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I'm back! Best part, no wait. The Tenders are so tasty! The spice, the crunch, and the chicken. My friend salivated thinking about it. It was a hot day and what better way then to have no lines when we went!!!!! Thank you for that Southern Customer Service!! Always a vibe at the Howlin' Rays and Juce holding down the Fort!!
I've passed by Howlin Rays numerous times. Often times I was short on time and unwilling to wait in the long lines they attract. Howlin in Pasadena is one of the few establishments that commands a long line aside for some bakeries like Slated Butter, Artsinal Goods by Carr. Parking is hard to find and I had to park one at shake shack on a Friday afternoon. The main parking lot is shared with sidecar donuts. I kind of scratch my head that Side Car donuts is not as popular as Howlin, when it's easily the best donut shop in town. I ended up waiting about 30 minutes in line, when I came at a somewhat off peak time. I had my eye on the Luis Style Sando so I ordered that. Think of it as part grilled cheese sandwhich and Nashville hot chicken. I ordered mild which had only a minimal kick to it. The sandwhich was delicious, the bread was perfectly toasted, nice melted cheese. What really stood out for Howlin than other fried chicken places was the slaw. There was something about that slaw that tasted better than any other hot chicken sandwhich I tasted. All together the sandwhich was delicious, got to order Luis style all the time now if I'm in the mood for a sandwich. Ambiance is very hip hop music and a hip setting. Seating can be limited when there are crowds. As much as I didn't want to believe they hype the acclaim is well deserved depending upon what you order.
I thoroughly enjoyed the lively atmosphere and friendly service. The sando was surprisingly good. Next time, I want to try their tenders because the chicken alone was delicious. For the spice level, we went with medium, which was not that spicy. Next time I'd definitely want to go up a level for a stronger kick. That said, the wings did not skimp on seasoning but for me personally, just a bit salty. The fries were fresh and tasty but more delightful with the sauce they provided. I appreciated the hard kombucha on tap. It was so perfect on a hot afternoon. I'd actually come back just for the kombucha and vibes ... and more pins and stickers!
Howlin' Ray's is always a vibe from the music to the friendly customer service. I visited on a Friday evening and while there was a line, it was totally worth it. I ordered a Sando with cheese and it was really good! You can taste the quality of the chicken and the fries were crispy and perfectly seasoned. If you are dining in, they will help you find a table. Parking can be a little tricky since the parking lot is small, but I was able to find street parking nearby. Definitely worth checking out!
I've always wanted to try this place because of all these great reviews, and it did not disappoint. I ordered The Sando. When I unwrapped the sandwich, I was like "Damn!! That's a huge breast". It was really big and juicy and flavorful. It wasn't greasy and messy. I got it medium heat, and it was pretty hot. I was going to order hot, but they convinced me that since it's my first time I should go with medium. It was a good call because I want to enjoy my food and not be on the toilet all night. I also got the shake fries and those were really delicious. They were fresh and the spice that they use is so good. I took my order to go and when I was driving home, I ate all the fries. I got there a little bit after they opened, and the line wasn't too long. For parking there's a small lot in the back, shared with other businesses. The inside is very clean, and I like the vibe of the place. Their customer service is exceptional. I felt so welcomed and taken care of. When I was ordering they were so helpful in explaining the menu and recommending what I should try. When I was waiting for my food, the person getting the food out to people was very friendly and checking in on me as I waited for food. Took about like 15 minutes. They do take their time and I appreciate that. They were being very precise with the orders and how they pack it and get it ready for the customer. The kitchen is very quiet it's like the opposite of "The Bear". I will definitely come back again.
We stopped by after the lunch rush, but there was still a pretty long line outside. Thankfully the staff had umbrellas available for guests waiting in the heat, which was really thoughtful. We ended up waiting about 20-30 mins, and it was well worth it. Ordering was quick and easy, and the staff was incredibly friendly. They generously offered samples of the Hot, X-Hot, and Howlin' spice levels, which made it easy to decide what to order. The chicken sandwich was huge, juicy, and packed with flavor. The fried chicken was delicious as well, but the tenders ended up being our favorite item on their menu because the chicken felt less dry. They were perfectly crispy, tender, and full of flavor. Highly recommend the comeback sauce and ranch!! What really made this place stand out was the customer service. Everyone was genuinely kind, welcoming, and eager to help, making the entire experience even better. Between the incredible food and outstanding hospitality, this is definitely a place we'll be coming back to.
