Jenn eats Nashville Hot Chicken from the masters Kim Prince and Johnny Ray Zone | The Bucket List

Fiery, melt-your-face-off, totally addictive Nashville hot chicken is the focus of our pilot episode of The Bucket List, featuring Kim Prince of Hotville Chicken at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw mall and Johnny Ray Zone of Howlin’ Ray’s in Chinatown. Prince is hot chicken royalty; her great-great uncle Thorton invented the stuff in the 1930s. Zone was the first to bring hot chicken to L.A. and his fealty to the Prince family’s style and ethos has won him a fan in Prince. Jenn gets a lesson in how to make hot chicken from the two as they discuss the best ways to marinate, fry and eat fried chicken.
In this episode:
Hotville Chicken
www.hotvillechicken.com/
Howlin’ Ray’s
howlinrays.com/
For more food coverage, restaurant reviews, recipes, and the latest food news subscribe to the L.A. Times. www.latimes.com/subscribe
Connect with us:
/ latimesfood
/ latimesfood
/ latimesfood

[@JennHarris]

Hi everyone!! Thanks so much for watching the first episode of “The Bucket List!” It’s a show devoted to the best fried chicken in Los Angeles and the people who make it. We’ll be dropping an episode every Tuesday morning for the next 10 weeks!! And I’d love to know your favorite fried chicken spots. Please let me know in the comments below. Thank you!

[@jenarddecastro2597]

I like "THC: Tennessee Hot Chicken" in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park, California along the trendy part of York Blvd Park right across the street at the post office when they close up shop for the day.

[@eddieagr]

Jenn Harris...chicken day in Koreatown!!

[@Glazerboohoohoo]

Hey Jenn! Check out the Tender Friends podcast - they are two really funny pals who are dedicated to trying every chicken tender in LA. They'd be great guests, and know tons of great spots. IG: @tenderfriendspod

[@MichaelREFLECTS]

Kind of hated your show. Every time they kept saying "here's our marinated chicken" I was expecting you to ask them perhaps a little hint of whats in it...but you didnt. Wheres the brainpower there? Annoying feature piece...show off frill and free advertising for them. Pointless for anyone trying to actually learn more lol

[@TheGame28887]

I absolutely love Howlin rays. There noting like eating at that bar surrounded by the amazing vibe with truly happy and passionate cooks. Hats off to the lads at Howlin rays

[@sam-mx1ts]

Carlos Andrade Couldn’t have said it better. Howlin rays is hands down some of the best chicken I’ve had and the amount of positivity in the building just makes the food just that much better

[@jupiter8351]

Their chicken isn't half bad at Howlin Rays. The thing that made Howlin Rays different from other Chicken Shack is the vibe and the amazing customer service. My cousin and I only ordered a single sandwich to share, they thought it was kind of sad so the chef gave us another one on the house. They didn't have to do that, but they did. I will definitely go back because their just amazing.

[@haiyah6]

she had me in bone in- marrow has all the flavors

[@JennHarris]

Me too!

[@rosalinet]

Hot Chicken is my favorite food of all time! Thank god I was born and raised in Nashville!!!

[@LS-zk4mt]

it's overrated

[@kathyerickson9402]

That was great...having both Kim and Johnny sharing their chicken. I'm on board to see where Jenn takes us next!

[@JennHarris]

It really was a treat to have them together. Thanks for watching Kathy!

[@JessieEats]

Such a perfect way to kickoff this series!!! I love this Jenn! I can't wait for more episodes!

[@11thcenturycrusader31]

Makes me proud to be born and raised in Nashville. I feel blessed that I can drive a couple miles and be at Hattie B's

[@WilOne52]

My left arm went numb watching this

[@EenaJay]

In January, I was in LA for an interview and made sure to visit Hotville Chicken. Hands down, Kim's hot chicken had me feeling like I was on "Hot Ones". 😂🙌🏾

[@TheWongjoce]

Love your first episode!

[@memosmunchies]

This episode was so cool! I have to come get some Howlin Ray's soon.

[@tlbabyyy]

You guys definitely have to try Wing Ferno!! Seriously sooo good. I fly or drive 7 hours just because I’m craving their Nashville hot chicken wings! Drooling just thinking about it!!

[@carlosl5125]

Howlin Rays is a must every time I visit LA yum

[@80budokai]

Los Angeles Times Food, great video! Enjoy your Saturday!

[@LeapandLevelUp]

Congratulations Kim Prince and Johnny Ray!!! We at Slow Burn Hot Chicken in Nashville Love y’all!!! You have set the bar high and we are truly inspired by the NHC Mecca, Princes Hot Chicken ❤️❤️❤️ We’ll plan a trip to come out and visit both while in LA soon.

