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- Nearest Transit:
-
Courthouse Metro Station (Orange)
Rosslyn Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Mon
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1311 reviews for Ray's Hell Burger
Review Highlights
"The sweet potato fries were amazing too."
(in 179 reviews)
"cognac and sherry sauteed mushrooms), cheeses (i."
(in 31 reviews)
"Poppa, New Jack Zing, Big Punisher, Fat Joe, etc."
(in 34 reviews)
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1311 reviews in English
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Review from Devin D.
Arlington, VA
12/30/2011
At this point, I've tried every burger on the menu at Ray's Hell Burger and enjoyed every one of them.
I typically order my burger cooked medium, and it comes out pink and perfectly moist. Be careful about ordering your burger rare, though. I once made that mistake, and my burger was practically so raw on the inside that the patty couldn't stay together. It was actually still good -- just not my preference.
Keep in mind that Ray's is cash only, but there is an ATM right next to the counter. It's not especially cheap, but is on par with other burger joints in the DC area. You can take your burger to go, or there's a limited amount of seating that is typically full -- frequently even during off-peak hours.
Don't go here expecting any frills (though there are a few more frills at Ray's Hell Burger Too, which is a couple of doors down). Ray's does good burgers. Period. -
Review from Sabrina D.
Alexandria, VA
2/2/2012
Burgers are great don't get me wrong. But ever since Obama dropped by it took the incredibly long lines that they usually had and then made them much longer.
They have an ATM in house but you awkwardly have to jump out of line after your order to go get cash out of the ATM. There isn't a charge but still it seems awkward to try to avoid paying the credit card fees. I guess that's how they keep the prices low but it's annoying. -
Review from Marco A.
Washington, DC
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I grew up just outside the city in MD and have an inherent preference for all things MD v. VA. Over the years I've made many disparaging remarks about NOVA and "the commonwealth" as a whole. However, I've always wanted to try Ray's and I'm a little embarrassed that my first visit came post Obama.
I ordered the little devil with lettuce, tomato, white cheddar, sauteed onions, mushrooms and ray's heck sauce. I didn't order any or their seasonings because I wanted to try their original burger on my first trip.
The main difference between Ray's and places like Five Guys is the size of the patty, Ray's patties are tall and fat and five guy's patties thinner. I wouldn't argue that one place has higher quality beef but biting into a huge patty is a different experience than biting into a smaller burger you don't have to unhinge your jaw to consume.
Overall Ray's was an excellent burger. It was one of the juiciest burgers I've ever had; after I squeezed it down a bit and took bite there was a huge puddle of beef juice on my plate. I was disappointed with the "heck sauce", I couldn't taste it at all so I added ketchup and mustard to my burger. I ordered my burger medium and it was a little closer to medium rare but I didn't mind. I think I made a mistake by not ordering one of their four seasoning's (Blackened, Diablo, Grilled and Au Poivre). The burger was delicious but eating a huge patty without any seasoning resulted in my burger being just a little bland.
Even with all those critiques Ray's is still one of the top burger joints in the city. I thoroughly enjoyed my burger and I'll be back to try one of their seasoned burgers. -
Review from Jack H.
Washington, DC
1/27/2012
I really wanted to love this place after moving to D.C. and hearing the hype - "Did you know Obama made an unscheduled trip here?" - from everyone and their moms, but the better-than-average burger wasn't good enough to make up for the dining experience.
It's a tourist's pilgrimage, like the oldest bar in New York where they scream abuse at you until you leave, and if you want to talk food to a DCer, you're probably going to have to cross this off the list.
The seating area is just too small and the lines can make eating here a similar experience to waiting for a cheesesteak in Philly.
The burgers are, however, something of note. I've eaten here twice. The first time I tried a regular burger; the second a bleu cheese. The burgers are big; no one's going to leave hungry, and the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare. That alone earns this place at least 3 stars: it's not easy to pull off consistently to hordes of customers. I'd call it a steak of a burger. I was only disappointed with the dressings, which are fresh and delicious, but just too much. To cover a whole burger here with bleu cheese they use probably a whole half cup of it, and the other dressings can be removed to make a salad. Combined with a medium-well burger, the toppings will be sure to disintegrate into a messy heap in no time. I enjoy when burgers from Good Stuff fall apart in my hands, but that's because they're small and hand can hold the mess until I can resort to napkins. Here you need a knife and fork.
