Howlin’ Ray’s

So, I appreciate the attempt to master the art of frying chicken and having delectable southern sides. The chicken was alright with minimal seasoning and a beer batter type feel. However the sides really need the most attention. My friends and I each ordered sides one after the other hoping that the next would be better but we were sadly disappointed. I was really looking forward to a creative take on southern style cooking but most of the dishes were really missing a noteworthy flavor. I wish this company the best and hope they take this feedback into consideration in creating more impactful flavors because it’s a cool truck that has potential to attract a following.

Tender, crispy, and drool inducing spice! A winning menu that will leave you craving for more! Howlin Ray is the place to go! If you’re looking for southern fried chicken with a kick, this is the place! Can’t wait for their grand opening in Chinatown!

I’ve had hot friend chicken in Nashville and I totally think that Howlin Ray’s is on par, if not better! I always get the hot fried chicken sandwich, medium, and it’s amazing! The flavor is subtle, compliments the slaw and pickles, and definitely sets your mouth on fire. Can’t wait for them to open! I dream about their sandwich.

Absolutely the best chicken I have ever eaten! I had the chicken and then later tried the sandwich and just love it! Sides are excellent and everything is fresh, non-​greasy, and delicious!

i had such high expectations for this truck! as the chicken sandwich was good, there just wasn’t any kick to it. i don’t mean the spiciness, but the flavor. nothing special about it. i got it medium and it wasn’t too spicy but there was just no special flavor.
the fries on the other hand, to die for! i would go back for the fries and maybe give the regular chicken a try.
fries are a must though! super crispy and seasoned well.

You can usually argue who’s the best. People have different tastes, things that remind them of home…
But I stand by this statement: THIS IS THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH IN LA!!!
There are some excellent contenders (shout outs to Free Range and Plan Check) but Howlin’ Ray’s is the undisputed champ.
The attention to every single ingredient is inspired. They inform you of the source of the chicken, pickles and bread on their menu.
The chicken is succulent and perfectly cooked. The bite of the vinegar slaw and pickles compliments the heat of the sauce nicely. (You choose… I went with Medium and it was just enough to make my forehead sweat a little but not completely numb my lips and tastebuds) The soft, grilled bun anchors it all with a well-​balanced bread-​to-​filling ratio.
I’ll be going back to try some of their sides sometime soon. But I’ll fast beforehand since just the sandwich is more than enough of a meal.
Love what they’re doing, can only hope they’re around for a long time to come.

One of the best fried chicken sandwiches in Los Angeles. So hot and spicy and crunchy and delicious. I really can’t speak more highly of their fried bird.
Their Nashville style hot chicken is moist and will set your tongue and mouth a blaze. If you like hot… check that if you love food that truly brings the heat… check this place out.
INSANE!

Today I had the dark meat, medium-​spicy chicken plate with a side of potato salad. I also had a few bites of the hot white meat chicken. This review is based on those items, so I can’t comment on anything else on the menu.
The dark chicken was more flavourful than the white — no surprise there, but the white was a little dry.
The medium spice level had a little better, more consistent flavour than the hot. The hot chicken was oddly hotter in some places than others, as though the spice mix was unevenly distributed.
The pickles are great. The bread is fine. The potato salad was very mustardy and had a strong dill flavour. Maybe it wasn’t the best side to get in addition to the pickle.
For the price, the chicken was just too small. Did i just get a really scrawny chicken? There were about 10 small bites of meat. If I had paid $ 6, I wouldn’t have felt so bad about paying $ 4 for the side of potato salad (which should have been $ 2.50). If I had just had the plate of chicken and no side, I would still be hungry. That feels weird and disappointing, to still be hungry after paying $ 8 for lunch.

Stop reading this review and go find Howlin’ Ray’s Chicken right now! This food tuck is amazing. My new favorite food truck. Choose from country fried (no heat) to Holwin’ Hot (so hot you might cry) flavors. You have an option of white or dark meat, and sides to choose from. They also make an amazing fried chicken sandwich (not hot to hot). This is the best chicken sandwich in LA hands down. If you know of a better one please let me know, because I think I found it right here! Not only is their food amazing, but so are the owners! Have been coming to their Silverlake stop (Rudy’s Barbershop) 4 times the last 5 weeks. Must try, or you’re missing out on some really good tasting chicken.

