Finally made it to Howlin Rays after years and years, and there's still a line but on a weekday during lunch we didnt wait more than 30 min, and it slowed after the peak lunch rush Service is great, everyone is so friendly ---hot chicken sandwich: the breading is crispy, medium spicy wasnt too bad, some heat but good flavor! I do feel the chicken could be just a tad jucier but otherwise solid ---fries: nice crinkle cut which pairs well with the sandwich ---homemade ranch: loving the heavy use of dill in this! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Fries - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We came at 11:15 on a saturday morning and the wait wasn't too bad, maybe around 30 minutes to get our food? Parking is a bit hard to find in the immediate lot but there's street parking further out. Waffle: 4.5/5 Really light and crispy, if you like that style Fries: 4.5/5 Super fluffy inside and still pretty crispy on the outside. Wish it was maybe a slight bit more crispy on the outside. MILD Chicken sando: 6/5 Easily the best chicken sandwich of my life. Chicken inside was still super moist and juicy, breading was crispy while not being mouth cutting, seasoned perfectly, good amount of sauce, the pickles were a good amount of sour/freshness and the slaw complimented the spiciness perfectly. No improvements to be made on this sandwich. Service is really amazing at this place too - if you need seating they will put you on a list and seat you at the next open table read more

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When I told my foodie family fan and mandi that I found some good chicken sandwiches elsewhere, they always laughed and said only Howlin' Rays! After finally trying Howlin' Rays myself, I completely understand why they say so. We decided to visit the Pasadena location instead of the original Chinatown spot since it has a larger, more comfortable dining area. Our first attempt was on a hot summer weekend and the line was incredibly long, parking was impossible, and although the staff kindly provided umbrellas for customers to shield from the sun, we ended up giving up that day. On our second visit during a weekday lunch, the restaurant was still buzzing but much more manageable. We finally got our hands on their famous chicken sandwiches and fried chicken and wow, it truly lived up to the hype! We ordered almost everything on the menu and tried different spice levels: mild, medium, and hot. The chicken sandwich was perfection, crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful inside, and the coleslaw added the perfect crunch and sweetness to balance the heat. The tenders were great too, especially if you want to savor the pure flavor of the chicken itself. But the real surprise for me was the fried chicken, even juicier than the tenders, with an extra layer of crunch and rich flavor from the skin. Absolutely delicious! I also love that they provide a free sparkling water dispenser, such a thoughtful touch, especially when your mouth's on fire from the heat. I can handle the "hot" spice level, but if I want to feel a little better the next day, I'll stick with medium or mild next time. Overall, Howlin' Rays truly deserves its reputation as the #1 hot chicken spot. Every bite was worth the wait, crispy, juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable. A must-try for any fried chicken lover! read more

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BRO SO GOOD!! I only tried Howlin' Ray's one time and I already know that it's one of the best chicken sandwiches restaurants! I tried The Sando and was completely mind blown. There is just soo much flavor in each bite. The chicken is seasoned so well and filled with a rich but not overwhelming spice. And the coleslaw balances it out perfectly. I will 100% be back! read more

Howlin' Ray's - The Sando - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love chicken and waffles and I've sampled them from the LA classic (you know who) to various street fairs. Howlin Rays provides excellent chicken (frankly absolutely amazing), but they bring nothing original to this combination. The service was friendly and they kindly provided umbrellas while waiting in the long line that wrapped around the building. The seats inside were uncomfortable since they don't want to encourage lingering given the demand. Overall, the food was great, but not sure if it was worth the rushed meal experience. read more

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STELLLLLLLAR!! Howlin' Ray's does the entire NHC experience consistently well! There's simply no one better on the West Coast. The food - hot, fresh and flavorful. I'm addicted to those Mario Style Fries! The place - immaculately clean and bright. The crew - super, SUPER friendly, fun and engaging. Reasonably priced for the high quality and generous portions. Parking was easy today, but there was a line (about 40 mins.). Everyone knows the awesome experience ahead -- everyone waited patiently, no complaints, all good vibes. See you again soon! :) read more

