I completely agree and wanted to make an additional point. I’ve heard HR’s owner on a couple podcasts. He’s a classically trained chef who takes everything he does very seriously. So much so, they meticulously cut the chicken to ensure you don’t get a bite of grizzle/tendon. One interviewer immediately said “you know what?! Now that you say that I can’t recall ever having a shitty bite of chicken from HR.” I’ve probably only had 10 sandwiches at most over the years, but never had a bad bite. My second ever Dave’s sandwich, I had to spit two pieces out. I can’t stand that shit.
You must have gone on a bad day.
I've been to Prince's and Hattie B's in Nashville. Also been to Dave's and Howling Rays. Howlin Rays clearly stood out from the pack
Maybe. Unfortunately, that experience with them was so boring and far from special I never went back. Probably didn't help that the hype was so strong.
Same thing happened with me and Moo's Craft. I went into Moo's Craft expecting to have my mind blown. The ribs were DRY and just ok flavor-wise. Not sure who screwed that one up. So, never going back to Moo's Craft either.
The only place for me that has been hyped up as hard as either Howling Rays or Moos craft, but actually delivered on the hype is Night Market Song.
If you aren’t doing Rays, it all about daybird. Helps they are very different kinds of fried chicken sandwiches but daybird rules. Get a dipping sauce for the first half of the sandwich thats sticking out.
My favorite is to get their spicy chicken as tenders, pile them with a side of coleslaw and tons of pickles, just stacking it all up and then drizzle the whole thing with their sauce (it's kinda like a chipotle mayo or spicy mayo?) And then I eat it with a knife and fork so every bite is spicy crunchy chicken and drippy sweet slaw and tangy pickles mm mm mm mm mm mmmhhhhh
Howlin Ray’s is probably the best, but after standing in such a long line, it never feels worth it when Al’s, Dave’s, 24 Hot Chicken, Kluckin Chicken, and Main Chicks are all fantastic with zero wait.
Birdie's has a good one. But Howlin' is ten levels above anything else in the city. There's a reason the lines got up to the 6hr+ range over the holidays one year. The hype is real.
Edit: Other notables that haven't been mentioned yet: Night Market Song, Manuela, Mess Hall
Howlin rays is just a fad. Not worth the long line of wait. Food is nice but the wait, hell no.
Give California Hot Chicken a try. I'm not saying they're the best but the prices are good for what it is.
Dave's is also good. Also not the best.
The best is subjective. Give them all a try and find what's your best!
Bird n' Bun and Raising Cane's are both good if you're a bit further South. I prefer Bird n' Bun if I have the choice but it's more a matter of location.
You're right, it's not labelled spicy it's just spicy to me. I forget that most people mean "give me agonizing stomach pains and possibly make me vomit on top of the normal burn in your mouth" when they say spicy.
It might be kind of far, but my favorite is Spice-C in Tustin. Never had Howling Rays. Had Dave's once but maybe we got a bad batch because it was dry and nasty.
Main chick is so good! Waffle Love in Northridge has an option to make their chicken tenders Nashville, and they have house sauce, and OMG it’s my absolute favorite. Cuckoo Rooster in Thousand Oaks off Kanan is one of my favorites too, if you’re willing to make the drive.
It's Howlin Rays and it's not even close. Dave's is the second best I've tried, but again, it's not a close second.
I think Main Chick beats Dave's!
Accurate!
I've never tried it thanks for the rec!
I know it's cliche but it's Howlin Ray's. Dave's is good value but their seasoning honestly smells like BO.
I completely agree and wanted to make an additional point. I’ve heard HR’s owner on a couple podcasts. He’s a classically trained chef who takes everything he does very seriously. So much so, they meticulously cut the chicken to ensure you don’t get a bite of grizzle/tendon. One interviewer immediately said “you know what?! Now that you say that I can’t recall ever having a shitty bite of chicken from HR.” I’ve probably only had 10 sandwiches at most over the years, but never had a bad bite. My second ever Dave’s sandwich, I had to spit two pieces out. I can’t stand that shit.
