Food

Dave's Hot Chicken Spicing Up Shelby, NC

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2026 12:25 pm

By: Mason Beam - Wise News Network

Shelby, NC (WNN) - With traffic lined down the road and reports of much of the same throughout the past couple of days, Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened in Shelby, NC on Friday, September 18, 2026. For those who have never tried it, hot chicken is fried chicken coated in a spicy oil, typically made of cayenne. Dave’s offers this served in a variety of ways with quite a few options for spice tolerance.

Whats On The Menu?

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

The menu is relatively simple but offers a plethora of combinations, making the base items stretch into a strong assortment of over 40 items and combinations. It consists of chicken tenders, chicken sliders, and chicken bites as main courses; fries, kale slaw, and “hot mozz” as sides; and shakes, slushies, and drinks rounding out the menu. The restaurant also offers plenty of sauces to try with your meal. Now, maybe “hot” in the name you’d expect spicy food, but the options for each dish range from “Not Hot” all the way to “Reaper” through its seven spice categories. Notably, the “Reaper” level requires customers to be 18+ and sign a waiver, as it ranges from 1.6 to 2 million Scoville units.

Reporter Mason Beam enjoying a cheese pull - Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

While we didn’t decide to challenge their highest spice level, WNN’s team ordered a variety of options so we could report back on our thoughts. We ordered a 2-tender tray, the Dave's Big Trio, and a side of mac and cheese. This included mild, medium, hot, and very hot options. As an enjoyer of spicy foods, WNN’s Mason Beam found his favorite to be the hot level. He had the “Hot Mozz” mozzarella sticks coated in “hot” oil and found them to be enjoyably spicy without being punishing. WNN’s Ashley Reep enjoyed her medium tenders, and the mild mini sliders offered good flavor without being noticeably hot. Overall we recommend giving it a try and suggest “Dave’s Big Trio” as a sampler of the diner's offerings.

Customer Thoughts

We also asked other visitors their thoughts on the food, and among the three we interviewed, the results were all positive. Darrell Adams was on his second visit to a Dave’s Hot Chicken and ordered a 10-piece bite with mac and cheese. When asked what he thought of his meal, he said, "I really like it! It's a 10/10."

Tiffany Mcentyre and Malia Meeks enjoying their meal - Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

We also spoke with Tiffany Mcentyre and Malia Meeks. This pair of friends was on their first-ever visit and decided to stick together, ordering hot honey sliders, mac and cheese, fries, and mozzarella sticks. We asked them how they thought it stacked up with other fast-food chicken, and Meeks replied, "It's definitely different, but it's really good too.”

The line of cars surrounding the building a spilling into the road - Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Angel Maldonado, an operating partner with Dave’s, mentioned that “The line formed before we even opened”. Even when WNN arrived 3 hours after the opening, customers were still parking in adjacent lots and walking over to sit inside the store. With this large number of customers gathering in Shelby to try out the newest restaurant, it is safe to say the general sentiment in the community aligns with these reviews.

Community Involvement

The ribbon cutting ceremony for Shelby, NC's own Dave's Hot Chicken - Septmeber 18, 2026

Dave's Hot Chicken

While many chains may offer a ribbon-cutting or prizes, this location made sure to show how ready it was to be part of Shelby by inviting various school programs to perform on opening day and hosting a community day for children the following day. This is in addition to a ribbon-cutting held with Shelby's mayor and various other officials. General Manager Larry Walden noted, “The City of Shelby has welcomed us with open arms, and we’re excited to return this same energy back to the community.” He hopes to continue building these community relationships, so we’ll likely see more community support from this location in the future.

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Maldonado also emphasized that Dave’s is all about quality, guest satisfaction, and creating an unforgettable experience. They feel welcomed by Shelby, and are ready to share the experience with as many people as possible. The Director of Training, Colton Gray, also echoed this sentiment. He is proud to finally bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to Shelby, and plans to be here for years to come.

“The grand opening has been everything we hoped for and more – an incredible turnout, a line out the door, and an energy inside the restaurant that says a lot about this town. Seeing so many familiar faces and new ones come through has made the day unforgettable for our whole team.”

- Colton Gray, Director of Training

How To Try It For Yourself

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Day - Shelby, NC - September 18, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Dave’s Hot Chicken is located off Highway 74 in Shelby’s quickly growing new restaurant hub, beside McAlister's and Chipotle. To visit, head to 1245 E Dixon Blvd, Shelby, NC 28152. This location is not yet live for online orders, so for now you’ll need to visit in person for a taste. For questions, you can reach the Shelby location at 704-470-4045. The restaurant is open from 10:30 AM to 12:00 AM on Sunday through Thursday, with hours extending to 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Overall, come hungry and let this location's friendly staff help you get your next meal.