Ray’s World Famous Bar-B Que

Wasn’t impressed with Rays at all. BBQ sauce did stick to the meat. And had to have food microwaved as we ordered. Was just expecting a different experience.

The barbecue was great. But that’s it. All The sides were horrible except the green beans. None of the sides were freshly made. They were pre-​made and microwaved. The deserts were awful. The cakes had and old after taste. If you go here just stick to the BBQ. It’s the only thing that’s pretty great.

No, No, No… dirty nasty place. It should be shut down. I wouldn’t feed this crap to my dog

The food was expensive, they put the meat in a microwave. The sides were scooped out of Walmart brand tubs. The portion was small, the place was gross. I would never go back especially for the price.

They put the meat to microvawe and reheat it
While cutting the meat they did not even use the gloves
And the worst part
The beef tasted not good
Dont come here

Oh… My…Goodness!!!
I love bbq. Now granted I have not been to every bbq restaurant in the Memphis area. Have tried a few though.
But I have been to a lot across the country.
This place is awesome!!! It rivals a place in Louisville for my most favorite bbq.
I just had 2 rib bones. THEY ARE BIG! Juicy & tasty. (Been here once before so I knew what I wanted.)
Passed through yesterday on my way down from Chicago to New Orleans but didn’t have the time to stop. Been hoping during the whole trip I could get here before closing. Just made it.
Was not disappointed.
I recommend this place to everybody looking for the best ribs and other savory meats, sides and homemade cakes.
The saddest part was having to swallow. But wait, there’s another bite ready to be taken. Eventually you will finish but you will be completely satisfied.
The owners are sweet and friendly. Very appreciative of your business.
Don’t forget to tip. They deserve it for providing a wonderful meal.
A standing ovation!
Please stop and give them a try.
Jeff

This is my first review because I truly feel the need to do so. 09/​24/​2015 I dropped in for a quick lunch after seeing 4 stars on Unilocal.From the outside it looks like a total rathole which is usually fine, I’ve eaten at plenty of delicious ratholes. Upon entry, the stench of mothballs is absolutely unbearable. The amount of random clutter, disarray, broken soda machine, junk in the bathroom, and increasingly noticeable filth is astonishing. My «truckers special,» a $ 20 plate which was stacked with inedible meat was terrible. Out of it all, I only ate 2 pork ribs. Chucked the potato salad, slaw, beans, brisket, and 3 ribs in the garbage. I let the woman behind the counter know of my displeasure and she was clearly offended asking where I was from and even calling out a table of men asking how their meat was. I’m on the road a lot for work and I truly love bar-​b-​que but this is by far the worst experience I’ve had with any establishment ever. In all my $ 22 meal (w a sweet tea) was awful and really discouraging. At this point I was in a hurry to get back to work so I went on with an empty stomach and wallet. –Thanks

Ok I have lived in Memphis for the past 20 years and know my bbq. Like many I have been drawn to the river by the newest casino in West Memphis less than a mile from Ray’s and the new Bass Pro over the bridge on the Memphis bluff also less than a mile from Ray’s and decided to stop in to the place today for the first time. I loved the joint. The beef bbq sandwich plate was the real deal and the small size satisfied me and left me room for a piece of their delicious homemade cake (I chose german chocolate, while red velvet and caramel cake among others looked great too). I mentioned I like spicy bbq sauce so the friendly staff provided me with both regular and a truly spicy sauce as well. I chose to get slaw on the sandwich as well and the meat was smoky and juicy and the portion was generous. It is a cool down to earth place where checkered table cloths set the roadside atmosphere and both kids and travellers will feel welcome. I got a kick out of the fact that there is a cb radio on the counter and the staff actually takes orders on it from truckers coming while all walk ins are greated with a smile and have their questions answered patiently and with genuine appreciation. So my advice is that the next time you are headed to the casinos or Bass Pro stop in for a power meal instead of saddling up with the masses at the usual places you go to. You won’t regret it!

