Dave’s Hot Chicken is Finally Coming to Grand Rapids + New McAlister’s Deli

When it comes to exciting fast food news, West Michigan has been busy. Over the past year, the area has welcomed its first Raising Cane's (with even more on the way) and Bojangles locations. Hot 'n Now made a comeback, and Shake Shack is also on the way. Now, another fried chicken spot is preparing to join that lineup!

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Fast-Growing Fast Food Chain, Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave's Hot Chicken has been blowing up over the past few years. It started as a small pop-up in Los Angeles back in 2017 and has quickly grown into a nationwide chain with hundreds of locations.

Along the way, it’s picked up some big-name investors like Drake and Samuel L. Jackson. The chain is known for its chicken tenders and sliders with heat levels ranging from no spice all the way up to Reaper, plus sides like fries, mac and cheese, and shakes. New to the menu is "Hot Mozz", thick-cut, breaded, fried mozzarella "planks" topped with the Dave's signature spicy seasoning.

28th Street Location Planned With McAlister’s Deli

According to Crain's Grand Rapids Business, Dave’s Hot Chicken is planning its first West Michigan location in Grand Rapids. The restaurant is expected to open this year on 28th Street, sharing a newly built space with McAlister's Deli. McAlister's offers more than 30 sandwiches and wraps, plus sweet tea, and giant loaded potatoes.

Both brands are owned by the same parent company, Roark Capital Group. McAlister's Deli has been growing in West Michigan too, with locations in Holland, Wyoming, Norton Shores, and one that opened on Alpine Ave. in Walker last fall.

An exact address hasn’t been confirmed for the new restaurants has not been confirmed. Crain’s reports the project involves a new 6,000-square-foot building at the site of a former Wendy’s.

I didn’t even realize it had closed, but apparently the Wendy’s near Centerpointe Mall at 3921 28th St. SE quietly shut down earlier this year. That location seems to match what’s being described, but it has not been officially confirmed as the Dave’s Hot Chicken spot.

Construction is expected to begin around mid-June. Once it opens, it will be the first Dave’s Hot Chicken in West Michigan.

Michigan’s first location opened in Dearborn in 2021. Right now, the closest spots are in Lansing and across metro Detroit, so this will make it a lot easier for people in Grand Rapids to finally try it.

Dave's Hot Chicken to Open More Restaurants This Year

And it doesn’t look like the growth is slowing down. A recent report from USA Today says the chain opened eight new U.S. locations in just one month and plans to open around 150 more restaurants this year.

Michigan wasn’t specifically mentioned, but if that pace keeps up, it probably won’t be the last one we see around these parts!