It’s one of the hottest new chains in America, figuratively and literally. In five years, Dave’s Hot Chicken has gone from a tent in a Hollywood parking lot to a viral darling with more than 750k followers on Instagram and rave reviews from movie stars, hip-hop moguls, and some of the biggest athletes in the world.

The only way you could get Dave’s hot chicken tenders and sliders in New York was a trip to Manhattan, but now Albany is getting the first Dave’s Hot Chicken in all of Upstate. Here’s when and where you can get on the Nashville hot chicken trend, but with West Coast attitude and flair.

Large tray of Dave's Hot Chicken Sliders
Dave's Hot Chicken
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The story and pedigree behind the restaurant are absolutely insane. The eponymous Dave is Dave Kopushyan, who trained at the elite French Laundry – widely considered one of the world’s greatest restaurants. He scrounged up $900 and a fryer with three friends to serve his hot chicken out of a tent in a parking lot in East Hollywood in 2017.

Dave's Hot Chicken first popup in Hollywood
Dave's Hot Chicken
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After two days of business, an Eater article put lines around the block and the brand blew up. A year later they had their first brick-and-mortar and celebrity investors were pouring money into the restaurant after trying a bite. We’re talking Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Strahan, Maria Shriver, and more.

"I tried the food, and it was amazing. After meeting the founders and hearing their story I jumped at the opportunity to invest." – Drake

Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken
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So how hot is it? Spice levels go from none to Reaper, which rumor has it requires you to sign a waiver before trying. Dave’s is also famous for its kale slaw, mac n cheese, and cheese fries – all of which pair with Dave’s sauce.

The Albany Dave’s Hot Chicken opens this Friday, 12/16, at 1206 Western Avenue at 10:30a.

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Gallery Credit: Jacklyn Krol