Food: - Tenders: good fry and flavor; if you can handle it I recommend getting the medium spice over the mild, you can taste more of the nashville spice Ambiance: - Limited parking, long lines - They need to work on optimizing their flow! We waited more than an hour in line and for our food. They only serve chicken, what is the holdup?
Everyone agrees the food here is legit. Best chicken west of the Mississippi. What they dont mention is the Vibes this place puts off. The employees make this spot extra special. They are professional and helpful. Top tier service all the way. If you see the line good, gwt out of the car and go stand in it. Parking is a challenge so be patient.
When I say this is my favorite fried chicken spot I mean it. Growing up fried chicken has always been my favorite food and now this is my favorite spot. This stuff is so addicting like the spice cannot stop you from eating it. The sauce amazing everything here amazing. The staff super helpful and nice. Every time I go to LA i have to get this. My mouth is watering making this review.
This is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I've ever had without a doubt. I've been here a few times now, and all three times I got The Sando. My favorite spice level is Medium. As someone who loves spicy food, I did try the Hot spice level once, and I was warned that it would be pretty hot. Honestly I didn't think it would be that hot. But, it was pretty hot haha. I would say, it was really tasty but the spice was just over the top for me. So I've settled on Medium heat which is perfect. THE SANDO: 5/5 Everything about the Sando is amazing. The chicken is literally fried perfectly and is so juicy. It's a big piece of chicken too, making this sandwich very filling. While my photo doesn't really show it, the sando was perfectly assembled. It never fell apart after every bite which is a big deal! So many times I've had a fried chicken sandwich where you're constantly trying to put it back together after each bite but not this one! This sandwich stayed in tact the entire time. The sauce is AMAZING. Side Note: While I don't think they show it on their menu, they do have ranch as well! FRENCH FRIES: 5/5 French fries were awesome! While I'm not a fan of crinkle cut fries in general, they were still very very good. The seasoning is amazing. Portion is good, and shareable! If you love crinkle cut fries, you will love these fries for sure. CHICKEN & WAFFLES: 5/5 My wife ordered this and said that the waffles were some of the best she's ever had! She got the chicken Medium Spice, but she said next time she will just do Country Spice for this, not because she can't handle the spice but because she felt like spicy fried chicken just didn't pair as well with the waffles. SERVICE / SEATING: 5/5 The service here is SO GOOD! Don't worry about it being busy or having trouble finding a seat! They make sure you get a table! After you order your food, they will find you a table so that you're not fighting for one with other guests. It makes the dining experience so much better than scrambling to try and get a seat. PARKING: 3/5 They have a parking lot, BUT it can get full very easily. If you can't find a spot, just park on the street. DO NOT park in the parking lot next door or else you could get towed. There is always some street parking available and you won't have to walk far honestly.
The chicken tenders was really really delicious. As a non spicy person, I went for the mild level and dipped the chicken in honey. The tenders were juicy, moist, and seasoned well. I now understand why people wait in line for this. The Shake fries were also really good and addicting. I saw a lot of people get the Sando so planning to come back for it next time. Staff and service was excellent. There's a parking lot in the back shared with Sidecar Doughnuts. Side note, could smell the sweet flavor in the air while waiting for Howling.
The chicken sandwich absolutely lived up to the hype. It was crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor, so I can definitely understand why this place is so popular. The crinkle-cut fries were good too, though they weren't anything particularly memorable. We also ordered the loaded fries, but I would skip them next time. They were topped with chopped chicken, an abundance of pickles and lettuce, and the toppings ended up making the fries soggy. It felt more like the ingredients from their chicken sandwich had been chopped up and piled onto fries rather than a dish that stood well on its own. The biggest downside was the wait. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and waited close to an hour for our food. The line moved very slowly, so if you're planning to come during peak hours, be prepared for a bit of a wait. Overall, the chicken sandwich (any spice level) is absolutely worth ordering and don't get loaded fries unless you like soggy fries!
