Dave’s Hot Chicken Pittsfield: The Evidence Keeps Piling Up

Back in July, I got a hot tip that Dave's Hot Chicken was moving into the old Papa Gino's/El Habanero spot at 685 Merrill Road in Pittsfield. A construction crew guy confirmed it for me at the time, but I couldn't get anything more out of him.

Well, I went back this week, and things are looking a lot more official.

The outside of the building is now painted white with a red awning. If you know anything about Dave's Hot Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, you know that's their exact color scheme. It's the same look you'll find at every other location up and down the East Coast.

I also peeked through the windows, and yeah, I know how that sounds. But what I saw was hard to ignore. There were benches sitting inside, along with other restaurant hardware, and clear signs of ongoing construction work. And then there were the two boxes sitting right on the windowsill. Both had US Mail shipping labels on them, addressed to "Dave's Hot Chicken, 685 Merrill Road, Pittsfield."

At this point, I think it's safe to say this is happening. Between the paint job, the awning, the furniture inside, and now mail addressed directly to the brand at that address, there's not much room left for doubt.

What we still don't have is an opening date. Nobody official from the company has confirmed anything publicly, and I haven't been able to track down a timeline from the construction crew this time around.

I'll keep watching the building like a creep and update you the second I hear anything solid about when the doors open.