Dave’s Hot Chicken recently offered a new way to enjoy their shakes with the addition of toppings that you can eat directly instead of slurping through a straw. While it might be a debate among fans as to whether that’s a good way to market a milkshake that should naturally be consumed by straw, fans cannot deny that Dave’s milkshakes are good and pair well with their spicy chicken. So, for it to get another upgrade is exciting news.
Dave’s milkshakes, now called “Top-Loaded Shakes” previously added the option to complete the drink with a generous scoop of Oreo pieces or crushed M&Ms. Now, fans also have the option to top their shake with a childhood favorite breakfast item—Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal! The generous addition of the cereal on top of Dave’s milkshakes gives the treats an upgrade that both kids and adults are sure to enjoy this summer. This will be a $2 add-on option that’s applicable for the brand’s Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry shakes, for a limited time.
What The Internet is Saying
Fans have expressed their love for the brand’s chicken. However, when it comes to their milkshakes, as good as they are, there are some who aren’t moved by the idea of adding toppings on a milkshake that should be consumed using a straw instead of a spoon. One comment even concludes that the addition of Oreos or M&Ms effectively turns Dave’s milkshakes into something more like McDonald’s McFlurry.
There are also those who think that an extra $2 for a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Top Loaded Shake might not be that good of a deal, if you do the math. Nevertheless, Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a twist on a classic beverage that majority of its fans are excited about.
Spicy Chicken and Milkshakes: A Summer Combo
The cinnamon-toasty upgrade on Dave’s milkshakes is the brand’s way to help their customers balance out all the heat that comes from eating their chicken. CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken Bill Phelps said that as their brand is known to offer the most flavorful spicy chicken in the world, they would like to give fans something that’s just as delicious and offset some of that spice with something cold.
This comes as good news considering the hot summer season, which can make enjoying highly spicy foods less appealing. A refreshing milkshake with some classic toppings can provide a delightful contrast, offering a cool and satisfying treat to accompany Dave’s famous hot chicken.
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Dave’s Hot Chicken: A Story of Small Beginnings
Dave’s Hot Chicken started out as a small pop-up in 2017. Founded by childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan in a tiny stand in an East Hollywood parking lot, the brand’s mission was simple: serve the hottest and most flavorful Nashville-style chicken in town. What began as a dream soon gained a substantial following for its fiery flavors that both fans and first-time customers can’t seem to get enough of.
Dave’s eventually turned into a multi-location chain virtually overnight, thanks to social media, word-of-mouth, high-profile celebrity investors, and the LA reporter who basically sparked the chicken stand’s viral success.
Their famous food concept revolves around hot chicken with seven levels of heat, effectively catering to a wide range of palates. From the moderately spiced called “No Spice” to the extrememly hot “Reaper,” each meal provides a unique experience that anyone can enjoy. The brand thrives on the challenge and thrill that come with eating extremely spicy chicken, continuously attracting customers who love to test their limits.
A Quick Look at Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu
Dave’s menu caters to all kinds of spice lovers. These are the brand’s current offers:
Main Menu
- Dave’s #1: Two pc tenders with fries, served with sliced bread, pickles, and Dave’s sauce.
- Dave’s #2: Two sliders with fries, served with kale slaw, pickles, and Dave’s sauce. Comes with the option to add cheese.
- Dave’s #3: One pc tender, one slider, with fries. The tender is served with sliced bread, pickles, and Dave’s sauce. The slider is served with kale slaw, pickles, and Dave’s sauce and comes with the option to add cheese.
- Dave’s #4: One slider with fries, served with kale slaw, pickles, and Dave’s sauce. Comes with the option to add cheese.
Sides
- Crispy Fries
- Crispy Fries with Cheese Sauce
- Mac & Cheese
- Kale Slaw
- Single Slider
- Single Tender
Drinks
- Soft Drinks
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Sweet Tea
- Gold Peak Tea Peach Raspberry
- Bottled Water
- Bottled Drinks
Milkshakes (Made with real ice cream)
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Vanilla
Top-Loaded Options ($2 add-on)
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Top Loaded Shake
- Oreo Top Loaded Shake
- M&M Top Loaded Shake
It’s important to note that this is only the main menu and options might vary by location.