Will you enjoy this place? Heck yes. Will you feel that it was completely 'worth it'? Only if you're a popular opinion slave. Be sure to wear Urban Outfitters or whatever Justin Bieber was most recently seen in. -
Review from Nikki B.
Washington, DC
2/6/2012
I'm really hoping I came in on an off day, because that was a legitimately awful burger. I ordered the Mack burger, medium rare. My beef, which seemed mushy and fairly flavorless was cooked medium well which did it no favors. The "heck" sauce didn't add much, and the bun was dry and sort of falling apart. The only complimentary thing I can say is that the pickle chips were damn good.
Off day or seriously declining quality? Hard to say. -
Review from Nikos M.
New York, NY
1/22/2012
I ordered the larger sized Soul Burger, a side of french fries and a bottle of water. $23 later, I ended up with food that had as much taste as the water did; almost none at all. It was pretty much a waste of time, calories, and money. I found myself adding salt to everything just to get some flavor from it.
The meat was perfectly cooked medium rare, as I ordered it, but still lacked flavor. The bun was the only thing that had a significant amount of flavor, but had sort of a weird smell to it that bothered me every time I took a bite. The fries were nothing special either.
To be honest, I'm not quite sure why people are raving about this place. I was really excited to try it but left disappointed and certainly wouldn't go back.
This place accepts cash only, so be prepared. After you order, your food will be brought out and your number and/or order will be called out loud by the server. When you're finished eating, you are to leave your plate on the table. It left me confused as to whether I was supposed to tip or not but, since the staff seemed to be rude, I decided not to, and I consider myself to be a great tipper.
The name of this restaurant pretty much speaks for itself. -
Review from Harry R.
Falls Church, VA
Updated - 1/11/2012
Oh man. This breaks my heart. For so long Ray's was my standard bearer for the best burger in VA, DC, MD. No longer the case. At least not last Monday around 2pm.
Normal Ray's, great Ray's, spectacular Ray's has a taste that sits at the apex of the whole definition of burger. But on Monday, after touting Ray's like the second coming to family in from Sweden, there was great disappointment.
Buns were day old/on their way to becoming dry.
Burgers were small (yeah I know there are two sizes now, this was the big one, and unfortnately not the size that I had come to love and adore).
Overcooked. In a medium rare burger there should be juice. Delicious liquid that rolls down your hand and dribbles off your wrist. No juice. Where's the love?
SOUL BURGER #1 let me down. I know. Tragic. How could SOUL BURGER #1 let a person down. Here's how...congac and sherry sauteed mushrooms...left out the cognac and sherry.
Still good. Better than most. But when you reside at the top of the mountain - it's tough to see you back down in the valley with everyone else.
C'mon Ray's. Get your mojo back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/8/2010
Nirvana. It's simple but absolutely fantastic. Easily the best burger I have ever eaten. Parking… Read more »
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Review from Jenny T.
Brooklyn, NY
Obama's fave burger here, but that doesn't mean much since he's not one of those professional food douches.
Grilled Lil Devil medium with American cheese, sauteed mushrooms & onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Heck sauce. The burger was perfectly cooked, but it wasn't amazing. I've had better ones (Nick's burger joint in NYC, DuMont Burger in Bklyn)
I also got a side of the mac & cheese, which was recommended to me by a friend. This wasn't a hit either - it was not warm, so the cheese and the noodle was separated and gross looking. Taste was lacking as well.
Wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I just had to try it out while I was in town. FYI, this place is cash only! -
Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
1/17/2012
Go early or late, but the burgers are awesome. 1/2 pound of fresh ground, 2pm food coma on a bun. So good.
I worked in Courthouse, and managed to limit myself to once per week. And not just because of the walk back up the hill.
Keep it simple. It's easy to overdo it on the toppings. -
Review from Jennifer R.
Washington, DC
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place lived up to the reputation (dive location, cash only, good burgers).
I had the Mack Burger minus the onion. I found the heck sauce to be as described - not really spicy (I would have preferred more kick). I would compare it to a zippier 1,000 Island Dressing. I probably would try a BBQ or other sauce next time I am there for more flavor. Burger was cooked to medium as ordered and the regular grilled flavor was perfect.
Fries were decent - one portion is enough for two people to split.
