Dave’s #3: Tender and Slider Combo With Fries
One tender, one slider and fries. Learn why the mixed meal can help first-time visitors decide.
Dave’s #3 solves a common first visit problem. You want to try the fried chicken, but you also want to see what the famous slider tastes like. Instead of choosing one or buying two full meals, this combo gives you one tender and one slider with fries. It is the bridge between the tender-focused #1 and slider-focused #2. The two parts share the same seasoning style but come with different bread and toppings. That makes #3 a sensible place to begin when you have never visited Dave’s or are bringing someone who wants a little variety.
Checked official menus displayed example #3 prices of $13.49 and $13.99, with other stores varying. 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 1 Tender & 1 Slider w/ Fries. The tender comes with sliced bread, pickles and Dave’s Sauce served on the side. The slider comes on a potato bun with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled sauce. Fries are included in the meal description. These are not two identical sandwiches, so do not expect the tender to arrive inside a bun or the slider to come as plain chicken. The combination is useful because you can taste the different formats side by side. A drink is a separate decision unless your specific store has a special offer.
| Part | What it means | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tender | One, with sliced bread and pickles | Dave’s Sauce on the side |
| Slider | One, on potato bun | Kale slaw, pickles, drizzled sauce |
| Fries | Included | Listed in the meal name |
| Use case | Try two menu formats | Particularly useful for first visits |
How does the meal taste?
Take a bite of the tender before dipping it and notice the coating, texture and heat. Then try a bite of the slider with its full topping combination. The bun and slaw can soften the overall taste and make the same type of chicken feel different. This is not a lab test of spice strength, since the pieces are prepared in a working restaurant. It is simply a good way to discover what you enjoy. Some people will prefer the crunchy chicken alone, while others will like the mix of the sauce and vegetables in the sandwich.
Is it good value for the money?
The mixed combo is not automatically the cheapest way to eat at Dave’s. It is valuable because it answers two questions with one meal. If you already know you want two sliders, #2 can be the clearer order. If you like the chicken as a standalone piece, #1 makes more sense. Dave’s #3 sits between those choices. Prices may also differ by location, and delivery menus can add their own fees. Compare the displayed meal total with the individual Single Tender and Single Slider options plus fries. You are looking for a fair order for your needs, not an abstract lowest price.
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
Start on the local Dave’s ordering page, choose #3, and inspect the heat choices. Some stores may let you set the tender and slider separately. That makes it useful to keep both at Mild or test two nearby levels. Avoid starting with Reaper simply because you are curious about the far end of the menu. Add a drink only if you want one, and read the cart for extras. If the tender or slider must be customized for an allergy, ask the restaurant about ingredients and shared equipment before ordering. A menu toggle does not guarantee allergen safety.
Who should choose this meal?
A first time visitor who likes both sandwiches and chicken pieces may enjoy this format the most. It can also fit someone who wants a meal with a bit more variety but does not want two buns. It may be less useful for a person who dislikes kale slaw or bread because half the meal is built as a sandwich. In that case, the two tender meal could be easier. Someone with a small appetite should consider the #4 slider meal or a single item instead of feeling obliged to finish a larger mixed box.
What should you check before buying?
First check that you are reading #3 and not the Single Tender or Slider options. Then verify the fries are in the product name. Be careful with the idea that one tender plus one slider equals two identical chicken pieces. They are different formats and may be seasoned or assembled separately. Lastly, make sure any sauce preferences are reflected in the checkout details. The tender uses sauce on the side while the slider has sauce drizzled on the sandwich in the official description. That distinction matters if you want control over the amount of sauce.
How does it compare with other meals?
Dave’s #1 is the clear two tender meal. Dave’s #2 is the clear two slider meal. Dave’s #4 serves one slider with fries. #3 is the only one of those numbered classics designed around sampling both formats together. That makes it more of a discovery meal than a specialist order. After you try it once, ordering the tender or slider you liked best becomes easier. If you want an especially simple test, keep both pieces at a comfortable spice level so you can focus on format rather than heat.
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
What comes with Dave’s #3?
One tender and one regular slider with fries. The tender has bread and side sauce; the slider has a bun, slaw, pickles and drizzled sauce.
Is Dave’s #3 better than #1?
It depends on your goal. #3 is good for variety. #1 is better suited to someone who wants two tenders rather than a sandwich.
Does Dave’s #3 include a drink?
A standard #3 description does not say a drink is included. Always confirm the checkout details or any specific promotion at your store.
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 #1 tender meal, Dave’s #2 slider meal, 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
The choice that lets you taste both standard chicken formats in one order 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: Build Your Own Big Trio can help you compare another menu option before you order.
Also useful: two-person ordering suggestions can help you make a more informed order.
Related reading: two-person ordering suggestions provides a useful next comparison.
Further reading: Mild and Medium heat levels.
Related nutrition guide: Dave’s #3 calorie details.
Related menu information: sides for a mixed tender and slider order.
Related side guide: sides for mixed combos.
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.
