Great steaks at a great price!

I've eaten at my fair share of steakhouses and Ray's is one of the best. And when you factor in that you don't need an expense account to dine there, the experience is all the more rewarding! The complimentary creamed spinach and mashed potatoes are absolutly delicious. The two desserts we tried - milk chocolate and dark chocolate mousse - were some of the best we've ever eaten. The only drawback is the decibal level. We ate in the Bistro section and had to speak in raised voices just to have a conversation amongst ourselves. But otherwise, Rays is top-shelf!

Priorities, priorities, priorities

If you eat out to see and be seen, if you eat out for ambiance, if you eat out to do anything other than enjoy a meal, forget Ray's. If, OTOH you are looking for the finest ingredients properly prepared and modestly presented for a very fair price, then head on down to Arlington. I've never had a bad meal or a bad service experience at Ray's in the seven years they've been in business.

Ray's the Vultures.

I eat out a lot in DC spend a lot of time carefully picking restaurants. I've had some bad experiences but have never written about them until now. My favorite meal is steak & red wine so I selected Ray’s Steaks for my 30th bday. I'll admit it was the best steak I've ever had. But the service was deplorable. My party of 10 (with my mom!) was ordered to order almost immediately after sitting, then told about the 'big party' coming in after us. By 8:15 Rays’ the Steaks turned into Ray’s the Vultures; the waiters & hosts swarmed the table like buzzards removing glasses and plates. Our waiter would not speak to/look at us! I'll admit, 2 were late, but we were not allowed to wait for them so it didn't affect time. What a disappointment.

Well worth the trip....

We come from outside the Beltway and have been reading reviews on "Ray's" since it opened. We were impressed by the service (friendly, and attentive), were not rushed and were glad to have the filet mignon recommendation. It was wonderful! The blue cheese sauce was unusual and very good. I'd also order the sauteed mushrooms vs. the onions as a side. I just wonder if the dining room behind the greeting area differs from the front dining area?

Nothing but love

Just came back from Ray's and our entire experience was perfect. We were seated immediately, our meals were amazing and timed flawlessly. Our waiter, Daren, went above and beyond as far as we were concerned. When I mentioned casually that it was too bad you couldn't order just half a glass of wine, he topped off my glass! As if that wasn't enough, the birthday boy's desert was clearly a double slice. Hope this doesn't get Daren into trouble because he really made our evening special. Thank you Ray's, we're hooked!

Food Fight?

Is it just me, or does Michael Landrum look like John Belushi? Besides that, this is a great place for a good steak and sides at a reasonable price. Decor is non-existent, and the service sometimes haphazard. Still worth going to, and glad they now take reservations.

Raise the Service Level

We are meat-eaters and really looked forward to Ray's. We had a reservation but had to wait minutes before being seated - with no apology or acknowledgement whatsoever. Then they had the nerve to rush US! We'll be having our steaks at the Palm and Bobby Vans.

Over-rated

I've eaten at Ray's a few times and I've eaten at Hellburger once. Ray's has a good wine list at very reasonable prices, but the wine is often spoiled. I've heard that from other people too. Happened to me there a few times though and I've never had that happen anywhere else and I've dined out quite often. Must not be stored correctly which explains the prices. The Filet is excellent. The other cuts were just okay - not nearly as good as Morton's or Captial Grill. The appetizers are the best part of the meal. As for Hellburgers, I didn't much like it. The beef was good, but the bun was not. No french fries either. Tries to be too different. I like Five Guys much better.

great steaks

My wife and I have eaten there twice in the last two months. Both times, the steaks were superb and the Bordeaux delicious and well-priced. The decor isn't much, but I don't eat the decor.

Great birthday dinner

I don't understand everyone who is complaining about the food. I've always had my steaks cooked exactly as I ask. The service isn't the best, but it's never been a problem. I've always received what I've asked for. All in all, this is the best bang for your buck for a steak restaurant in the DC area.

Over-rated, over-priced

Ray's burgers are perfect, but his steaks are typically over cooked, over hyped, and way over priced.

Disappointing Celebratory Dinner 2

When our food came, three of us received our orders and two of us did not. One was completely wrong and the other received scallops, so we all waited for all the entrees to be served. When our friend told the waiter that it was the incorrect order, the waiter told our friend that that was what he had suggested and she had to politely correct him and tell him that she had ordered the salmon even though he suggested the scallops. We waited for everyone's food (which took about 20 mins) to come out before we started eating. When the food did come out and we cut into our steaks and were surprised to see that they were not cooked as requested; the two that were requested medium rare were medium well, and vice versa the others were undercooked.

