Dave’s Hot Chicken, 4 guys, some chicken and a dream! That is how their bio reads. From a small pop-up in East Hollywood to a chain of chicken restaurants across the country, or least on their way to that. And now they have landed in Seattle. To be honest, I had been aware of them prior to their arrival here. Then one day, on my way home from work, I walked by a corner spot with one of their signs up saying they were “coming soon” and I have to say, I couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about. Shots of their food litters Insta and other social media sites and good on them for using it to get their name out there and really take off. I mean I wanted to try from the pictures alone.

They serve their version of Memphis hot chicken which in basic terms (usually) is extra crispy double fried chicken slathered in a spicy sauce that will bring the heat in a big way—definitely not for everyone. Though their version is more mixed spices than sauce. I have had some original versions and trust me, it can be nostril hair burning heat crying out for a big ol’ glass of milk. I was down for it plus, you know I cannot pass up a fried chicken sandwich so getting to try both seemed a no brainer.

I was out of town when the place first opened and I figured I could just hit it up when I got back. Well, I got back and whoooboy, I did not stop to think I might not be the only one who was salivating and waiting for this place to open. The first time I swung by there was a line out the door and around the corner. I was like whaaatt?! I think I have made myself perfectly clear I do not like standing in line for food. You think the pizza place was bad, this more than double that. And not just a one day thing it seems. Since I pass by here on my way from work, the line was a daily thing. Eventually I resigned myself to the idea I would just wait it out until the new wore off and the place would be more easily accessible.

Funny thing though, seems there was a work around to all that line waiting. Overcast weekend days are good for sitting around, watching stupid television and surfing the net for nothing in particular. Then you get food cravings even though you are not burning any calories whatsoever. You think you might just pull it together and head out to brave that line because what else have you got to do. So you pull up Dave’s menu to see what you are gonna get. That is when you discover you can order online for pick-up and—SKIP THE WHOLE F***ING LINE!! (and just fyi, they don’t do delivery) My fingers couldn’t type fast enough and bing bang boom I ordered me up some food, threw on some clothes and made the 8 minute walk each way (yes it is that close) there and back to chow down.

Looking at the menu seems combos really are the way to go so I went with the single tender and slider with fries which also comes with a slice of white bread, some pickles and Dave’s sauce. Even though this is a hot chicken place they have done the smart thing to offer varying degrees of hotness you can choose from and since I get two different items I got two different levels, medium and standard hot.

The pieces of chicken are all white meat breast lightly battered then fried and tossed in a mix of spices (which I’m guessing are paprika, cayenne pepper, sugar and a few others) fresh out of the fryer as opposed to being double fried and then sauced, which is more traditional Memphis hot. The chicken is fried well, tender and juicy, though I personally might have liked a bit more crunch than you are gonna get here. As for the heat, the medium will give a little kick without burning you out, though if you are not a heat fan, it still may be too much for you. I liked it. The hot is definitely hot, though not super Memphis, but still more than enough to clear the nostrils and cure what ails ya’! (Don’t worry, if you need relief, order up one of their milkshakes) They are both a nice blend of spices that do bring the flavor and the heat for those that want it.

The tender comes with some white bread and pickles which is a Southern thing, though I never really got that, but it will soak up the spices for you. The slide comes on a toasted potato bun with a couple pickles, a little kale slaw and some Dave’s sauce. I will I personally wished the bun held up better for eating the whole thing, it did come apart in the last few bites. Depending on your heat preference you may or may not taste the rest of the stuff like the sour pickles and the Dave’s sauce which is like mayo with spices but not hot spices. The kale slaw also gets a little lost though I think that is mostly because there is just a small portion on it. Feel like they could do at least another tablespoon or two of it. Though I guess that is why they offer it as a side (see below). All in all, it is a tasty enough sandwich and chicken compared some other standard fast food places.

It was fun getting krinkle fries instead of the standard string and they come with a healthy coating of what seems like the same spices in the sauce. Crispy on the outside, soft inside. Better than your old school fast food for sure. I also had to try some of their other sides.

The mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy and a pretty decent side dish. Needed a little salt and pepper for my taste but nice compliment to the spicy chicken. The kale salad was a mix of kale and purple cabbage with just a small hint of sweet and by itself as a side, pretty boring and needed some salt. I think in this instance, it works better on the sandwich adding that extra crunch and hint of sweetness. I’d only get the side to add more to the sandwich, otherwise, it is skippable.

These days there seems to be glut of fried chicken sandwiches and what not in my little Capitol Hill neighborhood. Bok-a-Bok, Mt. Joy, Ma’ono, Taku, Skillet Diner, Sodam and now Dave’s Hot Chicken—just to mention a few. Who knew I landed in the hot bed of it! For what it is, I liked Dave’s enough, it is fast food after all and they do a pretty decent job of bringing some heat and a different variety than some of the other spots around, though, still like Bok the best. Is it worth standing in their current line for? Uh, I don’t think so, but then again, I am not sure why people are doing the line thing when you can just order ahead online and pick up, for that, it is fine. You can bypass the line, grab your bag and then just enjoy it outside in Cal Anderson instead of being trapped inside with all those other people who CHOSE to wait in line. I will probably eat there again, I mean they are nearby after all and I do like to bring and eat the heat. Just not the line, I don’t like standing in line for food. Have I mentioned that?