Ever found yourself craving that Nashville-style spicy chicken but wondering “how much is Dave’s Hot Chicken gonna cost me?” Well, you’re not alone! As a massive fan of their crispy tenders and sliders, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to Dave’s Hot Chicken prices in 2025. Whether you’re planning your next spicy food adventure or just curious about what your wallet’s in for, I’ve got you covered!
The Story Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken
Before we dive into the prices, let’s take a quick look at where this spicy sensation came from. Dave’s Hot Chicken started in May 2017 as a humble parking lot stand in East Hollywood. Three friends – Dave, Arman, and Tommy – launched the concept with just $900! Fast forward to 2025, and they’ve exploded to over 329 locations across 43 states and DC, with a whopping $1 billion valuation after being acquired by Roark Capital in June 2025.
What makes Dave’s special? Their Nashville-style hot chicken comes in seven different spice levels (from “No Spice” all the way to the infamous “Reaper” that requires a signed waiver!) Plus, all their chicken is Halal-certified, which is a nice bonus for many customers
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu Prices (2025)
Let’s get to the main event – how much you’ll actually pay for that delicious spicy goodness!
Combo Meals
These are the most popular options giving you the most bang for your buck
| Meal | Price | What You Get | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combo 1 | $11.99 | Two chicken tenders with fries, bread, pickles, Dave’s sauce | 1,230-1,350 kcal |
| Combo 2 | $13.99 | Two sliders with kale slaw, fries, pickles, Dave’s sauce | 1,500-1,620 kcal |
| Combo 3 | $12.99 | One tender and one slider with fries, bread, pickles, Dave’s sauce | 1,370-1,490 kcal |
| Combo 4 | $9.99 | One slider with kale slaw, fries, pickles, Dave’s sauce | 950-1,000 kcal |
Individual Items & Sides
If you’re not super hungry or want to build your own meal
- Single Tender: $4.79 (490-550 kcal)
- Single Slider: $6.79 (620-680 kcal)
- Fries: $3.59 (460 kcal)
- Cheese Fries: $3.59 (460 kcal)
- Mac & Cheese: $3.59 (290 kcal)
- Kale Slaw: $3.59 (270 kcal)
- Dave’s Sauce Tub: $2.99 (360 kcal)
- Dave’s Sauce (side): $0.25 (180 kcal)
- Cheese Sauce (side): $0.50 (180 kcal)
Dave’s Bites (Perfect for Sharing)
- 10 pc Dave’s Bites: $6.99 (550-750 kcal)
- 10 pc Dave’s Bites with Fries: $10.49 (1,800 kcal)
Vegetarian Options – Dave’s NOT Chicken (Cauliflower)
We vegetarians aren’t left out! Dave’s has cauliflower-based versions of their classics:
| Cauli Meal | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Cauli Combo 1 (Two Cauli Tenders with Fries) | $16.99 | 650-700 kcal |
| Cauli Combo 2 (Two Cauli Sliders with Fries) | $18.99 | 1,540 kcal |
| Cauli Combo 3 (One Cauli Slider & Tender with Fries) | $17.99 | 1,000-1,200 kcal |
| Cauli Combo 4 (One Cauli Slider with Fries) | $12.49 | 700-900 kcal |
| Single Cauli Tender | $7.99 | 550 kcal |
| Single Cauli Slider | $8.99 | 620-680 kcal |
| 10 pc. Cauli Tender Bites | $6.99 | 500-700 kcal |
| 10 pc. Cauli Tender Bites with Fries | $9.99 | 1,040 kcal |
Drinks, Shakes & Slushers
What’s hot chicken without something to cool you down?
Top-Loaded Shakes
- Cinnamon Crunch: $6.99 Regular (740 kcal), $8.99-$9.49 Large (950 kcal)
- M&M Top-Loaded: $6.99 Regular (740 kcal), $8.99-$9.49 Large (950 kcal)
- Oreo Top-Loaded: $6.99 Regular (740 kcal), $8.99-$10.49 Large (950 kcal)
Classic Shakes
Available in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry:
- Small: $5.49 (470-490 kcal)
- Regular: $6.49 (590-610 kcal)
- Large: $7.49 (740-760 kcal)
Slushers
- Fruit-Based Slushers (Berry Blast, Blue Raspberry, etc.): $3.69 (140-160 kcal)
- Creamy Slushers (Strawberries & Creme): $5.69 (180 kcal)
Soft Drinks
- Bottle (20 oz.): $3.29
- Small: $2.99
- Regular: $3.09
- Large: $3.29
- Water (Still or Sparkling): $2.99
Feed a Crowd Options
Planning a party or family gathering? These larger portions are perfect:
- Hot Box – Tenders: $50 (1,030-1,150 kcal)
- Hot Box – Sliders: $65-70 (4,000-4,500 kcal)
- Hot Box – Dave’s Bites: $30 (50-60 kcal each)
- Box of Fries: $12 (500-600 kcal)
- Hot Box Roulette- Tenders: $45 (5,500 kcal)
- Hot Box Roulette- Sliders: $65 (620 kcal per Slider)
Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Worth the Price?