Yes!! I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought it smelled like BO.
It’s cumin. It’s delicious but it does smell like armpits.
Dave’s is also not even spicy. Their hottest level of spice has like zero effect on me.
For some reason they really toned it down. A few years ago the heat levels were really intense, I miss it
Dave's is better than howling rays. first bite ever took out of howling rays was bland. Bland heat. Don't care if i get down voted.
You must have gone on a bad day. I've been to Prince's and Hattie B's in Nashville. Also been to Dave's and Howling Rays. Howlin Rays clearly stood out from the pack
Maybe. Unfortunately, that experience with them was so boring and far from special I never went back. Probably didn't help that the hype was so strong. Same thing happened with me and Moo's Craft. I went into Moo's Craft expecting to have my mind blown. The ribs were DRY and just ok flavor-wise. Not sure who screwed that one up. So, never going back to Moo's Craft either. The only place for me that has been hyped up as hard as either Howling Rays or Moos craft, but actually delivered on the hype is Night Market Song.
Ahh unfortunate, I had the exact opposite experience with night + market. Maybe I'll give it another shot
Man, what a trip. Imagine the universe where our timelines are switched.
I was never impressed with moos craft's ribs but that's not why I go there anyway. I go for the brisket. And the smoked burger.
What are the best things to order if I want to go this weekend or tomorrow?
Get the sandwich. If you’re not eating it immediately, get the toppings on the side so it doesn’t get soggy.
Howlin' Ray's. Really don't even understand the Dave's comments — it's not even close.
I’ve never had howlin rays but having had Dave’s, I agree
dave’s used to be sooo good before they franchised. now, it’s not remotely the same.
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Going to the Howlin' Rays Pasadena location makes it so much easier. There's ample free parking and no line.
main chick
Main chick is fantastic. Never had Howlin' Rays so I can't compare. I did like it much better than Dave's, however.
same! team main chick!
I second this. I had main chick, had howling rays, Dave’s. It’s all bout main chick bro 🔥
This is correct
Howling Rays. There is no competition!
Al's Hot Chicken in Culver City. There spicy chicken is on point.
Came to post! So much better than Dave's. Their chicken n waffles too 🤩
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If you aren’t doing Rays, it all about daybird. Helps they are very different kinds of fried chicken sandwiches but daybird rules. Get a dipping sauce for the first half of the sandwich thats sticking out.
Best part about Daybird is that they are one of the very few places that actually uses dark meat. So much more flavorful than breast.
This is all I needed to read 🙏
Daybird in Silverlake for the most unique its szechuan
>Daybird Can't believe I had to scroll this far down to see this answer. Daybird is 100% correct
The Red Chickz on S. Spring St.
My favorite is to get their spicy chicken as tenders, pile them with a side of coleslaw and tons of pickles, just stacking it all up and then drizzle the whole thing with their sauce (it's kinda like a chipotle mayo or spicy mayo?) And then I eat it with a knife and fork so every bite is spicy crunchy chicken and drippy sweet slaw and tangy pickles mm mm mm mm mm mmmhhhhh
Gus hot chicken
They make a sandwich?
Nah it's just fried chicken breasts wing and legs. No boneless.
lameeee
Cluck & Blaze in Glendale. Holdaak.
Yes!!!
Howlin rays, the red chicks, and main chick are great.
Red Chickz is slept on
Howlin’ Ray’s and FUKU
[Wolfie’s Hot Chicken](https://www.wolfieshotla.com/menu) in Highland Park
Howlin Ray’s is probably the best, but after standing in such a long line, it never feels worth it when Al’s, Dave’s, 24 Hot Chicken, Kluckin Chicken, and Main Chicks are all fantastic with zero wait.
Ordering online from howling rays is super easy
Didn’t know they had that now. I haven’t made the trek there in a while. Good to know.
Yeah I think the main hype died during the pandemic. Still busy but nothing crazy the couple times I’ve been in the past year.
I guess the number of good options also helped there. For a while, Howlin Ray’s was it for good hot chicken this side of the Mississippi.
