‘America’s fastest-growing restaurant’ is coming to Idaho — open late, in Meridian
Dave’s Hot Chicken jumps out among franchise restaurant competitors — even in chain-saturated Meridian.
Is it the company’s marketing savvy? The rise of Dave’s includes a rags-to-riches back story, unashamed celebrity name dropping and plenty of social media.
Or is it the food itself? Delicious-looking yet vaguely ominous. Its dark, reddish hue beckons like Grandma Satan’s secret recipe at the Beelzebub family reunion.
(The craziest spice level? Reaper, made from the Carolina Reaper pepper. You sign a waiver to order it.)
Either way, plenty of Idahoans will flock to Dave’s when it debuts Friday at 3450 N. Eagle Road. That’s a soft opening; the grand opening is Saturday. It will be the first Idaho location for the chicken joint, which is headquartered in Pasadena, California.
Don’t be surprised if more appear. In a May press release, Dave’s described itself as “America’s fastest growing restaurant.” That type of chest-thumping always feels debatable. But after launching the first brick-and-mortar restaurant in late 2017, Dave’s now has more than 90 locations. Another 700-plus are in development.
And extremely notable folks have enjoyed Dave’s Hot Chicken.
“From Usher, who recently posted an Instagram video (of himself) eating the company’s Reaper spice-level slider, to Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, Drake, who invested in the company after trying the product, Dave’s Hot Chicken continues to cultivate fans across North America,” the press release bragged.
Dave’s menu is tight. Literally. As in it’s basically two things: Chicken tenders and sliders. The bird comes in seven spice levels, starting with wimp-level none. And “each piece of juicy, hand-breaded chicken is spiced to order,” Dave’s promises. Sides? There are four: kale slaw, mac n’ cheese, french fries and cheese fries.
Want something to sip? Dave’s sells soft drinks, bottled drinks and water. Oh, and milkshakes — ostensibly to extinguish any flames dancing on your tongue.
The Meridian fast-casual restaurant also just looks kind of cool — especially for another fish in the ocean of chains on Eagle Road. Dave’s is taking over the vacated Kneaders Bakery & Cafe space. The interior has gotten a colorful, vibrant overhaul. Dave’s has added an indoor/outdoor patio to the space, too.
The restaurant will be open late — from 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. There’s a drive-thru window. Online ordering is available at daveshotchicken.com.
As the story goes, Dave’s Hot Chicken started small. A chef named Dave and three buddies. An idea for Nashville-style chicken. A food stand slapped together for $900 in an East Hollywood parking lot.
Then came Instagram buzz. Celebrity sightings. Lines around the block.
Now Dave’s is a “street food sensation turned fast-casual hit” — promising that it “brings the heat.”
Order an extra milkshake, Meridian. You’re about to find out.
