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This is one of the few places that truly deserves the hype for how great the food is here. I had some doubts as I usually do with highly rated places and even moreso after observing the long line this place but after trying it out, I believe it was worth the wait. The service did not turn out as bad as I thought and the service employee was very friendly and helpful when taking our order. It was a reasonable wait (20ish minutes) for our order, which may be more on the lengthy side for fried chicken joints but for the quality of food, its justified. This is probably the best fried chicken sandwich I have ever had and they give you so much food for a good price. Though it was a heavy meal and quite far from me, I will immediately think of this place whenever unsure of what to eat around LA! Keep in mind that the parking situation is a bit rough and the adjacent parking lots do require a permit to park there, though it only cost me $5 in the lot I parked in (others may be higher from what I saw).
First time in LA and having Howlin' Ray's, and honestly super impressed. Even though, the wait was about 45-60 minutes, the food was AMAZING and the staff were just as amazing. I had some of their "secret" menu items, like the luis sando and juicy fries. The juicy fries definitely bring on the HEAT as it does have a sprinkle of their hot level of spice. The Luis sando was massive, chicken was very juicy and full of spice and flavor. The staff here were very friendly, the cashier comped my beverage since it was my first time. It was a very refreshing sweet peach tea. Next time, will definitely come back to try more of their food like the sides and other secret menu items. It does get very busy so expect a wait, but luckily there is a decent amount of outdoor seating in a nice little Chinatown area.
This is HANDS DOWN the bestest hot chicken place you will ever visit in LA. I've been coming here since they opened, waiting 2-4hrs in line and it was worth the weight every time. Now it's 30-40min depending on the line and always leave super happy. Matt - keep it up! (Etienne & Sebastian). PS the new packaging for your drinks is great.
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.
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.
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
Wow, I've been here several times since they opened in 2017 and the food quality is still great. This is the best chicken sandwich i've ever had, it better be too because it's $15. I also ordered the leg quarter for $13, and a cup of ranch for $1. Total came out just shy of $32 for not a lot of food. Their business model is working well as they've raised prices and kept making money. Just feels weird paying this type of money for the cheapest protein (chicken). I'll come back again in the future but not anytime soon.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
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
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
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
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
7 months ago
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
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
1 year ago
I've been coming to howlin' since they opened, this was before COVID and the line used to stretch near the entries of the Chinese mall the original location is, and would take 2+ hours to get to the front. It's not so bad anymore with multiple locations and maybe the hot chicken craze has simmered. The food is amazing as always, high quality chicken with high quality ingredients. They do not mess around with the spice either, I usually get a medium plus (secret spice level) which is between medium and hot. read more
4 months ago
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
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
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
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
Yes it is worth the wait!! Came to the Chinatown location that is mostly walk up/take out. They do have a few tables to eat. We have been here before and waited 3hours. Prior to coming I did text the place to see how far the current wait was. This weekend we only waited 1 hour from the moment we got there,ordered and to when we got our food which was great. It's located inside a mall with plenty of parking across the street. The thing that sucks is if you are waiting for long they do have a bathroom inside the strip mall but you have to put on .25 cent to get in. I will say they are pretty efficient and the staff have the whole ordering science to the tea to make it fast. Staff was also very nice and friendly, they often throw i. a couple free thing on your menu like water or sauces for example. The portions are huge. The macaroni and potato salad was so good. We ordered chicken (country style-no spice) and waffle,couple of sandos mild and medium, banana pudding and let me tell you all were so good. I kinda thought the chicken was a bit salty (but still good). I think the sandos are better because the bread cuts the saltiness of the chicken. A bit prcey we paid $150 for 3 sando,1 chicken and waffle,4 fries,1 macaroni salad,1 potato salad,extra waffle,couple of sauces and soda but overall we still like the place and definitely will come back again. read more
25 days ago
3 months ago
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
8 months ago