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This place always has a line out the door that wraps the building so I've never gone. Today while running errands at Petco across the street, my husband and I were hungry and noticed no line in sight, so we decided to give it a try. We ordered 3 tenders - level hot. The girl at the front could tell that it was our first time and decided to let us know that "hot" was a very big jump from "mild", where mild was enjoyably spicy and hot was kind of painful. We decided to order 2 mild and 1 hot, and boy am I SO glad she told us, because mild was my threshold of spicy. We also ordered their signature sauce (so yum), fries (so flavorful and crispy) and beer on tap. My husband tried the "hot" tender and was basically crying so I passed. I tried the tiniest bite when I got home and I had to put an ice cube on my tongue lol. Alison came over to our table as we were finishing up to check on us and she was so sweet and easy to talk to. I think she was the GM. You can tell she really cares about this job and the people. Same with the girl who took our order, it's so refreshing to see people in the hospitality field care about the customer's experience these days. It was such a pleasant experience and we can't wait to go back! Need to try the banana pudding next time. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Tenders and fries - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

portions were massive. i appreciated the large piece of chicken with an ample amount of coleslaw and pickle chips in the sando. the only thing i will say is that the medium here does not compare to the medium at the chinatown location- it was far less spicy. however, customer service was super good and the food was quite yummy regardless read more

Howlin' Ray's - medium sando - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

the service is amazing. the lines may be long but it's the only line worth waiting in. the food is soo bomb but i love how the staff treats everyone kindly and you can tell they get treated well by their employers. after you order, you will get seated by a staff member who will coordinate seating for you and your group. there's outdoor heating when it's cold and they always grab you anything you need if they are able to. and if it's raining, they have umbrellas for people standing in line outside!! the chicken stays crispy even after you bring it home and eat leftovers. i like the chicken sandwich but it's a lot of bread for me so i usually get tenders or the leg and thigh. i used to get medium plus but i prefer to enjoy my food LOL so i'll get medium or mild plus instead, which is still pretty spicy with amazing flavor. i really want to try the chicken and waffles next time! read more

Howlin' Ray's - chicken sandwich with slaw on the side, fries, tenders, leg and thigh - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

The first time I tried Howlin' Rays, I waited two hours in line on a hot pre-Covid day in Chinatown wondering if I'd truly lost my mind. I mean, how could fried chicken possibly worth expending so much sweat before even taking a bite? But yep, it was truly game-changing scran, and has been a regular (whenever I possibly can) go-to staple ever since. Beware the spice. I'll normally go for the max heat at any food location, but I'm fine with my hot sandos (usually one regular and one Luis style) and can attest to the accuracy of the two-day recovery period quoted for the higher levels. The balance of heat and flavor at Hot level is majestic, palate-melting euphoria-inducing gloriousness, and that's an understatement. Locations: Chinatown is the pre-Dodger-game OG, but parking sucks. Deal with it, go anyway. Pasadena is better for parking, and super chill. The service at both locations is highlight reel too, although I'll always miss the unmarked pickup-only location that got me through the pandemic. IYKYK, legendary stuff. Boxing has Ali. Football has Brady, hockey Gretzky, baseball the Babe (rapidly becoming Shohei). They are the yardstick by which greatness is measured. Fried chicken has Howlin', and that's a mic drop. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Luis style Hot Sando - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

Never misses! Tried the mario fries and it was such a good balance of flavors! The mac salad is also super yummy! Great service and vibe as always:) read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is my first time at the new location. Came here when it was raining and they offer the customers umbrellas. Love it! The building inside and outside is cute. They really out in the work to make this place unique and true to itself. I ordered the sando medium heat with fries. As always, it slaps. I have to try the chicken & waffle next time. The wait wasn't that long, about 15min. I remember when they opened in DTL and the wait was over an hour any giving day. Happy that wasn't the case in the rain. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

I've been meaning to visit this place for a while, and I'm so glad they opened a new location in Pasadena! I heard their Chinatown spot is always packed, so I was excited to finally try it here. Even though there was a line, it moved quickly and didn't feel like much of a wait. The location is perfect--right next to Sidecar Donuts, which made for a fun little treat before/after. The customer service was outstanding and honestly above and beyond. Rodrigo (or "Rigo") was absolutely the best--super friendly, attentive, and made the experience that much better. The food itself was delicious. I really appreciated that they offer samples so you can test which spice level works for you, and the complimentary sparkling water was such a nice touch. The only downside is that seating is a bit limited, so be prepared if you're coming during peak hours. Overall, it was 100% worth the wait. Great food, fantastic service, and thoughtful little details that make the experience special. I'd highly recommend checking it out! read more

