Now this is hot... no really this is hot.. and flavorsome. Crispy breading, no sogginess here. Juicy chicken. No overpowering singular seasoning (cayenne) but a nice, FLAVORSOME balance of all seasonings. Fries are quite expensive for being fries BUT THEY ARE SO GOOD. Service here is above and beyond, the nicest people and most extroverted you will meet. Have a chit chat with them and find out! Cutest little plaza with all you can ask for... DELICIOUS FOOD! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Tenders & Fries - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I finally got to try Howlin' Ray's again. The place was busy, but that's pretty much what I expected. There was a line, and a lot of people were waiting for their food. I ordered the quarter bird with mild spice, fries, and banana pudding. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the mild spice level was perfect for me. It had a little kick without being too spicy. The fries were really good and seasoned well. I also enjoyed the banana pudding, which was a nice sweet treat after the meal. One thing that stood out to me was how friendly the employees were. Even though it was busy, they were welcoming and provided great customer service, which made the experience even better. Overall, I had a great experience. Between the delicious food and the friendly staff, I can see why so many people recommend this place. I'd definitely come back again when I'm craving hot chicken. read more

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Winner Winner Chicken errr... Lunch So we are always skeptical if there is way too much hype surrounding a eatery. However in the case of Howlin Ray's the hype is justified. The staff were super friendly and on point The Food: (A word on heat. They have 6 levels from Country with none to Howlin. We can take a decent amount of heat. I went medium and my son went hot. The medium was just the right balance with a nice burn especially on the back end. The next level, hot, was also really good and hit close to our limit) The Sando: a nice sized chicken breast perfectly fried. The chicken was moist but well cooked and the batter was seasoned perfectly. The slaw added a nice crunch to things, the comeback sauce added richness and the pickles added a brinney crunch to offset the goodness. The bun put up a valiant effort but about of the way through it gave up and the Sando became a fork affair. The Slaw: It was just okay, on the sando it was perfect, on its own, just okay The Macaroni Salad: Glorious, simply glorious. Whatever spicing they were using with the fries seemed evident here giving it a reddish hue. The the bits of dill, onions, and pickles helped balance the whole thing perfectly. This would be right at home on a North Shore plate lunch. Shake Fries: Perfectly fired crinkle fries shaken in that spicing they use. Dipped in the comeback sauce or on their own they were awesome. Banana Pudding: OMG so good. With the traditional vanilla wafer on top. Rich and luscious it was a perfect end to the meal. The only downside? This location is small and if you want to eat there there are only a few tables. Parking also sucked. Those thinks aside excellent place read more

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Finally tried the infamous Howlin' Rays and oh boy does it live up to the hype. It is on par and just as good maybe even better than Hattie Bs in Nashville. read more

I guess it's time for a review update after over 9 years later! I've been to all 3 locations and the quality, the service, the food; everything has stayed consistent after all these years. No matter what location you visit, it's all the same level of quality you'd expect from Howlin' Ray's. Anyway, rode from Anaheim to Howlin' Ray's because let's be real; they're totally worth the ride/drive and it had been awhile since I last had it. Believe it or not, I finally FINALLY tried their waffles after all these years. They were really good, but a bit too... eggy? The exterior was PERFECT, but the inside was a bit under cooked for my preference. I like under cooked, but maybe just 2 minutes longer and it would've been perfect. Obviously had to get a sando as well. Excellent like always, no surprises or complaints there! 'Til next time! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Bookmarked this spot for our LA trip. We found metered street parking about two blocks down. Made it right before a line formed. The employees here are freaking awesome. My son tried to order HOT and they made sure he was 100000 percent sure. We were told it's much spicer than other places hot level. They let him try a piece and man he changed his mind instantly. I'm talking ghost pepper and habanero all up in yo face. I even took a bite and couldn't handle it. Nose running and mouth watering for 10 minutes drooling like a damn dog in the summer. Glad I went mild for my meal and my kids went medium. One the menu: Quarter bird (breast & wing) mild 2 sandos medium 1 tender medium 1 shake fries Ranch and comeback sauce The quarter bird was so good. Flavorful and not too spicy. The chicken was fresh and crispy. I was surprised the breast was moist too. The comeback sauce is really good and pairs well it and the fries. The fries were perfectly seasoned krinkle cut. Enough for two people to share. Fries were hot and fresh and not oily either. The ranch is really good and you should definitely try that Tennessee tang. Not your basic ranch! The pickles are pretty good and I usually don't like pickles. The sandos were a nice size. Can't review the sandos since it was my kids order but they said it was bussin. There are some tables outside to eat or take it to go. Glad we got to try Howlin Rays! read more

