Dave's Hot Chicken Spice Level Quiz
Stuck between Mild and Medium — or eyeing the Reaper waiver? Take this free Dave's Hot Chicken spice quiz. Six quick questions match you to one of the seven real spice levels, from No Spice to Reaper, and tell you exactly what to order at that heat.
Question 1 of 6
How the spice quiz works
The quiz reads your real-world heat habits — hot sauce, jalapeños, wings, and whether milk lives within arm's reach — and maps them onto Dave's seven-level ladder. There is no sign-up and nothing is saved. Answer honestly and you will land on the level you can actually enjoy, not just survive.
- Answer six quick questions about how you handle heat.
- We add up your answers and place you on the 7-level scale.
- You get your spice level, an order to match, and a result you can share.
The 7 Dave's Hot Chicken spice levels
Every level is included at the same price, and you can set a different level on each item in a combo. Here is the full ladder, mildest to meanest.
| Level | Name | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | No Spice | Zero heat — pure crispy Nashville flavor. The kids' pick. |
| Level 2 | Lite Mild | A gentle whisper of warmth for spice-sensitive eaters. |
| Level 3 | Mild | Flavor-forward with a friendly kick — the first-timer pick. |
| Level 4 | Medium | The crowd favorite: real Nashville balance of flavor and burn. |
| Level 5 | Hot | Where the chili heat kicks in hard. Order Dave's Sauce to balance. |
| Level 6 | Extra Hot | Intentional, lingering, full-face heat. Order it on purpose. |
| Level 7 | Reaper | Carolina Reaper extract. Most stores require a signed waiver. |
Want the deep dive on each one — Scoville, flavor, and survival tips? Read the full Dave's Hot Chicken spice levels guide.
How to pick your spice level
A simple rule beats bravado: order one level below the bravest number in your head. It is easy to add heat next visit and impossible to take it back mid-meal. A few honest guidelines:
- First time at Dave's? Start at Mild or Medium. Medium is the most-ordered level for a reason.
- Love heat but new to Nashville hot? Try Hot, with a side of Dave's Sauce to balance it.
- Eyeing Reaper? It is Carolina Reaper extract and usually needs a record-setting pepper waiver. Have a milkshake ready and a friend on standby.
- Ordering for kids? No Spice every time. See the kids menu guide.
How we score the quiz
Each answer carries a heat score. We total your six answers and map the result across the seven official Dave's levels, so a careful eater lands near No Spice and a true chili-head lands near Reaper. The quiz is a fun guide, not a medical opinion — your tolerance on the day is the final word. Once you know your level, build the full meal with the calorie calculator or see what to order.
Frequently asked questions
What are the spice levels at Dave's Hot Chicken?
Dave's has seven spice levels, all included at no extra cost: No Spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Reaper. No Spice has zero heat, and Reaper is made with Carolina Reaper extract and usually requires a signed waiver.
What Dave's Hot Chicken spice level should a first-timer order?
Most first-timers should start at Mild or Medium. Mild is flavor-forward with a friendly kick, and Medium is the crowd favorite with a real but fair burn. You can always go hotter next visit — it is much harder to walk a level back mid-meal.
How hot is the Reaper level at Dave's Hot Chicken?
Very. Reaper is made with Carolina Reaper extract — the Reaper has measured over 1.6 million Scoville heat units — and most locations require you to sign a waiver before ordering it. Treat it as a dare, not a dinner, and keep a shake close.
Is the Dave's Hot Chicken spice quiz free?
Yes. The quiz is completely free, needs no sign-up, and runs in your browser. Answer six quick questions and it matches you to one of the seven Dave's spice levels with an order suggestion.
Does a higher spice level cost more at Dave's?
No. Every spice level, from No Spice to Reaper, is included at the same price. You can even set a different level on each item in a combo, so heat is about preference, not budget.