Good selection of add ons from the average (guacamole) to more fancy (roasted bone marrow).
Had a chocolate shake which I would rate as decent - nowhere near as good as the shakes at Ted's Bulletin or ACKC, but went well with the burger and the prices was good.
Prices were reasonable, parking can be tricky to find. Remember - cash only.
Will definitely try it again if I am over in Arlington. -
Review from Donna Y.
12/30/2011
Restaurant side and the quick order side (both has same menu items but one is sit down with waiter/waitress service and the other is more of a takeout but there are a few seats available). Be aware that the lines can be long especially during the dinner rush hour so give yourselves time. We were at the takeout side and I ordered a med well orig burger and it came out more well than medium which made my burger a little dry :(. The portions are huge so if you eat like me, you'd certainly have leftovers. I also tried the bone marrow which was much tastier than the burger (only an additional $3)! The menu has eclectic items so be adventurous and try something different (Pirañha sauce is delicious)!
Oh and cash only! -
Review from Steven W.
12/30/2011
5 Star Burger---I mean the burger itself...perfect size, flavor, consistency, juiciness, etc...Very homemade vibe (vs Five Guys, or Shake Shack)
-1 star for the bun (too much bread), only bottled drinks, average fries (although tasty), cash only (inconvenient)
Definitely worth a visit if you love burgers. -
Review from Jeremy R.
Woodbridge, VA
1/14/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I was in love with 5 guys burgers until I found Rays Hell Burger. I ans still amazed that a burger this good can come out of a bare bones looking place as this. You can tell they are only there for one reason. To make one kick ass burger. There list of toppings is lengthy with bone marrow and other things that are hare for me to pronounce. So I stick with the grilled with thick bacon and smoked mozzarella. The beef is thick and juicy (unlike how I like my women ;-)) They have to be and inch and 1/2 thick and perfectly cooked. The medium rare was pinky, jucy and and wonderful. The sweet potato fries were an interesting sweet salty mix that surprised me.
Cash ONLY. but hey do have a no charge ATM in the back.
Its right next to the best Pho place in town Pho 75. Try that on another day while your out -
Review from Revani G.
Fairfax, VA
1/16/2012
I think this place was a little too hyped up for me and did not really perform as it should have. The burger was huge and delicious...but it wasn't really that special. Try the onion fries because those were really good. The service was a little slow and I thought it was a little overpriced. You should be satisfied if you go in, but don't make the mistake I made and have high expectations.
If you like good burgers be sure to try the good stuff eatery near the capitol building in DC.
http://www.yelp.com/bi... -
Review from Chris D.
Arlington, VA
1/10/2012
No frills, no nonsense, no mofo bettah not like Ray's! Best burgers in town without a doubt. I'm frequently amazed by how quickly they deliver your burger because they taste like there's SO MUCH LOVE packed into each one. I've had about 5 of their main menu burgers with various combinations of fixings, and each one tasted like a dream.
Not for the soft hearted: add some bone marrow to your burger. That's right. Ray's serves BONE MARROW. That is HARDCORE NOMS, yo.
An Arlington staple, Ray's has flourished for years as a cash-only, no-frills establishment. It's so popular though, it can be difficult to get in, order, and find a place to eat. Frustrating as that is, you'll have to be prepared to fight through the crowds to get that burger....but it's worth it. -
Review from Luis G.
Washington, DC
1/30/2012
Best burger in the DMV, hands down. I always get the Big Punisher...spicy is the way to go! The sweet potato fries are fantastic. If it's good enough for President Obama and his foreign guests, it's fine by me!
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Review from Marcus H.
Washington, DC
1/14/2012 1 photo
When a restaurant is hyped beyond belief on Yelp I try to keep it relative. So when coming to Rays all I expected was a satisfactory meal. So how did it go?
This place is the most over-hyped hole-in-the-wall shack since Ben's Chili Bowl. Just because Obama ate here doesn't mean their food is divinely anointed.
I had the Big Punisher (medium of course) with fries, seven cheese Mac, and cheesecake milkshake. The burger was huge but tasteless. Thank GOD they offer a wide range of toppings. I completely agree with some of the other reviewers. The burger truly isn't anything special. Fries were dry. When I asked could I get cheese on my fries the cashier looked at me like I asked her the name of her coke dealer.
