Dave's Hot Chicken Brings Its Fiery Fare To Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Dave's Hot Chicken, a fiesty, fast-growing restaurant serving spicy, "blow your mind" chicken, opens Friday in the Vail Ranch Center in Temecula.

The Temecula Parkway eatery is the newest location for the chicken chain, marking continued expansion for the biz, launched six years ago in an East Hollywood parking lot by four guys with a deep fryer.

Friday's opening day giveaways include beanies and pins, first-come, first-served, while the swag supplies last.

On the Dave's menu are chicken tenders and sliders, along with such sides as house-made kale slaw, mac n’ cheese, crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes.

For Dave's Hot Chicken, it's the heat-packing, spice blends that set the chain apart and kicked off a cult-like following for the Los Angeles-based operation, according to management.

Chicken is ordered at one of seven spice levels — ranging from No Spice to Reaper (which requires a signed waiver for those who dare).

"Lookin' for outstanding chicken with kickin'? Then, look no further. Dave's Hot Chicken has you covered," one SoCal Yelp reviewer wrote.

The restaurant got its start in 2017 when founders — Dave Kopushyan (a Thomas Keller restaurant-trained chef), Arman Oganesyan, plus brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan — scraped together $900, bought a fryer and set up shop in an East Hollywood parking lot.

The longtime friends were intent on perfecting spicy, juicy chicken, topped with Chef Dave’s spice mix.

After Instagram buzz and an Eater/LA headline, lines stretched around the block and drew attention from such investors as former California First Lady Maria Shriver, Red Sox owner Tom Werner, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Strahan of "Good Morning America."

Another investor, musician Usher recently posted an Instagram video of himself sweating and fretting as he ate a "reaper"-level slider, People magazine reported.

“Dave’s Hot Chicken will blow your mind," CEO Bill Phelps said. "Every tender is hot, juicy and spicy.”

Dubbed last year as "the fastest-growing restaurant" in America, the chain maintains a loyal fan base, and now operates 60-plus stores nationwide — with more than 30 in California.

In the Inland Empire, sites include Menifee, Ontario, Palm Desert and San Bernardino.

Dave's at 31845 Temecula Pkwy. will be open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Follow link here for more information and menu details.

----------

ALSO SEE:

• Snow Play; Passion 4 Pinot Noir; Lunar New Year Fests: IE Weekend
• CA Restaurant Weeks 2023: Guide To The Best In California