Dave's Hot Chicken Introduce
For New Jersey residents craving an intense, flavorful, and unforgettable culinary experience, Dave's Hot Chicken in Wayne is a must-visit destination. Located conveniently on a major Passaic County thoroughfare, this restaurant has quickly established itself as the local authority on authentic Nashville-style hot chicken. Dave's has cultivated a cult following for its simple, yet expertly executed menu featuring juicy, hand-breaded chicken tenders and sliders, all served with a signature kick of heat that ranges from "No Spice" for beginners to the legendary, waiver-required "Reaper" level.
The core philosophy of Dave's Hot Chicken is to take classic comfort food and elevate it with a commitment to high-quality ingredients and a serious dedication to spice. The menu is intentionally focused, allowing the team to perfect their craft. Patrons can choose their desired heat level across seven distinct tiers, ensuring there is a perfect match for every palate, whether you prefer a gentle warmth or an oral inferno. The focus is on delivering a 'blow your mind' food experience that is consistent, fresh, and deeply satisfying.
Beyond the signature chicken, the restaurant is known for its creative and indulgent sides and dessert offerings. Crispy, perfectly seasoned Fries, creamy Mac & Cheese, and a refreshing Kale Slaw are all available to complement the main dishes. For dessert, the unique Top-Loaded Shakes, piled high with fun toppings like Fruity Pebbles and Oreos, offer the perfect cool-down after tackling a higher spice level. This combination of intense flavor, customizable heat, and high-quality sides makes Dave's Hot Chicken a popular choice for lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings in the Wayne area.
The atmosphere inside the Wayne location is casual and trendy, reflecting its roots as an L.A. street food sensation. It is a vibrant spot that attracts a diverse crowd, including college students, groups, and tourists exploring the Northern New Jersey area, all seeking a memorable, delicious meal.
Dave's Hot Chicken is perfectly situated in a high-traffic retail area, making it easy to find and access for anyone in the Wayne and surrounding communities. The address is 57 NJ-23, Wayne, NJ 07470. Its location along Route 23 near the Willowbrook Mall makes it an ideal stop while running errands or traveling through the area.
Accessibility is a top priority, ensuring a comfortable experience for all patrons:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance: Providing easy access for individuals using mobility devices.
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Designated parking spots are available in the free, on-site parking lot.
- Wheelchair accessible restroom and seating: The interior dining space is designed to be fully accommodating.
- Parking: The facility offers a Free parking lot, On-site parking, and potentially Free street parking nearby, making vehicle access very convenient in this busy region of New Jersey.
The Wayne location of Dave's Hot Chicken offers multiple flexible services to fit the fast-paced life of New Jersey users, ensuring the signature hot chicken is available whenever and however customers prefer it.
- Dine-in: A casual and trendy environment with comfortable seating available for both Lunch and Dinner, perfect for solo dining or groups.
- Takeout: Convenient service for customers wishing to quickly pick up their order to enjoy at home or on the go.
- Delivery: Partnering with delivery services to bring the full menu directly to local residences and businesses.
- Dining Options: Open for both lunch and dinner service, making it an excellent choice for a mid-day meal or an evening stop. The late-night food offering caters to those with later cravings.
- Payment Methods: Accepts modern payment forms for quick and easy transactions, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
- Family and Group Friendly: The restaurant is Good for kids and offers High chairs, with "Feed A Crowd" options like the Hot Box of Tenders or Sliders, making it easy to cater to Groups.
Dave's Hot Chicken sets itself apart with its unique product and customer experience, focusing heavily on quality, flavor customization, and trend-setting menu items.
- Seven Levels of Spice: The signature feature is the customizable heat, ranging from "No Spice" for a simple, savory fried chicken experience, up to the formidable "Reaper," which requires a written waiver due to its extreme intensity.
- Signature Main Dishes: The simple menu focuses on two main forms: juicy, full-sized Chicken Tenders and thick, loaded Sliders (chicken sandwiches served on a potato bun with Kale Slaw, pickles, and Dave's Sauce).
- "Dave's NOT Chicken (Cauli)™": A commitment to inclusivity, offering Hand-cut Cauliflower tenders and sliders as a vegetarian-friendly alternative, seasoned with the same famous spice rub. This ensures those avoiding meat can still enjoy the full flavor experience.