The milkshake was good but definitely not worth it's price. I had much better milkshakes at said burger joints in DuPont Circle, ie Shake Shack. Oh yeah and they only accept cash. I didn't know these places still exist. Also, the seven cheese Mac was basically a bowl of cheese. I love mac and cheese it was by far the worst I had. When one of the servers picked up my plate and saw my barely eaten Mac and cheese, she was actually surprised I didn't want it.
This place is a perfect example of NOVA residents over-hyping a place that has basic food. People living in NOVA just accept the fact that to get great food, entertainment and the means to you're livelihood you gotta cross the Potomac into DC. It's just a sad fact. Because I'm a gluton for pain I will try this place again. Maybe it was the burger I had. -
Review from Matthew S.
Alexandria, VA
1/31/2012
I really wouldn't recommend this overpriced place to any of my close friends.
I've been to Hell Burger for two things: the burgers and the shakes.
The Burgers, their staple, get this place the 2 star rating and like most of the honest reviews have said: the burgers are absolutely uninspired messes. I believe this place has a solid formula, but somehow it manages to fall flat on its face in execution. The burgers, even when using their added rubs and flavor combos, are tasteless and bland. The toppings were slopped on in an uncaring fashion and when combined with an oversize bun become an inedible mess.
In the end, I their burgers are on par with your average backyard BBQ Joe Any-man who is able to offer up a lot of additional toppings. I strongly suggest you reconsider and recognize that these are offering you nothing novel over your traditional bar burger - which can often be had for less. I would recommend heading to the local Elevation Burger over this place any day of the week.
Their shakes, I will give a three star rating simply because they were, at the very least, rich and somewhat thick when I had them. I was not impressed with the price when compared with other milkshakes in the area such as can be had from Dairy Godmother. -
Review from Ashley G.
Vienna, VA
1/28/2012
As a California native, and therefore experienced In 'n' Out consumer, burger joints have a lot to live up to! Ray's was great, but what stood out to me most was the "Catsup." That stuff is awesome. It's basically ketchup with a hint of apple to it and it is delicious. I tried to find it at the grocery store but it's not there. I looked it up online. It's made in Montana and when I first looked it up you could only order by phone or mail. Now you can order online too---hello y2k!! Too bad shipping costs 3x the price of the bottle!
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Review from Bella S.
Gaithersburg, MD
1/11/2012
Very good burger joint. I got the Dog Catcher (marrow w/ persillade, lettuce and tomato). Their persillade was just parsley but that's ok. I wish I had taken a picture because I was served up two huge bone segments dripping with awesome, oily marrow. I felt very caveman and so I momentarily forgot that I was closely surrounded by strangers and dug in with fury. It was very nice but I should have gotten some of those free toppings. My burger had a little bit of gristle but it wasn't the biggest deal. The fries were great, not very salty. In fact, the whole meal wasn't too salty so that was very nice.
I would add a star if they offered goat cheese - with the au poivre option it would be incredible. For now this place is 3.5 in my book.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING CASH - there is an ATM by the register for a reason. Don't give the employees trouble because you didn't read all the signs. -
Review from Kevin C.
This is one of my favorite places in Rosslyn. It's an assuming joint that serves up some of the best burgers anywhere. You can choose from different types of seasoned burgers and there is are no limits to toppings. Here is my regular order:
Big Devil (10 oz)
Blackened patty
charred jalapenos
sauteed mushrooms
grilled onions
fiery piranha sauce
roasted garlic
pepper jack cheese
The Big Devil takes a bit longer to cook, but it's worth it. The little devil probably won't fill you up unless you only want a snack.
Rays sure knows how to cook cow. Wish I could meet the owner and give him a big hug and thank him from the bottom of my meat lover heart. -
Review from Edward H.
McLean, VA
1/29/2012
Alright. I've been here twice now, since I've heard such good things about this place...
1st visit:
I came here by myself and ordered the soul burger, medium. It came out WAY under-cooked, almost rare to medium-rare, which was very disappointing because at a burger joint you expect them to at least cook the burgers correctly. I could say how good the burger would taste with all the extra onions and bacon and mushrooms, but was too disappointed with how the burger was cooked that it didn't matter much. The fries were the best part of the meal, nice and crispy. Overall, a bad experience since the burger was not cooked properly, and the place wasn't even busy...