I want to start off by saying this place was recommended by a friend of mine who I trust, so I wasnt worried about the 45 minute drive down to Venice. I had very high hopes when I decided to head out to try the Fried Chicken Sandwich at Howlin Rays. Boy did they deliver, the sandwich was so well balanced and delicious I kept taking bites before I could even swallow my previous bite. I went with the chicken sandwich «hot» which is what I was told to get. To be honest it was a bit to spicy for me but to be fair i was warned when I ordered the sandwich. Even though it was spicy it wasnt a very annoying spicy I still wanted to go back and get the burn from the hot sauce. I also got a side of the mustard potato salad which was amazing. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an amazing fried chicken sandwich.
I forgot to mention the pickles were the bomb.

Sampled their fried chicken at Tastemade and wow, that was some good fried chicken. I was bummed at first that for the event they only had white meat but that may have been some of the juiciest white meat chicken I’ve ever tried. I will have to check their schedule to get a full plate next time!

This is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in town no doubt ($ 10), but when you factor in long waits and pricey sides you quickly get to I spent how much?! on a chicken sandwich enjoyed in a gravel driveway.
Still, I’ve started to go weekly…

Yum! I read about Howlin’ Ray’s in an LA Eater article and started following them on IG. When they announced their fried chicken sandwich, I knew I finally had to get my butt out there and try their chicken! My friend and I caught the truck outside The Alibi Room in Culver City (luckily about 2 miles from my apt!) around 6:00pm on Sunday (right when they opened) There were maybe 3 – 4 people waiting for food and maybe 4 – 5 ahead of us in line.
I got the fried chicken sandwich MEDIUM with a side of potato salad. I’m so glad I got the medium because it definitely has a kick! Although I love spicy, I’m glad I didn’t go any higher because at least I could keep eating my food. My friend got EXTRA HOT and her mouth was on fire! She couldn’t finish her sandwich and she started feeling the spicy in her stomach. I tried a bite of hers and my mouth started tingling immediately. I really really liked the sandwich although it did get a little messy towards the end. Topped with a yummy slaw and crisp pickles. I wasn’t a fan of the sides — we got the mustardy potato salad, which was definitely very mustardy (and I’m not a huge fan of mustard) and the mac salad — which was kinda creamy but also had a kick of spice.
The coolest thing about Howlin’ Ray’s at The Alibi Room is that you can eat inside! Which is awesome so you can sit and eat your messy, delicious food and have a place to wash your hands and cool off your mouth afterwards. The Howlin’ Ray’s people are super nice and I will definitely be coming back!
TIP: No tax when you pay in cash!

The epitome of the best attributes of a food truck. I will list what I think makes this oldest and above its peers.
Simple menu. It’s easy to get exactly what you want.
Friendly service. They seem to genuinely appreciate that I’m patronizing their business.
The sides. Not an afterthought, but an integral part of the experience.
Side of pickles. Self explanatory.
That hawt sauce. So much flavor, and the heat is so, so good.
White bread? Surprising, but it accentuates the sweetness of the sauce.
Chicken. Tender and moist (it would be awesome without the sauce).

I have had Howlin’ Ray’s several times at the Arts District Farmers’ Market on Thursday eves. I am certainly not a habitual fried chicken eater– but holy smokes! I gotta give it up to this truck. They have me HOOKED! Order the hot. Just enough to experience the authentic hot chicken but not too much heat to enjoy the amazing subtle flavors.
Oh and the charred slaw .oh la !!!

Wow, great fried chicken/​hot chicken.
Chicken was cooked to perfection and moist. The spice and overall flavor of the chicken was amazing. Go for the medium if if you like spicy and still want to taste your food. For a side I had the cabbage slaw which was delicious.
May be my favorite place so far to get fried chicken/​hot chicken.

I’ve been following Howlin’ Rays on Instagram for about 6 weeks and just tried it for the first time. WHAAAAAAATTT!!! How will I wait another week to eat this again? The fried chicken was likely the best I’ve ever had, and the sides were delicious. The «hot» in hot chicken must be discussed. The flavor of this stuff is just indescribable. Spicy, a touch of sweet, and so much savory. I got the medium, and am glad I did. I am brave with spice, but these guys are no joke. Glad I didn’t get the hot — would’ve taken my attention away from the excellent-​ness of the chicken.
No wonder Johnny and co. are getting such rave reviews. A must try for any lover of things chicken, spicy, and delicious.