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Five stars all the way! Howlin' Ray's is a must if you love fried chicken! This Pasadena location was great. They have a good amount of parking spaces nearby, comfy indoor seating, as well as outdoor seating. I also just loved the employee energy there. Everyone was super friendly and attentive, which added to the atmosphere and overall experience. My boyfriend and I got the fried chicken sandwiches, seasoned fries, and cokes. He got the medium level of spice, and got mild. The spice level at medium is already quite spicy for me, but many people come to try the higher levels of spice. I believe it goes up to level 10! Our fried chicken sandwiches were fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside, and juicy in the inside. I love the coleslaw and sauce mix they put inside the sandwich. It really helps break down the richness from the fried chicken, and is just the perfect fried chicken sandwiches. The fries were also crispy and seasoned well. I can't wait to come back when I have another fried chicken craving! I'm definitely curious to try their fried chicken and waffles, which I'm sure will be amazing, and will be perfect for brunch. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

Staff is very friendly, the restaurant is clean and there is seating both inside and out (on a charming enclosed patio area), the food is good - and it is made fresh, with a solid level of seasoning and spice, parking is plentiful and easy, but that line is insaaaane. I waited for 2 hours on Sunday! I'm honestly not sure how good these other factors would have to be for me to return. A 2 hour line is no joke! I didn't expect to eat lunch at 4pm. So, my recommendation is to Postmates this place. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Hamming it up for the camera - the staff is friendly, adorable, and fun loving - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

My bf and I love this chain! We've only had it once before in China Town but because of the hassle to drive there, find parking, and even find seating, we've avoided coming back. Decided to check out this location one weekend and of course came on the busiest day of the week lol (we didn't know). With this popular chain, I should've known how busy it would be, especially since we don't have any out here at all. We found street parking luckily. They have a tiny lot but it was full, of course. Lots of street parking though if you don't mind the walk. It also happened to be very hot that day BUT there's a worker passing out umbrellas for the people waiting in line so that's convenient and thoughtful of them. I kid you not, we waited an hour in line. It was worth it though. The amount of food for the price you pay, the quality of it all, absolutely delicious. The staff are super friendly and fun and they even get you a table after ordering so that you don't have to fight people for one lol! They also have an outdoor patio area too. Food came out quick, thankfully! I got the classic sando, mild, regretted the spice but worth it overall. It actually tasted much better and less spicy eating my other half for dinner lol! The chicken they put in the sando is HUGE. Super filling but packed with flavor. I probably could've gone without the spice honestly. They don't mess around with the spice here so be aware!! Overall a great place with insanely good food. I really hope they open more locations, closer to us as well. Highly recommend checking this place out tho, maybe on a weekday when it's less busy! IG: @ammysalamii read more

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Howlin' Ray's absolutely lives up to the hype! The chicken was crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor, and the spice level was perfect. Friendly staff and a lively atmosphere made it an awesome experience. Easily one of the best hot chicken spots. I'll be back. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Menu - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

We always make sure to stop by Howlin' Ray's whenever we're in the area. All of the dishes here are superrrrr delicious, hot, and crispy!! I love how everything is so well seasoned! The staff here are always incredibly nice and really helpful. They make you feel like family when you're ordering. The interior is a bit small with limited outdoor seating. I really like how they have a system in place for those who want to be seated so customers aren't frustrated/scrambling to look for a table. read more

