Dave's Hot Chicken Peoria Menu 2026: New Location Guide, Meals & Spice Levels
Last Updated: Sep 2026
Dave's Hot Chicken is finally in Peoria. After opening in October 2026 at the former Arby's location on North Sterling Avenue, the Nashville-style hot chicken spot is already making waves. This guide covers the complete Peoria menu, what to order on your first visit, meal prices, and how the heat levels work. Whether you're new to Dave's or a long-time fan, here's everything you need to know.
For full detail on menu, explore our Dave's Hot Chicken Menu Page.
Dave's Hot Chicken Peoria: Location
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 4205 N. Sterling Ave, Peoria, IL |
| Previous Tenant | Arby's (closed late 2026) |
| Opened | October 2026 |
| Menu Style | Nashville hot chicken (tenders & sliders only) |
| Heat Levels | 7 options (No Spice to Reaper) |
| Ordering | In-store, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates |
Hours vary by season. Check Google Maps or call ahead before your first visit.
What's on the Dave's Hot Chicken Lexington Menu?
First time at Dave's? Yeah, it's a little confusing. The menu is tiny, but picking your heat level is where people freeze up.
The folks at the new Peoria spot told me to get the #3 (one tender, one slider, fries) at Mild if it's your first visit. I think that's good advice. You get to try both kinds of chicken, see how the heat hits differently on each, and you won't be crying into your fries.
From what I can tell, most people in Peoria go with Mild, Medium, or Hot. Hardly anyone orders below Mild (what's the point?), and not many people go above Hot on their first try. That's asking for trouble.
One thing: figure out your heat level before you get to the counter. Changing your mind halfway through the order is awkward, and it holds up the line.
Main Menu: Tenders & Sliders
Dave's keeps it simple. Two proteins. Endless customization through heat levels.
Chicken Tenders
Hand-breaded, crispy strips served on white bread with pickles and Dave's sauce on the side. No slaw. The bread soaks up sauce if things get too hot.
Chicken Sliders
Chicken sandwich on a soft potato bun with kale slaw and pickles on top, sauce drizzled on. The slaw cools the heat compared to tenders at the same level.
Key difference: Same heat level tastes hotter on tenders because sliders have cooling slaw. Choose accordingly.
Meals & Pricing (Peoria Location)
These are the official meals at Dave's Peoria. Prices match nearby locations but verify at order time.
Meals & Prices
| Meal | What You Get | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave's #1: 2 Tenders w/ Fries | 2 crispy tenders, white bread, pickles, Dave's sauce, fries | $14.89 | Heat lovers, bigger appetites |
| Dave's #2: 2 Sliders w/ Fries | 2 sliders, kale slaw, pickles, Dave's sauce, fries | $17.29 | Most popular order in Peoria |
| Dave's #3: 1 Tender & 1 Slider w/ Fries | 1 tender + 1 slider, bread/bun, sauce, pickles, fries | $16.09 | First-timers (staff pick) |
| Dave's #4: 1 Slider with Fries | 1 slider, bun, kale slaw, pickles, Dave's sauce, fries | $11.89 | Light eaters, budget conscious |
Individual Items (Order Solo)
Not hungry for a full meal? Order items separately.
Single Orders
| Item | Price | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Tender | $4.99 | 490–550 | With bread and pickles |
| Single Slider | $6.99 | 620–680 | With slaw and pickles |
What's New at Peoria: Beyond Tenders & Sliders
Dave's Peoria location has the standard menu plus newer items. These were added after the original two-protein concept took off.
Dave's Hot Mozz (Fried Mozzarella)
Golden fried mozzarella planks with cheese pull-action. Peoria customers call it "addictive."
| Item | Price | Calories | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Mozz 1 Piece | $3.59 | 250–300 | Single plank, good for trying |
| Hot Mozz 3 Piece | $9.59 | 550 | Better value than singles |
| Hot Mozz 5 Piece | $15.49 | 750–800 | For sharing or extreme mozz lovers |
| Hot Mozz Slider | $9.59 | 620–680 | Mozz on a bun, with slaw & pickles |
| Hot Mozz Meal (3-piece) | $11.89 | — | 3 planks + fries |
Hot Mozz is one of Dave's bestsellers outside the core menu.
Sides You Actually Need
Fries are the main side. But Dave's added mac and cheese because it cools heat better than anything else.
Side Menu
| Side | Price | Calories | Why Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fries | $4.59 | 270–300 | Standard portion, crispy |
| Cheese Fries | $5.49 | 460 | Cheese helps cool heat |
| Mac & Cheese | $4.79 | 320–450 | Dairy cools capsaicin best |
| Kale Slaw (Extra) | $2.49 | 80 | If you want more slaw |
| Dave's Sauce (Large) | $2.99 | — | Extra sauce bottle to go |
Dave's Hot Mozz is one of the newest additions to the menu. It's cheese-pull approved.
Build Your Own Big Trio (The Adventurer Move)
Want to try three different things? This meal lets you pick any three items.
| Item | Price | Servings | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Your Own Big Trio | $21.49 | 2–3 people | Pick any 3: Tender, Slider, Hot Mozz, Mac & Cheese, Dave's Bites, or Mini Sliders. Choose your heat levels. |
This meal is perfect for sharing and trying different flavors without ordering multiple full meals.