- Creative Sides and Shakes: Offers satisfying sides like Mac & Cheese, Cheese Fries, and the colorful, decadent Top-Loaded Shakes (Fruity Pebbles, Oreo, M&M), which are essential for cooling down after a high-heat meal.
- Menu Value and Variety: Core meals are efficiently priced, such as Dave's #1 (2 Tenders W/ Fries) and Dave's #2 (2 Sliders W/ Fries). The "Feed A Crowd" boxes are ideal for parties or large groups.
- Trendy and Casual Vibe: The Atmosphere is described as Casual and Trendy, attracting a young and active Crowd including College students, perfect for a quick and fun dining stop.
For quick access, placing orders, or any inquiries regarding the menu or hours of operation at the Wayne, NJ location:
- Address: 57 NJ-23, Wayne, NJ 07470
- Phone: (862) 398-0008
Dave's Hot Chicken in Wayne is worth choosing for New Jersey diners who prioritize an explosion of flavor, high-quality fried chicken, and a memorable experience. Unlike many fast-casual chicken spots, Dave's commitment to seven customizable heat levels makes it a unique culinary adventure—it truly is the ultimate destination for "heat and flavor." The fact that the chicken is consistently described as "juicy inside, crispy outside" by local patrons underscores the quality of the preparation, moving it beyond standard fast-food fare. The chicken is Halal-certified, which is a major factor for many discerning customers in the region seeking premium ingredients.
What truly sets this location apart is its innovative approach to traditional hot chicken, particularly the inclusion of the "Dave's NOT Chicken (Cauli)™" menu. This ensures that patrons with vegetarian preferences are not excluded from the signature spice experience, making it a versatile option for mixed groups. Whether you are a heat-seeker looking to sign the waiver for the infamous Reaper, or just want a flavorful "Light Mild" chicken slider with a side of Mac & Cheese, Dave's offers a high-value, high-flavor meal that is a significant step up from competitors. For a quick, casual, and delicious injection of authentic Nashville heat into your New Jersey day, Dave's Hot Chicken is the definitive choice.
Dave's Hot Chicken Menu
Feed A Crowd
- Hot Box - Tenders $53.59
10 Tenders. Choice of Two Heat Levels (5/Heat Level)
- Hot Box - Sliders $77.39
10 Sliders. Choice of Two Heat Levels (5/Heat Level)
- Hot Box - Dave's Bites $35.79
40 pcs. of white meat chicken tender bites served with a slice of bread and side of Dave's sauce.
- Box Of Fries $11.99
18 ounces of our awesomely seasoned and perfectly crispy fries!
- Hot Box Roulette- Tenders $53.59
10 tenders (4 mild, 5 medium, 1 Reaper®...are you ready?) **DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN® REAPER® WAIVER By ordering and eating the REAPER®, you acknowledge its extreme heat and potential risks, including injury, property damage, distress, or death. You release and hold Dave's Hot Chicken, its affiliates, and employees harmless from any claims related to consuming the REAPER®, including REAPER ROULETTE®. By ordering, you confirm you are 18+ and legally capable of accepting this waiver. Eat at your own risk!
- Hot Box Roulette- Sliders $77.39
10 sliders (4 mild, 5 medium, 1 Reaper®...are you ready?) **DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN® REAPER® WAIVER By ordering and eating the REAPER®, you acknowledge its extreme heat and potential risks, including injury, property damage, distress, or death. You release and hold Dave's Hot Chicken, its affiliates, and employees harmless from any claims related to consuming the REAPER®, including REAPER ROULETTE®. By ordering, you confirm you are 18+ and legally capable of accepting this waiver. Eat at your own risk!
- Cauli Slider Hot Box $101.19
10 Cauliflower Sliders. Choice of Two Heat Levels (5/Heat Level)
- Cauli Bites Hot Box $35.79
40 pcs. of cauliflower bites served with a slice of bread and side of Dave's sauce.
Meals
- Dave's #1: 2 Tenders W/ Fries $15.49
All tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and a side of Dave's sauce
- Dave's #2: 2 Sliders W/ Fries $17.89
Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
- Dave's #3: 1 Tender & 1 Slider W/ Fries $16.69
Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce & all tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and a side of Dave's sauce.