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Wow, give them all the stars! Howlin' Rays in Pasadena really knocked my socks off. I've been to the Chinatown location before, but this was my first time at the Pasadena spot, and it did not disappoint. Howlin' Rays is excellent quality food in general, and I understand why there's always a line. So when I was craving chicken, I decided to make the trek from the Valley over to Pasadena. Sure enough, there was a line here too, just like at their other locations. Normally, I go to Sidecar Donuts next door and skip Howlin' Rays, but this day I really wanted some chicken. The line wrapped around the building, but I only waited about half an hour. It was a very hot day, and one of the coolest things they did was bring out umbrellas for everyone in line for some shade from the sun, which everyone really appreciated. Every employee I spoke to was super friendly, and it just seemed like they genuinely wanted to make sure you were comfortable. Once I finally got inside, I ordered the chicken sandwich (medium heat) and a side of fries. The food is always fresh and delicious. The chicken has that perfect crunch, and you can choose your heat level. I went for medium, but next time I might go one step down. I guess I'm a baby when it comes to spicy chicken! Another thing I loved is that I usually just drink water, and they have not only flat water but also sparkling water on tap, which felt like a luxurious touch. Seating was another area they excelled. Since it was just me and I didn't see open tables, I told the cashier I'd probably just take it to go. He explained that they actually take your name and have a staff member find a table for you. That really took away the stress of wondering, "Will I find a table, or have to hover and wait for someone to leave?" I loved, loved, loved that system. Parking was easy for me. I just parked on the street. They do have a small lot, but it's shared with Sidecar Donuts. Street parking can be easy depending on the time of day, you might just need to pull onto one of the nearby side streets and walk over. Overall, I give this experience and this location five stars for sure. I will definitely be back next time I'm craving that fried chicken sandwich. read more

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Love Howlin' Ray's, be warned though-their spice levels are not to be underestimated! I've gotten their "hot" and well my lips plumped up real quick XD even their medium is fairly spicy. I've heard rumors that there's even a spice level where you have to sign a waver! Be sure to get their fries along with the sandwich-it's a perfect combo. There's almost always a line for this place, although it's well worth the wait in my opinion ^^ The staff are super friendly, they even came out to give us sun umbrellas while we were waiting out in the hot sun so a solid 10/10 service! Prices aren't necessarily cheap, but hey it's super delicious sooooo... read more

A Cult Favorite with a fervent following! Named the best fried chicken in Los Angeles by YELP and rightfully so. Howlin' Ray's nails the spice, heat, flavors, and chicken. Service is always super friendly and top notch! Every single time I come it's a vibe. Thanks Chef Julian! You put the special "juce" in that chicken! From humble roots, Chinatown, Pasadena, and now the Venetian, Howlin' Rays threw it down when it comes to Nashville Spicy fried chicken! read more

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I love this place. I've been coming here since they first opened when the line was 2+ hours long. Now the line is way more manageable which is great because this makes the experience even better. The fried chicken is what I get most. Super juicy. Super delicious. It is not hot just for the sake of being hot. While your lips burn, you still can taste the flavors. The spice has complexity. The sando is great too. The slaw helps balance out the spice. The staff is always friendly and makes you feel appreciated. They will come out to check up on their guests to make sure we are enjoying the food and experience. It is an experience watching someone's bald head beads with sweat while having the biggest smile on his face. Why isn't this restaurant a one Michelin star restaurant? Service - checked. Food - checked. Ambience- checked. I've never seen anyone unhappy eating here. Michelin judges, do the right thing. Slap a star on this institution. read more

Came around 3 PM on a weekday and it wasn't too busy, we waited about 15 minutes in line to order at the counter. Parking was a bit tricky, they have small lot but we had to circle a few times before a spot opened up. The inside is bright and welcoming, and the workers are super friendly. We ordered a chicken sandwich and the fried pickles to go, but couldn't resist trying a few bites while they were still hot. The chicken was flavorful and definitely spicy, but not overpowering. The fried pickles were crispy and paired well with the sauce. I'm not the biggest fan of hot chicken, but this was definitely one of the best I've had! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

Visited at around 5 PM on a Friday. I had tried eating here previously, but the line had went around the building so I decided to skip it. This time the line only was around 10 people so I decided to wait. My expectations were very high, because of all of the hype and testimonies from the people around me and social media. I waited around 30 minutes in order to order my food and then another 15 minutes to get my food. The service is absolutely incredible with the cashier taking the time to chat with each and every guest as well as give out free samples and free sauces. You get a table number when you order, and the tables and restaurant itself are very clean and have a very nice ambience. The servers are also walking around, talking to people at tables and those who are waiting for their orders. The cashier gave me a free medium tender to try, because I told him I wasn't sure about the spice levels, and also gave me a ranch on the house. I ordered the three-piece wings on mild spice and a side of shake fries. The fries were not extraordinary but very solid, because they were a little too dry for my taste, but pretty crispy when they had been eaten fresh. The chicken was absolutely INCREDIBLE, with the meat falling off the bone underneath and the crispy skin being fried to perfection. The meat underneath reminds me of the juiciness of a rotisserie chicken a little. if you are a patient person or the line is short enough, I would definitely recommend trying. The service is great, the vibes are amazing and the chicken is delicious. read more