After visiting multiple locations and trying pretty much everything on the menu (yes, even the Reaper level…once), I can honestly say Dave’s Hot Chicken offers good value for what you get. The portions are generous, the quality is consistent, and the flavor is hard to beat.
When I compare them to other fast-casual chicken spots:
- Their combos are priced similarly to Raising Cane’s but with more flavor options
- They’re a bit pricier than Popeyes, but the quality and portions justify it
- They’re less expensive than Shake Shack’s chicken offerings
The veggie options are definitely on the pricier side (cauliflower ain’t cheap!), but it’s nice that they offer them at all.
Tips for Saving Money at Dave’s Hot Chicken
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Here are some insider tips:
- Download their app and join the “Frequent Fryer Rewards” program for free items and discounts
- Share a Hot Box with friends – much better value than individual orders
- Follow them on social media for special deals and promotions
- Visit during lunch hours when some locations offer lunch specials
- Order combos instead of individual items for better value
Dave’s Hot Chicken Heat Levels Explained
One thing that makes Dave’s unique is their heat level options. Here’s what to expect:
- No Spice: Just crispy, flavorful chicken with no heat
- Lite Mild: Just a hint of spice, good for beginners
- Mild: Gentle heat that most people can handle
- Medium: Building up with noticeable warmth
- Hot: Serious heat that will make you sweat a bit
- Extra Hot: Extreme level that’s challenging even for spice lovers
- Reaper: The ultimate challenge that requires signing a waiver!
I’ve tried them all, and lemme tell you – Reaper is NO JOKE. I couldn’t feel my face for an hour! Most folks I know stick with Medium for a nice balance of flavor and heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest meal at Dave’s Hot Chicken?
The most affordable complete meal is Combo 4 at $9.99, which includes one slider with kale slaw, fries, pickles, and Dave’s sauce.
Do Dave’s Hot Chicken prices vary by location?
Yes, there might be slight variations depending on location, especially in places with higher costs of living like NYC or California. The prices listed in this article are the standard prices at most locations as of 2025.
Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Halal?
Yep! All Dave’s Hot Chicken locations use Halal-certified chicken. The chicken is certified by trusted organizations like Halal Transactions of Omaha (HTO).
Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have any gluten-free options?
Unfortunately, Dave’s Hot Chicken does not offer gluten-free options. All tenders and sliders contain wheat, and even the fries are cooked in shared fryers, creating a risk of cross-contamination.
What are Dave’s Hot Chicken operating hours?
Most locations are open:
- Sunday–Thursday: 11 AM – 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – midnight (some locations extend delivery until 1 AM)
Some locations offer “Dave’s After Dark” with late-night service past midnight on weekends.
My Personal Dave’s Hot Chicken Experience
I gotta say, I’ve become something of a Dave’s Hot Chicken addict over the past year. My go-to order is the Combo 3 with Medium heat – I find it gives the perfect balance of flavor and spice without completely destroying my taste buds. If I’m feeling brave (or showing off to friends), I’ll occasionally bump it up to Hot.
The first time I tried the Reaper level was… an experience. I signed the waiver thinking “how bad could it be?” and OMG was I wrong. My eyes watered, my nose ran, and I couldn’t taste anything else for the rest of the day. But hey, I earned my spice cred!
For the best value, I usually get the Combo 3 with an extra side of mac & cheese (because their mac is seriously amazing). It’s enough food for dinner plus leftovers for lunch the next day, making the $12.99 + $3.59 price tag totally worth it.
Final Thoughts
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers solid value for the quality and quantity you get. While it’s not the cheapest fast food option out there, it’s definitely competitive in the fast-casual space, especially considering the quality of ingredients and generous portions.
Whether you’re a spice fanatic or just looking for a tasty chicken sandwich, Dave’s Hot Chicken delivers great flavor at reasonable prices. Just remember – when they say “Reaper,” they mean REAPER. You’ve been warned!
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