Home Events + News Dave’s Hot Chicken Comes to North Jersey

Dave’s Hot Chicken Comes to North Jersey

by Stephanie Spear
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A California-based hot chicken chain that started in a parking lot has made its way to the Garden State. Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded by four friends in their quest to make the best hot chicken in Los Angeles. Now, the brand has grown into a national chain, with franchises from coast to coast and in Canada. The new location at 57 Route 23 in Wayne is the company’s first New Jersey outpost. Read on to learn more about this tasty chicken.

daves hot chicken

(Photo credit: @daveshotchicken)

About the Brand

Dave’s Hot Chicken started in 2017 when four friends set up a chicken stand in a parking lot in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. They were on a mission to make their own Nashville-style hot chicken. One of the friends, Dave Kopushyan, was a professionally trained chef and what the team came up with was tender, juicy chicken dressed in signature spice rubs ranging from the not-spicy-at-all to ‘reaper’ levels of heat.

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Once an LA Times food writer shared an article about the chicken, lines were wrapping around the block. Word got out about this incredible chicken and after a year in the parking lot, the crew had enough money to get a space in a strip mall. The fans followed, and the rest is history.

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The brand’s story of humble beginnings paired with the delectable chicken has made this company a favorite investment of many bold faced names in Hollywood since it took on a franchise model in 2019. Rapper Drake, who is an investor, even gave away free sandwiches at Dave’s locations in honor of his birthday on October 21st. Actor Samuel L. Jackson is an investor, as is former Giants player Michael Strahan.

What to Expect

The Dave’s Chicken located at 57 Route 23 near the Willowbrook Mall is now open seven days a week from 11AM to 10PM.

 

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The menu is pretty straightforward: chicken, spiced to the diners’ taste; sides; and beverages. The chicken is the star of the show at Dave’s, served either as a tender or as a slider on a bun. The spice level is where diners can take control of things. Some may even take their life in their hands: the restaurant’s Reaper level of spice, the hottest on the menu, comes with a waiver. The spice levels are: No Spice; Lite Mild; Mild; Medium; Hot; Extra Hot; and Reaper.

The sides include Mac & Cheese, Kale Slaw, Fries, Cheese Fries while the beverages are Coke brand products. To cool off, milkshakes are available.

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Operator Amit Patel has previous experience running other fast-casual franchises in New Jersey. Earlier this year, he told QSR Magazine his thoughts on opening this chain’s first New Jersey location.  “It’s exciting to get the ball rolling on Dave’s Hot Chicken’s entrance into New Jersey. This is an ideal site for us to establish our presence and draw customers in. Dave’s Hot Chicken is unlike anything else found in the area, and I think this location gives us a great opportunity to introduce our craveable food to the people of New Jersey.” The company plans to open a location in Secaucus in Fall 2023.

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