Howlin' Ray's

Wow! Divine. Literally the best I've had for hot chicken. The fries were my favorite. If you get the shaken fries make sure to eat it right away. It was as good when I brought it home. The Sando was really good and thick piece of chicken. The slaw paired well with the sando, it had like a vinegar taste to cut the spice. I liked it. Pickles were good!Mac salad was good. 9/10Potato salad. 8/10Fries. 10/10 Sando. 8.5/10Sauce: 10/10! Flavorful! Similar to canes sauce but way better and creamy!They were also so nice they have us side of pickles and two water bottles!Next time I want to try the Mario friesCloses at a certain time, but I saw people kept coming after closing time.

a chicken sandwich that's worth the wait and the price 10/10 - definitely recommend!we got a complimentary banana pudding dessert because of our extended wait (they ran out of chicken)total time for the line and food was about 45 minutes which is not bad at all for a saturday afternoon!

This location always, always has a line no matter what time of day! I purposely planned to get lunch here on a Friday at 1pm to avoid a crazy line, and thankfully the wait wasn't too bad! The customer service knocked me and my of state friends out of the park today! We got an extra (spice free) sando and lemonade on the house. Thank you kindly for the Valentine rose and good vibes! The sando is a classic order 5/5, can't go wrong. The shake fries are AWESOME, I've never gotten them before but the seasoning and crinkle cut are elite. My go-to order is the quarter or half bird, because I love a bone-in thigh. It comes with pickles and toast so you can technically make your own sando. I recommend getting the slaw on the side, I like that it's not mayo-based and the vinegar isn't too forward. I'll pass on the lemonade next time, it tasted a bit metallic probably because it's canned. Otherwise, overall an excellent meal as always!

This is one of the best Nashville-style chicken spots I've been to! The chicken was incredibly flavorful and tender. I ordered the medium spice level, which had a nice, gradual heat build-up, while my family enjoyed the hot for an extra kick.We also tried the mac salad, which complemented the chicken perfectly and helped cool the palate. To top it off, we had the banana pudding--it was absolutely incredible! It wasn't too sweet and had a delicious homemade taste.The staff was exceptionally welcoming, especially since it was our first visit. They even provided a spice level sample to ensure we knew what to expect, which was much appreciated!I highly recommend this place for anyone craving delicious, spicy chicken. I'll definitely be returning the next time I'm in the area!

Howlin' Ray's has definitely earned its spot at the top of our hot chicken list! We visited on a Wednesday around 3 PM, and luckily, it wasn't too busy. Parking was a breeze--we found metered spots right out front.The shop itself is cozy, located on the first floor, with two large tables outside for seating. What really sets this place apart is the exceptional service. Every staff member went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time.Now, the food--wow! We ordered the mild wings and mild tenders (three pieces each), and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. At first, we worried three pieces wouldn't be enough, but each one was generously sized, perfectly tender, and incredibly juicy. The mild spice level was just right for a little kick without being overwhelming.We couldn't choose just one sauce, so we tried them all: comeback sauce, honey mustard, and tang. While they were all good, tang and honey mustard were the standouts--they paired perfectly with the chicken.Even though it's quite a drive from where we live, Howlin' Ray's is absolutely worth the trip. The wings alone would bring us back. Highly recommend!

No line to order at 4:40pm on a Thursday afternoon. About the 4th ones in que. Waited about 5-10minutes. The service was incredibly friendly, and the food didn't disappoint. The spiciness level definitely packs a punch. The coleslaw in the sandwich was decent, but nothing special. However, the fries were the standout for me--they were definitely my favorite part of the meal.It's take out style, but they have benches and picnic tables outside of the shop where you can eat. They also provide wet hand wipes and bathroom tokens.

On Sunday, I picked-up lunch from Howlin' Ray's in Chinatown for the first time. I had a great in-store experience. I mentioned to the cashier that it was my first time there, and they readily provided recommendations and offered a drink on the house - the Classic Lemonade. The cashier and staff at the pick-up counter were so friendly; they asked each customer for their name, how they were doing, and what they were doing in the area. Honestly, the staff's positivity and customer service left such good impressions on top of the yummy food that I ordered.Since I went on Sunday at around noon, the shop was already busy for the lunch rush, but the ordering queue moved quickly. After placing my order, I waited about 15 minutes to get it. My family and I shared a couple of items, including the Half Bird at medium heat and The Sando at mild heat. The chicken from both items were flavorful, crispy, and not dry. I'm now a fan of the rub from the medium heat! Also, if you like chipotle aioli or chipotle mayo, then you'll probably like their Comeback Sauce; it was tasty on The Sando. The Classic Lemonade was tart, fizzy, and a little too sweet for my tastes, but it did pair well with the chicken. I'd definitely visit Howlin' Ray's again!

I finally had the opportunity to try Howlin Ray's. The wait always deterred me but I was in the area on a weekday and was able to hop in line about 10 min after they opened at 11 AM. The wait was about 25 min by the time I got my food, so not bad at all. I recommend getting here BEFORE they open or just right when they open for the shortest waits.I ordered The Sando for $14. This is strictly a to-go spot with no inside seating. There are a few communal tables directly outside the restaurant. Customer service is friendly as the employees try to strike up conversations with customers.Why the 3-stars? After trying many, many Nashville friend chicken sandwiches, I really expected Howlin Ray's to be the best chicken sandwich ever (as many people claim it is). It did not reach those heights for me. In fact, I thought it was a bit over-hyped and not all that different from some other friend chicken sandwiches I've had in the Bay and SoCal. Given the influx of friend chicken sandwiches in recent years, I thought Howlin Rays was pretty comparable. Sorry, just my opinion.Street, metered parking only in Chinatown. They currently are not offering online ordering. Only delivery via Postmates according to their website.

The chicken sandwich was worth it. I didn't care for the "hot" level as I found it to be too overwhelming with chili powder to a point where it changed the texture to mush and it wasn't very spicy just kind of nasty. The chicken tenders were great, mild or medium is fine. Don't bother with the chicken wings, they shouldn't be on the menu as they were very mid. Overall the chicken sandwich is the move. Customer service is good they know what they're doing. Double up on the wet wipes per each person as it gets sticky and messy and there aren't any restrooms. If you can't find a seat at the bench, there are some casual seats on a nearby planter bit in the center. Parking is a paid, but at least it's everywhere.

Best chicken sando i've ever had. Whoever was handing out the food around 1220 pm today deserves a raise that guy was awesome.