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When were you there? I got in line around quarter past 11am. Got the sandwich!
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Lines? How Long?
Hi @theoffalo,
Nice! How was the Fried Chicken Sandwich? How’s the bread and balance of flavors? 
I was there around the same time I think. There were already a bunch of people in line as they opened.
What spice level did you get? How was it?
Hi @wienermobile,
I went on lunch break early LOL, so they opened at 11:00 a.m., when we got there, I think there were 8 - 10 people in line? Not too bad (yet?). 
Let me know what you think of this place!
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Hmm, maybe we saw each other and didn’t know it. When I got there, about 8-10 people were in front of me in line too but I was #27, which is more than an order a minute since they opened. I was next to last seat at the bar and later on @JLee joined me.
I’ve been a big fan of their friend chicken sandwich for a while. Today I decided to take it easy, so I got the mild. I think they might have even tempered that down a bit as it was less spicy than I remembered, but perfectly in line with what a “mild” should be. Thought the balance of batter/breading/slaw/etc. was “on point” as some other food blogger might say. The breaded breast seemed a little larger too. Definitely worth the $11.
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Best fried chicken in LA? Hmmm… I may have to give it a try. I think I’ll just stick w/ the level 1 and “no heat,” though…
Just in my opinion. 
It used to be Flossie’s in their heyday (but I went once about 3 weeks before they suddenly closed, and I felt they were going downhill at that point). Jim Dandy’s is inconsistent and the last 2 times (out of 5 - 6 times) was really salty. I like it more than Honey’s Kettle Culver City, and more than the gourmet Fried Chicken at a few places around town.
But please pass along recommendations for great Fried Chicken; I’m always on the lookout for delicious stuff. 
Thanks!
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how’s the value? say, as compared to popeye’s or something like that?
i’m happy to pay a little more for happier chickens.
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I went Sunday and had the fried chicken sandwich. I was truly blown away by how fucking great it was. The chicken was incredibly crunchy and juicy. I had the best fried chicken of my life about 6 months ago in New Orleans at Willie Mae’s. This wasn’t on that level, but it also was not far off. Also, putting the chicken aside, the sandwich was just perfect in terms of the proportions of sauce, slow, bun, etc. I will be back.
There was a huge line, but that just gave me a chance to eat some chego stuff while waiting–win/win!
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Here’s their menu: http://www.howlinrays.com/menu/. $8-9 for a quarter, $15 for a half, $28 for whole bird. So it’s not cheap, especially when compared to Popeye’s Tuesday specials, but the pieces are bigger, and the chicken is Mary’s air-chilled chicken (more expensive to process but supposedly better tasting) from Pitman Farms. Dunno if the chickens are happier but it’s not a big-ag kind of operation.
I don’t know much about fried chicken myself b/c I feel horribly guilty and can hear my arteries squeezing shut when I take a bite. 
Like the taste, though. But my partner loves fried chicken (comes from a Southern family). But he doesn’t like to drive as far as I do for good eats. However, if I tell him that a trusted FTC’er likes it, then maybe I can convince him… Bwahahahaha.
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Nice @theoffalo.
Thanks for the great report @Haeldaur. Wow, the Fried Chicken Sandwich sounds incredible. I don’t doubt it since I thought their bone-in Fried Chicken was great. I’ll have to try it next time. Good to hear the Sauce / Slaw / Bun on the Sandwich was great.
Which spice level did you get? How was it?
looking at their latest tweet, dinner service is going to be slimmer pickins
As of 2:30p…
@howlinrays
ALERT! 15 white quarters & 8 dark quarters left! Still good on wings and sandos!
Hi @linus,
See @theoffalo’s link. I think I tried a random Popeye’s last year? (friend wanted to see what the fuss was about LOL (no fuss!)), but it was such a salt / grease bomb.
I’m all for PQR, but in this case, I think it’s worth the extra money. I’d gladly pay a little extra to eat Howlin’ Ray’s over saving a few dollars for Popeye’s for sure. Ii could taste a difference in the happier / healthier bird.
Not to take away from their chicken, but I like the sandwich better. Definitely hit that up.
Their regular hours, as stated in the OP, is until 4 PM (for now, eventually they’ll do dinners). So actually seems like their inventory isn’t too bad.
Barring any unforeseen issues, they’re on schedule to do chicken and waffles on the weekends.
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reading is clearly not my strong suit.
Hi @A5KOBE,
Cool. I’d say if you haven’t tried their Chicken at their new restaurant (not the truck), give it a shot. It’s much better (IMHO) than during their Truck days.
At least today (Grand Opening) it was awesome. Breast, Thigh, Leg all good.
I’ll try their Sando next time for sure.
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well, i had read the menu online, but thanks to you and the offalo for responding.
there’s nothing quite like firsthand knowledge.
now, if this turns into one of those places with an omnipresentneverendinglongline, that’s
another kettle of fish entirely and i’ll probably pass.