Dave’s Hot Chicken, Newington CT

June 15, 2025

For Father’s Day, I kept it simple. No white tablecloths, no stuffy prix fixe menus, just high-quality food with the fam.

We rolled into the newly opened Dave’s Hot Chicken in Newington, and let me tell you, this place brings the heat in more ways than one.Walk through the doors and you’re hit with the hum of happy chatter, families, couples, and spice chasers all swapping stories over baskets of fire. The décor? Bold, bright, and unapologetically urban. Think cosmic ceilings, graffiti murals, UConn nods, and basketball vibes that scream, “We ain’t your average chicken joint.”

I went with the one-slider, one-tender combo with fries. The slider was “extra hot”, just one notch below the infamous “Reaper” that requires a waiver (a.k.a., legal permission to cry). The tender came in “hot,” which was slightly more forgiving, but still no joke.That slider? It sat on a pillowy-soft potato bun, sturdy enough to hold its ground, but humble enough to let the chicken be the Beyoncé of the bite. It came with crunchy pickles and a generous slather of Dave’s sauce. I took a test bite of the chicken solo to gauge the heat—and yup, it brought the fire. Spicy, yes, but balanced. The spice mix was a symphony: smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic, onion, and brown sugar all harmonizing like the Spice Girls on a reunion tour (minus the drama).Then came the first real bite: juicy, flavorful, tangy from the pickles, creamy from the sauce… just chef’s kiss. A few seconds later, boom! My nose started running. That’s my personal alarm bell for “yep, it’s legit hot.”The tender had the same juicy, flavor-packed punch, just a little tamer in the heat department.

As for the fries, crinkle cut (a.k.a. flavor troughs). Golden and crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle. Seasoned like someone actually cared: salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic, and a hint of sugar. I went back and forth between Dave’s sauce (a creamy, smoky, chipotle-kissed mayo blend) and good ol’ ketchup. Both hit the spot.

Bottom line? The meal was excellent. Spicy, satisfying, and fun. I’ll definitely be back, maybe next time I’ll bring a waiver and flirt with the Reaper.