First Bite: Dave’s Hot Chicken in Pittsfield

Just tried the new Dave’s Hot Chicken that opened last week at 685 Merrill Road in Pittsfield. That’s the old Papa Gino’s spot that later became El Habanero. When I got there the line was already about 15 minutes long. The place looks cool inside. There’s spray paint and graffiti on the walls, and one wall right when you walk in says “Pittsfield.” It feels different from most restaurants around here.

Slater/Dave's Hot Chicken

The menu is really simple. You basically pick from four chicken options: two tenders, two sliders, one tender and one slider, or just one slider. Everything comes with pickles and Dave’s sauce. Some of them also come with kale slaw. Then you choose how hot you want the chicken. The levels go from Not Hot, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, all the way up to Reaper. You have to sign a waiver if you want the Reaper. I was surprised that meals do not come with drinks. My large Diet Coke cost $3.69. They also have mozzarella rectangles called Dave’s Hot Mozz. You pick the heat level on those too. Fries and cheese fries are on the menu as well.

Slater/Dave's Hot Chicken

I ordered two tenders at medium heat. It was spicy enough for me. The chicken tasted pretty good - I don't like a lot of batter or breading, so this was just right. The mozzarella stick was delicious. It had a good amount of crunch, and there was almost a sweet component mixed in with the spiciness. The pickles had a nice sour flavor that cut through the heat. The fries are seasoned and crinkle cut, which I liked. Overall I would go back. The food was solid and the vibe was fun even with the wait. It’s nice to have something new like this in Pittsfield. If you like hot chicken or just want to try a different spot, it’s worth checking out. The line might still be long for a while, but the food held up.