Food was delicious! We had a pork platter, and 2 pork sandwich platters. Cole slaw is delicious, mac n cheese is run of the mill, bbq is truly wonderful. Dont think you’re getting fine dining, this is truly a dive joint that you’ll likely feel sketchy about at first. It’s a rundown building and hasn’t been renovated in some time, but the food is good and service is too. Coming from the Pilot, you’ll turn left just past the Petro station and its about ½ a mile on the left.

I only put one star because the employees were very nice, the food was nothing to brag about, I had chicken, it was extremely dry, if it wouldn’t have been for the shake on seasoning it would not have had any flavor except the smoke flavor, green beans tasted like they came straight from a can, all food was heated in a microwave and put in a Togo plate, suggestions for this place are go to Texas and learn what real barbecue should taste like. This is just a hole off the interstate, look further down the road if you want good food because you won’t get it here. Can’t believe other people gave it such high ratings, I suspect it’s either friends or the owner

Great BBQ, there’s no doubt about it. Def go for the pulled pork sandwich, ribs or turkey leg. One regular said the catfish was amazing too, but we couldn’t eat anymore
Get off the highway and stop in! You don’t want to miss it.

Wonderful folks, great BBQ. Took a chance on a Unilocal search while passing through the area and my only regret was not buying more food, lol!

If you ever get a chance to eat at Ray’s you won’t be disappointed the ribs are great! They were tender, juicy and cooked to perfection
We had the pleasure of meeting Ray the owner and Larry his chef. We were the only customers in the restaurant at the time, Larry started bringing us samples off the menu to our delight. We also tried the pulled pork and his baby back ribs. Hard to pick a favorite meat so we will be back on our return trip.
Ray’s building looks like a dive inside and out. If I hadn’t caught his restaurant featured on the travel channel a while back (and the help of Unilocal), we would not have stopped.
The food was not heated in the microwave as another reviewer reported.

Who gave this place 5 stars. It a conspiracy. If you love microwaveable food, this is the place for you. look folks. The owners are kind, yes I get that but the food is on the sad end of almost being bad.
Everything was just sad.
I know why this place isn’t in Memphis, they would burn it down.
Do yourself a favor and go across the river

Don’t let the building fool you. Inside that sketchy exterior are some wonderfully sweet people and some awesome BBQ. If you want a fancy setting and cloth napkins go someplace else. If you want some outstanding ribs and tender pork, come on in! My sis found this on Unilocal and gave it a try and sent us on in a couple of weeks later when we were passing thru. You can be sure we will come again.

Ribs had a great bite to them. My beautiful girl friend had a pulled pork platter and we both left full and satisfied. The owners were attentive and very pleasant.

Food was great. Folks behind the counter very friendly and helpful. We had trouble finding the place because Apple Maps and Unilocal had the wrong coordinates for the address. I wrote to them and got it fixed! Notice of correction came through today. Checked it out for myself and it looks correct now. We’ll go back next time we are on the area.

We didn’t know what to expect –but we were blown away! It’s a tiny, older building with a smoke shack in the back-don’t let it fool you. Go ahead and go in. The ribs were awesome and the fried bologna sandwich was an unexpected bonus. The owner was super friendly and the banana pudding really topped it off.

Ray’s is definitely a book you can’t judge by its cover, but walk inside, past the rough exterior, and discover some of the best succulent slow-​cooked fall-​off-​the-​bone ribs and the genuine southern hospitality of its owner and staff. I’ll stop here again where I-​55 and I-​40 cross.

I always get the «wide load» 2 pounds of rib tips and sides… delicious. and under 20.00…to be honest, if your looking for a fancy place and «atmosphere»? go to Beale st, if you want great bbq at good price? this is the place… this location has been here about 7 years and parking is limited for trucks. but well worth the effort…
most times they deliver, but it’s been an issue finding a driver I’m told… MR. Ray is very friendly and never at a loss for telling a good joke…

Had the rib tips and they were very good. The place is definitely a no frills kind of place but the people were friendly and the food was good. Very hard to find if your using googlemaps or Unilocal location. Its best to call for directions

I saw good reviews so gave Ray’s a try. I will not be back.
All was just ok. I like smoked meats which I did not taste in these.
The cole slaw was simple but refreshing.
The BBQ sauce was very good. Sweet, with a bite.
But, BBQ sauce is not enough to make me return.