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Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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CASH ONLY!
I would have to say that this is a great burger. The best burger that I've ever had? Ehhhh that's really hard to say. This place does get packed, but they know how to move people in and out very quickly. I think it's been wayyyyy over-hyped that I set my expectations way too high. I hate to say it, but it has been a little ruined from all the recommendations from my colleagues. Sorry guys.
I do recommend (confirmed by a worker at Ray's):
The Mack Burger (aka the burger with Big Mac sauce) +
Jalapenos.
Yet again reality trumps expectations - here's what we got:
Showed up at 3.15 on Saturday afternoon thinking the rush hour would be over. Nope. There were still more people in line than the attendance at most Nats games.
Finally get inside and there is a wall of vultures along one aside waiting to swoop on the first empty table when people get up. People were mean and nasty.
Also, Arlington Hipsters with kids -why take your screaming toddlers to a hell hole like this - it is not for toddlers - it is loud, crowded, no space - five tables with toddlers and all five tables had screaming kids and crazed mogodon munching parents. Suck it up for a couple of years and take the goddamned kids to burger king and bring them back here when they can appreciate and enjoy it.
And then - the coup de grace - get to the freaking counter and then and only then they tell us it is cash only. Are you frikkin for real.
An absolute disaster of biblical proportions all round.
THIS PLACE ROCKS!
- Love the burgers and the line moves fairly quickly... The burger and topping combos are unique and unbeatable. The burger done medium rare is so incredibly juicy and just falls apart as it starts heading to your mouth (in a good way).. Prepare to get greasy, but it's worth it, this may be the best burger joint i've ever been to!!!
What is it with us people...we act all snobbish and feel let down big time when our order is messed up by some small mistake by a restaurant that has gone out of it's way to give us a pleasurable experience. Yet when we visit a place like Ray's Hellburger we don't mind being treated...well...not so good.
Yes, the burger tastes good, and it's juicy, but I think you can get good burgers from many establishments if you just search for them beforehand.
These guys only take cash !! Maybe they don't want to pay the charges associated with credit card transactions but it is a huge hassle. They have an ATM machine at the back where you have the privilege to pay the bank $2.50 to get $10 out (when are we going to bring the banks into line???)
The order is rushed, and when they get it wrong....well good luck in getting that fixed in time before your buddies finish their meal off.
If you have been used to being pampered when you go out to eat be ready for a surprise when you come to this place.
On an early Saturday afternoon the line was not long, and my food came quickly. Ordered the B.I.G. Poppa (Au Poivre Burger With Black Peppercorn Crust, Aged Danish Bleu Cheese, Cognac & Sherry Sauteed Mushrooms, Grilled Red Onions), Sweet Potato Fries, and Root Beer.
Burger was great! I did not have to wait long for the generous-sized burger to show up open-faced on my table. I ignored the condiments and dug right in, and had no regrets. The mushrooms, cheese, and pepper are a great flavor on the burger.
Fries were fine. Would pass on the root beer (the paper cup ruined it for me).
Praise Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or whatever foodie god created this amazing place! Oh my, oh my - I don't know if I have the words. Now I have to confess, I'm not really a "burger person" per se. Most of the time, I can honestly take or leave beef. And I wouldn't usually cross state lines (I'm a DC resident) for a burger joint. However, Ray's is the gold standard when it comes to all beef patties!
Ray's doesn't do much - beef burgers and a few sides are all you will find on the menu. No fru fru veggie, turkey, buffalo, or ostrich to be found, nor a "crab burger" (please, we know it's just a crab cake on a bun) in sight. But the old adage that you should do one thing and do it well rings true here. You choose how you want it cooked - grilled, au poivre with a black peppercorn crust or blackened with Cajun seasoning. Then comes the fun part - the toppings. No average Joe 'merican cheese at Ray's. Here you can choose from Vermont white cheddar, aged Danish bleu and oh my lord in heaven double cream brie, among other goodies. Decedent? Of course! But that's the point. And there are a variety of raw and grilled veggies to top your burger, and sauces to add a bit of zing.
