Dave's Hot Chicken in South Carolina: What to Order and Where to Find It

What Dave's Hot Chicken serves and how it works

Dave's Hot Chicken is a Nashville-based chain that specializes in hand-breaded chicken tenders and wings served with a choice of heat levels, from mild to extra hot. You order at the counter, pick your spice level, and receive your meal with sides like crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, or mac and cheese. The restaurant focuses on a simple menu: fried chicken, sandwiches built on that chicken, and a few complementary items. There's no table service, and most locations are designed for quick pickup or casual dining in a small dining area.

The chain has expanded rapidly across the United States since 2017, and South Carolina now has multiple locations. Each restaurant operates independently but follows the same core menu and preparation style. Prices are moderate—a tender combo typically runs between $12 and $16 depending on size and sides—and the ordering process is straightforward enough that first-time visitors can move through the line quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Dave's Hot Chicken serves hand-breaded chicken tenders and wings in five heat levels, from mild to extra hot, with sides like fries and coleslaw.
• South Carolina locations include restaurants in Charleston, Columbia, and the Greenville area, with new openings announced periodically.
• The menu is limited by design—fried chicken, sandwiches, and a few sides—so you can decide what you want in under a minute.
• Most locations are counter-service only, meaning you order and pay at the register before finding a seat or taking your food to go.
• Heat levels range from no spice to intensely hot, and the restaurant clearly labels which level is which so you can choose based on your tolerance.

South Carolina locations and hours

Dave's Hot Chicken has opened in Charleston, with a location in the downtown area that draws both tourists and locals. The Charleston restaurant sits in a walkable neighborhood and typically operates for lunch and dinner seven days a week, though hours vary by season and day. Greenville has also welcomed a Dave's Hot Chicken, positioned in a shopping district that makes it easy to stop in before or after other errands.

Columbia has at least one location, and the chain continues to announce new South Carolina openings. Hours are generally 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. or later, but you should confirm the specific location's schedule before visiting, especially on Sundays or holidays. The restaurants do not take reservations—you walk in, order, and eat or take out.

The heat levels and what they mean

Dave's Hot Chicken labels its spice levels as No Spice, Mild, Medium, Hot, and Reaper. No Spice is seasoned but not spicy, making it a good choice if you want flavor without heat. Mild has a gentle kick that most people tolerate easily. Medium is noticeably spicy but not overwhelming for someone who eats spicy food regularly. Hot is significantly hotter and intended for people with a genuine tolerance for heat.

Reaper is the chain's hottest offering and is genuinely painful for most people—it's a challenge level rather than a meal level. If you're unsure, start with Mild or Medium and work your way up on future visits. Staff can describe the difference between levels if you ask, and they won't judge you for choosing a lower heat level. The spice is applied to the breading and the sauce, so you taste it throughout the meal rather than just at the end.

What to order: tenders, wings, and sandwiches

The signature item is the hand-breaded chicken tender, which comes in a combo with two sides and a drink. A typical order is three or four tenders depending on appetite. The breading is thick and crispy, and the chicken inside stays juicy. Wings are also available and come bone-in; they're smaller than tenders but offer more surface area for sauce and spice.

Sandwiches are built on a single tender or multiple tenders served on a bun with toppings like pickles, coleslaw, and sauce. The Slider is a single tender on a small bun, while larger sandwiches stack two or more tenders. Sides worth ordering include the crinkle-cut fries, which are thick and crispy, and the mac and cheese, which is creamy and filling. Coleslaw provides a cool contrast to the heat if you order a spicy level.

Pricing and what a typical meal costs

A single tender combo—three tenders, two sides, and a drink—typically costs between $12 and $15 depending on which sides you choose. A wing combo runs in a similar range. Sandwiches are priced individually, with a slider around $6 to $8 and larger sandwiches between $9 and $12. Sides ordered separately are usually $3 to $5 each, and drinks are standard fast-casual pricing.

The restaurant does not offer a loyalty program or app-based discounts at most South Carolina locations, though you should ask at your local restaurant in case that has changed. Prices are consistent across locations but may vary slightly by market. Most locations accept cash and card, and some accept mobile payment options.

How Dave's Hot Chicken compares to other fried chicken in South Carolina

South Carolina has a deep tradition of fried chicken, from Bojangles' fast-casual model to independent restaurants serving family-style portions. Dave's Hot Chicken differs in its focus on customizable heat levels and hand-breaded preparation. It's closer in style to Wingstop or Raising Cane's than to a traditional Southern fried chicken restaurant, meaning the experience is faster and the menu is narrower.

If you're looking for a sit-down meal with multiple chicken preparations and regional sides, a local restaurant may serve you better. If you want quick, customizable fried chicken with a specific heat level you can choose, Dave's Hot Chicken delivers that efficiently. The chain appeals to people who want consistency and control over their spice level, which traditional restaurants don't always offer.

Dietary considerations and customization

Dave's Hot Chicken's menu is built around fried chicken, so vegetarian and vegan options are limited or nonexistent at most locations. If you have a gluten allergy, the hand-breaded chicken and most sides contain gluten, and cross-contamination is possible in a small kitchen. You should ask staff about preparation methods and ingredients before ordering if you have a dietary restriction.

The restaurant can customize orders—you can request extra sauce, no sauce, or a different heat level than the standard—but the core menu doesn't accommodate major dietary changes. If you're dining with a group that has mixed dietary needs, you may want to choose a restaurant with more variety alongside Dave's Hot Chicken, or plan to visit Dave's as part of a larger outing where others can eat elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Dave's Hot Chicken and Wingstop or Raising Cane's?

Dave's Hot Chicken offers both tenders and wings with customizable heat levels, while Raising Cane's serves only tenders in one preparation and Wingstop focuses on wings. Dave's menu is smaller than Wingstop's but includes more heat options. All three are counter-service chains, but Dave's emphasizes spice customization as its main differentiator.

Can I order Dave's Hot Chicken for delivery?

Some South Carolina locations partner with third-party delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats, but not all do. Call your nearest restaurant or check their website to see if delivery is available in your area. Delivery times and fees vary by service and location.

Is Dave's Hot Chicken actually from Dave's, or is it a chain?

Dave's Hot Chicken is a chain founded in Los Angeles in 2017 by Kunaal Patel and Dave Kopushyan. It's not a single-location restaurant, but each location operates with the same menu and preparation standards. The name comes from one of the founders, not a single owner at each location.

What should I order if I don't like spicy food?

Order the No Spice level, which is seasoned but not hot. Pair it with coleslaw or mac and cheese as sides to balance any residual heat. If you're still concerned, ask staff to describe the No Spice flavor before you order, or start with a single tender to test it before committing to a full combo.

Do I need to make a reservation?

No. Dave's Hot Chicken operates on a walk-in, counter-service model. You order at the register, pay, and either eat in the small dining area or take your food to go. There are no tables reserved in advance, and the process is designed to move quickly even during busy times.