Cali Hot Chicken Chain Getting Second Capital Region Location

The Capital Region is getting double the heat for 2023. Dave’s Hot Chicken, the ultra-cool California chain serving up Nashville-Hot-Style chicken tenders and sliders, will be opening a second Upstate location this year on the heels of their huge Albany launch. A trip to this new Dave's is sure to spice up your Instagram.

The chain started in an East Hollywood parking lot in 2017. Dave Kopushyan and some friends pooled $900 and a fryer to get the space. Before serving his own hot chicken, Dave worked for famed chef Thomas Keller at the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry.

Upstate Business Is Hot

Within two days, Dave’s Hot Chicken was in major publications across LA, had taken over the city’s foodie social media, and had people lined around the block. In 2018, they opened their first brick and mortar and picked up celebrity investors like Drake, Giants legend Michael Strahan, and Samuel L. Jackson. The chicken comes in a range of spiciness, with daring foodies having to sign a waiver before digging into the top level, Reaper.

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Starting in very high-profile locations like Dubai, Vegas, and New York City, Dave’s Hot Chicken is expanding into Upstate. They just opened the first NY Dave’s outside of the City in Albany on December 16. Like every other Dave’s, there were massive lines for weeks after launch, particularly popular with UAlbany students.

So Where Will The New Dave's Hot Chicken Be?

According to Notes on Napkins, Dave’s Hot Chicken is advertising for a manager position in Amsterdam. Dave’s is moving into where Moe’s Southwest Grill has been at the Target Shopping Center on Route 30. An opening date hasn’t been announced yet.

With the success of the Albany Dave’s and a new Montgomery County location on the way, don’t be surprised if this isn’t the last Dave’s Hot Chicken we get in the Capital Region in 2023.