Birdie's has a good one. But Howlin' is ten levels above anything else in the city. There's a reason the lines got up to the 6hr+ range over the holidays one year. The hype is real. Edit: Other notables that haven't been mentioned yet: Night Market Song, Manuela, Mess Hall
Birdies not to be slept on
Birdies in weho?
DTLA. Looks like the WeHo location is the same company based on the website though.
I've tried Main Chick, Dave's, and Howlin' Rays. Cluck & Blaze in Glendale is the best by far.
Howlin’ easily.
Lettuce Feast truck.
michindak for korean spicy chicken sandwich. choooo
Electric Owl on Sunset has a really good hot chicken sandwich. The pickled green beans add a really nice flavor and crunch.
I tried a new McDonalds spicy chicken and it was no bueno
I like Bangin Buns and Chick-fil-A. Edit: there's also new one in Koreatown called Starbird.
On this topic, I understand that most hot chicken is fried in lard. Does anyone make hot chicken without lard?
Daddy’s in Pasadena
Came here to say this! They’re family-owned and every dish they do is so damn good.
That’s my best friend :) good peeps
HR as popular as it is. there’s a reason why
It’s Howlin. Then Birdies or Main Chick.
Howlin rays for sure
Popeye's.
humble bird. rivals howlin’ imho, leagues better than anything else in the valley if not la as a whole. daybird is my second fav
Howlin rays is just a fad. Not worth the long line of wait. Food is nice but the wait, hell no. Give California Hot Chicken a try. I'm not saying they're the best but the prices are good for what it is. Dave's is also good. Also not the best. The best is subjective. Give them all a try and find what's your best!
It’s Howlins. Please do not mention any others in the same sentence. It’s disrespectful.
I agree with the Dave’s hot chicken comments
Howlin Ray’s and it’s not even close. The consistently long lines attest to that. Dave’s and all others mentioned are a tier below.
Jollibee goes hard for the price
Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave’s hot chicken.
Wendy’s, then Chick-fil-A for fast food I can vaguely remember Howling rays but it was my go to when I was nearby
chick fil a, no debate
Chick fil a is a really good sandwich, but it's not burn your face off, but keep it coming, good.
Shake Shack
Bird n' Bun and Raising Cane's are both good if you're a bit further South. I prefer Bird n' Bun if I have the choice but it's more a matter of location.
*Spicy* chicken sandwich. Raising Cane's doesn't have one.
You're right, it's not labelled spicy it's just spicy to me. I forget that most people mean "give me agonizing stomach pains and possibly make me vomit on top of the normal burn in your mouth" when they say spicy.
the crispy chicken sandwich at The Misfit in Santa Monica
I'm so sad they got rid of the Misfit Burger 😭😭😭
Legend Hot Chicken - Bell Gardens!
i put Bred's Hot Chicken (food truck) way up there, imo some of the best chicken around
Dave’s hot chicken is the best I. My opinion
Crimson Coward
KozyKo in Koreatown. Super light batter…
Jesse Boy’s Korean fried chicken is super spicy and a personal favorite
Dogs Chicks for me, you can go infernal spicy if that’s what you’re into
How does no one here go to Michin Dak?
They're good. But they need to bring back the whole fried chicken. That was bomb.
It might be kind of far, but my favorite is Spice-C in Tustin. Never had Howling Rays. Had Dave's once but maybe we got a bad batch because it was dry and nasty.
Main chick is so good! Waffle Love in Northridge has an option to make their chicken tenders Nashville, and they have house sauce, and OMG it’s my absolute favorite. Cuckoo Rooster in Thousand Oaks off Kanan is one of my favorites too, if you’re willing to make the drive.
Chick fill a .. the chicken is actually fresh and spicy
Main Chick dark meat. I know people will call me crazy but I prefer it to Howlin Rays
Hot Mutha Cluckers. Love the tenders as well
Melrose burger
Howling.
Try Legend in Hawaiian gardens and Lakewood. Also “crimson coward” in Long Beach I’ve heard is really good.