Cauliflower Options (Vegetarian)
Dave's calls it "NOT Chicken." It's hand-cut cauliflower breaded and fried like chicken.
| Item | Price | Heat Levels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cauli Sliders (2) w/ Fries | ~$16.09 | All 7 | Kale slaw, pickles, sauce |
| Cauli Tender & Cauli Slider w/ Fries | ~$16.09 | All 7 | Combo version |
| Single Cauli Slider | ~$6.99 | All 7 | Individual |
Important: Fryers are shared with chicken. Not 100% chicken-free if that matters to you.
Heat Levels: Peoria Manager Breaks It Down
The Peoria location opened with all 7 heat levels. Manager noted that Mild, Medium, and Hot are the "comfort zone" for most locals. No one has walked out crying yet, which is a good sign.
Heat Level Breakdown
| Level | Scoville | Who Orders It | Sensation | Start With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Spice | 0–200 | Kids, heat-averse | Just flavor | — |
| Lite Mild | 200–500 | Cautious | Gentle warmth | — |
| Mild | 500–2,500 | Most first-timers | Noticeable kick | ✅ Recommended |
| Medium | 2,500–10,000 | Regular spicy eaters | Real burn | — |
| Hot | 10,000–30,000 | Confident eaters | Strong heat | — |
| Extra Hot | 30,000–100,000 | Experienced only | Extreme | — |
| Reaper | 100,000+ | Challenge seekers | Dangerous | — |
Why Sliders Feel Milder Than Tenders
A Medium slider will feel less hot than a Medium tender on the same day because:
- Sliders have kale slaw that cools the bite.
- Tenders have just bread, which soaks sauce but doesn't cool heat.
So if you pick Medium, expect the slider to be the gentler option. The tender hits harder.
Popular Orders From the Peoria Grand Opening
During the soft opening and first week, the Peoria location saw these orders most:
1. Dave's #2: 2 Sliders w/ Fries — Most popular (expected, it looks substantial).
2. Dave's #1: 2 Tenders w/ Fries — Second most popular.
3. Dave's #3: 1 Tender & 1 Slider w/ Fries — Third (first-timers per staff).
The #2 is the "safe" order in Peoria. Two sliders feel like a complete meal, and the kale slaw keeps heat manageable.
Best Times to Visit Dave's Peoria
The Peoria location is new, so lines are still forming as word spreads. Here's what to expect.
Wait Times by Hour
| Time | Wait | Crowd Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 AM – 12 PM | 5–15 min | Ramping up | Early lunch |
| 12–1 PM | 15–25 min | Lunch rush | Popular lunch hour |
| 1–4 PM | 5–10 min | Slow | Best window |
| 4–6 PM | 10–15 min | Building | Pre-dinner |
| 6–8 PM | 20–30 min | Very busy | Peak dinner |
| 8 PM+ | 10–20 min | Moderate | Late eaters |
Pro tip: Go mid-afternoon (1–4 PM) or after 8 PM for the shortest waits. Weekday afternoons are even calmer.
How to Order in Peoria
Prices vary, so here is the order logic instead of fixed numbers.
- In-Store: Walk in → Pick heat level → Order at counter → Wait 5–10 min → Pick up. Cost: Cheapest. Time: 10–15 min.
- DoorDash: Open app → Search location → Choose meal + heat level → Pay → Track delivery. Cost: +$3–$5 fee. Time: 20–30 min.
- Uber Eats: Same as DoorDash. Better deals sometimes. Cost: +$3–$5 fee. Time: 20–30 min.
- Postmates: Use if others unavailable. Cost: +$3–$5 fee. Time: 30–40 min (slower).
- Save money? → In-store (cheaper + fresher). Want delivery? → DoorDash (most reliable). Skip line in rush hours? → Order via app before arriving.
Nutritional & Allergy Info
| Concern | Details | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Fryers | All chicken and cauliflower fried together | Tell staff if severe allergy |
| Cross-Contact | Breading particles can mix | Ask about separate prep |
| Kale Slaw | Contains leafy greens | Allergic? Ask for no slaw |
| Dairy | Cheese, sauces, mac contain | Limited vegan options |
| Gluten | Breading + bread | No confirmed gluten-free bread |
| Halal | Dave's uses halal-certified chicken | ✅ Confirmed at Peoria |
Always tell staff about allergies. Fryer cross-contamination is real.
Official Website: daveshotchicken.com
Also Explore the Lexington Menu and Canton Menu for current menu items, prices, combos, and spice options.
FAQs
Where is Dave's Hot Chicken in Peoria?
It's located at 4205 N. Sterling Ave, Peoria, IL. It's in the former Arby's building that closed in late 2026. You can't miss it on Sterling Avenue.
When did Dave's Peoria open?
Dave's Hot Chicken Peoria opened in October 2026. Soft opening was late September, official grand opening early October. It's the first Dave's in central Illinois.
What are the prices at Peoria location?
Main meals range from $11.89 (single slider with fries) to $17.29 (two sliders with fries). Individual items start at $4.99 for a single tender. Delivery apps add $3–$5 in fees.
How hot is the hottest level?
The Reaper level is extremely hot. Dave's may ask for a waiver at some locations. Start at Mild unless you're experienced with high-heat foods.
Can I customize my order?
Yes. You can:
1. Choose different heat levels for each item.
2. Pick slaw on or off (for custom builds).
3. Choose Build Your Own Trio (3 items of your choice).
But you cannot remove core components or change the base proteins.
Does Peoria location have delivery?
Yes. Available on: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates.
Can I order just fries?
Yes. Fries are $4.59 for a regular portion. Add cheese for $5.49. Good for sides or if you're not in the mood for chicken.