Howlin' Ray's - 3 piece Wings, Shake fries - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

Howlin Ray's graced Pasadena with its second location. It's proven to deliver the same heat, crunch, and lines outside the door. I remember when I used to hear lines for these sandwiches were compared to lines at Disneyland. The crazy thing, I've never been because of those lines! But.. To be honest, I was also a baby about how spicy their chicken is. It almost felt like getting mild would've been a waste in line BUT let's clarify that whatever flavor you get, you're in for a good bite one way or another! I was a newbie up until very recently when my partner decided on a random weekday evening that we should finally make our way to try the infamous chicken shop. We hoped it was so random that there'd be no line and to our satisfaction, no line! To think a random Thursday around 6pm or so that this popular spot would be line-less. However, very soon after as we already began waiting for our order and found some seats outside that the line started picking up in a blink of an eye. We were super happy to beat the rush and cross our fingers that we'd get out of parking smoothly too. As for the verdict of our orders, we got a chicken sandwich and tenders with Medium+ heat, mac salad, and fries. Got some of their beers on tap as well. Thank GOD for everything else but the chicken!... Medium+ definitely got us panting. The creaminess of the mac salad saved us and the beers helped soothed the fire. We thought we would've faired better but each bite felt spicier! Especially on the bites where you didn't realize there was extra seasoning. WE TRIED! I commend us for allowing our first time at Howl to start with a literal bang of flavor. Chicken was juicy and were bigger pieces than I expected. Overall, it was a good first visit that we expected minus how much pricier it actually was but I can finally say I've tried it. Worth crossing off the list on a random weekday hang. Next time though, I will PROUDLY order mild. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Hands down the best chicken sandwich in socal. I've tried many spots, but I still comeback to howlin rays as their sauce chicken and seasoning are top notch. Their hot is some of the most spicy chicken I've tried. They are also very consistent and their wrinkle fries are amazing. A must try. I prefer this location over the LA location personally. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Just amazing. 5 stars all round for Howlin Rays. Great quality food, love the Nashville spices. Julian, Javier and the whole team were awesome! Even hooked us up and gave us a free waffle because of wait time! Crazy good service! It's buzzin so be there before they open or else the line is at least 30mins. Also, love the vibe! Never thought I'd see a disco ball in a bathroom lol, but yeah, this place is just epic, 100% coming back. read more

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After all these years, Howlin Rays is still going strong. This Pasadena location is my favorite. The food and service is just as good as the LA shop but the neighborhood is nicer. FOOD I've enjoyed everything I've tried here. Chicken, waffles, sandwiches, fries. My favorite is the Mario Fries because it's easy to eat without getting messy. SERVICE The service is just as good as the food. Everyone here is nice and they really make an effort to give you a good experience. They've also been consistently friendly and helpful each time that I've reached out to them by email. PARKING Small lot (free). Street (limited hrs but free) read more

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5++ stars for food and service 4+ stars for loud music inside Howlin' Ray's more than lives up to the hype, it exceeds it! From the first encounter to the last, each team member is hyped, positive, super helpful, courteous and professional. I wish every business could adopt HR's customer service practices. Its clear why this place has such a devoted following and phenomenal reviews. The chicken is perfectly cooked: unbelievably crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside and bursting with flavor. Although the spicy seasoning is the main highlight and advertisement of HR's, I personaly LOVE the country style seasoning which reminds me of Pioneer and KFC when they were first marketed at their prime over 50 years ago (of course now it is NOT comparable by a long shot). You can tell real care goes into the food. The sides complement the chicken beautifully, and everything tastes fresh and satisfying. Even with the long lines, the experience is worth it as both service and the food delivers! If you love well made fried chicken and don't mind waiting and paying for something truly special, this spot is an absolute must. I love the pasadena location over the DTLA one as it accomodates a dine-in experience with both inside and outside seating vs. outside only in DTLA. The music is a bit loud inside; but do check out the disco in the restrooms. Absolutely creative and marvelous. read more

