L.A.-Based Dave's Hot Chicken to Open Location in Lakewood

Last month we shared the news that the L.A.-based Dave's Hot Chicken group was planting a flag in Ohio City, one of the first national restaurant chains to do so. That location, the former W. 25th Street Furniture, is slated to open this spring.

Also in the works is a second Northeast Ohio Dave's restaurant, this one bound for Lakewood. The location is the former home of 16-Bit Bar + Arcade (15012 Detroit Ave.). No word on when it is expected to open.

The Los Angeles-based restaurant launched as a street-food concept in 2017. The streamlined menu of Nashville-style hot chicken drew many fans and before long the company secured investors and expanded throughout California, Toronto, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Texas. The Cleveland location is part of a big Midwest push for the brand. Columbus alone is expected to net 13 locations.

Diners can look forward to a concise menu of fried chicken tenders and tender sliders, offered in seven different spice levels that climb to the dreaded "reaper." Those items are joined by sides like crinkle-cut fries, kale slaw and mac and cheese.