Seriously, how have I NOT written a review?
I am literally howlin’ when I eat this. It’s sooooooooo good! It’s hands down the BEST fried chicken I have ever had. I know everyone talks about Popeye’s and Kyo-​Chon. Been there. Done that. It does not even compare.
The Food
WOW…
They give a white plate and dark plate option. Crazy cool. Of course, I want me some dark meat because that’s where all the flavors at. Holy sh*t. So gooooood. Really good. Perfection actually.
The nuggets. YES! And they are TEXAS-​sized, YES! Juicy? YES! Tender? Yes. Great crispy skin? YES! YES! YEEEEESSSSSS!
You can’t go wrong with the original flavor. I saw try both that and the medium. If you have a death wish, by all means, try the hot and/​or howlin’ hot. My Korean friend tried the howling’ and said on a scale of 1 – 10, it was a 15. Ghost peppers. HAHA FOOL! He cried… HAHAHAHA!
The Service
DAMN! Talked to the owners? Johnny and Amanda? They are freaking good looking. Oh, and nice. HAHA! Very nice, actually. And very knowledgeable. They look like they are late 20’s, but insanely mature. AND NICE! So down to earth. Cool, stylish couple — I’ll support that.
The Crowd
Dude, this place is trending. Get in on it now, before the line gets fifty people deep and you have to wait an hour for a food truck. There is always someone waiting. And the people who come by, WOOOO. who needs Tinder when I can follow this food truck for all the hotties that it attracts. I saw a FINE A$$ man today. Are y’all looking for employees?
Please! If you don’t try this place, you would be insulting me. Run, don’t walk to this place.

Fried chicken lovers rejoice!
This place has some of the most absolutely delectable, mouth watering fried chicken!
We were welcomed very kindly by Jonnie and patiently explained to us about how Nashville, TN fried chicken is different but so good you will want to come back for more.
Spicy spicy:
The unique thing about Nashville fried chicken is the sauce. They have the right amount of sauce coating the chicken.
You can choose from mild to extra spicy. My friend was curious and Jonnie offered for him to try some of the extra spicy sauce:
Wow…It tasted great… then the spice started to creep up on you… Now you are looking for anything to quench the fire of that tasty sauce you just ate.
After a few moments of having that great taste in your mouth but with a slight numbness on my lips, I became the sissy that I am, I went for mild while everyone went for medium.
We ordered in total two ¼ white meat and ¼ dark meat. All three orders were fried to perfection while the meat, especially the breast, was extremely juicy.
We got the macaroni salad, the cabbage slaw, and the potato salad. I loved the slaw. Perfect amount of tang.
Did I mention that their pickles are really juicy and almost sweet? Each order came with a few slices but for only a buck more, it’s definitely a great bang for your buck.
Good: did I mention that they’re fried chicken is AMAZING?!
Bad: parking gets tight in Venice. There is a pay lot next to the truck or just hunt for street parking (we parked about a block away)
Final: Amazing hot Nashville TN #friedchicken @howlinrays food truck!
Go find them all over LA:
Wed: #Venice
Thu: #ArtsDistrict
Fri & Sat: #EchoPark
Ask for Jonnie! He is awesome!

Very interesting. Very delicious. Very different than any fried chicken I have ever had in my years of stuffing my face in LA. We checked them out this weekend (Sat, June 13) when we realized they would be en route to our Griffith Park hike.
There menu is very simple: choose 1) dark or white meat 2) the level of spiciness 3) one of the four choices of sides.
I went for the dark meat with ‘hot’ level of spiciness. ‘Hot’ was very manageable. Re: didn’t need to gulp down water after every bite, did not sweat, no tears. The skin was so crispy but not oily. The meat was moist and incredibly flavorful. Just delicious overall.
We got there two hours after they opened… and admittedly, I was a little bummed (okay, a lot bummed) that they ran out of the mac and cheese side already. I went with the potato salad. It was okay. I liked it, just not enough to finish it or get it again next time around.
This place is definitely worth a try if you like fried chicken!
Would I Go Again (WIGA): Absolutely! I wouldn’t chase it down the 405, but if they happened to be down the street then yes, I would definitely get some hot chicken and hopefully some of their mac & cheese.