2nd visit (1 week later):
A small line, but came here with a friend. Ordered medium-well this time thinking they would cook it medium, but they cooked a properly cooked medium-well, while my friend ordered a medium (and it came out like a medium). I got the B.I.G. POPPA, and although the meat was cooked properly... the BLUE CHEESE was just too OVERPOWERING. When I bit into the burger, all I can taste is blue cheese. Don't get me wrong, I love blue cheese, but this one... it just took over the whole flavor of the burger and I couldn't even taste the mushrooms or the grilled onions... I also ordered fries thinking they'd be good from my first visit... but this time, the fries came out SOGGY, and it was very disappointing.
The reason why I gave this restaurant a second chance is because people talked about how this place was soo good.... I don't see anything good about it. They have a big INCONSISTENCY problem, with their BURGERS and their FRYER. First visit, burger under-cooked, fries crispy. Second visit, burger cooked well, and fries soggy.
How is a customer supposed to expect the same thing if it comes out differently every single time??
Not giving this joint a third try, would rather have Five Guys or another burger than this crappy experience... -
Review from Brenna R.
Washington, DC
12/19/2011
These aren't just burgers... they taste like someone's dad was back there making patties and running them over the skillet. There's love in these suckers. They're moist, cooked to order (medium was pink, not bloody, and dripping with delicious juices as soon as I bit in), and thick.
I didn't bother with crazy toppings personally and don't think you need to. The lettuce was crisp and the tomato thick cut and relatively ripe. Pickles are not just out of a Heinz bottle. Fries are not worth the money or the calories, though. The smaller patty option was more than enough food for everyone at my table... and for less than $7 a person how can you argue. Honestly, I'm never going to bother with Five Guys ever again. -
Review from John S.
Herndon, VA
Updated - 1/28/2012
Went on a Saturday expecting a smaller crowd. Didn't happen. Parking was on the street only. Had the burger with bone marrow. The marrow was great and served with in the bone which was cut in two. I still think Ray's the best.
Ray's Hell Burger Too is closed, so it's back to the original, small, crowded, cash only place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2010
There's only so much you can do to a burger, but Ray does a great job with his. I am a junk food… Read more »
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Review from Jake J.
12/22/2011
I love Ray's burgers. Each time I've been there, it has been delicious even if some times have been better than others. I'd have to agree with Collin F. in saying that a bad day at Ray's is better than a good day at other places.
The burgers are monstrous, juicy, and absolutely spectacular.
This is where I take my friends from out of town. They aren't usually disappointed.
The place is cash only but that is fine by me. The no frills approach works for me if the food is good and the place is clean.
I always come back ;) -
Review from Cheryl L.
- Cash Only -
(although there is an ATM inside of the restaurant)
See Obama and Joe Biden at Ray's Hellburger here:
http://aht.seriouseats...
First of all, I have to say that I'm writing this review as a non burger-fan. I'd rather have a hot dog over a burger any day, which is why I used to frequent Nathan's pretty often back in college.
So my co-worker had been suggesting Ray's Hell Burger for lunch for the past month, and I've been putting it off every single time. Today, I could no longer push it off... today we had to go.
This place was packed, and both indoor and outdoor seating was full. The lunch crowd was quite diverse and ranged from business[wo]men to families and their young children.
The wait was about 10 minutes, and then a big, juicy, and cheesy burger appeared in front of me. The beef patty was thick and flavorful, no sauce needed. You could see the juices just oozing out the side when you pressed down on it. I got my burger Medium-Well, and they cooked it perfectly. The bun was thick and toasted, yet had a soft middle when I sunk my teeth into it. Paired with the crispy and lightly salty fries, it was quite delicious.
I hear the milkshakes are amazing as well, so I'll be back to try that. Ray's burgers definitely live up to their hype. A must-try in the Rosslyn-CourtHouse area. -
Review from Ralph F.
Alexandria, VA
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't get the hype. Is it the Obama thing? Really?
Too small, hardly any seating, expensive, cash only, and quite possibly the most boring burger I have ever eaten. Honestly, fellow DC-area Yelpers, this is the FIRST time I've been steered wrong by your reviews. This place is barely adequate. Five Guys makes a better burger, hands-down. Ray's gets the obligatory one star for existing, and one for the delicious sweet potato fries. Nom nom nom on those.
