
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken. The restaurant has over 70 locations and has received investments from celebrities such as Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan. Dave's Hot Chicken offers seven levels of spiciness, with the top level known as the Reaper. The Reaper is so spicy that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that consuming it can cause harm, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death. Despite the risks, many people are intrigued by the Reaper and dare themselves or their friends to try it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spice level | The Reaper is the hottest spice level offered at Dave's Hot Chicken |
| Number of spice levels | 7 |
| Waiver | Customers must sign a waiver before ordering "The Reaper" due to its extremely hot nature |
| Side effects | Burning sensation in the mouth, hiccups, sweating, crying, stomach upset, emotional distress, and in rare cases, death |
| Taste | Bitter, dry, and nasty |
| Price | Under $20 |
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What You'll Learn
- The reaper is the hottest spice level at Dave's Hot Chicken
- Customers must sign a waiver before eating the reaper due to its extreme heat
- The reaper is made with an extract of the Carolina Reaper pepper
- The reaper has an initial rich smokiness that builds in heat over time
- The reaper is so hot that it can cause sweating, crying, and hiccuping

The reaper is the hottest spice level at Dave's Hot Chicken
Despite the intimidating waiver, some people are still daring enough to try the Reaper. One person described the experience as starting with a rich smokiness that lulled them into a false sense of security. However, within five seconds, the spiciness kicked in and engulfed their entire respiratory system. They described the pain as surprising, feeling like a chemical trying to burn a hole through them, and tasting like burnt chalk and chemical burns. Another person described the spice as sneaky, slowly building in waves even after they had finished eating an entire piece.
To prepare for the Reaper, some people choose to line their stomachs with food and drink non-carbonated beverages, as carbonation is believed to make the spice more painful. Sides such as kale slaw, mac and cheese, and pickles are also available to help cool down the palate.
Dave's Hot Chicken started as a tiny stand in an Los Angeles parking lot in 2017 and has since expanded to over 70 locations, including Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C. The restaurant has gained investments from celebrities such as Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan.
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Customers must sign a waiver before eating the reaper due to its extreme heat
Customers must sign a waiver before eating the Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken. This is because the dish is extremely spicy, and the waiver releases Dave's of liability due to its "extremely hot nature". The waiver informs customers that eating the Reaper can cause harm, including "bodily injury, property damage, emotional stress, and even death".
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant specialising in Nashville-style hot chicken. The restaurant offers seven levels of spiciness, with the top level known as "the Reaper". The Reaper is made with an extract of the Carolina Reaper pepper, which was bred to be the world's hottest pepper.
The experience of eating the Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken has been described as intense, with the spice building slowly and then striking unexpectedly. One person who tried it described the spice as starting at the back of the mouth and working its way to the front, causing their eyes to water. Another person said that the Reaper tasted like "burnt chalk and chemical burns", and that it delivered "surprising pain".
Despite the extreme heat and the required waiver, some people are drawn to the challenge of eating the Reaper. One person who tried it said that they initially thought the waiver was a gimmick, but then realised the spice was very intense. They described the Reaper as "worthy of a waiver requirement".
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The reaper is made with an extract of the Carolina Reaper pepper
The reaper spice at Dave's Hot Chicken is not for the faint of heart. It is described as extremely hot, with a rich smokiness that can lull one into a false sense of security before the spiciness kicks in. The heat starts at the back of the mouth and works its way up to the front, draining sinuses and causing tears. It is said to be 10 times hotter than the extra hot spice level, with a concentrated, chemical burn-like sensation. The spice also has a subtle build, creeping up in waves even after finishing the chicken.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a range of fried chicken tenders and sliders with seven levels of spiciness, from "no spice" to "reaper." The chicken is brined for hours before being fried, and the spice is cooked into the skin and breast. The reaper spice level is not just a gimmick, but a serious test of one's spice tolerance. It is so hot that it is often treated as a challenge, with friends daring each other to eat it.
The reaper spice level at Dave's Hot Chicken is not for the faint of heart. It is intended for those who seek extreme spice and are willing to sign a waiver acknowledging the potential risks. The Carolina Reaper pepper extract in the spice blend gives it a unique and intense heat that is not easily forgotten. While it may be too spicy for some, others may find it exhilarating and worth the challenge.
Dave's Hot Chicken has become a popular destination for spice enthusiasts, with locations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Texas, New York, and Madison. The chain has gained a reputation for its fiery chicken, attracting those daring enough to take on the reaper spice level. The unique blend of spices, including the Carolina Reaper pepper extract, creates a complex and intense flavor profile that keeps customers coming back for more, despite the heat.
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The reaper has an initial rich smokiness that builds in heat over time
The reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken is no joke. It is the hottest level of chicken that Dave's has to offer and is said to be extremely spicy. In fact, it is so spicy that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that eating the reaper "can cause harm, including but not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death".
The reaper is said to have a distinct seasoning, with a hint of bitterness from the chiles. It is coated in chile powder and has a subtle spice mix. The chicken is also brined for hours before frying, which complements the spice and makes it tasty, despite the heat.
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specialises in Nashville-style hot chicken sliders and tenders. It started as a small stand in a Los Angeles parking lot in 2017 and has since expanded to over 70 locations, including Texas and New York. The menu is simple, with only three combos: two tenders, two sliders, or one of each. Customers can choose their preferred level of spiciness, with seven levels ranging from "no spice" to "reaper".
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The reaper is so hot that it can cause sweating, crying, and hiccuping
The reaper is the hottest spice level offered at Dave's Hot Chicken. It is so hot that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that eating the reaper "can cause [...] bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death". Indeed, the reaper is so spicy that it can cause sweating, crying, and hiccuping. One person who tried it described how the spice "made its way down [their] throat, up [their] nose, and just engulfed [their] entire respiratory system". They also described how the spice "came back at [them] in waves slowly building in the passing minutes". Another person who tried it said it tasted like "burnt chalk and chemical burns" and was "bitter, dry, and nasty".
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken sliders and tenders. The chain started as a tiny stand in a Los Angeles parking lot in 2017 and has since expanded to over 70 locations. The menu offers seven levels of spiciness, with the reaper being the hottest option. The chicken is brined for hours before being fried, and the spice is cooked into the skin and breast. This results in a juicy and flavorful chicken that delivers a powerful punch of spice.
While the reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken is undoubtedly hot, it is important to note that individual tolerance to spice may vary. Some people may find it tolerable, while others may find it extremely challenging to handle. It is always advisable to exercise caution when consuming extremely spicy food and to be aware of your own limits.
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Frequently asked questions
The Reaper is the hottest spice level offered at Dave's Hot Chicken. It is so hot that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that eating the Reaper can cause harm, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death.
The Reaper has been described as tasting like burnt chalk and chemical burns. It has also been said to have an initial rich smokiness that gives way to a wave of intense spiciness.
Reactions to eating the Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken vary, but most people experience a high level of spiciness and heat. Some people have reported hiccuping, sweating, crying, and stomach discomfort after consuming the Reaper. It is important to note that the Reaper is extremely spicy and should be consumed with caution.











