Disappointed Birthday Dinner

Five of us went to Ray's the Steaks for a celebratory birthday dinner. Unfortunately, the first glitch occurred when we showed us for our reservation. We had made a reservation on Mon for dinner on Wed, the hostess had told us that the reservevations didn't exist. However, we were seated after a little wait. When we ordered our food, we all specified how we would like our steaks. One of us asked for a recommendation on a seafood entree - the waiter had suggested scallops, but our friend ordered the salmon instead because she did not like scallops. When our food came, three of us received our orders and two of us did not. One was completely wrong and the other received scallops, so we all waited for all the entrees to be served.

Great.....Toddytime of TN

3 of us ate on Monday June 29th. We all had the 6 oz Filet. along with potatoes,spinich,mushrooms, and we had 2 mediun and one medium rare. The service was TOP NOTCH and the meal for all a 9+. A good wine that did not break the bank. I will be returning to RAYS next time I an back in town.

There is no excuse for bad service.

With the hype and accolades that Chef Ray gets, there is no excuse to read reviews of bad service, nor reviews of people who shrug it off because they can accept it because the food is good. I can go and buy Angus Prime from the butcher, grill it and it will be like butter in your mouth. IF you're going to pay those prices to eat out, you better be treated like royalty-there are many top rated restaurants in Metro DC to settle for incompetence and rudeness. It's your choice to settle for mediocracy. A rude manager? Waiting outside in 15F for 35 mins.? Hostesses that won't seat you nor acknowledge you? Sounds like Rays is becoming a no value added corporate chain. No excuse for bad service..Period. ~

A wonderful first-visit experience

My husband and I were invited to dine with friends and met up at the restaurant right at our reservation time of 6:30pm. We were immediately seated and presented with menus. Our waitress soon greeted us and let us know what the specials of the day were. She left and gave us time to review our choices, came back to answer several questions we had, then took our orders. We enjoyed bread while waiting for salad or soup that were part of our meal. After giving us plently of time to enjoy the appetizers, our meals were served along with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Everything was WONDERFUL, and the ambiance was very pleasant. We enjoyed our dinner very much, & I would definitely recommend Ray's to anyone asking for my opinion.

AWESOME!!!

This was my first time at the new location. I have read several bad reviews about the service, so I went expecting the worse..but got the complete opposite. Service was incredible! Drinks kept coming, empty plates cleaned immediately and everyone was friendly. My wife even asaked for a doggie bag for her leftover steak and they threw in more spinach and potatoes!!! Food and service was outstanding!

Miserable Service

The service was outrageously pretentious, abrupt, and ham-handed. After engaging a manager on our table's concerns about the poor service, we were argued with and issued a dismissive, haughty half-apology. The food was good, but not remarkable, and I would never recommend it.

New Location

I am an avid fan of Ray's always bringing new people there for one of the best steaks around. I've gone to the new location twice and had disappointing experiences both times. The new staff is very inexperienced which is something I can deal with. My main issue has been the food has been served luke warm almost at room temperature both times. I will be back but haven't been able to rave about Ray's like before.

Just another steak

Don't get me wrong, the food was great. Unfortunately customer service was awful! They ware rude and abrupt. When you loose sight of the little things... failure is not too far behind. :(

Service is horrible!

I must say that I am a big fan of Ray's the Steak from the beginning. I liked its charm in the previous location and the waiters there had a good attitude. The new place I must say is horrible! The new cohort of waiters are rude, incompetent, and don't really care. We dined there last week and our waiter came twice to confirm the order (get a paper and pen!) and still managed to screw up two of the orders. The bill was handed to us while we are eating dessert. I know they are doing well, but if they do not right the ship they will quickly be known for poor service. Too bad as they had a good thing going in the beginning. Very disappointed.

Out of Town Diner

Several of us were visiting the area on business and chose to eat at Ray's. We were so impressed, that we ate there another night as well. The food is delicious, the service is great, and the value is unmatched. I would recommend it to ANYONE.

Never Again

I take an elder lady out to dinner once a week and usually to one of the better restaurants in the metro area. The steaks here are great but this is not a restaurant fit for anything but eating. The gentleman seating us was extremely rude, we felt very rushed throughout the meal, and I like a good martini before dinner. There are many good restaurants in the metro area and most do not make you feel like they are slopping the pigs. Rays can count me out.

