
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that offers Nashville-style tenders and sliders with seven levels of spiciness. The spiciest option on the menu is the Reaper, which contains an extract of the Carolina Reaper, once the hottest pepper in the world. The Reaper is so spicy that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that eating it can cause harm, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death. Despite the warnings, many people have braved the Reaper, reporting that it caused them to sweat, cry, and experience stomach pain, cramping, and bowel issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Spice Levels | 7 |
| Spiciest Level | Reaper |
| Waiver Required | Yes |
| Water/Beverages Helpful | Yes |
| Sides/Cooling Agents Helpful | Yes |
| Inconsistent Spiciness | Yes |
| Flavour | Salty, Aromatic, Umami, Bitter |
| Sensation | Burning, Sweating, Crying, Stomach Pain, Running Nose, Cramping, Diarrhea |
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What You'll Learn

The Carolina Reaper is one of the world's hottest peppers
The Carolina Reaper is a super-hot pepper that was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chilli pepper in 2017. It was bred by Smokin' Ed Currie in his South Carolina greenhouse, and the word "Reaper" was chosen due to the pepper's sickle-like tail. The pepper has an average heat level of 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), with a peak level of 2.2 million SHUs. To put this into perspective, the Carolina Reaper is 200 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper.
The Carolina Reaper has a unique fruity flavour, with an initial sweet taste that quickly turns to molten lava. It is said to have a roasted sweetness that delivers an instant level of heat, followed by a tidal wave of scorching fire that grips you from head to toe. The intense heat of the pepper is due to the density of capsaicinoids, particularly capsaicin, which directly relates to the intensity of chilli pepper heat.
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that offers Nashville-style hot chicken sliders and tenders. They have gained a reputation for their extremely spicy "Reaper" chicken, which is coated in chile powder and is said to be hotter than their "hot" and "extra hot" options. In fact, the Reaper spice level is so hot that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that consuming it may cause harm, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death.
Despite the warnings, many brave souls have taken on the Reaper Challenge, which has gained popularity on social media. Reactions to the Reaper spice level include hiccuping, sweating, crying, and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat. While some may find the extreme spice unbearable, others seem to enjoy the challenge and the unique flavour that the Carolina Reaper pepper brings to Dave's Hot Chicken.
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Dave's Hot Chicken offers seven levels of spiciness
The Reaper spice level is the hottest option at Dave's Hot Chicken, and it is not for the faint of heart. Before ordering the Reaper, customers must sign a waiver acknowledging the potential risks of consuming the extremely spicy chicken, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, and even death. The Reaper gets its name from the Carolina Reaper, once the hottest pepper in the world, and the spice level is an extract of this pepper.
The level of spice in the Reaper can vary, and while some may find it bearable, others have described it as overwhelming. The heat creeps up on you, and while it may not seem too spicy at first, it quickly builds to an intense level. The spice can cause physical reactions such as sweating, tears, a runny nose, stomach pain, and even cramping.
For those who enjoy spicy food and are feeling adventurous, the Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken may be worth a try, but it is essential to approach it with caution and be prepared for the potential consequences!
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Customers must sign a waiver before eating the Reaper
The Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken is not for the faint of heart. It is known for its intense spiciness, which can cause physical reactions such as sweating, tears, and a runny nose. Some people have reported feeling like they were pepper-sprayed or experiencing bodily injury after consuming the Reaper. It is so spicy that it can be difficult to taste any other flavors in the chicken.
Despite the warnings and the required waiver, many people are intrigued by the Reaper and want to challenge themselves to see if they can handle the heat. Some customers report that the spice is manageable and provides a nice kick, while others find it overwhelming and unbearable. It is important to note that the spice level of the Reaper can vary, and different people have different tolerance levels.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a range of spice levels for its chicken tenders and sliders, from No Spice to Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and finally, Reaper. The Reaper is made with an extract of the Carolina Reaper pepper, which was once the hottest pepper in the world. This spice level is not for the faint of heart and is only recommended for those who are daring and seeking an extreme spice experience.
The waiver that customers must sign before eating the Reaper is a way for Dave's Hot Chicken to ensure that customers are aware of the potential risks and take responsibility for their own actions. It is also likely a legal protection for the restaurant. While some may view the waiver as a gimmick, it is important to take it seriously and consider your own tolerance for spice before taking on the Reaper challenge.
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The Reaper is extremely spicy, but still has flavour
The Reaper at Dave's Hot Chicken is not for the faint-hearted. It is the hottest spice level offered at the restaurant, and customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering it, acknowledging that consuming it may cause them harm, including "bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death".
Despite its extreme spiciness, The Reaper still has flavour. One diner reported that the sandwich had a "nice amount of flavour from the extra spices while still being able to taste the chicken". Another reviewer, who had tried the chicken tender, described it as "good chicken and seasoning regardless of heat".
The Reaper at Dave's contains an extract of the Carolina Reaper, which was once the world's hottest pepper. The pepper was bred specifically for its dangerous levels of heat, but it also takes consumers to "undiscovered levels of ecstasy". The Carolina Reaper's namesake at Dave's certainly delivers on the heat, with diners reporting symptoms such as hiccuping, sweating, crying, stomach cramps, and an intense burning sensation in the mouth.
However, some reviewers found the flavour of The Reaper underwhelming. One diner who had tried both the chicken tender and the sandwich described the experience as "shoving delicious chicken in my mouth and my brain telling me I've been pepper sprayed". Another reviewer, who had tried the sandwich, said that the heat "obliterates any other flavour".
Whether you find the flavour profile of The Reaper enjoyable or not, it is undoubtedly an extreme spice experience that should be approached with caution.
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The heat of the Reaper varies
Another person who tried the Reaper chicken tenders said that the heat was so intense that they "started hiccuping, sweating, and crying, and [their] stomach felt like it was doing backflips". They also said that the spice "made its way down [their] throat, up [their] nose, and just engulfed [their] entire respiratory system".
The heat of the Reaper also seems to vary depending on the location of the Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant. For example, someone who tried the Reaper at the DC branch in Columbia Heights found it extremely spicy, while someone who tried it in New York City said that it was hot but "not hot enough that [they] feel like the waiver is necessary". Similarly, someone who tried the Reaper in Madison, Wisconsin, said that it was "good but inconsistent", and that the spice level seemed to depend on the chef.
It's worth noting that Dave's Hot Chicken offers seven levels of spiciness, with the Reaper being the hottest option. The other spice levels are No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, and Extra Hot. The jump from Medium to Hot is significant, and the Extra Hot level is described as "unbearable for a lot of folks".
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Frequently asked questions
Very spicy. It contains an extract of the Carolina Reaper, once the hottest pepper in the world. The heat is not unbearable, but it is definitely intense.
Yes, Dave's Hot Chicken requires customers to sign a waiver before eating the Reaper. This is because the Reaper can cause harm, including bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death.
Side effects include sweating, crying, hiccupping, stomach pain, cramping, and a runny nose. Some people also experience bowel issues the next day.
Kale slaw, mac and cheese, and pickles are all good choices to help cool down the palate. A milkshake is also a good option to combat the heat.
Yes, Dave's Hot Chicken offers seven levels of spiciness, including No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper.











