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Holy smokes this place has some of the best service I've ever gotten at ANY restaurant. All the staff are wonderful to be around, and they were all very patient in explaining what they recommended. I can tell the people who work here truly have a passion for the food they make!! Onto the food....its d*mn good. It's the best white-meat chicken sandwich I've had in my life. And I've had a lot of chicken sandwiches in my life. However BE WARNED their SPICE IS SPICY! Ask them for a taste test first before you order...or else the ghost peppers will haunt you and your food-exit-hole. There is parking in a paid lot underground, the entrance can be a bit tight. 10/10 would come here again. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Howling rays still remains the GOAT of Nashville hot chicken! After being to both locations several times I think the go to is the quarter bird leg/thigh. Medium has a little kick but not overwhelming I definitely wouldn't go more than hot. The leg/thigh tends to be more tender than the breast imo, I'd suggest two of those rather than the half bird. Also don't sleep on the tenders, they are massive and surprisingly great too, and easier to eat/less messy. Wait at opening on a Saturday was about 20-30 mins till food was received. There's a few tables for sitting right outside the location but it's very casual. Will definitely been returning, it's worth the wait and has kept up its quality! The staff is always super friendly and personable! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Tenders - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I came to Howlin' Ray's a few weeks ago. This was my 2nd time back and last time I came down here it was years ago. I remember it being good though. I came back again and I was not disappointed. First we got there and there was a long line out the door. The line did move pretty quickly and the location is a little small with limited seating. You can't have anyone save spots for seating. However they do have organized chaos they call it but it works! As soon as we ordered our food and drinks we let them know it will be for here and they got us seated right away. I got the mild sandwich, and a medium chicken strip. I also got macaroni salad, collared greens, and a sweet tea to drink. All the food was delicious and I have been thinking about it since. The staff were friendly and super helpful. They make the restaurant fun and inviting. PS the sweet tea was hands down the best sweet tea I have ever had. I can't wait to come back. Please open a location in the IE soon. read more

A little late on the post, but we came here on Valentine's Day. We were actually in the area shopping for Chinese New Year decorations but we were wonderfully surprised by a huge balloon decoration for the special day. Nice to see an establishment that knows how to celebrate. Before I forget, shoutout to Ryan, that guy's a G. We expected a long wait, but it only took about 10 minutes when we arrived around 11:30 AM. The staff were efficient and friendly. Seating is limited, but turnover is quick, we grabbed a table while waiting for our food. Once the food arrived, nothing else really mattered. The chicken was incredibly well seasoned across the board. I prefer bone-in personally, and every piece was juicy and finger licking good. You could tell the process was dialed in: flavorful meat with breading that was seasoned just as well. It was good enough that I barely touched the sauce, and not from a lack of appreciation. My only slight gripe was the heat level. Based on some YouTube videos I'd seen, I expected more kick, but the medium had almost no heat for me. A small issue though that will be corrected with another visit... Perfect! read more

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I had Howlin Rays at their other location about 2 years ago and it was the best chicken sandwich I had, waited an hour for that meal and felt it was worth it. Trying it at again at the Chinatown location I would say it was overall ok. The wait was a lot shorter, just about 25 min but it came to us on the colder side, spice level was off (asked for medium hot and received more mild). Give it a try if you have the time and are in the area! 3.5/5 stars read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Kevin was super sweet! Great service and food! The sandwiches,fries, and sides were delicious :p