The burger itself tasted like any other chain restaurant burger. Bland, uninspired, boring, typical. The bun was cheap, hard, and mealy, and the toppings were sparse. Staff was rude (which I expected going in, based on some reviews, and they nailed it).
Was it a BAD burger? No, I've had worse. Was it worth the hype and the price? No way, not even a little bit. There is absolutely nothing special at all about Ray's. If you're passing by and your car breaks down in their parking lot and you're starving to death, I guess you could do worse. The up side is the little coffee joint a couple storefronts down...a pleasant little surprise there. -
Review from Zack H.
12/16/2011
Who would have thought that dining in hell would be so tasty?
Yes, this is the place that made national news when Barack Obama and Joe Biden decided to come here "unannounced" for a photo op. This place has been famous (and tasty) long before the 44th president decided to dine in hell. There's even two atlases to show the hometowns of customers who have eaten here both globally and nationally.
Time to actually talk about the food. You can get a 6 oz. burger and a 10 oz. burger. Both are rather expensive for burgers, but are seriously worth it. Alcoholic drinks can be ordered at Ray's Hell Burger Too (I can't comment on the beer selection, though). Soft drinks and bottled water are available for $2 a bottle - strange how this place didn't have a soda machine. I ordered the 10 oz. burger and ordered my burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, jalapenos, and a few special hell sauces concocted by Ray himself, and didn't buy a drink or a side. I found it interesting that after paying a $20 for the meal (plus taxes), my change came out to $9.11. Please tell me I wasn't the only person to notice this.
There was a 10-15 minute wait, but my number was finally called. The burger isn't the biggest I've ever had or even the best I've ever had (Swensons in Akron, OH and Red Mill Burgers in Seattle are honestly better), but this still ranked as one of the tastiest burgers I have ever had. You cannot top how the burger tasted after a red sauce was cooked into the burger itself, making it meaner and hotter than anything else in the area - and perhaps nationally. As hot as it was for a burger, it was remarkable how the the juiciness of the patty still was the first thing I was able to recognize and taste.
If you are ever in DC, you need to make the trip across the Potomac on the Metro or down the Key Bridge on bike or car into Rosslyn. Ray's Hell Burger is almost always crowded and is rather expensive, but it is well worth the cost and the wait. -
Review from Damon B.
Washington, DC
11/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Everything here is awesome. It's really the only great burger place in DC or Baltimore, and one of the best I've ever been to in the country. All of the food is amazing, from their burgers to shakes to fries, you cannot go wrong.
There can be long lines and parking is usually problematic if you are in a hurry. Also, if you want alcohol or waiter service you can go to Ray's Hellburger, too which is right next door. In fact, you can go next door if there is a line. -
Review from Mike R.
Chicago, IL
12/9/2011
I love a good burger, and this is quite possibly the best burger I've ever eaten. On a trip to DC, my former college roommate and a few other friends all decided to go out drinking one day/night (of course). Well, a few hours later my former roommate suggested we come here. Everyone wanted to go, and I did too, but I was really, really full already. I told him I'd just try a bite.
Well, famous last words. This turned into ordering a burger of my own because it smelled so good in there annnnd I was slightly inebriated at the time, so it makes sense. I opened up the bun and there was something on the backside of the bun. Mayonaise? It better not be. Wait, wait, wait. No! It was roasted garlic. Okay, I'm in. I don't care how bad my breath might smell. I'm going to eat it.
Let's just say that I devoured this burger even though I was so full already. That's how good it was. I felt like how those bigger people at Old Country Buffet must feel after a meal, but I didn't even care. I had just eaten possibly the best burger of my life. -
Review from sophie S.
Rockville, MD
12/15/2011
I am a HUGE burger person and when i say its a good burger, its a good friggin burger! Rays not only has amazing burgers but they offer very unique/gourmet toppings that would be hard to find at other burger joints; for example foie gras, truffle and brie!
The catch is that the burgers are very over priced, however I would say worth a try if you are in the area and in the mood for burgers. We go as a treat every once in a while just because they are that good that I am willing to pay 15 bucks for my burger every so often but fo sure not my "go to" burger place. Both parking and seating can be difficult as well, however it is all worth it once you try one of these burgers! -
Review from Christina L.
Pleasanton, CA
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Quite possibly the best burger I have ever had.
Delicious, juicy (and I got it well-done) and amazing flavor. -
Review from Aaron M.