Let’s Get Into the Spicy Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken went viral not just for the spicy adventure they offer but also for how truly good and cooked to perfection their chicken offers are. Experience Nashville-style chicken in these forms:
- Sliders: These jumbo sliders are packed with flavor and perfectly spicy according to your chosen spice level, offering a satisfying and personalized bite every time.
- Tenders: Dave’s juicy and spicy chicken tenders are great for dipping and sharing, making them a favorite among many.
- Bites: For those who prefer smaller portions, Dave’s Bites are bite-sized versions of the brand’s spicy chicken, making it great for snacking or as a side.
Seven Levels of Spice
This is the seven different levels of heat customers can choose from:
- No Spice: For those who prefer it mild.
- Lite Mild: Just a hint of heat.
- Mild: Noticeable but manageable spice.
- Medium: A good balance of heat.
- Hot: Gives a significant kick.
- Extra Hot: For spice enthusiasts.
- Reaper: Extreme heat, requiring a signed waiver for those who dare.
Plant-Based Options at Dave’s
In addition to their spicy chicken offers, Dave’s has recently introduced some exciting meat-free options for those with dietary preferences:
Dave’s NOT Chicken Cauliflower Sliders: For those looking for a vegetarian or vegan option, Dave’s now offers Cauliflower Sliders that’s just as good as their chicken counterparts, only without the chicken.
Dave’s NOT Chicken Cauliflower Tenders: These tenders are made from perfectly seasoned cauliflower that’s so flavorful, you just might forget you’re eating a vegetable.
Dave’s NOT Chicken Cauliflower Bites: This is basically spicy cauliflower tenders in bite-sized form. These plant-based twists on the brand’s famous sliders and tender bites are the perfect delicious alternative to chicken if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
This range of options makes Dave’s Hot Chicken a go-to for fans of spicy food, offering something for everyone—from the mildest to the most adventurous eaters. Whether you’re craving a classic chicken slider or something plant-based like their cauliflower bites, Dave’s surely has you covered.
To check if you have a Dave’s Hot Chicken in your area, visit the brand’s official website. They also have the option to order online and you can ask for additional nutrition information if you want to know how many calories are in your order. Alternatively, if you order through their mobile app, you can get a free drink!
Fun Fact About the Brand
Which Celebrities Have Invested in Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Dave’s is known for having celebrity investors who have contributed to the brand’s rapid expansion. These celebrities include Samuel L. Jackson, Usher, Michael Strahan, John Davis, Maria Shriver, Tom Werner, and Drake.
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From The Club
While I love Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, I would have to agree with those who say that the $2 add-on of toppings is a bit much, especially on top of a milkshake that’s supposed to be slurped. I appreciate the “Top-loaded” concept but maybe blending the toppings into the shake would be a better idea. I can’t help but wonder as well how many ounces the milkshake cup is—if the cups are big then I guess an extra two bucks would be fine for a really good and tall milkshake with Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
On a more positive note, while it’s my first time writing about Dave’s Hot Chicken, I’ve definitely seen them a lot on Pinterest for their amazingly red-looking chicken with those side of Dave’s sauces. Now, I’m wondering if they have a chain around my area, because if they do, I’d definitely give their chicken a try—just the No Spice though, because I’m pretty sure I can’t do the Reaper. I might try those cauli sliders or cauli tender bites too, I bet those would be really good. I’m wondering how they might compare to the white meat chicken tender bites or how they might taste with a drizzle of Dave’s sauce. Also, it doesn’t say on the main menu, but I wonder if they use a potato bun type of bread because I find that those are the best on sliders and burgers. I have to find out whether they have a store around where I live so I can confirm the answers to these burning questions!