Howlin' Ray's
7.7Friend Score / 10#9 of 20 Restaurants in Los Angeles
Known forhot chicken tenderswingsThe Jojo waffle sandwichshaken fries
The Chinatown counter that ignited LA's Nashville hot chicken craze — juicy, crackly, dialed-in from mild to punishing 'howlin' hot.' A friend sends you if you love hot chicken and don't mind a line. Caveat: it's closed Mon-Tue, and the wait, while shorter than its infamous peak, still bites.
Key facts
| Hours | Wed–Sun 11:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | (213) 935-8399 |
| Website | howlinrays.com |
| Nearest transit | Metro A Line, Chinatown Station (~5 min walk) |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours with the wait |
| Best time to go | Wednesday or Thursday right at 11am opening |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.7/10- Value7.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level4.5
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- What are Howlin' Ray's hours?
- The Chinatown location is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-7pm. Show up right at opening to minimize the wait.
- How do I get there?
- It's a short walk from the Metro A Line Chinatown station, which beats hunting for parking. Transit plus a stroll through Chinatown is the smart approach.
- How spicy should I go?
- There are five levels from mild to howlin' hot. Hot is genuinely hot for most people; medium is the crowd-pleaser. Don't ego-order howlin' hot on your first visit unless you truly know your tolerance.
- How long is the wait?
- It's calmed down from the hours-long lines of its early years — often around 45 minutes at busy times now, sometimes less off-peak. Going at open or in a mid-afternoon lull is your best bet.
- Is it worth the hype?
- For hot chicken fans, yes — the quality is real and it kicked off the whole LA scene. If you're lukewarm on spicy fried chicken, the wait may not pay off for you.
- Can I call ahead or order online?
- Do-ahead options vary, so check their site or app the day you go. In general, plan for an in-person wait rather than counting on skipping the line.
- Are there other locations?
- Yes — there's a Pasadena location and one at the Venetian in Las Vegas. If the Chinatown line looks brutal, Pasadena can be a calmer alternative.
- What should I order?
- The sandwich is the classic, but the chicken plates and the mac and cheese have a devoted following. First-timers can't go wrong with a sandwich at medium or hot.
Nearby in Ask Los Angeles
- EndorffeineCafé0.24 km · 3 min walk
- Philippe the OriginalRestaurant0.39 km · 5 min walk
- Olvera StreetNeighborhood0.6 km · 8 min walk
- Placita OlveraRestaurant0.6 km · 8 min walk
- Archives Of UsCafé0.66 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Howlin' Ray's
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