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Despite waiting in line for thirty minutes, the food and the service well made up for the wait! This LA based, Nashville inspired, fried chicken chain created by a couple, has a loyal fan base. The portions are generous. The fried chicken is juicy and the skin perfectly crispy. Most people come for the heat. The first time, I got mild and I couldn't handle it. This time I got the country (original) and it was just right for a spice light-weight like me. The service was exceptional! Julian was friendly, helpful and generous. He offered a complimentary serving of waffles for me to sample since I didn't order them last time. Javier, our server was the same. He stood by our table and shared with us stories of other customer's experiences and explained the different levels of spiciness to us. My partner got the medium, hot and extra hot in three different chicken tenders. He loved them all. I got the sando, and the size of the fried chicken was very generous in proportion to the buns. Their crinkly-cut fries were really good too with some kind of Cajun seasoning. They had a nice kick to them. Their chicken and waffles were unbelievable. The syrup it came with was surprisingly addictive. It was rich in flavor and not water-down. The waffles were thick but not dry. I would definitely come back for their chicken and waffles again. There is a parking lot in the back and also street parking available. There is seating indoor and outdoors. You place your order, are given a number and the server will call your number when a table becomes ready. All in all, this location embodied high energy, generosity, fun and excellent food! It's very rare nowadays to see restaurant people happy at their jobs, and give excellent service. Most of them seem tired and ready to go home, and often times, the food is overpriced. Howlin Ray's at least for tonight was very different and delivered on an exceptional level, and made our dining experience unforgettable! Thank you Julian and Javier for the personalized experience. read more

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A group of 10 of us came by for lunch today and had children with us. We didn't even get to placing our order. With music blasting "mother f**ker" it is clear that this establishment only serves people who don't care about profanity being blasted through the restaurant and parking lot. We got back in the car and took our business to Shake Shack up the street. Will never be back. read more

I hadn't had Howlin Rays in many years, with the last time being when I was in Chinatown prior to 2020. Howlin Rays is my favorite fried chicken place, and I was definitely craving it. I had known about Howlin Rays in Pasadena for many years but just did not have the opportunity to go. So when I finally found the right timing, I came here for lunch. Howlin Rays always has long lines, this day I visited was no exception. Howlin Rays is a fairly small restaurant with fast food ambience but the service is always on point. I got my staple, which was the sando mild. The chicken is fried to order instead of left sitting out, so there was a wait. But at Howlin Rays it's always worth the wait. The comeback sauce helped balance out the spiciness of the mild to not make it overwhelming. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Everything overall was perfect. I was super full afterwards. Definitely coming back. read more

I finally tried Howlin' Ray's after always wondering why people are willing to line up forever for fried chicken. I'll be honest -- I was skeptical. First of all, I am not brave when it comes to spice. I won't even go past medium. I've heard rumors that you have to sign a waiver for the spiciest level (not even sure if that's true, but it sounds terrifying enough for me ). The chicken itself? Super juicy, crispy, and flavorful. Even at a lower spice level, it still packs heat, so choose wisely. But what really impressed me was the secret menu grilled cheese. That thing was SO good. Crispy, cheesy, with that signature flavor -- honestly, I'd go back just for that alone. Now I kind of get the hype. Would I wait in a crazy long line again? Maybe. For that grilled cheese... probably yes. read more

Howlin' Ray's - Waffles are good too - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

Finally had the chance to try this place on our lunch break on the way home from work, and it was an absolute pleasure. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a genuinely friendly staff who take the time to introduce themselves and even remember your name, which really sets the tone. Service was quick, efficient, and attentive. The food exceeded expectations--fresh, flavorful, and clearly well-executed. The staff was very accommodating, and the food expo was on point. Overall, a great experience, and we will definitely be returning. read more

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I did it! I finally visited all 3 locations Howlin' Ray's as of yesterday and honestly it's not exactly surprising to say that all 3 locations offer the same level of quality you'd expect when it comes to the food and friendly service. After riding nearly 80 miles to Malibu and finding out the restaurant was closed, I figured why not make the trip out to the Pasadena location since I had never been? I ordered a hot sando to-go and even after almost 2 hours on my ride home, the sando was still tasty! Well tbh, I kinda like (most) food cold so maybe I'm just an outlier, but it was perfect. The hot honey mustard is stupid delicious and while I do like honey mustard, it's not a condiment I routinely request. I don't even stock it at home, but man it was really good. The ranch was my second favorite sauce. I feel like I'm just parroting my other 2 HR reviews at this point, so not much to say except that yeah, it's bangin' no matter which location you visit, even the one in Vegas! However, the Vegas menu was limited when I last went, but that might be different now since it's been awhile. I went when it was still fairly new. Staff was friendly like always! I love that everyone is positive and talkative. I can be a bit timid, so I'm glad everyone is always so easy to talk to. Shout out to the bro Javier for recognizing the Defqon hat though! I think it was Javier (sorry lol); I was in the middle of convo with someone. Anyway, worth the ride out and the wait! Wish I ate there yesterday. It's been awhile since I've had the macaroni salad and despite going to HR all these years, I still haven't had a chance to try the chicken and waffles! read more

