LA-based chicken concept opens in Butler Town Center; new bagel shop eyes location near UF

Los Angeles-based Dave's Hot Chicken held its grand opening Friday in the former BurgerFi location in the Butler Town Center.

The restaurant chain, whose investors include Canadian rapper and singer Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox owner Tom Werner, among many others, offers a simple menu that includes tenders and sliders tossed in your choice of sauce. Those who can't stand the heat can select from "No Spice" or "Lite Mild," while those looking for a deep burn can try "Extra Hot" or "Reaper."

Side items available include fries, cheese fries, mac & cheese and kale slaw.

Entrepreneurs Tim Jensen, Jesse Allen, Andrew Hamerling and Tom Devine plan to open at least five Dave's Hot Chicken locations in the Gainesville and Jacksonville area over the next few years.

The restaurant's humble roots began in an East Hollywood parking lot in 2017. It has since grown to more than 200 locations across the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Current Florida locations in operation include those in Tampa, Orlando, Lake Mary and Altamonte Springs. A location in Pembroke Pines is scheduled to open Aug. 2.

Dave's Hot Chicken in Gainesville is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Bagels & Co.

Bagels & Co., a small but expanding Pennsylvania-based chain, appears to be eyeing Gainesville for its third Florida location.

State restaurant licensing information shows the restaurant is planning to enter the ground floor of the Hub On Campus Gainesville, 1111 W. University Ave., just east of the University of Florida campus.

Created in 2021 by Glu Hospitality, Bagels & Co. offers a large variety of Brooklyn-style bagels and hot and cold drinks made with Costa Rican coffee.

Bagel flavors include classics such as onion, everything, poppyseed and sesame. Those looking for something different can try the cheddar habanero, Oreo or Rainbow. Bagels cost $2.25 each or $22 for a dozen.

Customers can top their bagels with their homemade signature cream cheese. Classics include plain, apple cinnamon, blueberry, scallion, strawberry and veggie. For the more adventurous there's bacon scallion, birthday cake, black truffle, mango, salmon dill and many more.

Also on the menu is a selection of breakfast sandwiches and wraps. Options include the Monte Cristo made with eggs, ham, turkey, Swiss, cheddar and jelly, and the 2nd St., which comes with fried eggs, provolone, pickled onions, tomato and lemon aioli. Other sandwiches include a BLT, lox and cream cheese, a breakfast burrito and more.

Bagels and Co. currently has 10 active locations with all but three in the Philadelphia area. Florida locations can be found in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors.

No opening date for the Gainesville location has been announced.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: LA-based chicken concept opens in Butler Town Center; new bagel shop eyes location near UF