Haven't been here in over 5 years. Line was only 30-45 minutes compared to 2 hours plus when I went last time so I was impressed. Line was decent but moving and it is way more efficient now Got to the front and met Ryan. Man made our day greeting us, making us feel welcome and helping us out with our order. He also checked in on us several times before during and after our meal despite the hectic environment. You rock man! Also shoutout to Matt. Went to pick up my order and struck up a good short convo. Man I'll drive back here for the service alone The food..... even better than ever. I'll be back very soon this time around! read more

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This is hands down the best hot chicken I have ever had. Waited 45 mins in line but it was so worth it. Customer service is really great too. Would recommend! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Sando - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you don't come here to eat then you're missing out. Everything was good. As for heat, choose wisely bc I don't like too much heat but my fam LOVES it. No pix. The food was tooooo yummy!! read more

If you're in the area and don't mind waiting, worth a try if you like spicy chicken sandwiches. It for sure left an impression on us lol and I'd recommend if you haven't had it before. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was my first time trying Howlin's Ray's and I can definitely see the hype for this place! This is basically like Dave's Hot Chicken, but California stapled. My cousin took me to the original location in LA Chinatown. There's only street parking available, but when we got to the location there was already a line to go in... that's how you know it's a good spot! The service was honestly the nicest I've ever experience for a fast food place. The inside was small, but it was more of a pick up and dine outside type of place since there were tables available outside. The servers were really friendly. They made conversation with us and even asked me about NOLA since I was in California for vacation. They even gave me a sample of their hot chicken to see how well I can handle their "hot" spice (spoiler: it was so hot!). When it was our turn in line, we ordered their 3 Medium Tenders ($13.00) and Shake Fries ($5.00) with their Comeback Sauce ($0.75). When I tell you the tenders were huge, they were HUGE! One tender could literally fit a small bowl. The medium spice level was enough for me, as it already had a minor kick to it. They also come with pickles and a toast inside. The shake fries were pretty good as well. Their comeback sauce is kind of like Cane's sauce but with a bit more zest. Overall, even though this is a fast food type of place, I'd definitely recommend you trying it out if you ever visit California. read more

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If you're talking about the best fried chicken sandwich in LA, Howlin' Ray's is easily at the top of the list. Came in with high expectations and somehow it still exceeded them. The sandwich is unreal. Perfectly crispy, juicy chicken with just the right amount of heat and flavor in every bite. The seasoning is bold without overpowering, and the bun holds everything together without getting soggy. You can tell they've mastered every detail. The spice levels are no joke, but that's part of the fun. Whether you play it safe or go all in, the flavor always comes through. The pickles and slaw balance everything out so it never feels too heavy. Service is fast, the energy is always hype, and the quality is insanely consistent. This is one of those spots that actually lives up to the hype. Easily the best chicken sandwich in LA and always worth the wait. read more

The reviews here speak for themself. There was a long line but they kept it moving which was great. The menus is super simple and the flavor is spot on. I got medium spice and it was a great combination to still get flavor. I'm not usually a fan of crinkle cut fries but these were great. read more

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Tucked away in a plaza in Chinatown, this place always has a line literally wrapped out the door. Every single time I passed by, I was tempted... but that line? Yeah, it always scared me off I know, I know. Well, I finally did it. I stayed on line, ordered the food, and let me tell you--the hype is real. I've heard so many people say, "OMG, have you tried this place?" and after finally giving it a shot, I can confidently say it was 100% worth the wait. The food lived up to all the buzz, and on top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly, which made the whole experience even better despite the long line. Sometimes the places with the longest lines really do deserve it--and this is definitely one of them. read more