The menu also features specialty burgers to sink your teeth into, including the Soul Burger Number One topped with applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, cognac and sherry sauteed mushrooms, and grilled red onions. I'm definitely trying that on my next visit! This being my first time at Ray's, I took the advice of the very friendly and helpful manager (Juwan? Guessing on the spelling) who suggested I go with "what I know" and save the hard core stuff for next time. So I lost my Ray's virginity to a grilled burger with Vermont white cheddar, grilled onions, and mushrooms. And let me tell you, it was worth every calorie!
According to my companion, who has been to Ray's numerous times before, they have recently made a couple of changes that show these folks are really listening to customer feedback. Burgers are now served on buns instead of focaccia, which often got soggy quickly, and they have added fries to the menu - another welcome improvement.
Honestly as burgers go, I'm not sure how you get much better than Ray's. Served piping hot, they are thick, juicy, and very well seasoned. The atmosphere is decidedly no frills, but who needs a lot of decor when all you can focus on is the delicious goodness you can't stop eating? Plus they have root beer on tap - nice touch! And the staff is first rate, especially Juwan who treated us right because he's a fellow Saints fan! Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Ray's??
Best Burger Ever.
I had The Mack burger, fries and their root beer. All amazing. The meat was delish, the fries crispy and the root beer super creamy. One of my friends ordered the peppercorn burger and said it was super spicy, just a heads up.
Completely and utterly delicious.
BONE MARROW!
I think I may be officially over hamburgers. It's weird and I don't know exactly why -- and I never thought I'd see the day. Maybe one day I'll be Republican? Anyway, the burger here was hella hyped up based on the Obama visit etc. And, not grass fed (I made an exception.) Was it good - yes totes? Was it particularly awesome? No. I do like the unlimited spice shakers of Old Bay and cinnamon sugar for the sweet potato fries. Price is pretty solid too. And, the busy operation runs like a well-oiled machine.
Honestly, if this is the best burger joint in the DMV, I don't want to experience the worst. This is an overpriced burger joint. I paid $20.06 for two cheeseburgers and one "large" fries. In addition, when asking to take out the order, they said we would receive the order on plates and then pack it up ourselves! WTF? That is nuts. This place leaves much to be desired. And the fact they only take cash...really? They must be taking in the money because cutting off the convenience seems to take priority.
Ok so I've had this place on my radar ("To Try" bookmark) for aaages and finally finally made the trip to eat there. Until the point where I'd actually eaten a bite, I felt a little nonplussed at everything (mostly at how dark it was inside on a sunny afternoon). Actually like any good Yelper I was already mulling in my head what I might rate the place.
One bite into my burger later and my taste buds took over my brain and I was devouring my meal and paying scant attention to anything else other than the burger juice running down my hands. I got one of the au poivre burgers cooked medium with white cheddar, grilled red onions and garlic and it was simply fantastic. Extremely juicy and tasty and the pepper crust was delicious. Much much better than Five Guys (whose burgers seem to sometimes come out puck-ish nowadays) and it beats Fuddruckers too because of the "lo-fi" atmosphere and menu options.
I followed it up with one of the root beer floats which was good, since it's Old Dominion draft - but they don't pour the root beer for you - just give you a paper cup with 2 scoops of average ice cream in it, so it doesn't quite have the same effect when served as you might expect from a $5 float. If you don't want to splash out on a beverage, they have a cooler of ice water with paper cups handy. Always a plus in my book.
We also had some of the fries and the mac n cheese which were purportedly good but I saved all my room for the burger so I can't say first-hand.
The service was both friendly and attentive from what I experienced. Parking is a bit scarce but nothing too bad, and they do have high chairs (just ask). Only caveats really are - a) cash only b) don't seat yourself before you order c) the menu can be confusing (just go with your gut). Mmmm.
Would you like Fries with that?
I have been here a number of times (things finally have cooled down a bit after the Presidential visit). And now Ray's has finally broken down and added fries to the menu (with a choice of Cajun or old bay that you can add at the stand condiment stand). Really these are about the best burgers that you are going to get. They even finally upgraded the buns so that they are less likely to disintegrate right in your hands. So worth the price (which really isn't all that expensive).