Excellent food and service

My boyfriend and I went to the old location on Valentine's Day only to find out that the restaurant had moved to a larger location. Once there the restaurant was bustling and we soon learned that they now take reservations and we were looking at a 2 hour wait. Just as we were about to turn around and head out, the owner and GM announced that he could seat us immediately. We were thrilled. We noticed the GM working the floor all evening and making sure all patrons were happy. In my opinion this was beyond great customer service.Not only was the food excellent and the new location is so spacious, it is evident that with such a busy evening for dining it was still important that all patrons had the usual great service from Ray.

Excellent and great value!!

We tried Rays for the first time (and being one of the first to try it in their new digs). The steaks melted in our mouth and the crab bisque soup was delicious! We loved the fresh bread in the beginning with the slightly salty taste and of course the warm nuts were a nice touch. Prices were reasonable and yes there are two sides, we were not given a choice when we made our reservation but thats probably because there was 6 of us and the tables in the subdued area were for 2 and 4 people. will definitely be going again!!

nice digs!

Went to Ray's at their new location this evening. The place is elegant, the staff attentive and the food was great as usual. I think Ray himself came out to say hello. We were seated in the back room where it was quieter than the main rooms. I could say that Rays in now in the "upscale dining" category but dont worry, their prices are still the same.

New location, same great food.

Tried Ray's last night figuring to avoid the wait so late. Handwritten sgns in the window: "We've moved, and we now take reservations." New digs: ground floor of office building at 2300 Wilson (but on Clarendon Blvd. side) dirctly opposite Crthouse Plaza. Much bigger space, the shape of an L on the corner of the building. They said "one side is more rowdy, the other side more subdued." There’s also a 'private' room in the back separated by a curtain. Just opened at new location Tuesday Feb. 10th. Happy to report that despite the 'sellout' the prime rib steak is still melt-in-your-mouth delicious, soups still so rich they had Bernie Madoff's number on speed dial and the Picardy merlot cabernet we tried was only marked up about $10.

Best Steaks, Best Buy

Think a steakhouse in a hot neighborhood will be too expensive for you? At Ray's the Steaks in their new location at 2300 Wilson Blvd., you can get a hanger steak special for $23.95. This includes a salad, two sides, and dessert (coffee extra). They bill the steak as "our most intensely flavored (but not our most tender)," but the steak I had was melt-in-mouth tender. A fabulous meal and great value for money. And they take reservations now. The only downside last night was the noise level, which was not ideal but not as bad as, say, Zaytinya. The other section, carpeted and with acoustical tile, was considerably quieter. No matter, the noise was worth it. We'll be going back.

Best steak in town

Rays is hands down the best. I've been going for the last two years and can't get enough. The petite filet with mushroom sauce is awesome and always perfectly prepared. Throw in the mashed potatoes and creamed spinach and it's the perfect meal. While others complain about the lack of decor and the annoyance of no reservations... that is what I loved. They were keeping it real and making it a true local spot. Let's hope they can keep it up in the new location.

Unbelievable

Best steak i've ever eaten in my life. Thank you Ray!

Food to die for

Ray's was great. They are moving in Feb 09 to bigger digs and will take phone, reservations which are the only two problems with the place. Service was awesome, prices were right. The food, oh the food. I had a strip in mushroom brandy sauce w/sprinkles of blue cheese. Heaven. (can't wait for leftovers at lunch) Bacon wrapped scallops were perfectly cooked. Apple bacon w/sauerkraut mustard sauce was so good it didn't even need the yummy though slightly overcooked bacon. Dessert was coconut cream pie & complimentary cinnamon hot chocolate. $40 bottle of Spanish red was a delight. go now, go fast. But, don't stay too long, though that could change in the new place. I hope they add a bar for people to wait, although we were seated right away

Yummy but we froze waiting

Best meat by far and I've tried most of them. I dropped by after work got our name on the list for a 730pm dinner for 4. We showed up at 730 and then stood outside (in 15 degrees) and drank wine until completely frozen...we finally were seated at 8:10pm....worth it? maybe not in the Winter.

MMM-MMM-Good!!!

Steaks at many of the premier steakhouses fall flat in my opinion. Ray's does it right and with more oompha in the cooking. They know the quality of the meal is what brings me back, not the "who's who's" that happen to be in the room. Great steak, great food, awesome prices.

raised the stakes

happened to be in the area and got a table immediately (5pm). When we walked in the hostesses at the counter were chatting with each other and made no attempt to greet us. But, they got us a table and were pleasant throughout our meal. The bisque was really good. The steaks were even better. Sorts of melts in your mouth. We had stuffed ourselves with their wonderful bread so that left no room for dessert. Will definitely go back.