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My first time trying Howlin' Ray's. I work downtown, but whenever we drive over, it's too crowded to wait while on an hour lunch break. I found that they deliver through Postmates. I ordered three wings (medium plus), fries, and comeback sauce. I understand why they have such a following; the food is really good. The fries were cooked to perfection and well seasoned, and that comeback sauce is so good. Now that I know they deliver, I will order often. read more

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Stopped by around 6ish and, surprisingly, the line wasn't bad at all compared to how it usually is. Ordering was smooth and service was pretty quick. I decided to eat there, and halfway through my meal one of the staff members came by to check if I needed anything, which was a nice touch. Food-wise, I got the chicken sandwich (mild) and the shake fries. The sandwich was exactly how I like it, flavorful with some spice but not overpowering. The chicken was great, and the fries were solid too. Overall, everything hit the spot. Great food, good service, and a shorter-than-usual wait. Definitely enjoyed the experience. read more

Howlin' Ray's - (Mild) chicken sando and fries. - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

ryan is the goat!!!! he's so sweet and wholesome!!! me and my friends came down here from portland and we never been here before. the moment we went inside, we were welcomed and filled with amazing vibesss food is 10/10 always chicken is so fresh fries have so much flavor ahhh the banana pudding is so yummy too read more

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Best Chicken in LA Hands Down! Michelin-Level Service. I honestly can't tell you how great this place is--you're just going to have to experience it for yourself. But let me try. First off, they have the best chicken in LA, hands down. We ordered the Dozen Wing Basket (split into two separate heat flavors) with sides of greens, fries, and coleslaw. Everything was absolutely delicious, all the way down to the white bread and pickles at the bottom of the wing box. But what truly sets this place apart is the service. The customer service and staffing are on Michelin star status. The hospitality is unmatched. They genuinely care--they asked us questions about ourselves and even gave out advice on other local eateries they recommended. A huge shoutout to our server, Mario. He was exceptional. We were celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday, and not only did they give her a special shoutout, but they also threw in some complimentary banana pudding (which was amazing). If you want perfect food and people who treat you like family, you have to come here. read more

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One of my absolute favorites! I recall many past meals there with fondness! Can't wait for next time! Highly recommended!

Came to this area for a book signing and noticed a huge line for Howlin Ray's so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! Despite the long line it moved quickly and their simple menu helped a lot. The only inside for customers is the order counter and you wait outside for your order but don't worry they have a speaker system to call out your number. There are tables outside the order window but they fill up fast. The workers were really friendly and helped me decide if I wanted mild or medium spice. I ended up getting the sando medium spice and it was delicious! Great spicy flavor without burning your mouth. I also loved the fries! Definitely recommend! read more

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Coming back for the 20th+ time and you all ALWAYS deliver!! Matt - your team rocks! Thank you for supporting the community! read more

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The service is always top notch every time I come here. I don't mind waiting in their long lines because the staff is great, and the food is amazing. This is my favorite fried chicken spot ever. Wings are super crispy and flavorful. Love that it comes with pickles. Can't miss the Sando, a classic. I have tried their other sandwich but didn't enjoy it as much as the original sando. read more