Thought I do an updated review on Howlin' Ray's. I've only been here maybe 3 times. My experience every time has been top-notch. I can't say enough great things on their world class staff, exceptional service, and amazing foods + drinks. This establishment brings it every day! My most recent visit was full of spicy and sweet surprises. The young gentleman behind the register was super friendly and helpful. He offered shake fries on the house so I can try them. Thank you! I forgot to order a drink. The young lady behind the counter said she got me covered. I got a bottled orange drink on the house. Thank you! Wow, now that's generous hospitality. I got 3 chicken wings that came with one toast and some pickles plus the shake fries. Wings were lightly fried with perfect crispness. Mild spice was still spicy, but manageable good spice. Bread was good, but it would have been nice if it was lightly toasted. Pickles were delightful. It was indeed one tasty lunch. Howlin' Ray's, you're the best! I'm coming back with full force for more deliciousness. I'll be howlin' all the way here.
I finally made it out to their Pasadena location!!! Even though this is further away for me I think the drive is worth it because of the convenient parking in the back ! Love love, love that they have both regular filtered water and sparkling filtered water on tap . I am a water snob and let me tell you the water that they have is delicious. Also finally tried their country wings, and the tang ranch has a pronounced dill flavor and let me tell you I've been been missing out! I love my regular order, which is the medium plus quarter bird and the Louie style Sando I'm hot but honestly, this goes to show that everything that they do is amazing. Honestly, all of the brands that they partner with, and they feature are of the highest caliber. I came tonight for a feature launch party of a skate clothing brand that I haven't heard of called Huf and now I am a diehard fan and can't wait till the latest drop . Johnny Ray , Coop , and the whole Howlin Ray fam are pillars in the community!!! read more
I can't find a hot chicken place better than this place. For a place that always has a line, service is super quick! We received our food fairly fast. It's not the biggest spot, so seating is limited, but you can get lucky if you linger. I'm glad it's not near me otherwise I'll be here all the time. read more
1 year ago
10/10 They have their system down like a fine oiled machine! Everyone is so nice and attentive! One of the workers gave us umbrellas to protect us from the sun while we waited in line. Food was beyond phenomenal. The chicken was soo juicy and melted in our mouths. Overall vibe of the place is awesome. read more
1 year ago
This is the second location and third official (including the food truck). This is the best hot chicken sandwich I've had in my life. The staff are always happy and welcoming to everyone and the place is always packed. The line moves pretty quickly, so do not let that deter you from enjoying what is quite possibly the best chicken sandwich restaurant on the entire west coast--and probably the US. I recommend the Sando at medium + ~ hot +, and if you're the daring type, try Xtra hot or Howlin'. Good luck PS: I didn't even get a chance to take a photo of the sandwich but I'm posting the aftermath. read more
I remember first having Howlin Rays and waiting over an hour in downtown LA. Recently I have been going to this location since it's closer. The wait on a weekday is reasonable around 15-20 mins. However if you come on a Saturday even an hour before closing expect to wait over an hour. At closing time there was still a line out of the door. The wait time to order and for your food is quite a while. Inside there is seating but it often fills quick. Parking is also very packed in the private lot and some limited street parking. They do have sparkling and still water on tap which is cool. Overall, the quality has gone down since I first tried it. The chicken is smaller and not as juicy. The coleslaw was also bland compared to the nice tartness it brought to the sandwich before. Fries are solid and thigh quarter was juicy. I wish they were more efficient in taking orders, like having 2 cashiers instead of 1. read more
6 months ago
The whole place is a vibe!! The team at Howlin' Ray's has amazing energy & the music is a plus! Shout out to Jael & the others for making my first time at Howlin' Ray's an amazing one. I got the Sando with medium spice, and it was the juiciest, tastiest, most perfect chicken sandwich I have ever had. I don't think you've had a chicken sandwich until you've had Howlin' Rays. The slaw is perfectly marinated in vinegar & pairs so well with the spicy and slightly sweet flavors of the sandwich. Plus the Sando was so huge that I got full off of just that. The banana pudding is delectable & is a must. The tables & interior were clean. Even though there was a line of people ahead of me, it moved fast. Definitely check out Howlin' Ray's in Pasadena for a 10/10 lunch!! read more
1 year ago
The best chicken sandwich I've had thus far! Everything from the service, to the flavor, juiciness, and the vibes of this place was spot on. I had the Luis style sando which is original sandwich but in between two slices of Texas toast and my gosh, it was complete Heaven. I also got the solo waffles and that makes me want the chicken and waffles for next time. The piece of chicken was absolutely ginormous! Tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned. Everything from the slaw to the melted cheddar to the bread was perfection. The waffles were oh so crispy yet light. I could've eaten at least 5 more of the waffles alone. The syrup was light and it's just making my mouth water as I'm writing this. Overall, solid place, can't go wrong, just prepare for the long wait and come with an appetite! read more
After hearing all the ravin reviews about Howlin' Rays, we knew we need to dive in and uncover what all the big fuss is all about. Our party and I arrived on a scorching hot Sunday afternoon. It was a small parking lot with lines as long as 30 people deep. Was it worth the sunburn? Let's find out! A member of their staff came out and asked us if we wanted an umbrella to block out the hot sun. How thoughtful and couldn't be more perfect timing! Or else we would have been the hot fried chicken ourselves. Not all heroes wears capes umbrella man! Came in and ordered an original sando, chicken and waffles, mario fries, and a pitcher. This place is very well organized. We were placed on a waiting list after ordering our food and a nice friendly young man had directed us where to seat as long as a table opens up. Our food was called in 10 mins. I ordered a 'hot' chicken sandwich with all the fixings and it literally made my tongue curl! I was DYING, no amount of milk or water could have drain out the amount of spiciness that pulsates on my tongue. Finally, after 20 minutes, an iced cold cup of water stopped it burning my whole mouth down. I highly recommend medium for most people because they use ghost peppers for their hot and above! They were extremely hot you get hot, so I can't imagine x-hot or howlin'! Regardless, flavors of my hot chicken gushed into my taste buds without any fair warning, smacking my tonsils full of flavor. The thick crispy hot and juicy chicken patty compliments perfectly with the lightly fried soft bun. I thought the only thing missing is a slice of cheese. Which they did not offer to my surprise. The chicken and waffles are very delicious too, waffles are sweet and just the right amount of crunch! Last but not least, the staff is the most welcoming, courteous, and friendly people we ever met in a dine in experience. A staff member came over not only to ask if everything is ok, but actually hold genuine warm fun conversations with you! They genuinely want you to have an amazing experience! It was a step above many places we have ate at! Which says a lot about this place! They are also great with kids too! They came over and offered our little kiddo cookie treats or fries! Worth the wait? You betcha! We are your howlin' fans! read more
10 months ago
This Howlin rays location is the best so far. Most of the og staff is here and they remember your face. Out of any business I've been to this spot has superior customer service. And of course who can forget the food. Have yet to find a better or comparable chicken sandwich. The waffle is top notch a real "Belgium Waffle" light and crispy not a pancake sponge like most places try to pass off as a waffle. It is loud here but that's the theme and it actually doesn't bother much. They also have a sparkling water dispenser with the pebble ice and it's free. I visit a least once and month. read more
1 year ago
I love this restaurant in Pasadena. Every time we come, Miles treats us like VIP. Rodrigo took care of our order like a true professional, and just met J (Jay Z). Julien the Manager always treats us like gold. We had the chicken and waffles, this time, with collard greens and fries. Whatever spices they put on their chicken deserves 5 stars alone! Absolutely tasty. Their fries are the best fries we've ever had. My girl always puts a ton of ketchup on her fries, and didn't open one packet. They were self-sufficient! The collard greens were good, and I tried their banana pudding which we heard is a new recipe, parts of it imported from Switzerland. My dude, Brayden made sure we had good seats, and believe me this place is always packed--with a long line to get in. The vibe is always great there: great music, really cool ambience (check out their bathrooms) and they also have an outdoor section. I highly recommend this place to anyone whose tired of the same ol flavor and wants something extraordinary. read more
30 days ago