Houston, TX
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
With a line out the door, and signs telling you not to grab a seat until you'd ordered - I knew this place must be good. Why else would people head out to the middle of nowhere, wait in line in the cold just for a hamburger? (Oh, and they only take cash, in this day and age, that's usually a red flag for me.)
You've got tons of options when it comes to your burger. Want Fois Gras? Want bleu cheese and onions? Mushrooms and a whole laundry list of other options. Some of them are free, some of them cost, but I'm betting you can find a combo that speaks to you.
The sweet potato fries were as good as any I've had anywhere. The burger was excellent. Juicy, flavorful, and filling. If I lived in DC I'd be back. -
Review from Esther W.
Cambridge, MA
11/29/2011
"MMMHMM. This IS a tasty burger" (Jules, Pulp Fiction)
I don't have much to add since ray's hell burger is clearly amazing and I think it's pretty indisputable. Incredibly juicy and the meat is sooo good/fresh. Didn't go too crazy on the toppings, because I don't like to do that on my first try of a burger and it was super satisfying. Treated myself to the burger, fries, the mac and cheese side and a beer, since I had run my first marathon that morning and felt I deserved it all :) ... and everything else was okay but the burger was truly memorable. MMM, drooling as I think about it even now... -
Review from Thomas J.
Alexandria, VA
11/20/2011
Swung by Hell Burger on the way home from the Falls Church farmers market. Wife wanted burgers, but I'd too recently eaten at our old standby, Five Guys. Since we were closish to Hell Burger and several friends had recommended it, I figured "stop by and give it a try".
The first thing that gave me pause was the cash-only policy. Living in the DC area where just about every place takes plastic (and, even Arlington is mandating that any cabs operating there have to take plastic, next year, as part of their fare increase approval), it was kind of jarring to have to shuffle for cash. Frequently, I *only* have plastic. I just happened to have some left over from the morning's trip to the farmers's market.
The burger menu is interesting: lots of toppings, including bone marrow and fois gras. I ended up getting their Zing burger (jack cheese, fried onions and charred jalapeno peppers. My wife ordered a blue-cheese, bacon and onion burger. Both were ordered rare.
Both my wife and I like our beef rare. At home, I grill up rare burgers all the time. However, to make a proper, rare burger, you have to cook it at HIGH heat. It nicely chars the outside but leaves a flavorful, cool center.
Rays, unfortunately, doesn't seem to use high heat on their grills. While the centers of our burgers were the appropriate amount of doneness, that level of doneness extended to the outside of the burgers, as well. So, yeah, they were pretty much just patties of raw meat. Fortunately, Ray's uses clean, if not especially flavorful, meat. It's 18 hours later and I'm noticing no illness.
I might try them again. Dunno. Nothing compelling about the experience. -
Review from Richard S.
Charlottesville, VA
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was disappointed by a few things here and there, but no matter what I can't deny that the burgers were made with some real skill. The quality of ingredients, the seasoning, the sear on the burger, the size of the patty to the buns; the burgers felt like they were meticulously calculated to be the perfect combination of ingredients, and for the most part they nailed it.
I had the big poppa, which was solid. The only complaint I have with it is that the blue cheese was REALLY fucking strong--it was one of the better blue cheeses and I guess I should've known better, but after trying the mushrooms and the patty individually, it's kind of a shame that the blue cheese really overpowers those wonderful flavors.
Was kind of put off by the fact that I had to pay cash and I just so happened to have run out of cash that day. Sigh. Also, the interior just seems kind of boring and to a certain extent, undermaintained, and thus I felt a little wary about eating their burger for the first time. Nonetheless, good shit, will definitely come here again. -
Review from a s.
Rockville, MD
1/9/2012
Heads up: It's cash only and parking is really limited to a lot for approx 20 cars in the stripmall so be prepared to wait around.
Being a DC native, I am really late on the bandwagon for this place. I finally decided to visit this place for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was worth the 40 minute drive over from MD. First I must state that I consider myself a burger connoisseur after having ate at 8-9 various places on the East and West coast. My favorites thus far are Hodad's in San Diego and Go Burger in the #1 spot in Los Angeles (due to their ground up steakhouse burger, unfortunately it has a price to match at $20+).