- Dave's #4: 1 Slider With Fries $13.09
Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
Dave's NOT Chicken (Cauli)™
- Cauli Daves #1: 2 Cauli Tenders With Fries $20.29
Cauliflower Tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and a side of Dave's sauce.
- Cauli Dave's #2: 2 Cauli Sliders W/ Fries $22.59
Cauliflower Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
- Cauli Dave's #3: 1 Cauli Tender & 1 Cauli Slider W/ Fries $21.49
Cauliflower Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce & all Cauli Tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and a side of Dave's sauce.
- Cauli Daves #4: 1 Cauli Slider With Fries $15.49
Cauliflower Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
- Single Cauli Tender $7.99
All Cauliflower Tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles, and a side of Dave's sauce
- Single Cauli Slider $10.39
Cauliflower Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
- 10 Pc. Cauli Tender Bites $8.39
Cauliflower bites served with a slice of bread and side of Dave's sauce
- 10 Pc. Cauli Tender Bites W/ Fries $11.89
Cauliflower bites served with a slice of bread and side of Dave's sauce
Dave's Bites and Top Loaded Fries
- 10pc. Dave's Bites $8.39
White meat chicken tender bites served with a slice of bread, pickles, and side of Dave's sauce.
- 10 Pc. Dave's Bites W/ Fries $11.89
White meat chicken tender bites served with a side of fries, a slice of bread, pickles, and side of Dave's sauce.
- Small Top Loaded Fries $8.39
Fries piled high with cheese sauce, pickles, kale slaw and topped with 3 Dave’s Bites and drizzle of Dave’s sauce.
- Regular Top Loaded Fries $13.09
Fries piled high with cheese sauce, pickles, kale slaw and topped with 6 Dave’s Bites and drizzle of Dave’s sauce.
- Large Top Loaded Fries $19.09
Fries piled high with cheese sauce, pickles, kale slaw and topped with 10 Dave’s Bites and drizzle of Dave’s sauce.
***NEW*** Dave’s Mini Sliders
- Dave’s Mini Sliders $9.59
4 Mini Sliders (sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles, and drizzled with Dave's sauce). Available in No Spice, Medium or Hot
- Dave’s Mini Sliders W/ Fries $13.09
4 Mini Sliders served with fries (sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles, and drizzled with Dave's sauce). Available in No Spice, Medium or Hot
- Hot Box Of Minis $53.59
20 Mini Sliders. Available in No Spice, Medium or Hot.. Choice of Two Heat Levels (10/Heat Level) Serves 5
Sides
- Mac & Cheese $4.79
- Fries $4.29
- Cheese Fries $5.99
- Kale Slaw $4.79
- Side Of Dave's Sauce $0.59
Each combo comes with Dave's sauce, but you can get more!
- Side Of Cheese Sauce $0.59
- Cup Of Pickles $2.39
Take yourself home a 1/2 Pint of Pickles!
- Large Dave's Sauce $3.59
- Single Tender $6.59
All tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles, and a side of Dave's sauce
- Single Slider $8.99
Sliders are served on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
Top-Loaded Shakes
- Small Fruity Pebbles Top Loaded Shake $8.39
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Regular Fruity Pebbles Top Loaded Shake $9.59
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Large Fruity Pebbles Top Loaded Shake $12.49
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Small Oreo Top Loaded Shake $8.39
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Regular Oreo Top Loaded Shake $9.59
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Large Oreo Top Loaded Shake $12.49
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Small M&M Top Loaded Shake $8.39
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Regular M&M Top Loaded Shake $9.59
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
- Large M&M Top Loaded Shake $12.49
Choose your shake flavor: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry.
Shakes
- Vanilla Shake
- Strawberry Shake
- Chocolate Shake
Daves Burstin Beverages
- Burstin’ Mango Slusher $6.79
New! Mango Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of mango.
- Burstin’ Strawberry Slusher $6.79
New! Strawberry Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of strawberry.
- Burstin’ Strawberry Small Shake $8.39
New! Strawberry Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of strawberry.
- Burstin Strawberry Regular Shake $9.59
New! Strawberry Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of strawberry.
- Burstin Strawberry Large Shake $12.49
New! Strawberry Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of strawberry.
- Burstin’ Mango Small Shake $8.39
New! Mango Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of mango.
