Ever wondered just how hot Dave’s Hot Chicken really is? I recently took on the fiery challenge of trying all seven spice levels at this rapidly growing hot chicken chain. From the tame “No Spice” to the waiver-requiring “Reaper,” I’m sharing my tongue-burning experience to help you decide just how much heat you can handle.
What is Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a pop-up in Los Angeles before expanding into a fast-casual franchise with over 500 locations across the United States. They specialize in Nashville-style hot chicken, but with their own twist – using the infamous Carolina Reaper pepper in their spice blends.
Nashville hot chicken is a Southern specialty characterized by its bright red appearance from cayenne pepper. But Dave’s kicks it up several notches by incorporating the Carolina Reaper, which held the Guinness World Record for the world’s hottest pepper since 2013 (until the Dragon’s Breath pepper recently claimed the #2 spot with 2.48 million SHU).
The 7 Levels of Heat at Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s offers seven distinct spice levels, each with increasing amounts of Carolina Reaper pepper in the seasoning blend:
- No Spice – Plain fried chicken with no heat
- Lite Mild – Barely detectable spice
- Mild – Light zing, palatable for most
- Medium – Noticeable kick, starts to burn
- Hot – Serious heat that commands attention
- Extra Hot – Very spicy and fiery
- Reaper – Insanely spicy, requiring a signed waiver
My Taste Test Journey Through Dave’s Spice Levels
Level 1: No Spice
I started with the control test – No Spice. This plain chicken tender surprised me with its quality. The meat was incredibly juicy and the skin wonderfully crispy. You can tell much time and care went into the preparation, even without any spice. The breading is light, letting the quality of the chicken shine through.
Even without seasoning, this is arguably one of the best chicken tenders you’ll find at a fast food restaurant. It’s meaty, juicy, and delicious – a perfect baseline to understand what we’re working with.
Level 2: Lite Mild
Moving up to Lite Mild, I noticed it was very “cumin-forward” in flavor. This level adds an interesting, extra layer of savory on top of the salty brine that’s been soaked into the chicken. There’s barely any heat here – the spice exists but isn’t calling for your attention.
If you’re a fan of cumin, you’ll enjoy this level. If not, you might want to skip ahead to Mild.
Level 3: Mild
At the Mild level, the chicken takes on that distinctive deep red color that makes it look hotter than it actually is. Despite its fiery appearance, Mild is quite palatable. The spices add flavor rather than significant heat.
There’s a light zing, but it’s still very enjoyable for most people. This level focuses more on taste than burn, making it a great choice for those who appreciate flavor but don’t want their mouths on fire.
Level 4: Medium
Here’s where things start getting tricky. Medium makes a noticeable jump from Mild. At first bite it doesn’t seem much hotter giving you false confidence. But then the heat creeps up on you and lingers after you swallow.
The burn starts in the back of your throat and slowly works its way forward. This is when I started eyeing the fries that came with my order, glad to have something to help cool my mouth between bites.
Level 5: Hot
Hot is where I began rethinking my choices and questioning if my taste buds could actually handle heat. The jump from Medium to Hot is substantial and catches you off guard, even when you’re prepared for it.
This level has a forward punch of heat that spreads across your entire mouth. My lips started tingling but the chicken remained tasty beneath the burn. This is when I was grateful for the creamy mac and cheese side – dairy really does help cool your mouth!
Level 6: Extra Hot
Strangely, by the time I reached Extra Hot, my taste buds were in stealth mode. They knew what to expect and had adjusted to the heat. I actually found Extra Hot to be more enjoyable than Hot, even if the spice level might be similar or higher.
When eaten as a slider with potato bread, kale slaw, and pickles (oh, those pickles!), the Extra Hot chicken was absolutely delicious. In sandwich form, it’s comparable to the spicy sandwich at Chick-fil-A, which I consider the spiciest fast food chicken sandwich widely available.
Level 7: Reaper
Now for the main event – the infamous Reaper chicken. This is the level that requires signing an actual waiver before consumption. And for good reason!
The Reaper is sneaky. It doesn’t immediately overwhelm you like you might expect. Instead, it creeps up slowly, lulling you into a false sense of security. Within minutes, the heat builds in intense waves that engulf your entire mouth. My lips, tongue, and throat felt scorched. My sinuses cleared instantly as tears formed in my eyes.
The intensity comes from the Carolina Reaper pepper, which clocks in at an average of 1.6 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), ranging from 1.2 to 2.2 million. For comparison:
- Bell pepper: 0 SHU
- Jalapeño: 3,500-10,000 SHU
- Habanero: 100,000-350,000 SHU
- Ghost pepper: 855,000-1,041,427 SHU
- Carolina Reaper: 1,200,000-2,200,000 SHU
While not as hot as eating a raw Reaper pepper, the seasoning delivers serious fire. Even a single bite left me gasping for relief and questioning my life choices!
A Funny Reaper Story
I have to share this story from when I visited with my mom, who typically avoids spicy food. We were carefully photographing each tender for this review, using napkins to avoid touching the spice. Somehow, the basket with the three hottest tenders got flipped around.
After trying Medium, I convinced my mom to try “just one more level” – what we thought was Hot. We both took small bites and immediately our mouths were on fire! My mom was practically questioning giving birth to me for putting her in this situation.
Only after checking our photos did we realize we had accidentally skipped straight to Reaper! My poor mom had just eaten the chicken that requires a signed waiver. While she needed plenty of fries and No Spice chicken to recover, I’m proud to say she survived the experience. As the Chow meme from The Hangover would say, “But did you die?” No, she didn’t – but it was REALLY hot.