Hands down the best burger I've ever had. I've never been a fan of "gourmet burgers" in the past, because that always seemed to be a hipster type trendy thing. I am most definitely a no frills guy, so I was a bit apprehensive about checking out Ray's my first time. However, as soon as I took my first bite, all fear evaporated. This place just plain rocks. Don't go expecting to be clever and custom order some special burger with your special favorite toppings. This ain't Burger King, and you can't have it your way. Their menu has about 10 different gourmet burgers; pick one and eat it. I've tried a different one each time I've been, and all of them have been mouth watering. It's messy as hell, and you certainly have to be a carnivore to enjoy it, but the taste simply can't be beaten.
The line is usually out the door during lunchtime on the weekends, but it's worth the wait and hassle of ordering. Also, don't expect french fries, but seriously, who needs them when you have 10 Oz of meat to take down.
Because my previous review was pulled for going too personal, I'll only say the following:
1) They make you feel like a moron for not knowing they don't take credit cards.
2) Because they make you stand by some little trash/condiment island waiting for the food to be brought to you.
3) Because you have to pack it yourself if you're doing carry-out.
4) Attitude, attitude, attitude.
I'll keep going to Fosters or making my own till they get their act together.
One amazing burger. I can't wait to go back and experience it all over again. Last time I hit the dinner rush head on, and didn't feel like I was able to fully appreciate Ray's.
They now serve fries, which were average.
Old Dominion Root Beer on tap is a huge plus.
Eat here. I cursed Obama for months for making the lines so long, but I couldn't really blame him. This is a delicious, enormous burger. I tend to order my old standby: the new jack zing, a blackened patty with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions, jalapenos, and other amazing accouterments. If they have the macaroni and cheese, you must get some. Do it for me.
I admit disappointment with the fried mashed potato balls (how good does that sound?), but I am willing to forgive them, because they have diet creme soda that makes my life noticeably better.
Walk from Rosslyn or Courthouse metro, and be prepared to wait for a table, but don't fret, there are Turkish movie posters on the walls for you to scrutinize as you glare at the people already enjoying their amazing food.
1st off I am biased because In-N-Out is by far my favorite burger joint, but since they refuse to move East I'm in search of a sufficient substitute. Rays offers a wide selection excellent burgers (although slightly on the greasy side), but I have 2 huge complaints.
1. They do not sell french fries (FFs) or onion rings (ORs)!!! FFs and ORs have complimented burgers since the dawn of time, maybe even before that who knows. The Bible even mentions burgers paired with FFs and/or ORs. We all know that a burger can only unleash its magical powers when served and subsequently consumed with FFs or ORs. The ball is in your court Rays, I challenge you to take the burger experience up a notch.
2. They do not sell BEER!!!!!!!!! Now here's the thing, by no means do I want Rays to become either a bar or something similar to RedRobin or TGIFridays. Nothing of the sort and based on those establishments I understand Rays resistance/hesitation to sell beer. But here's the thing, lean in closer I to make sure you clearly read this, BEER only makes a burger better. In fact to not serve a beer (unless it's to a minor) with a burger is simply unAmerican. I am pro-America and pro simpler times where a burger and a beer reminds you of a family style cook out in the park. So I say to you Rays, help us all be better Americans and serve BEER with your burgers.
I have said my peace only time will heal my burger woes.
Hella overrated. Just cause obama ate here does not make it great. Giant slaps of somewhat flavorless beef in a a strip mall. I mean, it isn't bad, it is just that any half way decent human being with supermarket ground beef and access to a grill can make a better burger.
Good mac and cheese though.
I came here a few weeks after trying Ray's the Steak's for the first time, in search of the best burger in (or in this case near) DC. After my positive steak experience, I came expecting quality meat, and I was not disappointed! The beef was moist and flavorful. It would have been great on its own, but I couldn't resist all of the fantastic toppings!
