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Howlin' Ray's
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
Howlin' Ray's
8.8
Nashville hot chicken that’s still the neighborhood’s loudest lunch line for a reason—crackly crust, juicy meat, and heat levels that actually taste like something. The tiny counter setup moves fast and the staff keeps the energy high even at peak chaos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Chicken Sando (Medium or Hot), Chicken & Waffles, Banana Pudding
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: LA’s benchmark for Nashville hot chicken with real spice nuance.
Who should go: Heat-chasers and fried-chicken pilgrims
When to visit: Weekday lunch before noon to dodge lines
What to order: Medium Sando, waffles, comeback sauce
Insider tip: Country or Mild still brings flavor—great for first-timers.
Howlin' Ray's
9.1
Nashville hot chicken institution whose Shake Fries—seasoned, extra-crisp, and built for comeback sauce—are nearly as essential as the sando. Massive review volume and long-running hype are backed up by fries that stay crunchy under spice dust and dipping chaos. Expect a fast, line-driven counter setup and high-energy staff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shake Fries, Hot Chicken Sando, Comeback Sauce
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Shake Fries deliver ultra-crisp texture built for spicy chicken pairings.
Who should go: Hot-chicken fans who want fries worth the wait.
When to visit: Weekday afternoons to dodge peak lines.
What to order: Shake Fries, Hot Chicken Sando, banana pudding.
Insider tip: Order fries immediately with your sando—timing matters for the crunch.
Howlin' Ray's
8.8
LA’s original Nashville hot chicken craze still hits hardest here: crackly-fried bird with juicy interiors and spice levels that range from friendly to sweat-inducing. The counter-service setup moves fast, and the lines are part of the ritual, especially on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sando (hot chicken sandwich), Chicken Tenders with comeback sauce, Dirty fries with extra pickles
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: The city’s benchmark for Nashville hot chicken with legendary consistency at massive scale.
Who should go: Heat seekers and line-for-it food fans.
When to visit: Weekday early lunch to dodge the longest waits.
What to order: Hot Sando, tenders, dirty fries.
Insider tip: Order online for pickup if the walk-up line is wild.
Howlin' Ray's
8.6
A walk-up hot-chicken counter that locals treat like a rite of passage: juicy, shatter-crisp fried chicken dialed to your heat level. The line moves fast, and the payoff is a sandwich that stays crunchy even under fiery spice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Chicken Sando, Chicken & Waffles, Banana Pudding
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Nashville-style hot chicken with near-flawless crunch and heat control.
Who should go: Spice chasers and sandwich obsessives.
When to visit: Weekday midday to dodge peak lines.
What to order: Hot Chicken Sando, tenders, comeback sauce.
Insider tip: Go ‘Medium’ first—Hot jumps fast.
Howlin' Ray's
8.7
Nashville-style hot chicken that draws steady lines for good reason: crisp crust, juicy meat, and heat levels that actually mean something. The counter-service setup keeps lunch efficient despite the crowds. Ideal for a bold mid-day reset.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sando (hot chicken sandwich), Half bird plate, Howlin’ fries
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: LA’s benchmark for hot chicken with customizable spice.
Who should go: Spice lovers and lunch crews who don’t mind a line.
When to visit: Right at open for the smoothest lunch.
What to order: Sando, half bird, fries with comeback sauce.
Insider tip: Medium is plenty hot for most—save ‘Howlin’’ for bragging rights.
Howlin' Ray's
8.9
DTLA’s Nashville hot chicken phenomenon with a cult line that moves fast and delivers even faster. The gluten-free order is best as tenders/plate with a heat level tailored to you, keeping the crunch and spice without the sandwich risk.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gluten-free hot chicken tenders plate, Mario fries (ask for GF prep), Banana pudding
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Ultra-crisp hot chicken with reliable gluten-free accommodations at massive scale.
Who should go: Spice lovers and groups who don’t mind a wait.
When to visit: Weekday early lunch to dodge peak lines.
What to order: GF tenders plate, slaw, Mario fries GF-style.
Insider tip: Order online for pickup when available to skip the longest line.
Howlin' Ray's
8.7
Nashville hot chicken done with precision—juicy, crackly, and dialed to your heat tolerance. Expect a lively, line-driven scene that still feels welcoming for families willing to brave the wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Chicken Sando (Country to X-Hot), Tender Combo, Waffle Fries with Comeback Sauce
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Massively popular hot chicken with reliably crisp, juicy fry.
Who should go: Spice lovers and families who don’t mind a wait.
When to visit: Right at opening for shortest lines.
What to order: Hot chicken sando, tenders, waffle fries.
Insider tip: Country heat is still flavorful for kids.