Howlin' Ray's - The sando - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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W O W I am in awe over the experience I had here at Howlin' Rays. I came on a Saturday at opening time. There was already a line!!! I was like woah. Pop off sis. I heard about this place years ago but I didn't realize the immense hype with it. I ordered the tenders with waffles. Medium spice level. The medium spice was already enough to get my mocos running a lil bit. I was like ohhhhh I like this place. The dry rub is the style I love on my friend chicken-- I really have no complaints about the chicken. The tenders were great portion sizes, well seasoned and juicy!!! Feeling like juicy couture chicken up in here fr. I appreciate the spice level medium I know I can tolerate hot for sure but probably for a take home so I can start crying and rubbing my nose in privacy. The waffle was crispy, and dense. Fluffy inside for sure! The butter was like frozen to really spread or use on my waffles so I was a lil sad :( The service... impeccable!!! They're the best ever!! I can't believe how sweet and kind all the workers were. I came for my friends birthday and they gave her a banana pudding on the house-- which we all tried and wow I give it a solid 9/10. I wish my cookie was crunchy instead of soft. And then later they asked us our t shirt sizes all conspicious.... They gave us t shirts and stickers as well!! Like what business goes out their way to do that?? I'd French kiss howling ray if I could. Sheeeeesh. They also come and check on you if you're eating there. The place is small, hidden in a Chinatown plaza. They have several tables outside for you to enjoy their food but like mentioned it gets busy and full fast! Highly recommend this place for chicken!! Parking is street or paid in plaza parking. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Howlin Rays is a must stop any time I'm in LA. In my opinion, it's got to be a top 3 place for hot chicken in all of California. Ordered a presidential spread consisting of the Hot Chicken Sandwich, tenders, coleslaw, collard greens, fries, and potato salad. Got the sandwich & tenders medium which I think is the perfect spice:enjoyment ratio, but if you like spice a lot you can probably go one higher. The chicken here is simply delicious there's not much more to say. A good pro tip is to get the slaw, sauce, and pickles on the side if you're taking it to go. Their fries are seasoned perfectly and the potato salad was really good, but I would probably skip the collard greens next time. Definitely make sure to get extra sides of comeback sauce & ranch (Tennessee Tang). If you know Howlin Rays you know that their service is Chick Fil-A/Dutch Bros-esque. They're always super upbeat, welcoming, and always eager to answer questions or help out if you're uncertain. If you're visiting for the first time be prepared to wait during peak hours. They've expanded to Pasadena and Vegas, but we need that Northern California location next! read more

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Ordered a half bird and fries which were very delicious!! I loved how the workers interact with each customer which makes you feel welcomed. Very small location which can make it hard to find parking but I love the music being played which keeps the vibes up despite the long wait. read more

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The only reason I'm writing this review is because for now close to a decade Howlin' Rays has been remarkably consistent in several areas that matter most starting with - Chicken + Ingredients - After 10 years of coming here, not once has there been an obvious tell or noticeable decline in the quality of their chicken and other ingredients. This is especially important as other hot chicken places in the same time have noticeably dropped off. Service - To this day everytime the service experience and the culture of the shop remains top tier. You can tell people who work there genuinely feel supported and appreciated, and they always extend the warmest hospitality to customers that come in. System - Whether you luck out and come when there is no line or have to wait with the rest of the city to get some amazing food, they have a system that works and gets everyone their food hot and fresh. As for the rest, I do really love this plaza. There is a ton to see including an awesome thrift shop (East West), a cook book shop, great coffee, and trinkets all around this area. Shoutout to the staff and owners of Howlin' Rays, here's to another 10 years. read more

Not sure if there's still a wait at this establishment, it's been a while since we've been back. We came an hour and 20mins before it opened once and were probably the 15th customer on a Wednesday. Another time I came 30 minutes before opening on a Saturday and waited 2 hours! Really fun and energetic staff. Absolutely the best customer service I've experienced at a somewhat fast food type of joint. There are a few seats inside Howlin Ray's (3 small tables that seat 2 each and about 6 bar seats), but most of the seating you'll find is outside. Really good spicy fried chicken. They're serious about the spice levels! Anything above hot is really hot! Medium is a perfect spice level. The chicken is really juicy and flavorful, so good. We had the chicken sandwich which was amazing. As well as half a chicken, which was even more amazing. The only negative thing I can say about howlin ray's would be about the french fries, they arent even bad though, but they are just regular cajun crinkle fries, so based on your preference you may enjoy it or not. I also tried the chicken and waffles on Saturday, which was good. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Chicken sandwiches (x-hot & medium) with fries and extra pickles! - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Howlin' Rays is an LA legend for a reason. I finally made it out to check them out and it absolutely delivered. I got the medium spice level with the chicken sandwich, and it was a great balance of heat and flavor. Juicy, crispy, and packed with enough kick to get me sweating. Be ready to wait, both in line and after ordering, since everything is cooked to order. But honestly, it's part of the fun. The staff is upbeat, the energy is good, and you can tell everyone there is excited to be there. When you finally get your food, you'll understand why people line up for this place. The flavor is excellent, the quality is consistent (my wife and my friend both loved theirs too), and the crispiness is just right. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Medium Sandwich - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Can I tell you all this is an awesome place. The order taker was welcoming. The guys giving the orders out are nice and friendly and engaging. Sat out on their metal tables where guy walks around to make sure they are clean. It doesn't get packed for no reason other than their food is worth your bok, bok for the yumminess of hot n fresh food with great flavor snd the great service. Yay Ray, keeping it howlin! read more