There are lots of free toppings, including mushrooms and grilled onions. I also added gruyere cheese (one of many outstanding and out-of-the ordinary options) and bacon. There are also multiple burger styles- I got the diablo, which was deliciously flavorful without being extremely spicy. The only complaint I have is that the bun fell apart quickly and I unashamedly finished it off with knife and fork. I didn't mind, but for some that may be a deal breaker.
No fries found here, but they do have some sides available. The burger is definitely the main event, and filling enough to forego fries even if they were offered. I split a side of mac and cheese anyway just to try it. I found it soupier than expected, and realized that I'm a Kraft mac n cheese girl anyway. I've heard other's rave about it though, so I'm probably not qualified to speak on the merits of homemade cheesy noodles.
This place came highly recommended and I'd say it definitely lives up to the hype.
Where else can you get a slice of cave-aged Amish cheddar that's the thickness of your hand, but looks normal-sized on top of the enormous, delicious burger? Absolutely brilliant, reasonably priced, and also appropriately messy.
Ray's is fantastic!!!! I've been twice and loved it both times. The meat is so fresh and cooked PERFECTLY and you can get brie on a burger - seriously does it get better??? The toppings options are endless, the meat fresh and delicious, and even the sides (if you have room) are pretty stinking good!
The line can be a bit much if you hit a busy time (one other time I tried to go the line was almost out the door and we bagged it), but they move pretty quickly and if you can get there when it's not peak time then it just makes your life easier. Also, don't forget - cash only. They have a "fee free" ATM there, but better to come prepared.
For those who like to compare it to 5 Guys - they're totally different. This place makes 5 Guys look like a delicate meal. Easily the best burger place in the area - I recommend it to friends from out of town all the time.
With each bite, you can feel your heart filling with cholesterol and your life getting shorter--but at least you'll die happy and with a sense that you earned it!
I don't make this statement lightly, nor do I offer this compliment often, so let the drums roll...This is the best burger I've ever eaten!
To ensure I don't turn into a fat slob, I struggle to maintain a disciplined routine and only afford myself a monthly indulgence with one of these heavenly burgers. I no longer waste my time or my arteries on mediocre burgers. If I must clog my heart, it will be with the best burgers in the world.
Thank you Ray, purveyor of a quality that is so rare in this day and age.
Ridiculous topping options and the burger's too big to be managable. That said, the individual components were impressive. It's just a sad fact that the whole is sometimes less than the sum of its parts.
Was told by quite a few people that I had to go here, that it would be the best burger I had ever tried. So, I went and...eeehhhh....
Was good, don't get me wrong, but not worth all the fuss. I am not saying don't go there, it is definitely worth the visit. There burgers are huge, the toppings plentiful, and the spice rub is excellent. However, I don't understand the hype. Sure, it was a great burger, but not the best ever. Perhaps the expectations that everyone built up let me down a tad.
Hands down the best place in Arlington for a burger. This place is as close to gourmet as a burger joint can get without becoming pretentious.
Two locations a few doors down from each other. One is more of a take-out location and the other a sit down restaurant. *Update* Looks like they may be closing the "take out" location. Anyone know what's up?
No fries with these burgers. Just chips and a pickle.
Not just great food but a great value coming in around $7-8 for a giant burger.
I recommend the "B.I.G. Poppa" burger with a black peppercorn crust, aged blue cheese, cognac and sherry sauteed mushrooms, and grilled onions.
I was dragged here by a friend, convinced that it could never measure up to Good Stuff Eatery and determined not to fall for the Post-Obama hype.
But to my surprise, the burger here destroyed GSE's.
Also, Ray's Hell Burger has moved a few doors down to a larger place (formally Ray's the Steaks). All the tables were full (9 on a Friday night) but the line was not ridiculous like this past summer.
An offshoot of Ray's the Steaks and located on Wilson Blvd in Arlington, Hell Burger is amazingly absent from the internet if you don't count reviews. I actually didn't know anything about it going in, which can make for a pretty significant scramble if you've only got 20 minutes to order, eat and get the hell out. What follows is my Hell Burger cheat sheet; I enjoyed my meal and will be going back.