- Burstin Mango Regular Shake $9.59
New! Mango Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of mango.
- Burstin Mango Large Shake $12.49
New! Mango Bursties! Fruit-flavored, bursting bubbles for a juicy "pop" of mango.
- Side Mango Burster $2.39
- Side Strawberry Burster $2.39
Slushers
- Frozen Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade $4.39
- Frozen Hi-C Orange LavaBurst $4.39
- Frozen Hi-C Flashin' Fruit Punch $4.39
- Frozen Powerade Mountain Berry Blast $4.39
- Rocket Creme Slusher $6.79
- Orange Creme Slusher $6.79
- Strawberries And Creme Slusher $6.79
Drinks
- Bottled Water $2.99
- 20 Oz. Coke $3.59
- 20 Oz. Diet Coke $3.59
- 20 Oz. Coke Zero $3.59
- 20 Oz. Sprite $3.59
- 20 Oz. Dr Pepper $3.59
Single Use Items
- Napkin $0.00
- Straw $0.00
Dave's Hot Chicken Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Parking
Dave's Hot Chicken Photos










Dave's Hot Chicken Location
Dave's Hot Chicken Reviews
sliderschicken sandwichhalalozzypicklesmac and cheesekale slawspicy chickentenderslushy
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1If you’re chasing heat and flavor, Dave’s Hot Chicken in Wayne absolutely delivers! 🔥We went bold and ordered Dave’s #3 (1 tender + 1 slider with fries) at Reaper spice level, plus mini sliders, fries, and a Coke to balance the fire. And yep you actually have to sign a waiver to try the Reaper. That alone should tell you what kind of heat you’re dealing with. 🌶️The chicken? Insanely good. Juicy inside, crispy outside, and that Reaper spice hits like a truck in a delicious, tear inducing way. The slider was loaded and flavorful, and even the mini sliders had that same punch. Fries were crispy, perfectly seasoned, and made the whole meal come together.The vibe inside is modern and chill, service was fast, and the team was super friendly (they even gave us a heads-up about the Reaper heat).If you’re in the Wayne area and up for a serious flavor bomb this place is a must. Just don’t forget to bring your spice tolerance… and maybe a milkshake. 😅🔥
May 25 · Nelwin D'cruzCame here last week with the boys! Me and the crew of frat boys had a wonderful dining experience here! Me, Connor and Ryan came here and had such a nice lunch together! Me and the boys love good meat in our mouths any time we can get it and this is definitely the spot to put good meat in your mouth for lunch! We all got chicken tenders and the slider meals. The pickles were huge and just the cherry on top! The service was fast and polite, staff friendly and the atmosphere was ok. They don’t have booths only tables we were a little gutted about that because we only sit on booths because that shows other diners u r in full and total control of the dining experience. Tables show u r weak and submissive. We will most definitely be coming back for lunch again soon as this was a great spot ! If u look at the photos below u can see the wheelchairs the manager has broken or cut up for scrap metal for coming in here. Leave ur chair outside.
September 03 · Big web 45The food is great. Just a word of advice, lick the spice before you take a bite of the chicken lol. They switched mine and my husbands sandwich, he got Hot and I got Mild 🥵😭!
April 25 · Christa SheppeardI ordered the Medium and Mild heat level flavors it was surprisingly not that spicy! The chicken was very juicy and crispy. The french fries had great tasting seasoning on it as well. I recommend getting Dave’s sauce on the side it’s so tasty! Perfect Lunch and Dinner combos that will fill you up! Overall, amazing experience compared to other fast foods definitely coming here again!
January 01 · Sahil ShahI chose the #3 - Slider had Medium heat while Tender had Extra Hot. I would say that's my peak tolerance level with spicy. For the most part, everything was pretty good. If you're a little particular with Mac n Cheese, I would say theirs is ok. It kinda reminds me of KFC's version. Overall, a nice lunch stop for your chicken cravings.
June 11 · Randem NJMy experience at Dave’s Hot Chicken was really disappointing. The food was horrible — my fries were soggy and wet, and the chicken didn’t taste good at all. I was expecting something crispy and flavorful, but instead it was greasy and bland. Overall, the meal was not worth the money, and I wouldn’t want to eat there again after how bad it was.
October 19 · Da Tjjd
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