, and seven heat levels let one item serve very different appetites, from No Spice to Reaper. That combination is uncommon among chains.
Social media adds a separate pull. The Reaper waiver turns a menu choice into a challenge, and app promotions give people a reason to return, which keeps the same few items near the top.
| Feature | Tender | Slider |
|---|---|---|
| Comes with | Bread, pickles, sauce | Bun, slaw, pickles, sauce |
| Single price | $4.69 to $4.99 | $6.69 to $6.99 |
| Eats | Dry and crisp | Wetter and fuller |
| Best for | Heat testing | A full handheld meal |
A common belief says higher heat means better flavor. Reviewers who tried every level often land on Medium or Hot as the sweet spot, because above that the chili numbs your palate and the seasoning disappears.
Hidden problem: the menu price is not your price. Location, delivery markup, and promotions all move the final cost, and many menu sites recycle each other’s numbers without checking. That is why this guide gives ranges.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu Options
The options below cover everything from a solo lunch to a shared plate. Most can be adjusted across seven heat levels, but Dave’s Bites cannot be ordered at Reaper heat, and the UK menu limits them to Medium and Hot.
Numbered meals differ mainly in format: tender-only, slider-only, or mixed. Pick tenders for flexibility, sliders for fullness, and the mixed meal when you are still deciding. Prices climb with slider count.
Tenders combo with fries
Dave’s #1 pairs two tenders with fries at roughly $13 to $16. Bread, pickles, and a sauce cup come with it. It suits one person with a full appetite who wants chicken without the bun.
2 Sliders with Fries
Dave’s #2 gives you two full sliders and fries for about $14 to $18. It is the largest numbered meal, so it fits a hungry lunch or a shared order when paired with a side.
Single Tender and a Slider with Fries
Dave’s #3 mixes the two formats for about $13 to $17. It works best for first-timers who want to compare the bare tender against the slider at the same heat level without paying twice.
One Slider with Fries
Dave’s #4 is the entry meal: one slider with fries for roughly $10 to $13. If budget decides your order, this is the lowest-priced full meal on the numbered list. Add a drink and you stay near combo pricing.
10 pieces of Dave’s bites with Fries
Ten Dave’s Bites with fries cost about $10 to $10.50. Bites are bite-sized chicken pieces served with bread, pickles, and sauce, and they cannot be ordered at Reaper. Spice-seekers should note that limit before ordering.
Top Loaded Fries
Top Loaded Fries come in small, regular, and large sizes at about $7, $11, and $16. They are fries loaded with cheese, pickles, and kale slaw, plus Medium or Hot seasoning. Check your store for the exact build.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Feed A Crowd
Feed A Crowd means Hot Boxes: large boxes of tenders, sliders, or Dave’s Bites meant for groups. Prices vary widely by location, so the ranges below matter less than the app total at your store. Plan ahead.
| Box | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Hot Box, Dave’s Bites | $30 to $45 |
| Hot Box, Tenders | $40 to $55 |
| Hot Box, Sliders | $60 to $70 |
| Box of Fries | $10 to $12 |
| Cauli Bites Hot Box | About $30 |
| Cauli Slider Hot Box | About $90 |
Hot Box Roulette versions share the price of their standard boxes. The name suggests a mixed heat assignment, so read the item description in the app before ordering for guests with low spice tolerance.
Top Loaded Fries
Large Top Loaded Fries, around $16, serve as a shareable centerpiece when a Hot Box feels like too much. One large tray can sit between two or three people alongside a few tenders or sliders.
Hot Box – Sliders
The sliders box is the priciest chicken box, about $60 to $70, and by far the heaviest. It makes sense for office lunches where everyone wants a full sandwich-style portion rather than strips of chicken.
Fries Box
The Box of Fries costs about $10 to $12 and pairs with any Hot Box. Add one when the group includes people ordering lighter items, since fries fill the gap without adding another chicken order.
Dave’s Hot Chicken (Cauli)
Dave’s NOT Chicken is the cauliflower line: fried cauliflower tenders, bites, and sliders that accept the same spice rub as the chicken. It exists for vegetarian guests and for anyone who simply prefers it.
Listed prices run about $10.49 for 10 Cauli Tender Bites with fries, $9.29 to $12.99 for Cauli Mini Sliders, and around $16 for large Cauliflower Top Loaded Fries. Ask about shared fryers if you eat strictly vegetarian.
Hot Boxes carry the cauliflower line too: roughly $30 for the bites box and about $90 for the slider box. The Reaper heat level also applies to cauliflower tenders and sliders, which surprises people expecting a gentler option.
Dave’s Bites And Top Loaded Fries
Dave’s Bites are small pieces of fried chicken sold in a 10-piece portion for about $7 to $8, or $10 to $10.50 with fries. They arrive with bread, pickles, and sauce, like the tenders.
