Matthew N.
Yelp
This was my first time trying out the new Howlin' Ray's in Las Vegas, and it did not disappoint! Finding the location was a bit tricky, since there are multiple food courts in both the Venetian and Palazzo, but ask for the Via Via food hall (home to Ivan Ramen, All'Antico Vinaio, etc.) and you'll spot it.
We ordered The Sando, two tenders, and the shake fries, along with both their sauces: comeback sauce and Tennessee tang. It was a whirlwind of flavor. The sandwich came with coleslaw, which surprisingly added a nice crunch that balanced out the juicy, flavorful chicken patty. That said, for $16, I didn't feel it was worth the price, and I'd rather get the a la carte tenders next time.
Speaking of tenders, they were massive and incredibly juicy. I went with the X-Hot spice level, and wow, this was hands-down the spiciest thing I've ever eaten. (The only difference between X-Hot and Howlin' is that the latter includes chili paste on top of the dry rub.)
The complimentary bread served with the fries wasn't anything special, both bland and a little stale, but it did help take the edge off the heat. The shake fries, on the other hand, were totally worth it: overflowing, crispy, and well-seasoned. I loved the comeback sauce. It reminded me of Freddy's or Cane's sauce, and the Tennessee tang had a tzatziki-like flavor that worked surprisingly well with the fries. We also received a small glass container of honey, which we didn't end up using, but I appreciated the thoughtful freebie.
Despite the countless chicken spots around Vegas, Howlin' Ray's definitely lived up to the hype. If more locations open up around the city, I'll absolutely be back.