Wow, what a great experience. Thanks to my friend Cindy S for the recommendation. 5 stars for the food and 10 stars for the service. I ordered the 3 piece chicken tenders with varying levels of heat; Mild Medium and Medium Plus. The chicken was very moist and delicious. The Mild one had the least amount of flavor (still good), but the Medium and Medium Plus levels where excellent. There is a considerable amount of heat on the Medium Plus level. I also ordered the Collard Greens (very tasty) and the Crinkle fries. Everything was delicious. The service here is exceptional. I had three different employees come up to my table and asked me if I needed anything. Six different employees said hi, and asked me how my day was going. I am not used to receiving that sort of attention and courtesy in a chicken shop, or any other similar style eatery. In fact, the service (and the food) here was so good, that I had to come back again to see if it held up . . . and it did. I had the Chicken Sando, loaded and it was delicious. On my second visit here, they also gave me a complimentary side of Macaroni Salad. If everyone treated each other the way Howlin' Ray's staff treat their customers, the world would be a better place. There is something in the water behind the counter. I think the staff are drinking water laced with kindness! I actually walked our if there in a better mood!!! Howlin' Ray's has a great product and this particular location has some amazing-above-and-beyond service. I can only hope that the Chinatown location does as well. Great food, great service and a great spot. Also, no ridiculous extra fees added to the bill. Howlin' Ray's gets my patented 4 thumbs up review. read more
6 months ago
I love their service and their food! Everytime we go to LA, we always add Howlin Ray's as a stop before we drive back down to SD. The staff is always friendly and welcoming! We waited in line before the restaurant opened and it was a beautiful and sunny (some may say hot) day. A staff member came outside and asked if we wanted umbrellas to provide some relief from the sun! I think this idea is very thoughtful, considerate and well-above customer service! Besides delicious food, customer service is always going to be a deal-breaker for me. Thank you Howlin Ray's for taking the initiative and putting in an extra effort to always take care of your loyal customers. We ordered the Luis Style Sando, Chicken and Waffles, Quarter Chicken, Collard Greens and Banana Pudding. Everything was super tasty and scrumptious! The banana pudding was mediocre but still delicious. read more
3 months ago
Still one of the best fried chicken places I have ever been to. I almost exclusively come here on weekdays at obscure times since there is always a line on weekends and during meal times. My go to order is the chicken tenders medium-hot. For some reason, the medium is barely spicy but the hot is sooo much spicier. The flavor of the chicken is unbeatable-- tender, juicy, and perfectly crunchy. The pickles are a great side to cut through the grease. Their Mac n cheese is also quite addicting. Service is friendly and efficient and I like how there's a nice outdoor spot to eat too. If you haven't been here before, I highly recommend you check it out, but probably on a Thursday afternoon or something unless you are willing to wait 45+ min read more
Left speechless on how good everything tastes. Service was amazing! The energy and enthusiasm here is infectious! The bathroom has disco balls! Call outs to Justin, Julian, Javier and Yuli. (I hope I remember your names correctly ) They made our first howlin' rays's visit extra memorable. They ran out of the fried birds so we got a sando, shake fries and banana pudding. This chicken sando is the best I've had. It was so juicy and flavorful that each bite was a delight. I got it in medium which is the perfect kick of spice. Despite it being fried in oil, it doesn't feel overly heavy or drenched in oil. It was crispy on the outside any inside was juicy tenderness. The banana pudding was such a surprise too. It was not too sweet, light and refreshing. We were told there were no eggs in the pudding, hence the lightness and they add some passionfruit to give it a refreshing taste. I don't actually taste passionfruit in the pudding but I definitely enjoyed the combined effect. One of the best banana puddings I've ever had. Pro-tips: If you got their canned lemonade, grab a cup of sparking water, fill it 2/3s full and top it off the lemonade. You got yourself a crisp, refreshing lemon soda. If you ordered waffles, get their banana pudding too. (and vice versa). Spoon some pudding on the waffle and eat it together. Amazing combo. DIY fries sauce. Using the lid of the banana pudding, squeeze a packet of ketchup, add some crystal hot sauce and their picked vinegar to taste. Mu and dip away. read more
I'm from out of town had eaten here before and it was so good I came back. Miles and Julie were so nice helping me. I had the Sando again and it's the best hot chicken sandwich I've ever had. Do yourself a big favor and get in here and enjoy. This place is supper busy it takes a few to cook your fresh food but it's worth the wait read more
I came here after going to the rose bowl and the atmosphere was fantastic as always! From the crew's warm hospitality to the signature chicken crunch, you feel like you're being welcomed into someone's home. I ordered the Quarter Bird for the first time and there was a lot more meat than expected! I found it pretty filling despite only having one piece of bread. I loved how it had the perfect crunch, spice, and salt. The wait time can be a bit long on the weekends (20-40 min), but luckily the crew gives you an umbrella so you're not melting on the sidewalk! Parking lot is a bit small and it may take a few drives to see a vacancy. A 15/10 place, recommend giving it a try!! read more
6 months ago
4 months ago
