Massively good news for fans of Howlin’ Ray’s, the Nashville-style hot chicken specialists with a cultish Chinatown following. Owners Johnny and Amanda Zone confirmed last night on their Instagram page that the tiny Far East Plaza restaurant will be expanding into a next door space, effectively doubling their current square footage. Oh, and there’s much more in the works as well.
The Zones have long been looking for a way to seamlessly grow their operation, which currently sports lines of up to four hours long at peak times (not that it’s turning the critics away). Their small storefront on the ground floor of Chinatown’s busiest open air mall simply can’t handle the volume that Howlin’ Ray’s fans have come to demand, so the search has been on for some time now to not only find a second permanent location elsewhere in the city, but to grow the one they’ve already got.
In fact, the frustration that some customers have felt regarding the long lines and often arduous process of getting inside the actual restaurant is a primary reason for the growth, says Zone in the below Instagram post. Ever the friendly face at the restaurant, Johnny Zone certainly seems keen to keep his clientele happy, without sacrificing quality. Here’s the full statement:
That’s where the former Oriental Palace comes in. The owners of that space have decided to retire, the Howlin’ Ray’s post says, allowing the hot chicken team to jump into a lease. That new look will allow the dining area to double, while adding multiple cashiers, a restroom to call their own, and even beer and wine. They will also be expanding the kitchen setup and adding a takeout window for simpler orders more suited to grab and go dining (like that famous fried chicken sandwich, maybe).
No word on when the expansion will officially occur, but it’s easy to assume the sooner the better. The Howlin’ Ray’s team has every reason to grow effectively but quickly, and the customer support to help them get there. It’s hard to believe the Zones are only just now celebrating their one year anniversary of being at Far East Plaza in the first place, given how big of a figure they’ve become on the local scene there already.
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