Howlin Rays has a following like no other! It's the only place on our list we had to wait after paying for our food, 25 minutes. Highly recommend ordering online. The quality of the food was high, and it's served piping hot. The staff is great and in particular Ryan is so friendly and welcoming. The food is beautiful in appearance and tastes just as good. Order your level of spice and you're all set! Howlin' Ray's definitely brings a ton of consumers to this mall in Chinatown. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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From my previous review, I already mentioned that they established a place in my heart as my favorite fried chicken. Same helpful and extremely friendly folks that I am now accustomed to from my recent experience. The vibe was lively as expected, but I think they shifted some things around as there was quite a bit of seating available in the courtyard out front of where they are located. I recently came here to pick up a large order that I got for my brother's family visiting from out of town. I really wanted them to experience the deliciousness of this place since they regularly go to another chain that has expanded into their town. In short - everyone was extremely happy with the food. Most of us ordered The Sando at varying levels of heat and my sis in law got the tenders. In terms of sides...we pretty much ordered all the sides available as well (really loved the fried pickles!) Also, as a note, I picked up the food here on the weekend slightly after peak lunch time and I noticed the line wasn't crazy long like I've seen in the past. read more

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Howlin rays has been so consistent over the years and I'm actually surprised I haven't dropped a review of them. But they are definitely my favorite spot to get chicken sandwiches - get medium it's got the perfect kick. They are made perfectly, priced decently and taste spectacular. Every time I go the staff is super friendly even when they are swamped with orders. Pro tip: go during off hours. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My favorite hot chicken place ever. This establishment has the kindest workers ever who regularly check up on customers and will give a sense of hospitality I don't even get at my own home. I ordered a single tender of their hottest level and I absolutely died. If you like a kick, I would recommend getting a hot sandwich or medium hot. Also make sure to buy some sauce and honey to go with your chicken. Bring your own drinks as well and they will provide cups of ice. This restaurant lies in the heart of my favorite city, LA Chinatown, and is such a unique juxtaposition to its surroundings. Will be back again!! read more

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Howlin' Ray's known as one of, if not the best place to get nashville hot chicken styled how you want. Tenders? Yeah. Sandwiches? Uh huh. Bone-In chicken? YES! So I went for their Sandwich and Fry combo, with a two piece bone in fried chicken, all coated medium. I also bought a side of their comeback sauce and ranch. Starting with the sandwich... not impressed! The chicken itself was cooked perfectly but I just could not get down with the spice blend. It tasted purely of dried paprika/cayenne and just fell a bit bitter. Also the buns were lame, potato bun supremacy is real. The coleslaw was honestly sad. Very basic, very soggy. I ended up swiping the rest off my sandwich. Their fries are great though, crisp, and very generously seasoned. And the sauces! The comeback sauce was unlike any other sauce I've had before, even now it's hard to describe but I really liked it. The ranch was also superb with a generous amount of dill to kick it up a notch. The real star of the show, and the only thing I'd go back for is their bone-in fried chicken. It was divine. Ultra juicy, flavorful, and very crispy. The spice blend wasn't very apparent on this chicken so I enjoyed it more. Would I come back? Maybe with friends. Otherwise, I don't see any reason to wait another 30 minutes for this chicken when there are more convenient options around serving a similar, or better product. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California