Tips for Surviving the Reaper Chicken
If you’re brave enough to try Dave’s Reaper chicken, here are some survival tips:
- Start with lower heat levels to prepare your palate
- Take small bites and DON’T rub your eyes!
- Order a milkshake (if available) or bring dairy products
- Have bread, fries or rice on hand to absorb the heat
- Apply honey or sugar directly to your tongue for relief
- Suck on ice chips if available
- Wait it out – the fire will eventually subside (eventually…)
Should You Try Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Absolutely! If you love spicy food, Dave’s is a must-visit. Even if you don’t, the No Spice and Lite Mild options are delicious on their own merits.
The chicken itself is high quality – juicy, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The seasoning adds complex heat with tangy, savory flavor that complements rather than overwhelms (until you get to the extreme levels).
For most people, I recommend staying in the Mild to Hot range for an enjoyable experience. Only attempt Extra Hot and Reaper if you have a battle-tested mouth or are looking for a memorable challenge.
Dave’s has perfected that balance of flavorful burn that makes Nashville hot chicken so popular. Just remember – when they say “Reaper,” they mean it! Come prepared, bring friends to witness your bravery (or folly), and maybe have some antacids ready for later.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu
The majority of Dave’s Hot Chicken locations are out west, so if you’re on the east coast like us, you might not have heard of it. But you may have heard of Raising Canes. The menu is similar in that it’s just chicken fingers, served either alone or on a bun.
There are a couple options for sides (both serve fries and coleslaw, Dave’s also has mac and cheese) and both have their own signature sauces.
The difference is in the size and spices. Dave’s tenders are much larger (although, so is the price: one tender is $4.25 at the Wilmington location verses $1.79 at our closest Raising Canes). And Dave’s offers spices while Cane’s just does plain.
Dave’s Hot Chicken: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dave’s Hot Chicken is actually spicy. Really spicy. Not every one of the spice options is hot (the Lite Mild is definitely spice-forward but not hot), but they all have a lot of spice — as in seasoning. The spice is in the batter, rather than in the sauce like many other restaurants do. So you’re getting the spice — and an equal amount — in every bite, not just some of them. Meals are served with a side of Dave’s sauce and sandwiches are served with sauce drizzled on top. But that’s just a sauce to accompany the chicken, not one to impart the spice.
Dave’s Hot Chicken was started in 2017 by Chef Dave Kopushyan, his best friend Arman Oganesyan, and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan. They started franchising two years later with Bill Phelps (co-founder and former CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels) and movie producer John Davis. Brand investors include really big names like retired New York Giant Michael Strahan, actor Samuel L. Jackson, Red Sox owner Tom Werner, and former California First Lady Maria Shriver. And the leadership team is the same that started Lebron James-backed Blaze Pizza, which is my favorite pizza in Wilmington (although there’s a new place opening soon that will give Blaze a run for its money in my book … more on that when we get more details).
Dave’s Hot Chicken sauce is a chipotle mayo, according to the Internet, but to us, it tastes like Thousand Island dressing.
The Truth About Dave’s Hot Chicken
FAQ
What is Dave’s hot chicken?
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a simple but flavorful menu that pairs well with its unique spice levels. The most popular options are tenders, sliders, combo meals, wings, and family packs. Each item gives you the chance to choose your heat level, so you can enjoy your food the way you like it. Tenders are crispy and juicy strips of chicken.
Does Dave’s hot chicken have a mild heat?
“Mild” chicken at Dave’s Hot Chicken provides a subtle kick with just the right amount of heat, making it the perfect choice for those who enjoy mild spiciness. 3. Can you tell me about the “Medium” chicken heat at Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Does Dave’s hot chicken have a spice level?
When you match the heat with your taste, the meal becomes more enjoyable—and that’s what Dave’s is all about. Each spice level at Dave’s Hot Chicken changes the flavor and heat you experience. The heat doesn’t just burn—it adds layers to the taste. No Spice highlights the crispy, savory chicken.
Who eats the hottest level at Dave’s hot chicken?
Danny Gallagher takes a bite of the reaper, the hottest level at Dave’s Hot Chicken. Jerry Nerviano The drive-thru chicken wars have another serious con-tender (pardon the pun, laughter distracts me from the pain).
What is the “Reaper” heat level at Dave’s hot chicken?
Describe the “Reaper” heat level. How hot is it really? The “Reaper” heat level at Dave’s Hot Chicken is the epitome of spice, using the Carolina Reaper chili pepper. With its intense heat, this level caters to daring individuals seeking an unforgettable and tongue-scorching experience.
How many calories are in Dave’s hot chicken?
When enjoying Dave’s Hot Chicken, it’s good to know the nutritional facts and dietary factors. Chicken tenders and sliders range between 300 to 700 calories per serving, depending on portion size and spice level. Higher spice levels do not add significant calories but may increase sweating and metabolism slightly.
Is Dave’s hot chicken actually spicy?
Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have heat levels?
From “No Spice” to “Reaper,” Dave’s is serving up hot chicken in seven levels of heat to blow your mind. Always fried fresh to order, we pride ourselves on serving up the freshest food made with premium ingredients – like our full-sized, halal chicken tenders.
What rapper owns Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Rapper Drake owns a significant stake in the Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant chain, though he is not the sole owner. He invested in the company in 2021, taking a minority position alongside other notable investors like Samuel L. Jackson and the company’s founders. The company was recently acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital for $1 billion.
Is Dave’s Hot Chicken stunned?
We are committed to ensuring animal welfare and want to assure our customers that all our Halal chickens are pre-stunned to reduce pain and fear before being hand-slaughtered, following Islamic guidelines.