The staff here are great folks. My brother who is using a walker was approached by the manager and sat him while I was in line. It's the same good ole HR grub. A+ spot. read more

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I've had Howlin Rays as takeout before but never dined in. Went with some friends on a Sunday evening and got in line around 4:30. It took us about 30 min to get up to the counter to order and they were nice enough to hand out umbrellas to shield us from the sun! Cashier was super friendly and helpful with the menu, and there's staff that will help you get a table after you order, which is great, because it was packed in there. My husband and I each got "The Sando" spice level "medium." We also got a "hot" single chicken tender (just to see how hot it was), fries, vinegar slaw, and some extra sauce. I also got a Juneshine hard kombucha. The sandwich was amazing - chicken was perfectly crispy and flavorful and the sandwich was soooo filling. Now, I'm someone that enjoys spicy food in moderation, but I don't challenge myself on eating anything impossibly spicy. Thank god we didn't get anything above medium for our sandwiches because they were the perfect level of heat, and the one hot tender we got was HOT. I had a bite and my mouth was burning for 5 minutes!! The coleslaw was sweet and slightly tangy - kind of bland for my taste, but it was perfect in cutting the heat after a spicy bite. Fries were delicious and cooked perfectly, very generous portion. The honey mustard sauce we got on the side was great and so was the comeback sauce. We paid about $63 between the 2 of us, but that includes my $12 drink. Overall, it's definitely worth the hype. Staff are great, prices are very reasonable, good portion sizes, and the food was excellent. It's annoying having to wait in line, but it's very worth it and is a great value for what you get. Would recommend! read more

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This the best chicken I've ever had!! They had spice levels of: COUNTRY, MILD, MEDIUM, MEDIUM PLUS, HOT, XHOT, and HOWLIN! Granted I have only tried the mild chicken but that one alone was juicy, flavorful, and crispy. Parking: Parking is limited but you can park across the street and take a short walk to the restaurant. Wait Times: Every time I have came there is always a line out the door. There is not much distance from the cashier to the door so the lines might look intimidating but it's worth the wait! They even provide umbrella for those waiting outside in the sun or rain! My must buy items are the Chicken Sandwich (Sando) & Chicken and Waffles! Customer Service here is phenomenal! The staff is very friendly, attentive and welcoming. And the place is always clean and bumping with music! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

I went there on a friend's recommendation. Forst impressions- there was a lone outside the restaurant and it was sunny out. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they offered umbrellas to people outside who were standing in line. I think that is really considerate since they have to have most of the line outside in the sun. Once we got to order, we were gonna order HOT and the cashier asked if we wanted to try it first. We got to try the hot one before we ordered it and I'm thankful cause that was SO spicy for me lol. I ended up getting the medium and it was perfect. At this location, they have the dine-in option. They always make a table available for you once you pay for your order which i also thought was amazing considering they are a fast food place. Overall, i'd go here again to try all the other flavors too!! read more

Howlin' Ray's - Southern Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Been wanting to try this for year! So when I heard they opened a location in Pasadena- away from LA traffic-I had too! We waited 45 minutes to get in and about 15 for our order, however the choice in music and the vibe made it bearable. Let's me just say, the hype is real!!! Hubby and I shared a sandwich, a two piece and fried pickles- all medium heat! What makes this place different from the other hot chicken places? It's not greasy or over breaded and I was so surprised at how juicy the chicken actually is! Will I wait in line again? Yes! But what will encourage me to make line again is their staff! The friendliest staff I have encounter for such a busy restaurant. Kind, full of energy and great vibes! Whatever this owner is doing he needs to keep it up his staff was happy and that energy was passed on to the customers! PS- don't leave without the banana pudding! read more

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