* Take a few minutes to digest the menu. It's fairly simple but I ordered based on suggestion because of the time crunch. I ended up with a burger that had a Post-It pad size slice of blue cheese and while I like the stuff, it was all I could taste. I'm convinced there are better combinations (I saw foie gras) that I just skimmed over. Note they ONLY sell burgers; no chicken sammiches here.
* 10oz really isn't all that much when it's high quality beef. You look at the thing and you're convinced there's no way you're going to finish but when the meat is super tender, juicy and extremely delicious it's surprisingly easy.
* Only order medium rare if you really like it bloody. My medium was perfect but a couple of the medium rares at our table looked more like rare to me. It will be super juicy no matter what, so eat over your plate.
* Be sure to eat it vertically (thumbs towards you, not down) or your bun will fall apart. A lot of the reviews I've read complained about the bun but if you eat it right, you won't have any problems. I even managed to eat mine without cutting it in half.
* They don't serve fries, which is probably for the better. They do have cheesey tater tots that were pretty good but the best side is by far the mac and cheese. For what it's worth, the mac and cheese is enough to make a non-beef eater want to go back (ask me how I know).
* Don't expect to have a beer while there, as they don't serve alcohol. They do have Dominion Root Beer on tap though, which is decent substitute.
I love that I can order my burger how I like my steak to be cooked ... bloody rare! The burger is HUGE and oh-so-delicious! The meat is full of flavor and juicy. I like how you can choose whatever toppings you want. One day, I'll have to splurge to add foie gras and bone marrow to my burger. Mmmm. I've gotten the mac and cheese side, which was also delicious. Kinda wish they also had fries, but am okay without them since they have some pretty tasty sides. Oh, the Piranha sauce. AWESOME!
It's usually pretty packed in there. At least now with them taking over the space where Ray's the Steaks used to be, it's not as chaotic. But, you have to order first before getting a seat. So if you're in a big group, expect to be split up, lest you keep waiting to eat your burger.
Ray's Hell Burger falls somewhere between the deliciously greasy and nearly guaranteed heart attack at 5 Guys, and the equally tasty "healthy eats" at Elevation Burger. By the way Elevation, you're selling a "healthy" 10-patty Vertigo burger? Really?
Anyway...once you've properly handcuffed, drugged, and securely locked any of your diet plans in your trunk, you're ready for Ray's. Although I loathed saying - "May I have the Big Punisher, please." I did quite enjoy it. (Diablo-grilled and brushed with their spicy chipotle marinade, pepper jack cheese, charred jalapenos, grilled red onions, piranha green sauce)
***I also split a large fry with a friend, but these things weren't anything to write home about. In fact, it almost seemed like Ray and his help hated having to serve them at all. Shame, given the care they seem to put into their burgers.
I think I used to be a little burger biased...yes, In-N-Out is still my favorite burger place (and you can take the girl out of California, but you can't take California out of the girl!).
But.
Ray's has that certain je ne sais quoi about it that makes me crave it far too often. Huge burgers, amazing flavor, great price. Sometimes you need a step up from Five Guys, and this is definitely it.
This place is so good it makes me crave a burger immediately after I just loaded myself up with a gut bomb.
Definitely trumps Good Stuff Eatery, Five Guys, and all those other hacks.
Eat there now!
OH MY GOSH. There are no words. Just go and see for yourself. Get all the amazing toppings.
Best burger I've ever had. I visited in Sept 2009 and got the burger with the foie gras. Wow! It was fabulous! In retrospect, I probably would have gotten ONLY the foie gras, instead of with the mushrooms (some signature burger they had). The mushroom sauce was a bit too tart and overpowering of the beef and foie gras. We went early on a Sunday - like at 4pm. No wait.
Ray's burgers really are spectacular.
Best burger joint in DC...and I've had them all...or at least most of them. Word of caution, I loaded mine up with everything spicy and about burned my face off...and I'm a big fan of spicy. Incredible.
Best burger in DC! Yes, the burgers are that good!
Now, I know what you're thinking..."Really, BillP, what makes you some kind of burger expert?"
People, I've been eating burgers, and only burgers, since I was a tiny little skinny kid that was such a picky eater my mom would only give me burgers.
