Dave's Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Meridian

Dave’s Hot Chicken Review: A Fiery Experience Elevated by Sage

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you're craving some of the best hot chicken in town, look no further than Dave’s Hot Chicken. However, what truly sets this place apart isn't just the mouth-watering, perfectly spiced chicken—it's the exceptional service, particularly from an outstanding employee named Sage.

From the moment you walk into Dave’s Hot Chicken, Sage’s warm, welcoming smile and genuine enthusiasm make you feel right at home. His energy is contagious, instantly turning your dining experience into something special. Sage goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued and taken care of, making you feel like a VIP even if it’s your first time visiting.

What stands out about Sage is his encyclopedic knowledge of the menu. Not only does he know each dish inside and out, but he also provides insightful recommendations based on your personal preferences. Whether you're a fan of the mild heat or daring enough to try the Reaper, Sage will guide you to the perfect choice, ensuring your meal is exactly what you’re looking for.

Sage’s attention to detail is unparalleled. During our visit, he checked in multiple times to ensure everything was to our liking, all without being intrusive. His ability to anticipate needs—refilling drinks before they’re empty, providing extra napkins at just the right moment, and suggesting delicious sides and sauces—demonstrates a level of service you rarely see in fast-casual dining.

What also impresses me is Sage’s ability to manage a bustling restaurant with ease. Even during peak hours, he maintains his composure, efficiency, and friendliness. His ability to multitask, all while keeping customers happy and tables clean, speaks volumes about his dedication and work ethic. It’s clear that Sage is not just an employee, but a cornerstone of Dave’s Hot Chicken.

On one particular visit, we were celebrating a birthday, and Sage went out of his way to make it memorable. Without being asked, he brought out a complimentary dessert and led a spirited birthday chant that got the whole restaurant involved. It’s these little touches that make Sage truly exceptional and keep us coming back to Dave’s Hot Chicken.

In a world where customer service can often feel like an afterthought, Sage is a shining example of what excellent service looks like. His commitment to creating a positive experience for every guest elevates Dave’s Hot Chicken from a great restaurant to an outstanding one. Sage’s presence alone is reason enough to visit, and his influence is felt in every aspect of the dining experience.

To sum it up, Dave’s Hot Chicken delivers on its promise of delicious, spicy chicken, but it’s Sage who takes the experience to the next level. His unparalleled service, infectious enthusiasm, and genuine care for customers make every visit a delight. If you find yourself at Dave’s Hot Chicken, make sure to look for Sage—your dining experience will be all the better for it. Five stars,...

I really struggled here with the review stats because I LOVE chicken. Half of my family is African American so I grew up knowing how to make fried chicken myself. I gave it 4 stars only because of the price for what you get and the fact the “sliders” are bigger than actual sliders but smaller than an actual cheeseburger which I didn’t no was possible. I was told at the drive through they’re as big as burgers. I’m an Uber driver and drive LATE LATE LATE so I’m always looking for new spots to eat before midnight. Anyways— I ordered a #4. It’s a slider and fries. Drink was separate which was highly confusing because I assumed they were all combos, that’s my fault. I ordered a “medium” on the hot scale. I don’t no if it’s because I’m used to heat or what, but to me it wasn’t that spicy. But I do eat hot food for a living so take that with a grain of salt if you will. Their fry sauce is pretty ordinary, I’d say it’s the most basic recipe, and to be honest that’s fair considering they’re more known for their chicken. The “slider” was juicy, tender and had enough spice on it even Gordon Ramsey would approve. They have “Dave’s sauce” which I was not a fan of but my fear of FOMO made me have to try the burger with it. It just wasn’t my style. I ordered my burger plain but it could come with cheese, the downside? Dave did me SO WRONG by not having pepper-jack to make it spicier, they only had American cheese! That stuff is as plastic as it comes so I was so disappointed! Even though I asked for the burger plain I still had pickles on mine, small hiccup but I’m not a prude so I just picked them off. No big DILL (please tell me you picked up on that pun!) the fries were actually really crispy, fresh and juicy. Definitely some of the better fries I’ve had. All in all, I’d give this place another go, but I’d probably order chicken strips next time! So let’s recap on the positives: 1. It’s open late! 2. You can pick your spice level 3. Fries are amazing 4. Fry sauce comes with it if you ask!!! Now the cons!!! 1. Only American cheese 2. Drink sold separately and 3. It was $13 for my meal and I feel like it should’ve been $10 all together but I’m not even mad. Staff was so nice and friendly when I said it was my first time, dude even offered to go through the items with me but it was 12:20am and I didn’t wanna hold up anyone! Definitely try this place if you like fried chicken because it was super tender and juicy! Thanks for a good first impression! Hopefully you’ll see me again late at night after I drop off my next drunk passenger on Friday...

I got to experience my first Yelp event today and it was amazing! This is my first time at Dave's Hot Chicken and it was a pretty cool experience. Upon walking in, I didn't realize how big this venue is. It's quite bright and vibrant with color.

The gal that took our order today was great! She helped us out with the menu since we weren't real familiar with it. I didn't realize how many options were available to us. After looking over the menu for a bit, my daughter and I both ordered the #1 2 piece chicken tenders. I got lite mild and my daughter got mild. I grabbed the kale slaw as my side and my daughter got the fries.

I was amazed at the size of the tenders they gave us! Holy piece of chicken! The tenders were so juicy and fresh. I usually don't eat white meat chicken cause I always find it so dry. Man, this chicken is far from dry! I really enjoyed the flavoring of the rub. The exterior of the chicken was dipped and then rubbed in this dry rub. It was savory and perfectly spiced. I tried the chicken with honey and it was pretty tasty! I love a sweet and savory combo. But the Dave's sauce that they give was the real winner! It was so good paired with the chicken. The fries were cooked too my liking. They weren't too hard but crunchy enough to give you a bite but soft in the middle. I didn't get a chance to try the slaw yet. I got so full off of one piece of chicken. I do look forward to having it as leftovers tomorrow.

For my first visit here, I was quite impressed! The food, the staff and the venue was all fantastic! I love how diverse the crowd is. Shout out to Yelp and Dave's Hot Chicken for throwing such a dope event! I look forward to going back and trying other items...