Drake's Favorite Hot Chicken Sandwich Chain Opens in Pembroke Pines

When Drake not only approves of a hot chicken sandwich but invests in said sandwich — that's when you know it's good.

The hot chicken tenders and sliders from Dave's Hot Chicken were such a hit to Drake that it made him want to invest in the fast-food restaurant chain back in 2021. Now, years after its initial hype, South Floridians can try the spicy chicken tenders for the first time.

Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first South Florida location in Pembroke Pines on Friday, August 2, and the fanfare over the opening is already spreading like the sauce used in its famous crispy hot chicken.
After the restaurant posted a photo on Instagram of its scrumptious chicken tender sandwiches covered in cheese and sauce ahead of its Pembroke Pines opening, fans went straight to the comments to express their excitement over the new Florida location. The caption read, "The wait is almost over. Your Dave's Hot Chicken opens this Friday (8/2)! 15855 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33028. This one's going to be huge, so get there early and tag everybody who needs to be there."

South Florida fans immediately took to the comments, including those in Miami, with one writing, "Right behind my house! I have been eyeing this and waiting!" while another fan wrote, "I've been craving Dave's ever since I moved to Florida. I haven't been this excited for a new food spot in a long time."

Just three days after opening, the new location is already going viral on TikTok, with foodies and food bloggers sharing their reviews.

@daveshotchicken #pembrokepines #florida YOUR FIRST EVER @daveshotchicken opens Friday 8/2!!📍15855 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33028‼️We’re super excited to see you guys, so tag everyone who needs Dave’s in their life and come get your chicken🐥 @Kay✨ #miamifood #miamifoodie #pembrokepinesfood #floridafoodie #fyp #daveshotchickenreview #daveshotchickenasmr #eatwithme ♬ original sound - Dave’s Hot Chicken

Local Miami food blogger @SoFloFooodie took to her TikTok to document her experience of trying Dave's for the very first time.

After trying a hot chicken slider in the spice level of medium, the chicken tenders in the spice level of hot (which she dipped in secret sauce), and fries, she confidently proclaims, "The jump from medium to hot is a lot, but it's good. If anyone says that Raising Cane's is better than this, then they're lying to you."

So, what makes these spicy tenders so irresistible?

Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by three childhood friends as a pop-up in an East Hollywood parking lot "with just $900 in their pockets," according to the company. The pop-up began with a simple menu of spicy chicken tenders, sliders, fries, and kale slaw. Despite limited resources, the pop-up developed a loyal customer base and long lines thanks to Instagram. The rest is history.

The menu has remained simple and hot chicken tender-focused since its inception, which has helped the restaurant grow and open franchise locations nationwide.
The Pembroke Pines location at 15855 Pines Blvd. has the chain's signature look with red seats and an urban graffiti-style mural that reads, "Pembroke."

In addition to Drake, Dave's Hot Chicken has several celebrity investors like actor Samuel L. Jackson, former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, athlete and television personality Michael Strahan, and Boston Red Sox owner Tom Werner.

The hot chicken tender chain already has Florida locations in Altamonte Springs, Gainesville, Lake Mary, Orlando, and Tampa. Rumor has it that a location at Aventura Mall is in the worDave'save's Hot Chicken. 15855 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 754-202-0416; daveshotchicken.com. Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.