Hey r/FoodLosAngeles!
I’ve been obsessed with Howlin’ Rays since I first read [Jonathan Gold’s review](https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-fried-chicken-20160615-snap-story.html) in July of 2016. Between then and 2020 I stood in line for their hot chicken 15 times, 2 hours a pop. (7 visits in the first 4 months alone, but I had to slow down for the sake of my waistline.) I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been since then, but needless to say – it’s a lot.
So it was such a pleasure to speak with Cofounder and Head Chef Johnny Ray Zone for my podcast [Where We Go Next](https://wherewegonext.com/episodes/johnny-ray-zone). You can listen to a clip from the episode on Instagram here: [http://bit.ly/3qj72pq](http://bit.ly/3qj72pq)
**Some of the topics we discussed:**
* The connections between Johnny’s childhood love of basketball and his career in the food industry
* How his father’s untimely death spurred him to risk launching the Howlin’ Ray’s food truck
* Why applying a “highbrow” approach to “lowbrow” food contributed to the restaurant’s success
* How the pandemic forced the team to rethink and ultimately improve the restaurant’s efficiency
* What does he feel he owes to the Prince family’s Nashville hot chicken legacy?
* Where the third Howlin’ location is being built…
…and more. You can listen to the episode on [the web](https://wherewegonext.com/episodes/johnny-ray-zone), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-we-go-next/id1527944755?i=1000615123197), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KSy2il5Zcv2IXTcusSHmF?si=T8kcPqqCTFajOLBpFfKQDw), or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply search for **Where We Go Next**. Thanks for your time, and if you listen to the episode, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
by WhereWeGoNext
6 Comments
Please be Van Nuys. Please be Van Nuys..
We will give it a listen! still disappointed you can’t order a half chicken anymore.
anyone listen and know where the next location is gonna be?
nice, not really a podcast kinda guy but i’ll give this a listen at work.
on our last visit a few months back, my wife and i stopped by the chinatown location since it had been a really long time since we’ve eaten there
my wife asked johnny if they sold the hoodie he was wearing. he said unfortunately no. so instead dude literally took the sweater off his back and gave it to my wife with his autograph. i felt so bad but he insisted. i tipped them $100 that night cause my wife forgot to order a drink and they gave it to us on the house too.
johnny and literally everyone at howlin rays is just pure positive energy. they’re the nicest people i’ve ever met and their service is unmatched. it’s always such a great experience every time.
at the peak of my addiction my wife and i would go like 3 times a week and stand in line for HOURSSS all the way from orange county. def worth the wait and drive without a doubt.
Love their chicken. I’m in OC and Clyde’s is a reasonable substitute.
Had my first Ray’s last night. I get the hype now. The buying experience is a little intense.