Dave’s Hot Chicken FAQ

Dave’s Hot Chicken is not officially certified halal as a worldwide brand, and halal availability varies by region and specific franchise location. Some U.S. locations and Dave’s restaurants in the Middle East serve halal chicken, and Dave’s store pages say so when they do. Check your local store’s page or call ahead.

Use the official Dave’s Store Locator, check Google Maps, or call the branch directly.

The Reaper level is very hot. Dave’s doesn’t publish a Scoville rating for it, though the Carolina Reaper pepper is commonly rated around 1.6 to 2 million Scoville Heat Units.

Dave’s doesn’t publish a minimum age for Reaper, but you have to sign a waiver before it’s served. Ask your local store about its policy for kids.

Yes. The spice level changes the calorie count slightly. On Dave’s own chart, Mild through Reaper items run about 30 to 120 calories higher than the No Spice–Lite versions, depending on the item.

A milkshake is a good option for cooling down the spice, available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

Yes. Different spice levels can be ordered within the same multi-tender or family-style order.

Yes. No Spice is a good choice for kids because it has zero heat.

There are seven: No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is generally not considered healthy because the menu includes fried chicken, heavy sauces, and large combo portions that are high in calories, fat, and sodium.

Yes. There are limited vegetarian options, especially cauliflower sliders/bites, mac and cheese, and fries. Availability can depend on location and menu rotations.

Dave’s Hot Chicken positions itself in the fast-casual sector, with larger portion sizes and premium ingredients.

Combo #3 is a great first order — it includes one tender and one slider, with each at a different spice level. New to Dave’s? Read our first-visit guide.

Dave’s Hot Chicken does not have a standard drive-thru at most locations. Drive-thru availability depends on the location.

Yes. Dave’s Hot Chicken delivers through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and in some areas, directly through the Dave’s App.

No. No. You earn points on orders in the Dave’s app, on Dave’s website, or in store when you scan your app, but not on DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Dave’s allergen chart lists wheat for the tenders, sliders, cauliflower items and Mac and Cheese. Fries and Kale Slaw don’t list wheat, but Dave’s says cross-contact may occur, so nothing is guaranteed gluten-free.

Dave’s allergen chart doesn’t mark peanut or tree nut on any menu item, and it doesn’t say which oil is used for frying. Dave’s also says cross-contact may occur, so ask your local restaurant if you have a peanut allergy.

The sides are not guaranteed gluten-free. Kale Slaw and regular fries do not list wheat as an allergen on Dave’s chart, but Dave’s says cross-contact may occur. The cauliflower tenders and sliders do list wheat, the same as the chicken.

Per item, yes. A Cauli Slider is 490 to 520 calories versus 620 to 680 for the chicken slider, but it has 8g of protein compared with 31g.