After my first bite here at Ray's, I decided they were worthy of the Best Burger in DC region. When you sink your teeth into a Ray's Hell Burger you are instantly aware they put all their focus on their meat (cooked perfectly and juicy when I ordered medium).
I ordered both the Big Punisher and the New Jack Zing. Both seemed similar on the menu but are vastly different in flavor. The Big Punisher comes with a spicy chipotle sauce you can add on your own discretion but trust me its finger licking good. I would rate the Big Punisher 5 stars since its patty is full of various spices and flavors. If you prefer tasting beef without all the additional additives I would recommend the New Jack Zing. It's a combination of Swiss, Jalepeno's and onions that come together seemlessly.
Ray's offer's two sizes of burger so if you have worked up an appetite I recommend getting a 'small' with one side or just 1 large burger if thats what your craving. We decided to opt for the thick fresh cut fries and mac & cheese which were on par as well. If you order your meal properly expect to pay $15. To some they might consider this too much to spend on a burger but keep in mind your paying for quality. I am definetly going to stop by Ray's each time Im back in the Arlington stomping grounds. -
Review from Nadeem M.
Richmond, VA
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Maybe I didn't order the right thing but it was just alright IMO. They have some interesting toppings but the milkshake was mediocre and the burger meat itself didn't wow me. Overall it was pretty good but too pricey to justify it (my burger and shake was around 20 dollars)
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Review from Ryan B.
Ray's Hell Burger was never on my radar until the other day. Some coworkers of mine wanted make the trek from DC to Roslyn to get a burger. I have to admit, I wasn't too crazy about this idea at first. Heading out to Roslyn for a burger? Are you freakin' kiddin' me? We took two cars. Big mistake.
If you ever decide to take the perilous journey to this corner of the world, either take metro or jam everyone into one car like some Home Depot "workers", and then stalk the parking lot like a cat and mouse. Or pay top dollar for one of the nearby garages. Of course this all depends on day and time.
So we go in to the crowded little restaurant and stand in the long line. Every table was full and there didn't seem like a lot of elbow space. When I looked at the menu that's plastered on the wall I got a little excited.
http://rayshellburger....
You can get it your way! They have a subset of how they prepare the meat and then another menu for how you want that meat to be dressed. I had my heart set on the "Big Punisher.' It was the "Diablo" burger, which is grilled with a spicy chipotle sauce, then dressed with pepper jack cheese, charred jalepenos, grilled onions and "piranha" sauce. I even got it cooked medium (hot and juicy pink center) Just how I like it.
http://www.yelp.com/us...
After placing my order they gave me a number and we all managed to get a table for four. A feat which seemed nearly impossible at first. The wait wasn't too long. They come by and deliver your burger right to you.
I took one bite and OH MY LAWD I fell in love. The bun was slightly toasted and tasted fresh, like they just made it last night or this morning. It even had a nice glossy finish. The texture of the meat with all of the components like the melted jack cheese, grilled jalepenos and onions was utterly delicious. The juice flowed from the burger onto the plate and I sopped it up with my fries and whatever portion of the bun I could spare....plus my fingers. Lickety Lick. Soppety Sop.
Oh, don't let me forget that they even add a side of that green cilantro sauce that you get at the Peruvian chicken places for your fries. The fries were thick, freshly fried, and crispy too. Ray sure put some thought and a lot of love into this concept.
I am converted. Never will I look at another hamburger in the same way. I would definitley slap my own mama for another one!Listed in: Places with Flavor
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Review from Kat V.
Alexandria, VA
11/16/2011
As a lover of all things beef and all things cheese, naturally, my favorite food in the entire world is the Cheeseburger. I live for cheeseburgers. My pillow at night is (literally) a giant cheeseburger made of cloth, and it leads me to delicious dreams of cheeseburgers.
Perhaps it was my high hopes that led to my disappointing experience at Ray's Hell Burger. I might be the only one in the world who did not enjoy it, but it wasn't all that it was hyped it up to be.
I found that the beef was not seasoned, and it was so runny that it completely soaked my bread. The wait staff was friendly, but it was so crowded that it was impossible to find a seat. I also dislike how they do not accept credit cards, which is veryyyyyyyy 1940's.
I came in a group of an excited four, and we left as a group of a dissapointed and hungry four. Ray's Hell Burger, you crushed my dreams of finding the perfect cheeseburger -- and the hunt will go on.
