Saturday, July 6, was National Fried Chicken Day. Since it took place over a weekend, it was an opportunity for my wife and me to partake in this food holiday. Fried chicken in LA is extremely popular and we selected Dave’s Hot Chicken, a business that serves Nashville-style hot chicken.
Many businesses followed the huge success of Howlin’ Ray’s. The first to do so was Dave’s Hot Chicken. They created an Instagram account and started in a Thai Town parking lot. They quickly caught the attention of LA’s foodies offering spicy chicken tenders, fries, and kale coleslaw to those in the know. Soon after, they opened a storefront in East Hollywood.
We arrived shortly before they opened and found that their parking lot was full. Fortunately, metered street parking was available. I was surprised that there were only two people in line. The restaurant is set up in a fast-casual format with two employees taking orders. The menu is limited which makes reduces decision making. This allows the line to process quickly.
Unlike other hot chicken places like Howlin’ Ray’s, the menu for Dave’s Hot Chicken is limited to boneless chicken tenders. Heat level range from no spice, “lite mild”, mild, medium, hot, “xtra hot” and “reaper”. Chicken tenders are available ala carte or as slider with fries. Optional sides include mac and cheese and kale slaw.
In order to eat the reaper, they ask that you sign a waiver of liability. Since I fear the reaper (pun intended), I ordered xtra hot whereas my wife selected medium in a slider. The tenders are thick and juicy with a nice crunch of batter. After taking my first bite into the tender, sweat immediately came pouring out of my head and face and my lips started to burn. Fortunately, there was a roll of paper towels on each table.
My wife confirmed that she made the right choice. Compared to mine, the medium wasn’t nearly as hot and it was the size of a chicken sandwich. Because it was combined with buns, bread and butter pickles, kale coleslaw and sauce, it wasn’t as intense as eating a tender by itself. The mac and cheese was creamy, but it wasn’t “great”. We were both happy that we had cold beer for this experience. Soft drinks and bottled water is also available.
Was it worth it? It was certainly a fun experience. While I enjoyed the endorphin rush I received, I don’t seek spicy food as chile heads do. The consensus appeared to be that Howlin’ Ray’s produces better hot fried chicken, but most people are willing to settle for Dave’s Hot Chicken because they don’t want to wait in a 2-hour line.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, 970 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029; 323.536.9711