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Overview & Highlights

Welcome to the spicy haven of Dave's Hot Chicken, a dynamic chicken restaurant that tantalizes your taste buds with perfectly seasoned tenders and sandwiches. Located at 4814 Annamark Dr, Madison, WI 53704, this vibrant eatery has quickly gained a reputation for serving up some of the most delectable and crispy chicken around. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or simply in search of comfort food, Dave’s promises an experience that caters to every palate.

One of the standout features of Dave's Hot Chicken is their flexible spice levels, ranging from none to an intense Reaper level that challenges even the most seasoned heat seekers. The allure of trying different heat levels gives guests a chance to tailor their meal, creating an experience uniquely their own. The menu is straightforward yet inviting: choose from succulent chicken tenders or flavorful sandwiches, each served with a delicious side of Dave's sauce that enhances the already mouthwatering dishes.

Patrons rave about the sides as well—don’t miss the creamy Mac & Cheese and crispy Fries, both at just US$4.29. If you’re feeling indulgent, the Cheese Fries at US$5.99 are a must-try. Many first-time visitors, like Josie Romero and Ashley Hunt, highlight the fast service and the welcoming atmosphere created by the friendly staff, who are always ready to offer recommendations based on your spice tolerance and preferences.

What's more, customers like Tasnim Akbar Faruquee have noted the irresistible shakes—available in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla—that serve as a perfect way to cool down after indulging in some of the hotter selections. There’s something truly satisfying about wrapping up a spicy meal with a shake that adds just the right balance of sweetness.

The experience at Dave's goes beyond just the food; it’s about the joy and community created in each bite. Reviewers like HyBrithe Resurgam evoke the excitement of tackling the heat challenge, making every visit an adventure. The combination of friendly service, sizzling hot chicken, and a laid-back vibe makes Dave’s a must-visit destination for chicken lovers and spice aficionados alike.

So, if you're in Madison and craving a satisfying meal that packs a punch, do yourself a favor and visit Dave's Hot Chicken. Bring your appetite, select your spice level, and immerse yourself in a dining experience that promises bold flavors and a bit of fun!

Comforts & Conveniences

Accessibility
  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
  • Has outdoor seating
  • Has no-contact delivery
  • Offers delivery
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
Popular for
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining
Offerings
  • Serves comfort food
  • Serves late-night food
  • Quick bite
Dining options
  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Serves dessert
  • Has seating
Amenities
  • Has toilet
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • Good for groups
  • Popular with tourists
Planning
  • Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
  • Accepts credit cards
  • Accepts debit cards
  • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs available
Parking
  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking

Where to Visit

Visitor Testimonials (1531)

First time visiting Dave's Hot Chicken, was not disappointed. Went right when it opened, cashier gave us recommendations. Spice levels are low if you can handle heat. Fast service, hot food and food prices.

First time stopping at the location Madison East. The lady that helped me get my order was SO NICE. I live 50 minutes away and the food was still hot and fresh tasting when I got home. Tasty crispy fries and yummy chicken. Will definitely be back to try more menu items!

Experience was great!! Thanks to Dawn for helping us have the greatest time at Dave’s hot chicken! We will definitely be back. Food came out fast, hot and tasty! Thank you again for making us feel so welcome.

There’s something so satisfying about a good halal burger. The taste was spot on, and I loved that you can pick your spice level—just don’t go for the extreme unless you’re really up for a challenge. Oh, and the shakes? Absolutely worth it. Perfect way to wrap up the meal!

*I WAS NOT TRULY PREPARED* I love hot and spicy food. I pretty much add red pepper to all of my dishes and I eat a lot of Asian food. I normally get either 4 or 5 star spicy food when I go out to dine. I recently ate the ghost pepper wings at Buffalo's Wild Wings and was greatly disappointed at how unstimulating they were. So, I thought I knew my limitations. When I walked in, I was greeted by Chad. He was friendly and had a very positive attitude. He asked if I had been there before to which I replied that I had not. I looked over the menu and it was pretty basic. You want chicken? Then you have come to the right place, You want something other than chicken? Well, go somewhere else. The menu was very simple and basic. You can pick from chicken tenders or a chicken sandwich and that's what you get. What did catch my eye was that you could get the chicken in 7 levels of heat. From none all the way up to Reaper. When I asked Chad about the Reaper heat, he informed me that I would need to sign a weaver to order it. "It's that hot", I asked. "yes it is", he replied. "Well, that sounds like a challenge to me", I said. Now, weavers can be a gimmick or they can be real. Like in the 50's when they had people sign them before watching a scary movie because "three people had died from heart attacks after watching it previously" before being released in theaters. So, I signed my weaver, ordered a 1 tender, 1 sandwich meal, and sat down until my order number was called. I walked up to the counter and was greeted by Chad again and told me to "enjoy my meal". As I sat down to enjoy my meal I enjoyed the sight of the presentation. The tender looked great, sitting there all glossy and shiny, with a very angry coating of deep red spices that looked like an old battlefield of the remains of demons slaughtered between heaven and hell. It smelt wonderful as I inhaled and felt the back of my nostrils perk up. I grabbed my tender and tore it into a few pieces and sank one into the Dave's sauce before popping it into my mouth. DAMN! That's good. I chewed away happily as I allowed the mixture of flavors to roll around my tongue. I could feel the heat spreading across my lips and mouth until my entire mouth was covered in the rapidly expanding heat. As I swallowed, I reveled in the joy as my taste buds and nerves began to get worked up. The heat sensation kept building up and up and I could feel the first bead of sweat build on my brow. While I waited for the heat to die down before my next piece of chicken, I soon grew to realize that something was amiss. I waited a few seconds, then a few tens of seconds and then a minute and yet the heat hadn't receded yet. I drew a slow draft of my Dr. Pepper and while the cool sensation of the liquid imparted some relief, the moment it evaporated off of my tongue, the heat was still there just as intense as before. My eyes began to water up and a tear or two escaped as I continued to take small sips from my soda over a minute or two waiting for a bit of relief to no avail. Finally after awhile, I was ready for my second bite. The heat was REALLY intense and no amount of soda or Dave's sauce really helped to cool the fire. I ate some fries with ketchup and while I could feel the texture in my mouth, the heat masked any sense of tastes from either the potatoes or the ketchup. After about 5-6 minutes, my eyes no longer teared up and the sweat subsided and I finished my tender off. I got a box for my sandwich to enjoy later and thanked everyone for such a wonderful meal.

Coming here since they opened up. Chicken is always crunchy. Very polite workers. Definitely will be back.

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