Dave’s Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Hampden Township

This was my first time at Dave's. I went to the Mechanicsburg, PA location. My friend and I walked in, and the restaurant was clean and inviting. There was graffiti style painting on the walls to give it that downtown LA vibe. Red benches with cushions and chairs. Lots of space to eat. Dave's main item on their menu is extra large chicken tenders. They are served either on a roll with kale slaw and pickles or just on a slice of bread. The chicken is coated in a dry rub mixture of seasonings. You choose the level of heat you want. They are not saucy. They are coated in dry spices.

I got the 2 slider combo with cheese fries, a drink, and a chocolate shake. They do have a sauce on the sandwich called Dave's sauce, but I'm not sure what it is made of. I chose one medium sandwich and one hot. The hot sandwich was definitely hot. The problem with the food I had was that the spices were too overpowering. Beyond too much spicy coating. You weren't able to taste any of the actual chicken, just the spices. Definitely too much. The fries were good, and the shake was ok. I felt that they were cheap with the slaw also.

Very limited menu. For 2 people, I paid $45. dollars. Which I felt was really expensive for the quality of food you get. Don't get me wrong, it's ok, but not great. Also, the food was served warm and wasn't actually hot. I don't think that the chicken is cooked fresh to order. But cooked in batches ahead of time and sits under a heat lamp. I think that with less spicy coating and if the food was actually served hot, I would have given this a better review. Again, it's...

My rating is overall value, quality,and price point. The staff is awesome. But the food is ok. I got the medium this visit and the extra hot last time. The extra hot was just hot no flavor. The medium is slightly spicy but again no flavor. It's cayenne and chili powder. It is NOT Nashville hot chicken. You should try it but if we visit it will be rare. This place went from having lines around the building when they opened to having an empty drive through. Last visit my kids tried to Mac and cheese and also didn't like it. The staff needs to get the orders correct especially for the price point. I could get double the food from Popeyes which is 10× better. I think if they lowered the prices it would make more sense. It's fast food. I can go to a sit down restaurant and get better meals for the same price point. So try it and make up you own mind. It's definitely Worth a try and a once in a while visit. Just make sure you check your order. I repeated the order to the employee twice. At the window I realized they forgot a drink. They shouldn't really have charged it was their mistake but I paid. I got home and realized they got an entire meal wrong. We ordered a #4 and got a #1 and the QR code and website do not work to provide feedback. The website just gives...

Here's a review you might find helpful:

Deliciously Spicy and Satisfying!

I recently had the pleasure of trying Dave’s Hot Chicken, and I have to say, it exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I walked in, the aroma of freshly fried chicken filled the air, promising a meal that would not disappoint.

I ordered the hot chicken tenders with a side of mac and cheese, and both were absolutely fantastic. The chicken was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The spice level was just right, providing a kick without being overwhelming. For those who love a bit of heat, Dave’s offers a range of spice levels, so you can customize your meal to your liking.

The sides are equally impressive. The mac and cheese was creamy and rich, a perfect complement to the spicy chicken. The seasoned fries were crispy and well-seasoned, and the pickles added a refreshing crunch to the meal.

The portion sizes are generous, and the pricing is reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you get. The staff were friendly and efficient, ensuring that my meal was served hot and fresh.

Overall, Dave’s Hot Chicken is a must-visit for anyone who loves fried chicken with a spicy twist. Whether you’re dining in or taking...