Dave's Hot Chicken Menu: Sliders, Tenders & How to Pick Your Heat

Short version: pick a slider if you want the classic, fully dressed Dave’s bite; pick a tender if you want pure chicken you can dip and control. Below is a fast, no-nonsense guide to sides, the seven-level heat scale, combos, and smart ordering tips so your meal delivers — not a food regret.

Sliders vs Tenders — which to order

Slider: A compact, balanced bite — crispy chicken, soft milk-bread bun, pickles, kale slaw, and Dave’s Sauce. Great for the full Dave’s experience.

Tender: All chicken, no fuss. Served with bread and pickle; ideal for dipping and if you want to taste the spice profile straight. Good protein option if you’re tracking macros — see our nutrition breakdown for details: Protein power: chicken nutrition.

Combos

Common combos pair sliders or tenders with fries and a drink. A half-slider/half-tender combo (e.g., 1 slider + 1 tender + fries) is the best sampler if you can’t choose.

Sides — quick picks

• Fries — classic, crinkle-cut; the usual fast-food comfort side.
• Cheese Fries — treat for sharing.
• Kale Slaw — crunchy, cooling counterpoint to heat; an easy swap for fries to lower calories. See the healthiest side swaps: Healthiest sides at Dave’s.
• Mac & Cheese — creamy comfort.

Tip: swap fries for kale slaw to reduce calories and add fiber. If you want full nutrition comparisons, check the detailed sides and calorie guide linked above.

The Heat Scale — pick wisely

Dave’s offers seven levels, from No Spice to Reaper. The jumps get large at higher levels: habanero-based levels are much hotter than Medium, and the Reaper uses Carolina Reaper peppers — ordering it may require a waiver at some locations. Start one or two levels below what you think you can handle. For tips on staying hydrated and managing heat, read the spice hydration guide: Spice & hydration guide.

Ordering & authenticity notes

Dave’s uses brined, breaded and fried chicken to create that signature crunch and juiciness. Many locations offer halal chicken — check the store page on the site. If you want to keep your meal balanced: choose a protein-forward option, swap in slaw, and share richer sides. For a deeper look at whether spicy food can be part of a healthy diet, see: Can spicy food be healthy?

For nutrition breakdowns, heat guides, and to find the nearest location, visit the site homepage: Dave's Hot Chicken Nutrition Calculator.