On a Saturday at almost 1 pm we waited a little over 1 hour to get our food take out. There wasn't any parking available in the lot. Super friendly and fast service given how many people there were. The fries and tenders were seasoned very well, good portions for both. I have never seen 1 chicken tender as big as these before lol. Medium spicy had a decent kick, if you can't handle spice at all I'd say just get the country style. Some seating available inside and outside but it was pretty crowded. I would definitely come back but when it's not so busy hopefully read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
Visited the Pasadena location on a hot weekend day. The wait wasn't too bad--about 20 minutes--and they provided umbrellas and water while we waited, which was a nice touch. Ordering was quick, and the staff at the counter were incredibly helpful and friendly. We chose to dine in, and table hosts were available to help us find seating. They don't start preparing your food until you're seated, which ensures everything is fresh. Our food came out fairly quickly, and everything we ordered lived up to the hype. The chicken sandwiches were huge and flavorful, and the 3-piece wings were perfectly crispy and well-seasoned. You can customize the spice level to your preference, which is great. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and would definitely return--though probably during a less busy time to avoid the wait. read more
2 months ago
To this date, this is the best hot chicken sandwiches I've had! On our short two day to LA, we decided that one of the meals that we needed to have before heading home was Howlin' Ray's. A few years ago we had tried to go to the one in Chinatown but due to the very long line, wasn't able to try it then. Now that they have this location in Pasadena, we made the commitment to wait in the line no matter what! To our surprise, on a Saturday around 11:30 AM, there really wasn't much of a wait. There were probably around 3 people ahead of us to order. They have some tables inside and outside, but not too many - so keep that in mind when you order that you might have to take it to-go or wait for a table to open up! We ordered the sando and some shake fries to share. For lunch, it was definitely enough for us to share and feel satiated. The sandwich is a hefty portion! The bun was soft and held together, the chicken was huge and spilling out of the sandwich - perfectly fried, tender, juicy, and the flavor of the seasoning was delicious. Love the slaw and pickles to cut back some of the spice and fattiness of the sandwich. Surprisingly, what amazed us most were their fries. The fries were extra crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, seasoned well, and they were not super oily or greasy. We loved their fries! We didn't get any sauce to dip them in as we thought they tasted amazing by themselves, but I can definitely see why people get sauce on the side! Service at this location was superb. The workers here are all very friendly. We were checked-in with multiple times to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Really appreciate the friendliness! Wish we lived closer - I'd be visiting often! Until next time! read more
Amazinggggggggg. We had 2 sandos in mild and 1 in medium and the fries. Pretty long line for an early lunch on Saturday but it was moving fast. Staff were great and friendly. Got us on a sitting waitilist and almost immediately got seated. Everything was fresh, tasted amazing but the medium was a little too spicy. So if you're sensitive to spicy food go with country or mild. We were sitting outside and it was pretty nice for a hot Saturday. read more
7 months ago
I cannot say enough good things about howlin rays!! The staff just goes above and beyond-- we've truly never experienced a restaurant like this before. I just had surgery recently and they wrote a handwritten card and gave us extra food. Also it's the best fried chicken ever-- we love their mild/medium tenders, fries, and banana pudding! It's a go-to for whenever we're craving comfort food and good vibes. read more
Had some doubts because of the hype, but this is up there with Dave's Hot (my fave). Got the sando medium spiced which had just a kick of spice. The slaw was vinegary which was a nice contrast. Fries were definitely shareable and well seasoned. Did have a line that we waited about 30-40 minutes on a Sunday afternoon. read more
1 month ago
9 months ago
I have to say this was the best Sando (chicken sandwich) I've ever had. The slaw, pickles, and comeback sauce went great with it. I got spice level medium and I think next time I will go with hot. I also got the solo wing, it was tender, juicy, and meaty. I couldn't believe how great the collard greens and the banana pudding were, I wasn't expecting them to taste that great. The service was top notch, very friendly and helpful with grabbing you a place to sit and enjoy your meal. We sat in the patio area which was nice. I can't wait to come back. read more
This place has one of the BEST chicken sandwiches in town! I also love their shake fries along with their comeback sauce. The best part is the shake fries is only $5 and you get so much fries! Definitely a must try. Do not forget to try their delicious banana pudding. It's AMAZING! I went during dinner hour on a Sunday evening so there was a bit of a wait but still worth a try! The staff here are amazing! They are so attentive and friendly. I had the opportunity to speak to Chef Johnny who was very passionate about his work and very personable! I had such a lovely experience during my visit. Can't wait to come back soon. read more