Got medium sandwich - could have gone with mild, medium was pretty spicy. Service was amazing, super friendly and informative staff. Line looked long but moved quickly and food was ready within 10-15min. Parking was easy in the back of the building but you do have to pay. Be prepared for a lot going on around the restaurant, as there seem to be many popular spots in the area. read more
1 month ago
My first time there at their Chinatown location. We were there at 11:05 on a Thursday and there was a line already. Seating is only outside the place. Not too many tables available. I ordered the mild spicy chicken sandwich. It was pretty big. The chicken had a slight kick and you can definitely taste the seasonings. With the slaw, pickle, and sauce, it made a very tasty chicken sandwich. But it did not have that crunch like a fried chicken. Their fries were nicely seasoned and crispy. I have to say that it is one of the better chicken sandwich that I have had in CA. read more
We LOVE this location. Always greeted with a smile and staff so friendly! The chicken is amazing. Such flavor - even the country spice which isn't spicy. The buns are so soft and coleslaw crunchy and adds nice texture. The tenders are so big! Fries are the best we have had. Prices are reasonable for the quality. Highly recommend. There is usually a line so plan accordingly. Well worth the wait. read more
What more can I say? Spicy sandwiches... flavor town! Lines are longer but not too bad! I personally liked the medium level, wasn't too hot! But the banana pudding was the key to all of it! Perfect way to cool down the heat! read more
Howlin' Ray's just ruined every other fried chicken spot for me, I fear. This was not your typical food spot, it was literally a whole experience. A small restaurant, no indoor seating (plenty outdoors) and a 1.5+ hours wait time. When I tell you the wait was worth it, THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT. The line was long but those who finished way before even said it's worth it. Before getting into the food, I want to talk about how amazing the staff was??? Service is usually an after thought, it's either good or not but not here, the first thing I noticed was how engaging they were. Not only the initial order but to step away from all the hectic non-stop orders to say hello and checking in. WHAT! It wasn't "can I get a name" it was "what are your names" then proceed to introduce themself was such a friendly approach. I'm talking about the whole team with great service, looks like a fun environment. The food... holy moly... Fried Chicken Sandwich (Medium heat) - the seasoning, the crispiness, the thicccness and juicy chicken, the balance, the portion, the medium kick HELLO??? that was the best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had in my life. I'm not kidding. Tenders (Medium heat) - 10/10. Also the portion of these tenders are huge. Ended up saving the rest for later and it became a great late night meal after a night of drinking. It was just as good. Banana Pudding - spectacular I cannot say enough on how good this spot is from the food to the experience. Howlin' Ray's became the new top fave I'll constantly rave about. A required stop for every LA visit now. read more
1 year ago
HOT HOT HOT! Caution, hot inside! We got lucky, there wasn't a long line when we showed up. Thank goodness! It was a crazy hot day, and we didn't want to wait too long. We were hungry lol They were pretty quick with the service. It's a grab and go type ambiance- very casual. My husband and father got the highest level of spicy you can order. They regretted it later lol My husband was literally crying while going to the bathroom... lol The heat level is NO JOKE at Howlin' Ray's! My mom and I played it safe and stuck to the non-spicy things. I really enjoyed their French fries! The seasoning was a good flavor, and the fries were fried perfectly. Dip those bad boys in the secret sauce for a real treat. Make sure you get water, lots of water! You will need it after the heat kicks in! Water and milk will be your best friend lol read more
What a friendly staff. I met Kairo, Ryan and Alina. Alina made some great suggestions on what to get. Kairo was at the cash register and was friendly and provided free water bottles. Ryan walks around to all the tables asking how everything was going and tasting. When I asked about more sauce and standing in line, he gave me 2 on the house. Food. 2 chicken sandos, 2 tenders and fries. I had medium spice on my tender and sando. The fries are crinkle cut and so warm. The sando was not as good as the first time , 8 years ago, maybe because I had hyped it up. But it's still really really good. The first bite I got all batter but after that it was all chicken. Pickles are the best I've ever had. The Tender I had a bite but couldn't finish, I was full. Got all 3 in-house sauces. Comeback, Tennessee tangy, Sweet Honey. The first two were my favorites. That the 2 Ryan hooked us up with. Alina gave a free Banana pudding. Bomb I killed it. Ambiance is a fine vibe with loud music playing from inside. All the seating is just outside the store front in the Chinatown plaza. Each table had a small lamp. I'll be back!! read more
29 days ago
2 months ago
6 months ago
