Nashville hot chicken sensation Howlin’ Ray’s, which is easily LA’s most popular restaurant, sporting hours-long lines, is ready for its next chapter after securing a large restaurant space in Pasadena. The new location will be the first expansion for the famous Chinatown eatery.

The new Howlin’ Ray’s lands along South Arroyo Parkway, just a block south of Superba Snacks + Coffee and the future Shake Shack expansion. The added square footage will not only allow owners Amanda and Johnny Ray Zone to feed more people, it will also increase the restaurant’s capacity for large parties, special events, and catering.

Howlin’ Ray’s hinted on numerous occasions that it would expand, with rumors pointing to places in Culver City and Las Vegas. Johnny Zone even hinted in a recent podcast at a future side concept based on the traditional Southern meat and three plate, but the team decided to continue under the Howlin’ banner, serving seriously spiced bird to hundreds of daily fans.

Howlin’ Ray’s began life as a food truck from Johnny Ray Zone, who carries with him a finer dining background from various restaurants like La Poubelle and the London in West Hollywood. Since opening in Chinatown in 2016, the restaurant has built a massive following and huge lines at virtually all hours of business. Other restaurants continue to try and imitate Howlin’ Rays’ success, but the Chinatown hotspot continues to be the city’s gold standard for the regional fried chicken specialty.

As for a Howlin’ Ray’s Pasadena opening, don’t expect anything too soon. Ownership says the Pasadena arrival likely won’t come until the spring or summer of 2020.

Howlin’ Ray’s. 800 Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA.