America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain is continuing its expansion into new territory and is planning to set up shop in an entirely new location: Cameron County, in the Rio Grande Valley.
The city of Brownsville will be the site of the chain’s latest restaurant, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, which are subject to change.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which is also expanding in Cedar Park near Austin, will move into a restaurant-ready spot at 1165 Farm-to-Market Road 802, Brownsville, Texas — which is also known as Ruben M. Torres Boulevard — just east of the intersection at Interstate 69-E. That location was once a McAllister’s Deli; however, the sandwich shop closed its doors permanently earlier this year.
But now the building will see new life with Dave’s Hot Chicken, which is investing $350,000 to remodel the nearly 2,900-square-foot restaurant, TDLR records show.
Construction is expected to begin at the start of December and wrap up around May 2026. Once complete, the Brownsville location will officially mark the first Dave’s Hot Chicken to open in Cameron County and just the third to open in the Valley.
The two existing locations are both in neighboring Hidalgo County. McAllen, the second-largest city in the Valley, was the first to welcome the restaurant chain in November 2022. That restaurant is located at 3620 W. Expressway 83, Suite 150, McAllen, Texas. Just over a year later, the company’s second location opened in Edinburg at 121 E. Trenton Road, Edinburg, Texas.
Founded in a parking lot in East Hollywood, California in 2017, the company “specializes in jumbo Hot Chicken Tenders and Sliders,” according to the company’s website. It also offers several sides, including “Kale Slaw,” macaroni and cheese, and seasoned crinkle fries. For those looking to slake their thirst, Dave’s also offers sodas, slushes and milkshakes.