A midday Monday breakaway from grey clouds and rainfall never tasted so sweet.
One walks in and thinks of Tim Robinson’s “I Think You Should Leave” skit wherein he obsessively “stans” the craziest, most popping designs money can buy: “Dan Flashes.”
And better yet, you think you shouldn’t leave—and so you don’t. After all, as pop culturally dialed in as others often tell you that you are, you never heard of Dave’s Hot Chicken until their grand opening hit the local news pool.
Ergo: it's high time to dive into the deep end yourself.
Order: a standard hot-flavored, Chicken Tender-clad “slider” equipped with Dave’s Special Sauce, and undoubtedly more pickles than any other joint offers.
Verdict: this was enough to give Long Island’s first “Dave’s Hot Chicken”—situated at 207 Glen Gove Road Carle Place—a hearty “two saucy thumbs” up.
Nashville-style hot chicken, unique mac and cheese and fry sides, and cereal-garnished desserts are just some of the many highly sought-after menu items at a decades-running company that actually boasts rapper Drake as one of its most high-profile investors.
The beloved chain officially docked into town at the top of the month. Days later, the scene was positively packed with restaurantgoers of all ages.
A young adult at the tail-end of a three-day weekend having a few-and-far-between-them afternoon lunch with her baby-boomin’ parents.
A solo-dolo businessman—godspeed.
Some ferociously broccoli-haired Gen Zers in head-to-toe casual-athletic garb not sweating in the slightest what their elder counterparts would; oh, to be young and metabolistically unfazed.
Nevertheless, you best believe if I'm ever offered the chance to rest Cinnamon Toast Crunch atop a vanilla milkshake, audible gasp, I’m going to redeem it; and happily endure whatever consequences may meet, greet and nearly defeat me down the line.
All in all, the Froccaro’s—who previously brought Burger King and QDOBA experiences to the Long Island fast-food scene—latest venture is a resounding success that needs as much protection as much as it doesn’t need the extra promotion, but we proudly give it anyway.
Seeing a subtle security presence upon entry was a surprise, but better safe than sorry.
And sure, I’ll be curbing the rest of my dairy enthusiasm this month and beyond. But it was a well-worth-it enterprise indeed. Nothing worth having ever came easy.
The only disappointment. No mirror up in the men’s bathroom—at least not yet. How else am I supposed to know if I look as bad as I feel at the end of any high-cal in short order journey?
An important takeaway before signing off: the soothing, vintage rock sounds of “Dirty Work” by Steely Dan, “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield” and “Linger” by The Cranberries scored the entirety of my trip.
“But Mike, what does music have to do with the experience?” You’re right, absolutely nothing—but also, everything.
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult didn’t play while I was there, though I did consciously avoid the “Reaper” challenge—that is, going mouth to fury with the most furious hot sauce Dave cooks.
Maybe next time.