Howlin' Ray's

Decided to check this place out after watching the hyped up review videos online. Let me start off by saying, the hype is real. Their chicken is tender, juicy, and you get big pieces too. The chicken is seasoned just right, but beware of the spice levels. I love spicy foods, and I mean habanero spicy with any food I eat. I went with their choice of hot for my sandwich, and boy was that thing spicy. Come to find out it's habanero and ghost pepper mixed together. Their waffles have great flavor(hint of nutmeg if I'm not mistaken), nice crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Their fries are crispy and well seasoned too. I also tried their banana pudding, it was delicious. Chunks of banana, wafers and some whipped cream on top. Parking is street parking or a parking lot next door from what I saw. The parking lot charges about five dollars for the day. Overall, a must try for anyone who enjoys a spicy chicken sandwich.

— Fernando Avalos

The hype is deserved! This chicken sando was amazing. I got the X-Hot and he got the Hot. They gave me gloves with the food so I didn’t burn myself. It wasn’t as spicy as I thought it would be but the hot was spicy for him, who is more sensitive to heat. The fries were FABULOUS. As was the lemonade. We waited in line for about 50 minutes but once we ordered, it was ready in about 5-10 minutes - super fast. We were able to get a table and the stuff was super nice and helpful with it being our first time. 10/10 recommend

— Angelique Davis

This was my first time trying Howlin’s Ray’s and I can definitely see the hype for this place! This is basically like Dave’s Hot Chicken, but California stapled. My cousin took me to the original location in LA Chinatown. There’s only street parking available, but when we got to the location there was already a line to go in… that’s how you know it’s a good spot! The service was honestly the nicest I’ve ever experience for a fast food place. The inside was small, but it was more of a pick up and dine outside type of place since there were tables available outside. The servers were really friendly. They made conversation with us and even asked me about NOLA since I was in California for vacation. They even gave me a sample of their hot chicken to see how well I can handle their “hot” spice (spoiler: it was so hot!). When it was our turn in line, we ordered their 3 Medium Tenders ($13.00) and Shake Fries ($5.00) with their Comeback Sauce ($0.75). When I tell you the tenders were huge, they were HUGE! One tender could literally fit a small bowl. The medium spice level was enough for me, as it already had a minor kick to it. They also come with pickles and a toast inside. The shake fries were pretty good as well. Their comeback sauce is kind of like Cane’s sauce but with a bit more zest. Overall, even though this is a fast food type of place, I’d definitely recommend you trying it out if you ever visit California.

— Ryan Nguyen

6/5 Stars — The Best Hot Chicken I’ve Ever Had I visited Howlin’ Ray’s in Chinatown, tucked away inside a small mall, and from the moment I saw the line, I knew we were in for something special. The wait was absolutely worth it. The staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do. That energy carries straight through to the food. I ordered the chicken sando at the Hot spice level; phenomenal. Perfectly balanced heat, incredible flavour, juicy chicken, and flawless execution. I then had to push my luck and tried an Extra Hot wing. The staff warned me it would be intense, but curiosity won. It was definitely hot but still manageable and unbelievably tasty. What really set the experience apart was the hospitality. After noticing I needed water post-wing, the staff immediately handed me a bottle on the house. That small gesture made it feel less like a transaction and more like being welcomed into the Howlin’ Ray’s family. Exceptional food, exceptional people, and an unforgettable experience. I would genuinely fly back just to eat here again.

— Panos The Food Guy

I visited Howlin’ Ray’s in Chinatown yesterday and was genuinely blown away! The fried chicken was incredible — super crispy on the outside and juicy inside. But what surprised me even more was the amazing service. From the moment we ordered, the staff were incredibly friendly. They offered helpful suggestions, explained the spice levels, and made us feel really welcome. I also noticed how well the team got along with each other, which created a really warm atmosphere. It was my first time here, so my friend and I took a lot of photos of the chicken and the cute packaging. One of the staff members came over to check how we liked everything. When we told him it was delicious, he was genuinely happy. A little later, he even brought us some small but adorable souvenirs as a gift. I honestly didn’t expect that at all. I was really touched by the team’s passion and sincerity. It’s not just great fried chicken — it’s an experience. Highly recommend this place to anyone visiting LA!

— Zhi Jing