Dave's Hot Chicken Buford Menu, Prices & Hours (2026 Guide)
Last Updated: Sep 2026
I'll be honest — Buford did not need another chicken spot. There are already about ten within a mile of the Mall of Georgia. And yet when Dave's opened here in May 2025, the line ran out into the parking lot. It still does most Friday nights.
My first time, I ordered Medium thinking "how hot can it really be." Third bite, I was sweating. Fourth bite, I was ordering the Oreo shake I'd made fun of ten minutes earlier. This is the guide I wish someone had handed me before that visit.
Visit our latest Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu for updated prices, calories, and complete menu details.
Where It Is and When It's Open
2925 Buford Dr, Suite 610 — right in that stretch of Buford Drive where all the Mall of Georgia traffic funnels through. It's small inside, counter service, loud, and you can smell it from the parking lot.
| Address | 2925 Buford Dr, Ste 610, Buford, GA 30519 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (470) 326-7995 |
| Food | Nashville-style hot chicken |
| Chicken | Halal, hand-breaded, fried to order |
| Spice | 7 levels (Not Hot to Reaper) |
| Delivery | Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Dave's app |
| Rating | 4.6 stars, 900+ Uber Eats ratings |
Hours:
- Sun–Thu – 11 AM to 11 PM.
- Fri & Sat – 11 AM to midnight.
No 1 AM closing here like some other locations — Buford shuts at 11 most nights. The kitchen also stops taking orders about 10 minutes before close, so don't cut it fine.
Where This Chain Came From
In 2017, chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends put $900 into a pop-up in an East Hollywood parking lot. One fryer, some folding tables, that's it. There are now 900+ locations worldwide, and the investor list includes Drake and Samuel L. Jackson. Buford is one of the newer Georgia stores, open since May 2025.
Menu with Prices
Dave's is franchised, so Buford's prices may run slightly above or below these. And everything on delivery apps is marked up 25–30% — the Hot Box Sliders is $65 in store and about $77 on Uber Eats.
Combo Meals
| Meal | What You Get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dave's #1 | 2 Tenders + Fries + Bread | $12.49 |
| Dave's #2 | 2 Sliders + Fries | $14.49 |
| Dave's #3 | 1 Tender + 1 Slider + Fries | $13.49 |
| Dave's #4 | 1 Slider + Fries | $10.49 |
Every combo comes with pickles and Dave's sauce.
Individual Items
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Tender | $4.99 |
| Single Slider | $6.99 |
| Mini Sliders | $7.49 |
| Mini Sliders w/ Fries | $10.49 |
| 10 pc Dave's Bites | $7.99 |
| Dave's Bites w/ Fries | $10.49 |
| Boneless Wings | $8.99 |
| Boneless Wings w/ Fries | $11.99 |
Tenders are cheaper per piece than sliders — $4.99 against $6.99. If you're watching the bill, get tenders and add a slaw on the side.
What's New
Mac Loaded Slider — a regular slider with mac and cheese piled on top. Sounds like too much, works better than it should. Dave's Hot Mozz — mozzarella planks with the same dry rub. Dave's Big Trio — Hot Mozz, Bites, and Mini Sliders in one box. Two people can split it. Dirt & Worms shake — Oreo and gummy worms. The kids will lose it.
Dave's NOT Chicken (The Veg Option)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cauli Dave's #1 (2 tenders + fries) | $16.49 |
| Cauli Dave's #2 (2 sliders + fries) | $18.49 |
| Cauli Dave's #4 (1 slider + fries) | $12.49 |
| Single Cauli Tender | $6.99 |
| 10 pc Cauliflower Bites | $6.99 |
Cauliflower florets, same breading, all seven heat levels. It costs more than the chicken version, which nobody has ever been able to explain to me.
Sides & Sauces
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cauli Dave's #1 (2 tenders + fries) | $16.49 |
| Cauli Dave's #2 (2 sliders + fries) | $18.49 |
| Cauli Dave's #4 (1 slider + fries) | $12.49 |
| Single Cauli Tender | $6.99 |
| 10 pc Cauliflower Bites | $6.99 |
Cauliflower florets, same breading, all seven heat levels. It costs more than the chicken version, which nobody has ever been able to explain to me.
Sides & shakes
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fries | $3.79 |
| Cheese Fries | $5.29 |
| Mac & Cheese | $3.99 |
| Kale Slaw | $3.79 |
| Cup of Pickles | $1.99 |
| Top Loaded Fries (S/R/L) | $6.99 / $10.99 / $15.99 |
| Side Sauce | $0.50 |
| Large Ranch or Dave's Sauce | $2.99 |
Dips: Dave's Sauce, Ranch, Reaper Ranch, Mike's Hot Honey, Spicy BBQ, Spicy Buffalo, Cheese Sauce.
Shakes, Slushers & Drinks
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Oreo / M&M Shake (Regular) | $6.99 |
| Large Top-Loaded Shake | $10.49 |
| Lucky Charms Shake (Small) | $5.99 |
| Frozen Lemonade / Hi-C Slush | $3.69 |
| Rocket / Orange Slusher | $5.69 |
| Fountain Drink (S/R/L) | $2.19 / $2.49 / $2.99 |
| Bottled Water | $2.29 |
Feeding a Group — Hot Boxes
| Box | Price |
|---|---|
| Hot Box Tenders (10 pc) | $45 |
| Hot Box Sliders (10 pc) | $65 |
| Hot Box of Minis | $40 |
| Box of Fries (18 oz) | $12 |
| Hot Box Roulette (Tenders) | $45 |
| Hot Box Roulette (Sliders) | $65 |
| Cauli Slider Hot Box | $85 |
You can split a Hot Box across two spice levels. Roulette is a different animal — four mild, five medium, one Reaper, and nobody knows which. Dave's makes you accept an 18+ waiver that literally mentions "injury, distress, or death." They're not being cute about it.