Stopped by today with a friend visiting from Florida. I'm from the LBC (562 what's up!) so we already know about the drive into LA....worth it to come and try out this spot if you're unfamiliar with this area, you'll have to venture into the Chinatown plaza on the first floor to find Howling Rays near other small businesses. PARKING IS NOT EASY! THIS ISNT A SIT IN PLACE! While there are a few tables outside with people who come and go - it's still hit or miss if you find one. Many people take it to go, eat in their cars, or just figure it out along the way lol! As for the food: BYOMBBBBBBB!! My friend and I really enjoyed this. The tenders are HUGE and well sized for the price. It's crispy, it's tender, it has a great spice. I think it's great quality chicken. We got medium spice and it was the perfect amount of spicy for us. The fries are nice and crispy with seasoning. We got "Comeback Sauce" it's savory and Smokey and pairs really well! We also got some solo wings at medium spice. If you're into bone-in wings that are meaty and tender go for these. All the staff are incredibly nice and ask you to reach out if you need anything. They come pretty frequently to clean up tables outside, and overall they create and friendly environment. I hope you're able to check out this place! It's a hit for sure read more
1 year ago
Do not let the size of the line intimidate you. It was absolutely worth the wait just for their chicken and I would do it again if it were closer! Long lines usually have a good reason and the quality of the food and service is proof of the loyalty of the people who come here. It was about a 45 minute wait with minimal seating. Our group of 4 were able to snag a table out front for a quick meal together. The size of the sandwiches and tenders for the price was absolutely reasonable. The chicken was crispy on the outside, hot and moist on the inside. If you're spice sensitive like I am, stay with the country option (no spice). If you're get fries, you'll def be accommodated for spice and seasoning there. Even without spice, the chicken crust was well seasoned and flavorful to compliment the pickles and slaw that came on the sandwich. The mild tenders my husband ordered were massive and I wouldn't say the mild was your typical mild spice level. Our friend ordered the hot and it was very red, makes me wonder what the hottest seasoned chicken would look like even though I'd never be able to eat it haha! Fries cooked perfect and the seasoning was so good! That banana pudding was perfect to help quench my palette when I took too big of a bite of my husband's chicken tender! Plenty of drink options available too. Your staff is very nice, patient, and truly care about the diner's experience. I really hope to come back soon! read more
I've been wanting to check this place out for quite some time. I knew that the food was going to be spicy and the chicken was going to be excellent, but the over-emphasized concerned about the heat level sort of psyched us out and left us unnecessarily worried about what we were in for. We got lucky and came on a Saturday at around 11:30 and only had to wait about an hour for our food. We parked at the lot just north of the plaza where all the restaurants are and paid $7 for all day. The line wasn't too crazy, and we knew what we wanted when we approached the host table to order. I will give big props to the staff for being friendly, attentive, and expedient, but the indicated "up to 1-2 days recovery time" for the x-tra hot and " up to 2-3 days recovery time" for Howlin' level had us questioning ourselves (and we are regular hot sauce-rocking, heat-seeking spice fans). Our confidence was challenged before the first bite. We ordered the sando (hot), Mario Style fries (x-tra), and a single tender (Howlin') just to try (which we took home without trying yet), but the warnings from the host and woman calling out the order numbers left us worried we weren't ready for what was in store. Except we were. I appreciate the concern, but inducing fear and doubt definitely didn't resonate well with us. The hot sando was tasty, but not ridiculously hot at all. Even the xtra hot Mario style fries we're not that bad (but it was pretty hard to find the fries in there. More please). We didn't try the tender there, so I will report back when I'm finally do. There have been meals where we went to bed and our stomachs struggled to endure the heat introduced, which Tums and milk help with, but this wasn't one of those. Which is a good thing, but going into it thinking it will be a problem is not the best experience. And as far as the chicken amazing and worth the extra cost, I'm not going to say it's not, but I'm not going to say it is either. I'm glad I got to check it out, even if it is just once, but all of the warnings and the gloves and the fear factor felt excessive. Maybe dial it back just a little. read more
Howlin' is consistently good! We've visited several times and each time it's just as good as the previous visit. The customer service in this place is always top tier and the vibe is always energetic and friendly. It's a bit pricey but I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. read more
1 month ago
More info about Howlin' Ray's
727 N Broadway
Ste 128
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Chinatown
Directions
(213) 935-8399
Call Now
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http://www.howlinrays.com
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Ask the Community - Howlin' Ray's
Is there any time when there isn't a long line? I've tried 4 X now and still can't get in (I have back problems that Only allow me to stand for so long so my wait time is…
Hi JT - Our wait times tend to be shortest on weekdays from about 1:30-3:30/4:00PM, usually averaging about 15 mins or less! You can also always text us at 213.935.8399 for current line updates throughout the day!
