Street Food Hit Dave's Hot Chicken Finds Room to Roost in East Hollywood

Upstart street food operators Dave’s Hot Chicken are going brick and mortar this weekend. The onetime East Hollywood parking lot kings have put the finishing touches on their new Western Avenue digs, and should be ready to serve just in time for the new year.

Earlier this year, Dave’s made waves by offering spiced chicken tenders, fries, and kale coleslaw to those in the know from a lot in burgeoning Thai Town, steps from places like Friends & Family and Tabula Rasa Bar. Word quickly got out — folks knew to look for the well-placed rubber chicken — and soon the quiet operation turned into massive hit, even occasionally catering to big Hollywood clients who just couldn’t get enough of the simple stuff. Lines formed, wait times ballooned, and the team tried to keep ahead of it all while operating out of the same parking lot.

Seating for everyone

Now, after losing out on a previous Beverly Boulevard space, owners Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and David Kopushyan have jumped to a new permanent strip mall location deeper in East Hollywood, at Western just below Santa Monica. This is the former Asava Thai, a corner space that has been overhauled into a clean, colorful new home for all things fried chicken. Don’t expect too many frills, just 55 seats and a big yellow chicken mural by the bathrooms. The menu is much the same as the parking lot days, but with the addition of beer and wine and a few other fun sides to come down the line.

As for timing, Dave’s Hot Chicken will officially open early next week. Expect evening-only hours to start (at least until midnight), with lunch coming later in 2018.

Dave’s Hot Chicken
970 N. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA