Drake's favorite destination for Nashville-style hot chicken makes its Bayou City debut this week. Dave's Hot Chicken will open its first Houston-area location this Friday, September 24 in west Houston (12161 Westheimer Rd.).
Founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan — a classically trained chef and veteran of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon restaurant — Dave’s serves halal chicken tenders and sandwiches at seven difference spice levels that each has their own recipes. The menu also includes sides such as kale slaw, mac and cheese, crispy fries, and cheese fries, as well as milkshakes.
Initially opened as a food truck, Dave’s has grown to multiple brick and mortar locations across Southern California. This week, the company announced that hip-hop superstar Drake has become one of its largest investors.
“I tried the food and it was amazing,” Drake said in a statement. “After meeting the founders and hearing their story, I jumped at the opportunity to invest.”
So far, the company has signed leases for six Houston-area restaurants and is negotiating for even more. In addition to the Westchase store, the company will open at the following locations:
2525 Rice Blvd. (co-tenancy with Velvet Taco)
614 Dennis St. (The Crossing at Midtown)
6324 Highway 6 South (Missouri City)
15245 Wallisville Rd.
20740 Kuykendahl Rd. (Spring)
148 El Dorado Blvd. (Webster)
A representative tells CultureMap that the Midtown location will open next in late October or early November. Rice Village and Wallisville Road will follow by the end of the year. As seen in the photo above, Dave's works with local graffiti artists to decor each store, which gives each one a distinct look.
Chow down on adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar.
Attention, sports fans: The Tailgate is almost here. CultureMap Houston's signature sporty event, presented by Verizon, is happening Monday, November 11, at 8th Wonder Brewery, and you'll want to be there.
Why? Because even if you aren't a football fanatic, hockey hound, soccer supporter, or basketball and baseball buff, you're probably a big fan of fantastic local food and drinks.
All Tailgate tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets come with one-hour-early entry, access to a dedicated VIP bar, an exclusive meet-and-greet with two popular Houston Texans alumni (courtesy of Verizon), and more perks for an elevated experience.
You also get to make your voice heard before the event, as readers are now voting for their favorite local wings restaurant in our Ultimate Wing Showdown. Think of this as sort of like the Sweet 16, where local champs face off in an online tournament and the winner will be revealed at the party. Click here to vote for your favorites.
Hungry yet? Popular Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for attendees to sample and vote for their favorite.
Here's even more of what's on the menu at The Tailgate:
Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
Al pastor sausage and challah lobster roll from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Sweet jerk chili wings from Southern Jerks
Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston
A kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts, where the winner will receive free doughnuts for a year.
To wet your whistle, there will be signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka (including an espresso martini made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew), along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.
The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.
We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.
Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code Tailgate10 at checkout.
The Tailgate is sponsored by Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, East River 9, and more to be announced.
