The eastside to get its first taste of Dave’s Hot Chicken Credit: Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave’s Hot Chicken, the L.A.-based hot chicken chain making moves throughout the Midwest, has announced that its Lakewood store (15012 Detroit Ave.) will open this Friday, January 14th. This will be Ohio’s first Dave’s Hot Chicken to open its doors.

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.

Dave’s launched as a street-food concept in Los Angeles 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.

Back in October, Scene announced the company’s plans to open a shop in Ohio City. That location is scheduled to open later this year.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is heading to Lakewood. Credit: Parker Warren
 

This article appears in Dec 29, 2021 – Jan 4, 2022.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.