Inside Howlin' Ray's, a Hot Chicken Specialist in Chinatown

Howlin' Ray's has completed construction, with only a few weeks separating rabid fans from its addictive Nashville-style hot chicken. Founded by Johnny Ray Zone and wife Amanda Chapman, the former food truck has done its job of creating awareness for the spicy fried chicken concept. Opening officially April 27, Howlin' Ray's will offer a tight menu of hot chicken by the quarter (white or dark), fried chicken sandwiches, and even hot chicken and waffles on the weekends.

How did Zone become obsessed with this Nashville fried chicken specialty? He had been traveling back and forth to Nashville to pursue a gig at Sean Brock's Husk, but discovered the regional specialty, visiting numerous places and consuming the chicken over one hundred times. After tasting some of the best examples of hot chicken from places like 400 Degrees, Prince's, Hattie B's, and Bolton's, Zone employed his chef capabilities to find a middle ground between spicy sweetness and savoriness.

Named after his late father, a 3-D comic book artist, Zone chose Chinatown as an ideal location that spanned their two best neighborhoods: Silver Lake and Arts District. Once it opens on the 27th, hours will run Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with expanded service to come in future weeks.

Howlin' Ray's 727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012