Video: What’s it like to eat the Dave’s Hot Chicken Reaper?
We do a spice level comparison from No Spice to Reaper at Dave’s Hot Chicken.
If you’re a fan of hot-style chicken, a nationwide chain with metro Detroit locations known for its chicken tender sliders is hooking you up with a free deal in honor of a rapper’s birthday.
For the fourth year in a row, Dave’s Hot Chicken locations will celebrate rapper Drake’s birthday with a free slider from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at all locations on Thursday, Oct. 23. This is Drake’s 39th birthday.
Why celebrate Drake’s birthday?
It was more than five years ago that the Toronto, Canada-born rapper became a major investor in Dave’s Hot Chicken. In the last few years, the chain has celebrated the artist’s birthday by giving guests a free chicken slider.
Here’s how to get the free slider:
- Download the Dave’s Hot Chicken app or have it. Show and scan the offer at the register.
- The offer is valid in-store only on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Dave’s Hot Chicken locations.
- There’s a limit of one slider per person while supplies last.
What is Dave’s Hot Chicken?
Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a pop-up more than a half-dozen years ago when a group of a few friends gathered up $900, a fryer and set up in an East Hollywood parking lot. And yes, one is named Dave, according to its website. Its start was wildly popular and eventually grew to its first store. Over the years, the chain has grown, and there are hundreds of locations nationwide.
The chain is known for offering only chicken tenders, chicken sliders, and bites. Its large chicken tenders are first brined, then breaded, fried and spiced. The chicken tenders are served with a dollop of Dave’s sauce and are offered with different spice levels. Spice levels range from no spice to mild to extra hot to reaper. The reaper is the hottest and requires a signed waiver because of its heat level.
Its menu features individual sliders and mini sliders, or you can order them with sides as a combo meal. Sides include seasoned fries, kale slaw, mac and cheese and shakes.
Dave’s Hot Chicken entered the Michigan market in October 2021, opening its first location on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.
Here are the Michigan locations:
- 2065 N. Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hills
- 22208 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
- 194 Albert Ave., East Lansing
- 3667 E. Grand River Ave., Howell
- 13993 Hall Rd., Shelby Township
- 28674 Telegraph Rd., Southfield
- 624 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy
- 31101 Mound Rd., Warren
- 23071 Allen Rd., Woodhaven
For information or Dave’s Hot Chicken locations nationwide, visit daveshotchicken.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Become a subsriber. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