Bites cost less per sitting than a combo and suit light eaters or kids. They exclude the Reaper level, though, so heat chasers need tenders or sliders instead. Pair them with Mac & Cheese for a calmer plate.
Top Loaded Fries are the menu’s most customizable shareable item. Sizes run small, regular, and large, and the small at about $7 doubles as a side for a tender meal. Fries arrive hot, so eat them first.
Dave’s Mini Sliders
Mini Sliders appear on the newer items list and sell for about $7.49 to $9.29 on their own or about $12.99 with fries. The bun and chicken portion are smaller than the regular slider.
A Cauli version exists at the same price. A Hot Box of Minis has also appeared on some listings at about $40, which gives groups a smaller, easier-to-share format than the full-size slider box.
Dave’s Sides Menu
Sides stay short: fries, cheese fries, mac and cheese, kale slaw, pickles, and extra Dave’s Sauce. Each costs a few dollars, and each changes how the main item eats. Prices below show the typical range.
| Side | Typical price | Approx. calories |
|---|---|---|
| Fries | $3.49 to $3.99 | 440 |
| Cheese Fries | $4.99 to $5.49 | 460 |
| Mac & Cheese | $3.49 to $4.29 | 290 |
| Kale Slaw | $2.99 to $3.49 | 270 |
| Dave’s Sauce packet | $0.25 to $0.69 | n/a |
| Large Dave’s Sauce | $2.99 to $3.69 | n/a |
Match sides to heat. Mac and cheese soothes Hot orders and above, while kale slaw adds tangy crunch against rich tenders. Cheese fries suit milder orders where the fries are the main event. Extra Dave’s Sauce works with every pairing.
Dave’s Sauce deserves attention. It is a tangy, sweet, mayo-based dip, and one listing sells a large container for about $3 to $4. Extra sauce is cheap, which makes it the best-value upgrade on the menu.
Dave’s Loaded Shakes
Loaded Shakes are the dessert side of the menu. Classic flavors include chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, while Top Loaded Shakes add toppings; large sizes such as Burstin’ Strawberry list near $10.49. Flavors rotate, so check your location.
Pop Rocks Top Loaded options, around $7.49 in one listing, appear on the newer items list in flavors such as Blue Mixed Berry and Fruit Punch. Availability rotates, so confirm in the app. Shakes also work as heat relief.
Dave’s Slushers
Slushers are Dave’s frozen drinks. Reported flavors include Rocket Creme, Orange Creme, Strawberries and Creme, and Burstin’ Mango, priced around $4.49 to $5.69 depending on the flavor and location. Flavors change, so your store’s list may differ.
Drinks Menu
Dave’s sells fountain drinks, with typical pricing around $2 to $3, plus the slushers and shakes covered above. New app members have been offered a free fountain drink with their first order. Offers change, so check the app.
For managing heat, dairy and sugar work better than water. A shake or mac and cheese does more than water, which tends to spread capsaicin around rather than remove it. Sip slowly between bites. Sweet drinks help too.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu In PDF
The most reliable menu is the one on the official website or app, not a PDF copied by a third-party site. Copied PDFs keep old prices long after a store updates them. Use PDFs only as offline reference.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Loyalty Program 2026 – Everything You Need To Know
Dave’s loyalty program is called Frequent Fryer Rewards. Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent at participating stores, tracked automatically in the Dave’s Hot Chicken app whether you order online, in the app, or in the restaurant.
Redemption tiers reported in 2026 are 300 points for a free drink or side, 600 for a free slider, tender, shake, or cheese fries, and 1,200 for a combo meal. Exact tiers can change, so verify in the app.
| Points | Reported reward |
|---|---|
| 300 | Free drink or side |
| 600 | Free slider, tender, shake, or cheese fries |
| 1,200 | Combo meal |
At 10 points per dollar, 300 points equals $30 of spending, and a 1,200-point combo requires $120. With combos priced $13 to $16, that is roughly an 11 to 13 percent return, worth knowing before you chase rewards.
Two cautions. The program operates only at participating locations, and the terms allow Dave’s to change or end it, which would void unused points. Spend points steadily instead of stockpiling them toward a distant reward. Treat the balance as short-term credit.
How We Can Join Frequent Fryer Program?
Download the Dave’s Hot Chicken app, create an account, and order through it or scan your account in the restaurant. New members have been offered a free drink on a first order.
Items Included In the Reward Program
The app’s rewards menu lists eligible items and their point costs. Reported redemptions include drinks, sides, sliders, tenders, shakes, cheese fries, and combo meals, though eligibility depends on participating stores. Points are redeemed only through the app.
Why Are Customers In Love With The Frequent Fryer Program?
Points post automatically on every channel, the first reward arrives after only $30 of spending, and app-only offers add free food on days like Dave’s Day on October 13, when free sliders have been offered.