Why? Because they are soooooooooo tasty. I've eaten burgers in over 30 countries and I am a huge fan!
Ray's is that good. The cheese, meat, and everything is great! It's savory and when I was eating it I thought of a beautiful spring day with my lady and well...you get the idea! ;)
So, anyways, some people have whined about there being no fries at Ray's, but there are now. I had them and they are good, although not as good as the burger.
So, visit Ray's! You won't be disappointed! And if you are, well, you know jack all about burgers.
:)
3.5 stars.
Honesty: I love fast food burgers--McDonald's and Burger King to be exact. I actually find 5 Guys and other places to have "too much meat." So yeah, i am not the sophisticated meatitarian like many of the other reviewers, so adjust my 3.5 stars accordingly.
I know nothing about meat--it tastes good. That's about it. Ray's was a good burger, however, I like my meat well seasoned. As we all know, Ray's is about appreciating the meat for what it is, so I honestly can't say it's their fault I wasn't impressed, it was strictly just a preference issue. I mean, I would totally go there again if someone suggested it, and if a friend asked me about a place to get a good burger, i'd definitely rx it....but it just wasn't my steaz.
Nice watermelon slice though--unexpected and refreshing.
Not the best burger I've had, but definitely in the top 3. I absolutely love the garlic, pepper, onion, mushroom infused goodness. It's packed with flavor, every bite takes me to a beautiful place where everyone's breath smells just as bad as mine after this.
It helps that I also work about a 5 min walk away from here.
Free atm there (no fees) is a plus!
What can I say... just look at the stars!
Ok, so I got here at about 2:30 on Sunday afternoon and it was slightly busy. I didn't know this place was cash only so we got out of the line to get some cash out of their no fee ATM. I commend them for having a no fee ATM on premises. With the various combination that can take the 6.95 burger to upwards of 17 dollars I stuck to something slightly more than a regular cheeseburger.
My fiance and I both got our grilled burgers cooked to their recommended "bloody" doneness. Topped with american cheese and mine with raw onion and their Paranah sauce, which seemed like a combination of cilantro, green chilies, roasted garlic, sour cream and some basic seasonings... the cheeseburgers were delicious! Even besides the fact that enough blood had poured out to make it a burger with blood au jous and the watermelon on the plate was covered in red. It was surprise biting into the watermelon since well... red on red isn't all that visible ;)
Well back to the burgers... apparently their 10 oz. patties are aged and that creates an awesome, fresh flavor. The meat was definitely fresh as you could not taste the blood or the flavor old meat has. All in all the burgers were huge and the quality was top notch. I recommend you get the paranah sauce, as it comes on the side, and try various combos, after all you cant go wrong when you work with good meat and bread.
Go now... (i cant believe I waited so long!)
Ray's Hell Burger serves the best burger I have ever had in my life! I consider myself a burger lover and nothing else I have had comes close.
I used to live only a few blocks from this strip-mall gem and I would frequent the old unmarked storefront regularly. I know they have now moved into the old Ray's The Steaks space, but I have no doubt that the burgers are still huge and juicy with top-quality ingredients and creative toppings. The $10 deal was exactly what the doctor ordered on the nights I visited: it included a relatively basic burger, side and a drink (I recommend you go for the root beer!).
The place was always crowded in the evenings, and that only got worse once Joe and Barry took their little trip there, but it was always worth the wait. Whenever I am in DC or Arlington I will always make a trip to one of my favorite memories of my time there.
HUGE fan. I usually fast for a day before I eat at Hellburger -- because I"m a small person and it's a 10oz HUGE burger. I get mine with blue cheese and at first thought, my mouth starts to salivate. Then first bite I find how ravenous I am and realize how awesomely delicious my meal is going to be. I don't think I have time to talk between bites.
Definitely plan on getting root beer on draft and the fact that they dont serve french fries shouldnt rub you the wrong way. Ray's knows how to do a good burger. Totally delicious.
Arlington, VA
Category: Steakhouses
Arlington, VA
Category: Burgers
Arlington, VA
Category: Burgers
Washington, DC
Category: Burgers
Arlington, VA
Category: Mexican
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