Born from a passion for bold flavors and authentic Nashville-style heat, dave's hot chicken has been feeding fire-lovers across the United States since 2017. From a humble backyard pop-up to a beloved institution in Pinole, CA — this is our story.
It started with a dare. In the summer of 2017, Dave Mathis — a self-taught cook with a love for Nashville heat — fired up a batch of spiced fried chicken in his backyard in Pinole, California. His friends said it was the best thing they'd ever tasted. His neighbors asked for plates. Within a month, the word had spread across the East Bay.
What began as a weekend pop-up at a local parking lot quickly outgrew its makeshift fryers. By early 2018, Dave's hot chicken opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 2714 Pinole Valley Rd — and the lines haven't stopped since.
Today, daves chicken serves thousands of guests each week, ships spice rubs nationwide, and has become a landmark in the United States hot chicken scene — all while staying true to the original backyard recipe that started it all.
At Dave's hot chicken, everything we do revolves around three core commitments — to our guests, our community, and the craft of exceptional hot chicken.
Every piece of dave hot chicken is hand-seasoned with our proprietary spice blend, double-dredged, and fried to order. We never sacrifice quality for speed. Bold, authentic flavor is non-negotiable.
We're more than a restaurant — we're a gathering place. Dave's hot chicken sponsors local events, hires locally, and gives back to the neighborhoods that gave us our start in Pinole, CA.
We partner with trusted local farms and suppliers to source fresh, high-quality chicken and produce. Our commitment to responsible sourcing means every bite is better — for you and the planet.
These aren't words on a wall — they're the standards we hold ourselves to every single day, from the first fryer warm-up to the last order of the night.
Our recipes trace directly back to Nashville tradition. We don't water down the heat or compromise the taste to appeal to everyone — we trust that the right people will find us and love us for it.
Every guest deserves to feel like a regular. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, daves hot chicken staff are trained to deliver warm, genuine, attentive service every time.
We never stop improving. Our chefs experiment constantly — testing new rubs, sides, and seasonal specials — while always protecting the integrity of the core menu that made us famous.
From No Spice to Reaper, we celebrate every point on the heat spectrum. We believe in empowering guests to find their edge — and then go just a little further.
From a backyard fryer to a nationally recognized hot chicken brand — here's how we got here, one bold plate at a time.
Dave Mathis holds his first unofficial pop-up in a Pinole parking lot, serving just 40 plates of hand-battered hot chicken. Every plate sells out in under 30 minutes. The legend begins.
Dave's hot chicken opens its doors at 2714 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole, CA. The opening-day line stretches around the block. Local press covers the phenomenon — daves hot chicken is officially a restaurant.
The iconic six-tier heat system launches — No Spice, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper. The Reaper Challenge becomes a viral sensation, drawing food enthusiasts from across the United States.
Navigating unprecedented challenges, daves chicken pivots to curbside pickup and online ordering. Dave launches a nationwide spice kit delivery service, bringing the flavor of dave hot chicken to kitchens everywhere.
Dave's hot chicken expands into full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and private parties across the Bay Area and beyond. Daves chicken becomes the go-to for unforgettable event food.
With a loyal community of fire-lovers and a reputation built on pure flavor, Dave's hot chicken continues to grow — with new menu innovations, a refreshed dining experience, and plans for future locations on the horizon.
Every great plate starts with great people. The dave's hot chicken team is a passionate group of cooks, creators, and community-builders who show up every day ready to deliver something extraordinary.
The man behind the legend. Dave's self-taught mastery of spice, technique, and flavor is the soul of everything we serve. He personally approves every new recipe before it hits the menu.
Maria is the engine that keeps daves hot chicken running smoothly. From supplier relationships to daily kitchen flow, her operational expertise ensures that quality and consistency never waver.
Trained in professional kitchens across California, James brings precision and creativity to the daves chicken kitchen. He leads the R&D team on seasonal specials and catering menus.
Priya is the heartbeat of our community outreach. She manages local partnerships, runs Dave's hot chicken catering events, and makes sure our brand shows up with warmth, energy, and excellent food.