Dave’s Hot Chicken, is a relatively new entry (on the east coast) in the recent Hot Chicken Renaissance. All of the recent openings of Nashville-style hot chicken can be hard to navigate, but there are worse problems to have.
Per their website, Dave’s began when a few friends in Hollywood CA, and started selling their Hot chicken in parking lots. The endeavor was so popular that there are now dozens of franchises taking over America, and lucky for us in the South Jersey area. This is the 2nd location – the first opened in Cherry Hill earlier in the year.
I attended the soft opening at the upcoming Dave’s in Sicklerville NJ, in a great commercial area which also includes recent Hot Chicken Darling, Asads.
I was able to try some of their great offerings, and they certainly stack up to the competition. You’ll notice there isn’t much variety in these places, here it’s chicken tenders and sliders, so they need to get it right. Dave’s does just that. Their tenders are flat and very cutlet-like, yet also very tender and juicy. I tried the medium heat and hot heat. I found the hot to be a little too much for me, but the medium was perfection.
They go with a rub as opposed to a sauce, which I find to pack more flavor and results in a less soggy product. The tender was as advertised, as well as being crispy and delicious.
I only sampled a few sides (fries and slaw) which were very good and didn’t bully the overall meal. The perfect accompaniment. I also think their Dave’s Sauce, which cools down the heat, can go over well with the masses.
I can say that the staff here was not only friendly and efficient, but seemed to genuinely care about the product and we’re excited about it. Overall, even with the crowded proliferation of Hot Chicken these days, Dave’s Hot Chicken distances itself from the pack as one of the best options.
Dave’s in Sicklerville officially opens to the public on Friday, October 25th. Operating hours will be Sunday – Thursday 10:30am to 11pm and Friday – Saturday 10:30am to Midnight.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Heritage Plaza
610 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd
Sicklerville, NJ 08081
Are you excited about more hot chicken in South Jersey? Any faves?