1 year ago
BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH!! Got the medium chicken sandwich could have went up a level or two. The sauce was AMAZINGLY delicious. Getting hungry just writing this review. This is a big sandwich for a petite girl like me. I could have shared it. Highly recommend the Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager. The outdoor patio has warmers so it was pleasant to sit outside. The queue was long but it's worth the wait. Service is from Miles and as phenomenal too. I really like how they have a server to find you a table. Service was #1 would definitely come here again. Parking lot and street parking read more
I've been meaning to try Howlin Rays since forever. Time came and went and then the second location opened and although I live outside of the delivery range area, my friend didn't, so I had it delivered to his place and I'll be honest, I was pretty disappointed in my experience due to the hype that Howlin has but that might actually be due to my own hubris. I ordered the 3 piece tenders that come with bread and pickles. I ordered this HOT, which is 3 levels below from the hottest spice level and I knew not to comet an Icarus folly and fly too close to the sun and get something way too blazing. This is with me being a spicy food, Buldak, spicy chip and lie, I usually get the high spicy levels for ramen and other chicken places, etc. It was IMPOSSIBLE to consume the tenders. Even with a tall glass of milk I couldn't even take more than 2 bites. Even the fries and the bread that touched the chicken were rendered destroyed like a nuclear fallout. I unfortunately had to toss this out eventually. I even had my boyfriend who has a higher spice tolerance than me try to eat these and he got obliterated as well. It's one thing when a place has super spicy chicken but you can still enjoy the moist, quality chicken underneath, but I didn't get any of that from this experience. The potato salad and shake fries were alright. If I have to order again, I'll just be a big baby and get the lowest level. Big SMH on my part to be honest. read more
SERVICE! This place is extremely well run and maintained by a dedicated, upbeat staff - they truly make the experience worth it. IN A RUSH? Not here! Expect to wait at least an hour outdoors before placing your order. They do have umbrellas that may be handed out to shade you from the heat, which is great. The food is awesome, and hard not to inhale after the wait - but savor every amazing bite. The staff will make sure you have a seat somewhere! Let them know you need a table and they'll work on finding one for you, as space is quite limited. Big groups (I'd say larger than 4) might need to just do take out, but they are well equipped for this! I loved the fries and my mild heat chicken sandwich, though after enough fries my mouth felt the heat!! Get the coleslaw or plan to eat some ice cream after if you can't take the heat. Sauces are also a great addition to anything! My favorite was the comeback sauce Cups of water (still or sparkling) are available for free at the counter. Also a cute bonus, the bathroom is a disco. You just gotta experience it. Thank you Howlin' Ray's! read more
Yum! I've had Howlin' Ray's a couple times here, and it's always been so excellent. Usually people would line up before they open- it's just that good! I absolutely adore their spice levels too- if you're sensitive to spice, def try the lower end levels, and if you're practically immune to spice, you'd get flavor no matter what level you choose. If you don't know which spice level to choose, the team here is happy to give you a sample. I was curious re the hot and howlin levels, and they gave me small samples to try. They felt ok and they were even like wow you're handling it really well LOL. I ended up getting the hot chicken sandwich and some fries and it was perfect. Though I couldn't feel it too much in the mouth, I definitely felt it in my stomach area later that day! The seating can be a bit sparse to they have tables indoors and outdoors. People would come in and someone in their group would claim tables. We didn't do that as we ordered first and then waited for an available table. The workers here helped with that as well. They had sparkling and flat water on tap, as well as ice machine. Cute napkins too. Great ratio of chicken and stuff and bun here. I love it. One of our friends got the chicken and waffle (yes, they have more than just chicken sandwiches here) and that was pretty good as well. Can't wait to come back and try more stuff! read more
4 months ago
10 months ago
The best chicken sandwich I've ever had. The chicken was so juicy and flavorful. The fries were so crispy. read more
More info about Howlin' Ray's
800 South Arroyo Pkwy
Pasadena, CA 91105
Directions
(213) 935-8399
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https://howlinrays.com
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Ask the Community - Howlin' Ray's
How long is the wait?