Have you guys ever considered offering nationwide shipping, or possibly partnering with Goldbelly so fans outside of Los Angeles can order your food?
Hi Mike - Maybe one day! We're hopefully working towards this for the future!
I like the habenero spice blend from HOT. I don't like medium. Can I order HOT but lightly seasoned?
Absolutely, our Crew is happy to accommodate. Just ask for light shake! - Amanda
Do you, by any chance, be willing to open another location in Orange County sometime in the future?
Maybe one day! Thanks so much for all of your support!
Do they offer grilled chicken options for their classic sando?
Hi Rey - I’m so sorry but we do not currently offer a grilled chicken option!
Do you serve halal meat?
Hi! Our chicken is not certified halal, but it is hormone and antibiotic free, plus pasture raised!
How close do we have to be to order through Postmates for delivery?
Hi! Our delivery radius serves an area of about 2.5-8 miles!
Is it nut allergy friendly?
All of our frying is completed in highly refined peanut oil!
How much are the soda and drinks, I went last time and didn't know if I could buy them since they weren't on the menu?
Hi Juan - we have multiple beverages for guest's available to order! Sodas $3, Specialty Sodas $4, Howlin' Coolers (Lemonade & Tea) $4, and Bottled Water $2.50!
Has anyone noticed that their chicken is not as spicy as it used to be? Past 2 times I ordered medium heat at it was SPICY. Today. Meh not spicy at all. My entire family noticed it . All 5 of our Sandos were very mild. Whats happening Howlin Rays?
To be really honest with you I've had this experience a couple of times there has been a consistency missing in how spicy the chicken can be but next time when you go there, just let them know this and they will make this into consideration for the…
How hot is Howlin ++ what Chiles does it contain?
Killer hot ... it has ghost peppers. I had it and it nearly made me faint because it was so spicy!!! Bring horchata with you if you're planning on trying it out.
Is it possible just to order a single tender a la carte?
Yes, we offer Solo Tenders!
How hot is x hot?
Hi Karlo! Our X-Hot heat level is made up of Trinidad Scorpion (just a touch), Carolina Reaper, Red Habanero, and Ghost Pepper!
Is there seating at this location?
Hi Natalee -- We have a few picnic tables set up in front of the shop for guests who would like to stick around and enjoy their meal! Hope you can visit soon!
Can the bun for the classic Sando be made without butter? Or is there a dairy free bun option?
Hi Rose! If ordering in person, you can absolutely request to have the Bun not toasted with Butter!
How do we place a pick up order on postmates - I only see a delivery option?
Hi Crystal - I'm sorry but we currently only offer delivery services on Postamtes from our Chinatown location. We do also offer walk up take away orders!
Is the chicken Halal?
Hi Mohamed! I'm sorry but our chicken is not certified Halal. However! It is hormone and antibiotic free, as well as pasture raised!
What are your hours on new years day?
Hi Ana! We are regularly closed on Monday's and Tuesdays, and will be closed Saturday - Sunday, 12/24-25 and 12/31-01/01 for the holidays!
How to get gift card?
When I was there over the summer they didn’t offer gift cards. I’d suggest reaching out to them via email at hello@howlinrays.com to see if they are currently offering them.
Do your chicken sandwiches have dairy?
Hi Josh - I'm sorry, but all of our chicken is dredged in milk and flour!
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