[@jey524]

Looks good thanks!

[@304derrick]

Love John. They hook me up every time I show up. How rays is #1

[@lucaskwanpeterson2010]

Great episode Jenn!

[@JennHarris]

THANK YOU LUCAS

[@seanjuth]

0:03 YES MAM!

[@streetlifetv9241]

They need to open one in orlando florida

[@robertmeadows2432]

Caught You Today 2/15/2020 With Neil On KFI........Great Great Show....

[@gerardo2real]

Omg Howlin Rays is the best hot chicken i’ve tried, you see the line and your expectations will be met with the food. Howlin Rays is top tier, all the other food joints can’t compete, sure their good but something about Howlin Rays that makes it good, proud to live in LA.

[@thetruth1140]

It's the same recipe used at the original Princes Hot Chicken shack in Nashville. That's why its soo good.

[@tigertenis4433]

Hot host +ecellent production = smash hit

[@Psd6One5]

Grease looks to clean for me for hot chicken #NashvilleMade 😂

[@sugreev2001]

I’ve never been much into spicy food, but I really, really want to go to Nashville and try some authentic Nashville Hot Chicken.

[@jenarddecastro2597]

Give "THC: Tennessee Hot Chicken" a try in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park, California along the trendy part of York Blvd

[@JennHarris]

Some places in Nashville will let you order "light mild" for just a hint of spice so you can still try it and not burn your face off :)

[@sugreev2001]

Jenn Harris Thank you. I might just do that.

[@simplelife6318]

I love this!! Bill Addison should do a taco list series as well

[@JennHarris]

That's a great idea!

[@TEEZS10]

homie needed to just shut up lol

[@furryfoxjetpilot]

I have tried every heat level at Howlin Rays and the hottest two at Hotville (including the off menu one), and I have to say that Hotville's is officially the most painfully spicy thing I have ever tried. Way hotter than Howlin Rays!

[@LS-zk4mt]

but that doesn't make good eating

[@afghan1799]

So tasty Recipe lik

[@trioctavia6876]

Baptizing it 😅

[@LadiJadi72]

More cluckin' shenanigans please!

[@g..._anthony27]

Kim. Damn.

[@oz9680]

Who wants a fry great fry chicken business?

[@chipmillard5043]

I was just in the Los Angeles area this past weekend, and coming from a hot chicken wasteland (Washington, DC area), I made sure to satisfy my hot chicken craving. I got to both Hotville and Al's Hot Chicken (the latter of which is on Venice Boulevard a little east of I-405). I was disappointed by Al's Hot Chicken (good, but had more of a dry rub coating and wasn't hot enough at the "hot" spiciness level), but Hotville was excellent, very comparable in quality to Howlin' Ray's (which I had during my last visit to Los Angeles; I just don't want to wait in that ridiculously long line!) and Hattie B's (in both Birmingham and Memphis; that small chain is based in Nashville). Hopefully Kim Prince has success with her new Hotville restaurant; I want to get back there during my next LA area visit!

[@marcbjohnson]

Chip Millard What places have you tried in the DC Area?

[@chipmillard5043]

@@marcbjohnson There are no true bone-in hot chicken places in the DC area. I did eat a hot chicken sandwich at the Roaming Rooster food truck about 2-3 weeks ago, and I thought it was good but not great - it was no better than a Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich IMO but cost 2 1/2 times as much. It also wasn't hot enough for Nashville hot chicken. (I ordered the hottest level but I don't think they gave me that.) Though I'm not a big chicken sandwich or boneless chicken guy, I do want to try Bantam King (near Capital One Arena) and Hot Lola's (in the Ballston neighborhood in Arlington) at some point, though both are more of a Chinese/Nashville hot chicken hybrid. There is a Gus's Fried Chicken in the Greenbelt/College Park area; they have excellent spicy chicken that is in the vein of Popeyes spicy/Church's spicy/Bojangles' (all of which I like a lot) but better. It isn't Nashville hot chicken though, and I'd like to have that option in the DC area. (I'll note there are about four Gus's Fried Chicken locations in the greater Los Angeles area, if you live in that area.)

[@MultiMonique1]

Please please please come to Houston Texas 😩😩😩😩😩😩

[@MrRio420]

Johnny and family my wife and I would love to meet you and possibly get a few tips we live in Pismo Beach CA and the void of authenticity here has pushed us into bringing something like this similar in our beautiful area ...we have driven to LA a few times just for your chicken

[@rufushunter6396]

Bone in chicken is how true Nashvillians order hot chicken. Quarter white medium with fries from Prince's....you need to try a Nashville hot fish sandwich or Nashville hot pork chop sandwich....