We're at about 15-20 mins at 2:15PM today! You can also always text us at 213.935.8399 for current line updates throughout the day. - Amanda
What is a person with disabilities to do when they can't stand in line for a long period of time.?
We are happy to make accommodations! Please text us at 213.935.8399!
When will you expand to the IE? We need you out here?
Hoping to make it to the IE one day! Appreciate you and all of your support!
Are the pickles made in house from scratch (homemade)?
Hi! We tried to make our pickles in house way back in the beginning, but we could never make them better than the cold processed crinkle cut dills that we source from our friends in Central California!
Hi, do you guys take telephone order to go?
'm sorry but we do not currently accept orders via phone! We're offering walk up in person orders, dine in, and Postamtes delivery at our Pasadena location!
What are their usual wait times on a Sunday during their business hours, and when are the best times to go when the wait in line is <20 minutes?
Hi! The wait time tends to fluctuate throughout the day and can vary on weekends depending on holidays or events happening in the area, but you can always text us at 213.935.8399 for current line updates throughout the day!
What is there Postmates maximum radius? I try ordering from less than 10 miles away and it's always unavailable for me despite ordering twice before :(
Hi! Our radius tends to fluctuate throughout the day dependent on how many orders the team is currently working through, but typically our radius is 2.5-7 miles!
Do you serve waffles everyday or just Saturday and Sunday?
Hi Jo-Ann! We have Waffles available Wednesday-Sunday!
Is it halal chicken?
Hi Zab! Our Chicken is not certified halal, but it is hormone and antibiotic free, plus pasture raised!
Would I be able to order a grilled cheese for my picky daughter?
Yes, no problem! We offer Grilled Cheese as part of our Secret Menu!
Do they have ketchup and ranch?
Hi! We offer Ketchup Packets and a house made Ranch called Tennessee Tang!
Looking for a semi large catering size order. Do you offer bulk offers?
Hi Michael - email us at hello@howlinrays.com and we're happy to discuss details with you!
Is it dog friendly?
There's a little patio and I saw someone with a dog. The workers also offered water! So I'd say yes!
Do you offer any gluten free options?
Hi Martie - Our Vinegar Slaw, Collard Greens, Shake Fries, Pickles, and Comeback Sauce are all gluten free! However, due to the tight quarters of the restaurant, there is the possibility that most items are exposed to gluten!
Will you eventually be open for dinner?
Hi Annelyse! Our Pasadena location is now operating with extended hours! We’re open Wednesday-Sunday, 11AM-7PM. Hope to see you soon!
Hi are you taking pick up order?
Hi Cristina! We currently offer walk up and dine in at our Pasadena location!
Hi, what oil do you use to fry (peanut, veg or?
Hi Sophie - we complete all of our frying in Highly Refined Peanut Oil!
Thinking to stop by during lunch time. What is the average wait time? Do you take phone orders?
Hi Jenny! You can always text us at 213-935-8399 for line updates throughout the day! We are currently offering walk up orders at our Pasadena location. Hope that you are able to visit soon!
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Howlin' Ray's - southern - Updated August 2026
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