The Seven Spice Levels
| # | Level | What It Feels Like | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Spice | Nothing at all | Kids |
| 2 | Lite Mild | Faint warmth | First-timers |
| 3 | Mild | Jalapeño territory | Safe pick |
| 4 | Medium | Real heat, still enjoyable | The most-ordered level |
| 5 | Hot | You will sweat | Flavor peaks here |
| 6 | Extra Hot | Doesn't let up | Serious about it |
| 7 | Reaper | Carolina Reaper. Waiver, 18+ | Your funeral |
The Reaper burn hangs around 10 to 20 minutes after your last bite. My honest take: Hot is where the flavor is best. Above that you stop tasting chicken and start tasting fire.
One genuinely good thing — you can mix spice levels in a single order at no extra charge. Useful when you're feeding a table with different tolerances.
What I Actually Order
Dave's #3 at Medium. You get a tender and a slider in one meal, which solves the problem of not being able to decide.
Cheese Fries over regular. It's $1.50 more and it's worth it.
Ask for extra pickles. They're free and they're the best heat relief on the menu.
Shake if you went above Medium. Milk fat dissolves capsaicin; water just spreads it around your mouth. That's actual chemistry, not a myth.
How to Save Money
1. Download the app. There are app-only deals running constantly — $1 drinks, $3 fries, $5 bites — plus rewards points.
2. The Slider + Fries $9.99 promo is cheaper than ordering Dave's #4 outright.
3. Two people can split a Big Trio and stay under $30.
4. Order pickup through the app on weekends. The Friday night counter line runs 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Skip delivery apps when you can. That same Hot Box costs about $12 more.
Dave's vs Other Chicken Spots in Buford
| Item | Dave's | Popeyes | Chick-fil-A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenders + Fries | $12.49 | ~$8.99 | ~$9.29 |
| Sandwich / Slider | $6.99 | ~$5.99 | ~$5.49 |
| Fries | $3.79 | ~$2.99 | ~$3.09 |
Dave's runs roughly 30% higher. You're paying for the spice range, halal chicken, and fried-to-order. If those three things don't matter to you, Popeyes is cheaper and two minutes down the road.
Is It Halal?
Yes. The official Dave's page for this location confirms halal chicken. The Hot Mozz and cauliflower items are vegetarian, but they share fryer space, so ask the staff if you're strict about it.
Looking for the latest prices and menu options? Check out our Dave's Hot Chicken Sparks Menu for the full details.
What People Are Saying
4.6 stars across 900+ Uber Eats ratings. The consistent praise: chicken arrives hot and genuinely fresh, and the Reaper lives up to the hype. The consistent complaint: occasional fatty pieces in the tenders, and long weekend waits.
How to Order
Walk in, use the Dave's app for pickup, or go through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. The app is always the cheapest of the four.
1. Address: 2925 Buford Dr, Ste 610, Buford, GA 30519
2. Order: daveshotchicken.com
Planning a visit? Explore the Salem Menu and Spokane Menu for current menu items, prices, combos, and spice options.
Mostly Asked Questions
Does Dave's Hot Chicken in Buford have a drive-thru?
No. The Buford location is walk-in and counter service only, and this is the single most common complaint in local reviews. Your fastest option is placing a pickup order in the Dave's app and walking straight to the counter.
What spice level should I order the first time?
Mild if you rarely eat spicy food, Medium if jalapeños don't bother you. Medium is the most-ordered level nationwide and it's genuinely hot without ruining the meal. Remember the spice is a dry rub cooked into the crust, so it builds — don't judge it from the first bite.
Is the Reaper waiver a real thing?
It is. Dave's requires you to confirm you're 18 or older and accept a waiver that mentions injury, distress, and worse. It's made with Carolina Reaper pepper, and the burn typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes after you stop eating. Don't order it as a joke on a first date.
How many calories are in a Dave's tender?
Roughly 550 calories per tender, depending on spice level and how it's prepared. Dave's publishes full nutrition and allergen PDFs on its site if you want exact numbers for your order.
Does the Buford location deliver?
Yes — through Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and the Dave's app. Just know that third-party apps mark items up around 25 to 30%. The Hot Box Sliders is $65 in store and closer to $77 on Uber Eats.
What time does it close?
11 PM Sunday through Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday. The kitchen stops accepting orders roughly 10 minutes before close.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Dave's NOT Chicken uses breaded cauliflower in place of the tenders and sliders, available in all seven heat levels. Hot Mozz mozzarella planks are the other meat-free pick.
Can I mix spice levels in one order?
Yes, at no extra cost. Hot Boxes can be split across two levels, and individual items in the same order can each have their own. Handy when you're feeding a group with different tolerances.
How's the parking?
There's a free lot, and it's fine on weekday afternoons. Friday and Saturday evenings get tight because of Mall of Georgia traffic on Buford Drive.
Is Dave's more expensive than Popeyes or Chick-fil-A?
Yes, about 30% higher across comparable items. You're paying for halal chicken, seven spice levels, and fried-to-order prep. Whether that's worth it depends on how much those things matter to you.
What's the best thing on the menu?
Subjective, but the consensus pick is a slider at Medium — the potato bun, kale slaw, and pickles balance the heat better than a plain tender does. Add cheese fries and you've got the standard order.