[@Will818SF]

Antelope valley ppl try sassy bird if you want Nashville hot chicken

[@pinkie2893]

Woohoo

[@mooloo9974]

I want some of that Kim though

[@psychedamike]

Kim looks fiiiiine

[@moniboo523]

If anyone wants to know Princes cooks with Lard for any non pork eaters...

[@ItsMikeArre]

Howling rays is great but that line ugh

[@jenarddecastro2597]

That's why I now go to "THC: Tennessee Hot Chicken" in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park, California along the trendy part of York Blvd. Please look them up on Instagram and the Yelp reviews to see why!! Park at the post office right across the street when they close up shop for the day, and the street food nightlife culture comes to life!!!

[@JennHarris]

I've found that if I go during the week right before 11am the line isn't too long. Sometimes it's not too bad around 3-4 p.m. too. I know those are usually work hours though...

[@UnknownOH]

Fridays after 4 it’s normally 45min to an hour and Thursday or Tuesday at 4 it’s like 30 min it’s only 2+hours on Saturday and Sunday

[@runna-ow7ql]

@@UnknownOH only 2+ hours, think about what you just wrote...

[@southside.o.g.9331]

Mike Arredondo how’s that line now???

[@TheRealAnteUp081]

🤤

[@smimtiaz4556]

😮

[@SAGAtoday]

I don't doubt that Hotville/Prince's has bomb chicken (haven't tried them yet) but I've been going to Howlin for the last 2 years and it NEVER disappoints. The line is worth it and if there wasn't a line, it wouldn't be worth it! Seriously one of the absolute best restaurants in the state of California

[@larrybirdstrashtalk8272]

What a weird video about gentrifiers sitting across from those they lifted ideas from. As ironically said, "something wrong" (the accent was a great touch).

[@streetskateshop2016]

Who are the gentrifiers you are referring to?

[@YeilPark]

If anyone wants to deep dive into an amazing piece on Nashville Chicken, I would highly recommend Danny Chau's feature: www.theringer.com/2016/8/31/16041202/the-burning-desire-for-hot-chicken-bf87446b4dda

[@BakedBeanieSigel]

Somebody please tell me how some random white dude is a "Master" of Hot Chicken when the Black Family restaurants in nashville who invented it are never mentioned?

[@southside.o.g.9331]

We don’t have a Nashville Hot culture in NYC.... unless you consider KFC’s as a Hot Chicken Destination... I don’t think so!!! We Need Howling Rays .., point Blink...

[@jmb72390]

The KFC's is an abomination if you want the authentic stuff come to Nashville Tennessee

[@zooru771]

I bet that spicy chicken could cure covid

[@coxb29]

Fried chicken can't be enjoyed at insane spicy levels in my opinion.

[@deandreray3500]

Princess hot chicken is the originator in Nashville anything else is copycat it’s the best Nashville hot chicken in the country and the oldest!

[@catb.oflosangelesbanks6463]

Nope! Tried it today. I don’t like giant wings! White bread? 2 thin dill pickles? I would prefer smaller wings, more seasoning on the chicken prior to coating it. Butter pickles, like Golden Bird used to. A buttered or Hawaiian roll or even biscuit would be better. The guy at the counter was extremely nice though. (Baldwin Hills Plaza Location). During COVID19 I thought I’d help small business owners. This isn’t something I will have again. I’ll keep frying at home using my flour or Sylvia’s chicken fry mix. I spent $43 gave $7 in tip jar. Just not for me.

[@kennywalker9516]

More pickles you gone pay for him ... ME no thanks I will go we’re the pickles are free

[@ibec69]

Hey guys, the colour grading needs some love. This is not a good look.

[@dmos65]

That chick is salty and hatin howlin rays

[@almightyeggroll951]

8:40 never coming here

[@simplelife6318]

because they're having fun?

[@targusmacintosh7506]

The guy threw the bread away. His boss would kill him had he put it back. These guys have high standards.

[@LS-zk4mt]

JOLLIEBEE is WAY better! Not even close!! Sorry if I hurt your feelings.

[@seymour2113]

I've gone to Hotville, the chicken wasn't good. Very disappointing experience. Still a good video though.

[@glendadobbins1959]

Seymour try this again. There was a “fraud” out there that’s been going around that I believe has been shut down. Women was dressing, acting, and doing hair like Kim. She came to Northern California trying it at fairs too. Reported her

[@seymour2113]

@@glendadobbins1959 I met the woman at the official Hotville restaurant, which is still up and running. Their chicken is flavorless not fraudulent.