Dave's Hot Chicken Salem Menu 2026 – Prices, Spice Levels, Hours
Real talk – the first time a friend dragged me to Dave's on Center Street, I thought it was hype. Two Medium tenders and one Loaded Fries later, I was texting my sister. That was almost a year ago and I have been back more times than I want to admit. This is the guide I wish someone had handed me before my first visit.
Where it is
Dave's Hot Chicken Salem sits at 3817 Center Street NE, right off the Lancaster shopping strip. Small inside, easy parking, loud, bright, and it smells amazing.
Visit our latest Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu for updated prices, calories, and complete menu details.
Dave’s Hot Chicken Salem Location
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3817 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301 |
| Food | Nashville-style hot chicken |
| Chicken | Halal, hand-breaded, fried per order |
| Spice | 7 levels (No Spice to Reaper) |
| Delivery | Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Dave's app |
Hours
- Sun–Thu – 11 AM to 1 AM
- Fri & Sat – 11 AM to 2 AM
Kitchen stops taking orders about 10–15 minutes before close.
The story
The storyStarted in 2017 by chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends in a parking lot in East Hollywood with $900. Now there are 900+ stores worldwide, with investors like Drake and Samuel L. Jackson.
The menu
Menu is short on purpose – pick a protein, pick a spice, add sides.
Tenders
| What You Get | Alone | Combo |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tenders | $9.49 | $12.99 |
| 3 Tenders | $12.49 | $15.99 |
| 4 Tenders | $14.99 | $18.99 |
| Kids Meal (1 Tender) | $6.99 | — |
Upgrade fries to Loaded Fries for about $3. Do it.
Sliders
Tender on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and Dave's sauce.
| What You Get | Alone | Combo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Slider | $5.49 | — |
| 2 Sliders | $9.99 | $13.49 |
| 3 Sliders | $13.99 | $17.49 |
Numbered meals
- Dave's #1 – 2 tenders + fries – $16.09
- Dave's #2 – 2 sliders + fries – $18.49
- Dave's #4 – 1 slider + fries – $11.99
- Build Your Own Big Trio – $21.49+
New stuff
- Dave's Hot Mozz – mozzarella sticks with the signature spice
- Mini Sliders – 4 smaller sliders for sharing
- Mac Loaded Slider – slider topped with mac & cheese ($9.99, or $12.99 w/ fries)
- Hot Honey drizzle – seasonal
Bites & loaded stuff
- Dave's Bites – small pieces, same seasoning
- Top Loaded Fries – fries + cheese + sauce + chopped chicken
- Top Loaded Mac – same idea over mac & cheese
Dave's NOT Chicken
Cauliflower florets breaded and fried like the tenders. Legit good.
| Side | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Fries | $3.49 |
| Loaded Fries | $6.49 |
| Mac & Cheese | $4.49 |
| Kale Slaw | $3.49 |
| Extra Dave's Sauce | $0.59 |
Dips: Dave's Sauce, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Cheese Sauce, Hot Honey.
Shakes & drinks
- Regular shakes – Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Oreo
- Top-Loaded Oreo shake – around $9.89, easily one of the best in Salem
- Slushers & Red Bull Boosted Slushers
- Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain
The 7 spice levels
| # Level | Roughly | For | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Spice | 0 SHU | Kids |
| 2 | Lite Mild | ~500 | Flavor, no burn |
| 3 | Mild | ~2,000 | Jalapeño level |
| 4 | Medium | ~5,000 | Most-ordered |
| 5 | Hot | ~15,000 | Regulars swear by this |
| 6 | Extra Hot | ~50,000 | Real sweat |
| 7 | Reaper | 70,000+ | Not a joke |
Tip: Start at Medium if you eat jalapeños. Hot is where the flavor peaks for me.
What I actually order
1. #1 combo at Medium – best value
2. 2 sliders combo at Hot – easier to eat than tenders
3. Loaded Fries – non-negotiable
4. Oreo Top-Loaded shake – after anything above Medium
Tips to save a few bucks
- Get the app – rewards, birthday freebie, BOGO deals
- Tenders are cheaper per piece than sliders ($3.75 vs $5.49)
- Split a Big Trio – 2 people under $30
- Order pickup on the app Fri/Sat night – walk-in line hits 25 min
Dave's vs Popeyes vs Chick-fil-A
| Item | Dave's | Popeyes | Chick-fil-A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-pc Tenders | $12.49 | $7.99 | $8.15 |
| 3-pc Combo | $15.99 | $10.99 | $11.35 |
| Sandwich | $5.49 | $5.99 | $5.29 |
| Fries | $3.49 | $2.99 | $3.09 |
About 30–40% pricier. You pay for spice options, halal chicken, and late-night hours.
Is it halal?
Yes – Salem serves halal chicken. Mozz sticks and cauliflower are vegetarian.
What Salem people say
"Easily the best fast-food style chicken sandwich." – Mark, Uber Eats
"Always piping hot, put together just right." – Robert, Grubhub"
The Reaper heat level is authentically Reaper hot." – Grubhub review
4.6-star average on 1,000+ Uber Eats ratings.
How to order
1. Walk in
2. Pickup on the Dave's app
3. Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub
4. Order online, grab at the counter
So, is it worth it?
Go once. Order the #1 combo at Medium, upgrade to Loaded Fries, add an Oreo shake. Everything after that is bonus. Not the cheapest chicken in Salem, but nothing else nails halal, seven real spice levels and 1 AM fresh-fried like this place does.
Address: 3817 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Order online: daveshotchicken.com
Looking for the latest Dave’s Hot Chicken Spokane Menu? Check out our complete menu guide for prices, combos, sides, and spice levels.
Mostly Asked Questions
What is Dave's Hot Chicken Salem phone number?
(971) 332-1688.
Where is the closest Dave's Hot Chicken?
The only Salem location is on Center St NE. Nearest others are in Portland and Beaverton.
Dave's Hot Chicken Salem menu with prices?
Tenders $9.49–$14.99, sliders $5.49–$13.99, combos $12.99–$18.99. Full pricing in the menu section above.
What is the hottest spice at Dave's Hot Chicken?
Reaper (70,000+ SHU) – Carolina Reaper blend.
Best spice level for first-timers?
Mild or Medium.
Is Dave's Hot Chicken Salem worth it?
Yes – halal, fresh-fried, open late. Order the #1 combo at Medium with Loaded Fries.
