Dave's Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Manchester

My wife and I love trying food from all over America, but unfortunately, this spot was not “the spot.” Atmosphere While the décor was colorful, the energy inside felt more like a DMV waiting queue than a restaurant. The room was almost silent, the restaurant nearly empty, and it seemed like there were only three or four employees on staff. Service Customer service was disappointing. The employee behind the counter mumbled through the interaction in a way that made it hard to understand him. We had to ask him to repeat himself several times, and we weren’t the only ones—every customer who ordered after us had the same confused reaction. Food At first glance, the food looked decent: two sliders, chicken tenders, and fries. But after the first bite, neither of us could finish. • Fried items: The fry oil was clearly old and contaminated. The breading came out dark brown/black and tasted like unseasoned chicken dipped in old motor oil. • Chicken: Subpar quality with no real flavor. • Pickles: Surprisingly good—the only highlight of the meal. • Sauce: The “Dave’s Sauce” was bland, tasting like nothing more than mayo mixed with ketchup. Final Thoughts We wanted to like this place, but between the lifeless atmosphere, poor service, and bad food, the experience was very disappointing. Aside from the pickles, there was nothing worth recommending. We rated it...

Finally had the chance to visit Dave’s Hot Chicken in Manch Vegas on day 2 of opening and it completely exceeded our expectations!! We ordered 4 single tenders; medium, hot, extra hot and reaper! Along with a side of fries, kale slaw and the Mac n cheese. The medium tender was flavorful but did not produce a kick or level of spice at all. The hot was just right- full of flavor just the right amount of heat for enjoyment. The extra hot started out great followed with a beautiful delayed heat. This left me scared for the reaper - which we had to sign a waiver to purchase. The reaper started off with amazing flavor and completely took me out after about halfway through with the immense heat. Loved the flavor and the burn along with It, but had to tap out on finishing the tender. The fries were perfectly seasoned and the kale slaw was fresh and refreshing! The mac n cheese was sub par- creamy but tasted fake/like frozen dinner mac. This was the only disappointment of today though, the atmosphere was very colorful and modern, and I loved the famous rubber chicken decor throughout the place. Employees were very friendly and moved the incredibly long line very quickly and efficiently! Completely worth the 55 minute wait and we can’t...

Simple and Flavorful, But Very Oily

Dave's Hot Chicken delivers on bold flavors and simplicity, making it a great spot for anyone craving spicy, well-seasoned fried chicken. The menu is straightforward, which I really appreciate—it keeps the ordering process quick and easy, with no unnecessary choices to slow things down.

The seasoning is the standout feature here. The spice levels offer a great range, from mild to extra hot, so there’s something for everyone. The chicken itself is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. The spice rub is well-balanced and gives a satisfying kick without being overwhelming.

The biggest downside for me is the oiliness. Compared to other fried chicken spots, Dave’s Hot Chicken feels much heavier. The breading holds onto a lot of oil, which makes it greasy to the touch and a bit much to eat in large portions. If they could cut down on the excess oil while keeping the crispiness, it would be near perfect.

Overall, it’s a solid spot for spicy fried chicken, and the seasoning alone makes it worth trying. If you don’t mind a heavier, greasier bite, you’ll probably love it. I’d come back, but maybe not as often as other fried...