Dave’s #1: Two Tenders With Fries Explained
What comes in the two tender meal, how spice choices work and what to check before paying.

Dave’s #1 is an easy order to understand once you know what comes in the box. It is the two tender meal with fries. The tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and Dave’s Sauce on the side according to the restaurant’s ordering menu. You can concentrate on the fried chicken instead of a sandwich bun. That is useful when you want a direct taste of the seasoning or like dipping each bite. The meal is also easy to compare against Dave’s #2 and #3 when you decide how much food to order.
On checked official location menus Dave’s #1 appeared at examples such as $12.49 and $12.99. These are location-specific examples, not a nationwide price. This guide helps you decide if it suits your appetite and what the online listing actually includes.
What comes with this order?
The official item name is Dave’s #1: 2 Tenders w/ Fries. Its description tells you that the tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles and a side of Dave’s Sauce. This is not a two slider box. There is no potato bun or kale slaw listed as a built in part of this meal. You can eat the bread beside the chicken or use it with a tender. The fries are part of the numbered meal, while a drink should be checked separately. The sauce is intended as a dip, so you can choose how much to use with each bite.
| Part | What it means | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Main item | Two fried chicken tenders | Core of Dave’s #1 |
| Side | Fries | Included in the numbered meal |
| With the tenders | Sliced bread and pickles | Listed in official menu descriptions |
| Sauce | Dave’s Sauce on the side | Check options for extras |
| Drink | Not listed in standard #1 description | Check separately |
How does the meal taste?
The first tender can tell you more about the chicken seasoning than a heavily dressed slider. If you want to compare heat, take a small bite before adding sauce and pay attention to how comfortable the spice feels. Bread and pickles give you something different between bites. The second tender also makes this meal a better fit for people who want more chicken without taking on an entire sandwich. No one can tell exactly how filling two tenders will be for every diner, because pieces and personal appetite differ. Use your normal lunch size as a guide.
Is it good value for the money?
Published prices differ even across official Dave’s ordering pages. One checked location listed #1 at $12.49 while another listed it at $12.99. Other locations can differ too. Use these numbers to understand the rough type of meal, not as a promise for your nearest store. For a quick value check, compare #1 with two Single Tenders and a side of fries on the same local menu. Sometimes a combo is more convenient. Sometimes a temporary offer or a different side order changes the math. Also check whether extra sauce or delivery adds a fee.
What to expect before you order
These simple original drawings show the parts discussed in this article. They are illustrations, not photographs or guarantees about the size of an item at your store.

How to order it at Dave’s
Open the store specific ordering menu and choose Dave’s #1. Check the available spice levels and read whether each tender has its own selection. At least some official online menus provide separate heat controls for the first and second tender. This makes #1 useful for someone who wants to try Medium beside Mild without purchasing two meals. Finish by checking the fries, bread, pickles and sauces listed for that restaurant. If you need a change, use the available customization controls or ask the staff before paying. Delivery menus may have different options from in-store orders.
Who should choose this meal?
This is a strong choice for someone who loves fried chicken more than sandwich toppings. It also works when you want to dip rather than have sauce already inside a bun. If you are sharing with another person, two tenders sound convenient, but remember that the fries and sides come as one meal. The restaurant does not describe #1 as a two person catering package. For a larger group, compare hot boxes instead. If you need a vegetarian or gluten free meal, this chicken combo is not a substitute for checking the full ingredient and allergy information.
What should you check before buying?
Check your heat selection first. The restaurant offers a wide range from No Spice to Reaper, but heat tolerance varies. Reaper is an extreme choice with special warnings and should not be used as a surprise for somebody else. Next, confirm the order is #1 rather than the Single Tender listing. Those names look similar in a quick menu scroll. Finally, make sure the total includes any extra sauce, drinks, tax or delivery cost that you intended to buy. A price on a public sample menu is not the same as the final checkout total.
How does it compare with other meals?
If you want sandwiches, #2 may suit you better because it has two sliders with bun and toppings. If you want to compare a tender and slider in one meal, #3 is the more direct choice. #4 is smaller and comes with one slider and fries. #1 stands out because it is consistent: two tenders and fries, without the extra sandwich structure. That clear format is its real advantage. Avoid choosing #1 based only on a price difference if you actually prefer sliders.
Price and menu details are local
The amounts you see in this article are examples observed on a small set of real Dave’s ordering pages, not a current national price list. Dave’s uses location specific menus and product options. Some stores also have seasonal bundles or extras that are not available elsewhere. Always select the restaurant you intend to visit before making a budget decision. The price shown inside a delivery app can also differ from the ordering price on the restaurant’s own website.
For the most accurate order total, check the product in your selected restaurant’s cart, including sauces, drinks, tax, delivery and any other charges. Our Dave’s Hot Chicken menu and price guide is a useful place to compare the main food categories, but the official checkout remains the source for the amount you will pay.
Questions people ask
Does Dave’s #1 come with fries?
Yes. The official item is called 2 Tenders w/ Fries. Local presentation and add ons can differ, so read your final cart if you make changes.
Can I choose two different heat levels?
Some official ordering screens give each tender its own spice choice. Look for both selections rather than assuming one choice automatically applies to every piece.
Is Dave’s #1 a good first order?
It can be if you mainly want to try the fried chicken. If you want to experience the potato bun and slaw as well, Dave’s #3 may be a better first comparison.
Related menu guides
Still deciding what to order? Start with the complete menu guide or explore these closely related pages: Tenders vs. sliders, Dave’s #2 slider meal, Dave’s #3 mixed combo, Dave’s #4 smaller combo, Single Tender. For heat choices, read our spice levels guide. For ingredient concerns, consult our allergen guide.
Dave’s official website has the live products for each participating store. You can check its ordering menu and compare a second store menu to see why prices or selected products are not the same everywhere. This independent article is written to explain the choices, not to sell a meal on behalf of the restaurant.
The bottom line
A simple chicken centered meal with two tenders and fries is the main reason to choose this order. Read the product details, pick a comfortable spice level, and make sure the price you see belongs to your chosen restaurant. A good Dave’s order is the one you will enjoy, not necessarily the biggest or hottest meal. If you’re uncertain, compare it with a simpler single item before committing to an extra side or a larger combo.
Related reading: Tender Hot Boxes can help you compare another menu option before you order.
Also useful: two tenders versus buying singles can help you make a more informed order.
Also useful: two tenders versus buying singles can help you make a more informed order.
Further reading: Single Tender calories.
Related nutrition guide: Dave’s #1 calorie details.
Related menu information: side choices for two tenders.
Related side guide: two-tender side choices.
Editorial note: This is an independent menu guide, not an official Dave’s Hot Chicken website. We used published restaurant ordering menus as a reference. Offerings and prices can change by location. Images are original illustrations rather than official photographs.
