Dave’s Hot Chicken menu items are made in a kitchen where common allergens are used, so cross-contact is possible. Most chicken items are breaded and fried, which means they may contain wheat/gluten and are cooked in shared fryers. Some menu items, like mac & cheese and cheese fries, contain dairy. Sliders contain buns, so they also contain wheat, and some sauces may include ingredients like egg or dairy. If you have a serious allergy, it’s best to check with the restaurant before ordering.
| Menu Item | Common Allergens | Gluten | Dairy | Egg | Notes / What to Know |
| Hot Box – Tenders | Wheat, possible egg | Yes | Usually No | Possible | Breaded tenders contain wheat; fried in shared fryer |
| Hot Box – Sliders | Wheat, possible egg, possible dairy | Yes | Possible | Possible | Bun contains wheat; slaw and sauce may contain egg or dairy |
| Roulette Box (Tenders/Sliders) | Wheat, possible egg, possible dairy | Yes | Possible | Possible | Same allergens as tenders/sliders; spice mix does not change allergens |
| Dave’s Bites | Wheat, possible egg | Yes | Usually No | Possible | Bite-size breaded chicken; contains wheat |
| Saucy Bites | Wheat, possible egg, possible dairy | Yes | Possible | Possible | Sauce ingredients can vary; check if sensitive to dairy or egg |
| Cauli Bites (Vegetarian) | Wheat (breading), possible dairy | Yes | Possible | Possible | Vegetarian but still breaded and fried in shared fryer |
| Cauli Slider Hot Box | Wheat, possible dairy, possible egg | Yes | Possible | Possible | Bun contains wheat; slaw and sauce may contain dairy or egg |
| Box of Fries | Possible gluten cross-contact | Possible | No | No | Fries may be gluten-free by ingredients but cooked in shared oil |
| Fry Platter | Possible gluten cross-contact | Possible | No | No | Same as fries; depends on fryer setup |
| Cheese Fries Bundle | Dairy, possible wheat | Possible | Yes | Possible | Cheese sauce contains dairy; toppings and sauces may vary |
| Mac & Cheese | Dairy, wheat | Yes | Yes | Possible | Contains pasta (wheat) and dairy-based cheese sauce |
| Kale Slaw | Possible dairy or egg (recipe varies) | Usually No | Possible | Possible | Some slaws use creamy or egg-based dressings |
| Bottled Soft Drinks | None | No | No | No | Check bottle label for exact ingredients |
| Bottled Water | None | No | No | No | Typically allergen-free |
Detailed Breakdown by Category
Sliders
- Contains wheat/gluten because of the bun
- Chicken or cauliflower inside is usually breaded, adding more gluten
- Slaw may include egg-based or dairy-based dressing (varies by location)
- Sauces may include egg, dairy, and sometimes soy
- Higher calories because of bun + toppings + sauce
- High-risk item for gluten, soy, egg, and dairy allergies.
Tenders
- Breaded tenders contain wheat/gluten
- Egg may be used in the breading process
- Fried in shared fryers, so cross-contact is possible
- Nutrition is higher in calories and sodium due to frying and seasoning
- Spice level does not change allergens, but hotter levels may feel more intense on sensitive stomachs
- High-risk item for gluten and egg allergies.
Fries
- Usually gluten-free by ingredients, but cross-contact is possible in shared fryers
- Seasoning may contain traces of allergens depending on location
- Fries are higher in carbs and sodium
- Loaded fries (like cheese fries) include dairy and additional sauces
- Moderate-risk item for gluten allergies due to fryer cross-contact.
Mac & Cheese
- Contains wheat/gluten from pasta
- Contains dairy from cheese sauce
- Can contain egg depending on recipe and preparation (varies by location)
- High in calories due to cheese, butter, and creamy texture
- Not recommended for dairy-free or gluten-free diets
- High-risk item for gluten and dairy allergies.
Sauces (Including Dave’s Sauce)
- Some sauces may contain egg (common in creamy sauces)
- Some sauces may contain dairy depending on ingredients
- Soy may be present in certain blends or spice mixes
- Sauces can add extra sodium and calories quickly
- Best to ask location-specific ingredients for severe allergies.
- High-risk item for egg and soy allergies, and possible dairy sensitivity.
Shakes
- Shakes contain dairy (milk/ice cream base)
- May include soy depending on flavor ingredients
- Cross-contact can happen if made near other products
- High in sugar and calories
- Not suitable for dairy-free diets
- High-risk item for dairy allergies and lactose intolerance.
Disclaimer
Allergen information may depend on the location and ingredients. If you have a severe allergy, always contact the store directly before placing your catering order.
FAQs
1) Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have allergen information available?
Yes. Dave’s Hot Chicken provides allergen and ingredient information, but it can differ from location to location, so it’s always best to confirm with the restaurant if you have a serious allergy.
2) Is Dave’s Hot Chicken gluten-free?
Most menu items are not gluten-free because the chicken is breaded, and sliders include buns. Fries may be gluten-free by ingredient, but cross-contact can happen due to shared fryers.
3) Are the chicken tenders and bites made with wheat?
Yes. Dave’s tenders, bites, and most fried items are breaded, which means they typically contain wheat/gluten.
4) Are Dave’s fries gluten-free?
Fries may not contain gluten ingredients, but they are often cooked in shared fryers with breaded chicken, so they may not be safe for people with severe gluten allergies.
5) What items contain dairy at Dave’s Hot Chicken?
The most common dairy items include mac & cheese, cheese fries, shakes, and sometimes certain sauces. Some slaw dressings may also contain dairy.
6) Do Dave’s sauces contain allergens like egg or dairy?
Some sauces, including creamy sauces, may contain eggs and possibly dairy. Ingredients differ depending on the location, so it’s best to ask if you have an egg or dairy allergy.
7) Is the cauliflower option allergy-safe?
Cauliflower items are vegetarian, but they may still contain wheat/gluten because they can be breaded and are often cooked in shared fryers, meaning cross-contact is possible.
8) Can I request allergy-friendly preparations at Dave’s Hot Chicken?
You can ask, but since Dave’s uses shared equipment and fryers, they may not be able to guarantee a fully allergy-safe environment.
9) Do spice levels change over allergens?
No. Heat levels change the seasoning, but they typically do not change the core allergens in the item (like wheat in breading or dairy in mac & cheese).
10) What’s the safest option for someone avoiding gluten?
Dave’s is not ideal for strict gluten-free diets, but some people choose fries or bottled drinks. Still, cross-contact is possible, so always confirm with the store.
11) Are Dave’s shakes dairy-free?
No. Shakes are made with a dairy base and are not recommended for anyone with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
12) How can I reduce the heat if I order a spicy level?
Ordering spice levels in a slider can help because the slaw, pickles, and sauce can balance out the heat. Drinking water helps, but milk-based drinks usually work better for heat relief.
13) Does the Reaper spice level have a waiver?
Yes. The Reaper level is extremely hot, and many locations require you to sign a waiver before ordering.
14) Are catering orders labeled by spice level?
Yes. Many spice levels look similar, so Dave’s typically uses labels or stickers on packaging to make sure your heat levels are correctly identified.