I ordered chicken sandos with my family, and they were delicious. The real star though was the service. One of the employees, Charlie, without being asked, cleaned our table, gave us napkins and wiles, and got us waters. He gave us the best service I have seen in a restaurant in a long time. Thanks! read more

I got to try the famous Howlin' Rays in its full glory at the original location in Chinatown and I was not disappointed! I highly recommend this chain location and can vouch for the food and service!!! Is the hype warranted? an astounding YES! I looked into the secret menu and got to try the Mario Fries, Lou's Chicken Sandwich, Quarter Chicken Breast with all their sauces, and Banana Pudding! The staff was lovely and I met Matt, the manager. I was greeted with an excited and hyped staff. They were kind and welcoming. Food came pippin' hot and the first bite of the quarter chicken breast was everything- juicy, smoky, spicy, and filled with seasoning! I heard comparisons between this chain and others and finally understood the difference: the chicken is at the forefront along with different layers of flavor that are in the sandwich! Think of Dave's Hot Chicken but meatier , juicier, and much flavorful. Everything is elevated with subtle sophistication- the slaw, all the sauces, and breading. It seemed all curated individually for your meal. For comparison, it is like getting a pastry at your local bakery vs. at a patisserie in Paris, FR. It's the same dessert but one is much better, especially if you pay attention to the subtleties. If you want to taste Howling Ray's in one dish, this would be it! The other dishes were also delightful, the Lou's sandwich had waffles as the buns with powdered sugar and syrup on top; imagine smoky, savory, with fulfilling sweetness. The banana pudding was also wonderful; not to sweet but subtle flavors with high quality ingredients. The Mario's fries are the ultimate chicken loaded fries and would have you full and fulfilled. Everything was of great. You are paying for quality and you will not regret it, especially if you like flavors and spicy. There is a reason that there is a line even before this restaurant opens. Not only would I recommend this place, I recommend bringing a crew so you can share the experience together. I am now a fan and I will be back and will bringing others with me. read more

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I decided to go to Howling Rays with my fam to see what all the fuss was about. We waited in line for like 30 minutes or something and ordered our food. The chicken sandwich was good, but I don't know that I want to wait in line for so long for a chicken sandwich again anytime soon. I'll definitely be back, just may be a while. Good vibes, good music and super friendly workers read more

We got there 30 minutes before they "close" and they still took our order and several others even after closing hours! It took about 10 -15 to order and about another 15 to get the food. It was our first time here we tried coming back in 2020 during covid but the lines were insane. Glad we got to try it this time! It was worth the LOOOOONG wait aha. The food was delicious! We got the Sando Mild and the peach sweet tea and lemonade drinks. We would definitely come again for the chicken sandwich and try the tenders! read more

After years of driving by when in the neighborhood & either not finding parking or on a time crunch, I've driven away sad without trying this place. Finally I made it! Only about a 15min wait in line. Ordered w/Ryan who had such a great attitude & very welcoming. Ordered chicken sando (mild) fries, comeback & tang sauces. Food came out quickly. Chicken sando is big, great portion size of fries as well. Definitely can share. Normally I don't care for crinkle fries but they were fried & seasoned to perfection. Honorable mention to the staff behind the counter as well, every person I made eye contact with (although they were busy) returned a smile. I appreciate feeling welcomed. Great people & great food. read more

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I finally got to visit this place after dropping friends off in Union Station. My original idea was to go to Amboy, but unfortunately for them they didn't open up in time. I decided Howlin Rays deserved my attention. There was already a line in place and they were playing some good music from the restaurant. When it came time for me to order, Ryan at the counter was very friendly to me. Everyone in the restaurant was. I really enjoyed that. I stuck with getting the mild sando, and didn't expect the chicken breast so gigantic! It was a delicious sandwich and the spice was pretty good. I'm glad I didn't go any spicier than that. I ordered the fries which were actually pretty good. They were definitely seasoned, but they weren't heavily in taste sense. They had something for me to drink and it went really well with a meal actually. I'm glad that I could say that I enjoyed this place from beginning to end. It is a little hidden, but luckily for me I found it. Definitely will come back to have my wife try it one day. 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 got try this place after seeing it from my fav tiktoker! The line was long but speedy. The person who took my order was super personable and even threw in a free side sauce. I love how intentional they are with their customer service. It competes with chick fil a! The chicken sandwich itself was nice and juicy. However, I thought it was a pretty average chicken sandwich. Nothing really stood out in terms of flavor. But def something to try for your first time in LA! read more

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

Love their customer service!! Came here to pick up some chicken sando and wings for my friends to try in the bay area. They packed everything on the side for me! Super welcoming and friendly. Highly recommend trying this place out. Thanks Ryan and Charlie! 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

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

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

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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Line moves fast now. Good quality chicken. No gross oil taste. Still one of the best in the city if not the best. Tired the chicken and waffle this time and it was so good that I'm def gonna get it again next time. Don't forget to get a milkshake at scoops right in front to cool down the spice. LA local hack. read more

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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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

I've been to Howlin Rays many times throughout the years and it never disappoints. I got he chicken Sando and shake fries but all their chicken is very flavorful and always leaves you wanting more. The employees, The atmosphere is always uplifting and very bright as soon as I receive my food from Charlie he greeted me kindly and asked if I needed anything. This is my number one chicken spot and I'll always be back. 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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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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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

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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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'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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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

I went here for the very first time. The line was not long, which was a good thing. I got me a sando chicken sandwich and collard greens, both were really good and delicious. I would definitely be going here again. The guy that helped me at the counter had very good customer service. read more

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

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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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