Dave’s Hot Chicken makes a surprising addition to its menu

Dave’s Hot Chicken has a short menu, mainly chicken sliders, chicken tenders and chicken bites.

But for a limited time, the Pasadena-based chain is also serving “not chicken,” namely cauliflower.

Dave’s Cauliflower Sliders are made with whole cauliflower heads that are hand-sliced, fried, coated with spices and served like chicken in a bun with pickles and kale slaw, according to a news release.

Customers can choose from seven levels of heat for the spices, from none to “reaper.”

The sliders cost about $8.69. Cauliflower bites are also available at $4.29 for an order of six.

The Mayo Clinic calls cauliflower a nutrition superstar. It’s fat-free and low in sodium and calories and high in vitamin C. This time of year, fast food chains frequently offer veggie-based menu items to complement people’s new year’s resolutions.

To publicize the cruciferous vegetable, Dave’s took out an eye-popping 3-D billboard at the Moxy Hotel, 1260 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. It will be running until Feb. 4, according to the chain. You can watch it on Dave’s YouTube channel.

The chain also temporarily changed its exterior signage to read “Dave’s Not Chicken” at 16 of its more than 170 locations. Three are in Southern California: 14622 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles; 931 N. Milliken Ave., Ontario; and 3332 South Bristol St., Santa Ana.

Information: daveshotchicken.com