Howlin' Rays in Los Angeles California, Is It Worth The Hype?
As a Los Angeles native, I've always kept my eye on the latest food trends in town. Howlin’ Ray’s has been at the forefront of LA’s love affair with Nashville hot fried chicken, which is characterized by its crispy exterior, juicy interior, and spicy kick. I first heard about Howlin’ Ray’s from my boyfriend at the time, who raved about their amazing food but warned about the long wait.
Howlin' Ray's started as a food truck before opening a permanent spot in Chinatown, where it quickly became a beloved local favorite. While I'd never tried Nashville hot chicken before, I was already a fan of fried chicken sandwiches, so I was excited to see what all the fuss was about.
First Impressions
My first impression was, "WOW!" Waiting in a line that can get up to 3 hours is crazy. I've never been the type of person to wait in line, but my curiosity got the best of me, and I just had to know what all the fuss was about. I needed to know if Howlin’ Ray’s was worth the hype. Was the food genuinely good, or was I just too starving after waiting for an hour, making it taste amazing? Was this some sort of psychological game?
Located in a mini mall in Chinatown, you wouldn't expect to find an amazing fried chicken spot here. The restaurant itself is a super small, hole-in-the-wall place, but the atmosphere inside was lively and energetic. The people working inside were clearly having fun, with music playing and the amazing aroma of fried chicken filling the air. The excitement and anticipation were palpable, adding to the overall experience.
The Food
Howlin' Ray's offers an enticing menu of Nashville hot chicken, all fried in 100% peanut oil. They have a variety of options to suit your preferences, served with bread and pickles. Here’s what you can expect on their in-store menu:
QUARTER BIRD (breast & wing OR leg & thigh) - $12
HALF BIRD (breast & wing + leg & thigh) - $22
TENDERS (3 jumbo tenders) - $13
WINGS (3 whole wings) - $12
THE SANDO (boneless breast, slaw, comeback sauce, pickles, butter bun) - $14
SANDO 2.0 (boneless breast, piquillo peppers, bacon, cheese, $weet money mu$tard, butter bun) - $16
CHICKEN & WAFFLES (served with butter & maple syrup) - $18
Choice of: white, dark, wings, tenders
Solo Waffle - $6
BATTERS BOX (a dozen whole wings) - $44
WHOLE BIRD (2x breast & wing + 2x leg & thigh) - $44
How Hot?
COUNTRY - No heat
MILD - Brush of heat
MEDIUM - Feel the burn
HOT - Burn, baby, burn
X-HOT - You've been warned
HOWLIN' - Can't touch this 10++
Sides
SHAKE FRIES - $5
COLLARD GREENS - $5
POTATO SALAD - $5.50
VINEGAR SLAW - $5
BANANA PUDDING - $7
SHELLS N' CHEESE - $7
Extras
SOLO TENDER - $4.50
SOLO WING - $4
PICKLES - $4
ADD CHEDDAR - $2
Dips N' Drizzles
COMEBACK SAUCE - $0.75
TENNESSEE TANG - $0.75
$WEET MONEY MU$TARD - $0.75
ZABS HOT HONEY - $13
I decided to go for a medium chicken sandwich. I had heard that the "Howlin'" spice level is intense and way too spicy. While I like spicy food, I know myself and want something that's spicy but also flavorful. The sandwich came with a boneless fried chicken breast, slaw, pickles, comeback sauce, and a butter bun.
The chicken was crispy, spicy, and juicy in the middle. The balance of the spicy chicken with the cool slaw was incredible. Howlin' Ray's allows you to choose your desired spice level, so everyone can enjoy the food, even if they aren't fans of spicy flavors. The mild level had just the right amount of heat for me—delicious and spicy but not overwhelming.
Overall Experience
In recent times, the long wait at Howlin' Ray’s has become a thing of the past. Now, you can pre-order your meal or even get it delivered through Postmates, making it much more convenient than it used to be. Gone are the days when you had to stand in line for hours just to get your hands on their delicious chicken.
I’ve been back since the wait times have shortened, and let me tell you, it’s still as delicious as ever. They’ve even expanded into Pasadena, and the quality has remained top-notch. The answer to the question, "Is Howlin’ Ray’s worth the hype?" is a resounding yes. I recommend anyone who loves fried chicken to give it a try. It's undoubtedly the best Nashville fried chicken in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for amazing Nashville hot chicken in LA, Howlin’ Ray’s is the place to go. The vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, and various spice levels cater to all tastes. My answer is yes, it’s worth the hype, and I suggest anyone who loves good food to check it out.