Allergen & Nutritional Information of Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu 2026
Dave’s publishes allergen information and calories through its official menu pages, which show details item by item. Nutrition numbers also vary by region, so UK counts differ from US counts for what looks like the same item.
Calories give a rough sense of scale: fries about 440, cheese fries about 460, mac and cheese about 290, and kale slaw about 270. Chicken counts vary the most between sources, so confirm them in the official guide.
The chicken is breaded, so it contains wheat, and dairy appears in mac and cheese, cheese fries, and shakes. Dave’s does not list a gluten-free chicken option in the menus reviewed, so check the official guide.
Safety Tips For Allergens
Allergen cross-contact is the real risk in a small-menu kitchen where items may share fryers, utensils, and prep space. Heat level does not change that, so the precautions below apply to every order. Ask first.
- Tell the cashier about your allergy before you order, not after.
- Ask whether your location uses shared fryers for chicken, fries, and cauliflower.
- Check the official allergen guide for your region, since recipes and suppliers differ by country.
- Skip third-party menu sites for allergen data, because they copy outdated information.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu Hours Of Operation (Opening & Closing Times)
Hours vary by location. As an example, a Manchester, New Hampshire store lists 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Always confirm your own store before driving over.
Hot Mozz, including Mike’s Hot Honey Hot Mozz at about $9.89 in one listing, appears under a Dave’s After Dark section. Whether it is offered depends on the store and the hour, so check before a late visit.
How to Order Dave’s Hot Chicken for Pickup in 2026
Pickup works through the Dave’s Hot Chicken app or the online ordering page. You choose a store, build the order, pick heat levels, pay, and collect it at the restaurant without waiting in the line.
Follow The Steps Below To Order Your Hot Chicken For Pickup.
- Open the app or ordering page and select your nearest participating store.
- Choose Pickup, then add items from the menu.
- Pick a heat level for each tender, slider, or combo. Reaper orders may need an in-person waiver, so ask the store.
- Apply a reward or offer before payment.
- Pay, then collect the order when the app says it is ready.
Because chicken is made to order, a busy store can take longer than the app estimate suggests. Place the order when you are close enough to arrive soon, so the food stays crisp, especially the fries.
How To Pick At The Restaurant?
For an app order, head to the pickup area or counter and give your name or order number. Staff hand over a sealed bag, so check that the heat labels match what you ordered before leaving.
For dine-in or walk-in orders, you order at the counter, scan your app account to collect points, and sign the waiver there if you want the Reaper. Anyone ordering it must be at least 18, per the waiver terms.
What’s New At Dave’s In 2026
Roark Capital acquired Dave’s Hot Chicken in June 2025 in a deal valued at about $1 billion. The chain now has more than 300 US restaurants across 43 states or territories, plus growing international sites.
International expansion continued in 2026, including the first Irish restaurant in Dublin in June and a UK rollout that included a Sheffield opening in February. Menus abroad differ slightly, with calorie data shown in kcal.
Recent 2026 additions on listings include Mini Sliders, Pop Rocks top loaded items, Hot Mozz, and a Hot Box of Minis. A Marvel X-Men collectibles promotion began July 1 at participating stores, and limited items rotate often.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Dave’s Hot Chicken cost in 2026?
Numbered meals run about $10 to $18, singles about $4.69 to $6.99, and Hot Boxes start near $30. Prices differ by location.
What is the most popular item on the Dave’s Hot Chicken menu?
Tenders and sliders lead, with the sliders combo, tenders combo, and mac and cheese as reviewer favorites.
How many heat levels does Dave’s have?
Seven: No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper.
Do I have to sign a waiver for the Reaper?
Yes. You must be at least 18 and sign a liability waiver to order Reaper heat.
How do I earn Frequent Fryer points?
You earn 10 points per dollar at participating stores, tracked through the Dave’s Hot Chicken app.
Does Dave’s have a vegetarian option?
Yes, the Dave’s NOT Chicken cauliflower line offers tenders, bites, and sliders. Ask about shared fryers if you are strict.
Does Dave’s offer gluten-free chicken?
Not in the menus reviewed, since the chicken is breaded. Check the official allergen guide for your region.
Can I order Dave’s Hot Chicken for pickup?
Yes, through the app or online ordering page at participating stores.
Conclusion
Dave’s Hot Chicken succeeds because it refuses to be complicated. Tenders and sliders carry the menu, seven heat levels personalize it, and sides like mac and cheese solve the problem the spice creates. It is easy to learn. For your first visit, order Dave’s #3 at Medium, add mac and cheese, and join the rewards program before paying. Check your local store’s price in the app, because the numbers in this guide are ranges.
Prices and details here were compiled from 2026 menu listings, official app information, and news coverage reviewed in October 2026. Your store’s app menu remains the final word on cost, heat options, and availability.
