Ray's Hell Burger - Arlington, VA

This may be the best burger I've ever had; there is no doubt it's in my top five. The review I am posting here talks a lot about the toppings and sides, but for this son of a cattle-farmer, Ray's has hit pay dirt with his beef. Just enough fat mixed with what has to be some prime meat. Juicy, tasty, mouth-watering beef. And the it was only $7. Small place, too many people most times, but it worth it all and they run this tiny place like a fine Swiss watch. http://www.dcfoodies.com/2008/07/rays-hell-burge.html

thanks for the tip. I'll have to plan a trip to Court House area soon.

 I was just there on Saturday. Absolutely amazing. Definitely one of the best burgers I've ever eaten.  Don't get any cheese and skip the toppings, you're only insulting the meat. Maybe 1 slice of tomato would be perfect. (Also, the whole thing will fall apart if you pile on the toppings).  The burger is incredibly juicy and flavorfull. I devoured it in moments, and that was after eating a fairly filling bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup next door at Pho 75. Unfortunately, I live in NYC, where I've yet to find a burger place like that. I guess it's probably for the best that I'm not near a place like that, or I'd definitely eat too many. It was reasonably priced also. A burger without cheese is huge and is under $7.

 

OBAMA AND BIDEN GO TO

ARLINGTON (VA) BURGER JOINT

Here's another article with a video:

http://news.aol.com/article/obama-burgers/464677

I really wish you guys would quit talking about politics all the time. 

Obama:  Medium-well with mustard

Biden: Medium-well with ketchup

The article I read said it is made with all prime beef.  Ground fresh daily.

Big Al - What about Peter Luger's? 

Big Al - What about Peter Luger's? 

 

I haven't been yet. I haven't been to a lot of the supposedly great burger places in NYC so my excitement over Ray's Hell Burgers might be from lack of other experiences. Here are some places in NYC I've been to. 

Shake shack- ok, but forgettable. Not worth waiting more than 10 minutes for.

5 guys- ok, but overcoooked (they only do well done)

Brooklyn Diner near Carnegie Hall- supposedly great, but the burger I had was overcooked. It was pink but there was just one pocket of juice in it which spurted out all at once. The rest was dry. Too expensive also. Maybe I should give it another try.

Cityburger (the "black label" burger)- supposedly great, but the burger I got was cooked beyond well done even though it was supposed to be medium rare. It actually tasted ok anyway. Maybe I'll go back.

Piper's Kilt in Riverdale- good burger

Island Burger- very good burger and they cook it a perfect medium rare. Prior to having ray's hell burger it may have been my favorite burger eaten at a restaurant.

I'll definitely have to try peter luger's at some point. There are a bunch of other places in the city that are supposedly great also. I'd definitely like to find another burger place like Ray's where I couldn't put the burger down. I pretty much inhaled it. And for less than $7!!

The burger at Peter Luger is fantastic, but you are not getting out the door for $7.  The burger, itself, is $8.95 for what they call "more" than a half-pound.  Cheese is extra, as is bacon, fries - and perhaps even the plates and napkins are a la carte. 

I ate there last week with a friend.  We both ordered bacon cheeseburgers with fries and each had two soft drinks (no refills, folks).  The bill came to $43 + tip.

Honestly, the bread basket alone would have been worth the price, but the burgers are THAT good.

Letterman made reference to this place on last night's show. They are getting a lot of free press. Are there already hour long waits to get in?

 I was there on Saturday afternoon around 2:30.  It wasn't empty, though I didn't wait a moment.  Business may pick even more up for the foreseeable future after the Obama visit.

i95

 

OBAMA AND BIDEN GO TO

ARLINGTON (VA) BURGER JOINT

 

Obama Stops at Five Guys for Cheeseburger (AP)

Face it - the President has been to many more Roadfood establishments than many long-time posters here! 

Yea, I know this is an old thread but I have had this craving for Rays and when I stumbled on this I just knew I had to resurrect it! 
 
There is just something sooooo delicious about Ray's.  These burgers are 2 handed, juicy beasts that are just soo delicious you don't want to put it down (granted you can't because the entire thing would just fall apart and the buns would disintegrate from the juices).

Yea, I know this is an old thread but I have had this craving for Rays and when I stumbled on this I just knew I had to resurrect it! 
 
There is just something sooooo delicious about Ray's.  These burgers are 2 handed, juicy beasts that are just soo delicious you don't want to put it down (granted you can't because the entire thing would just fall apart and the buns would disintegrate from the juices).

Unfortunately, it seems as though Ray's Hell Burger suffers from another landlord-tenant dispute.
 
http://www.arlnow.com/201...&utm_content=Gmail

The Travelin Man


Unfortunately, it seems as though Ray's Hell Burger suffers from another landlord-tenant dispute.

http://www.arlnow.com/201...&utm_content=Gmail

That pre-WWII strip center (and another one just up the hill on Wilson across from Court House Metro) are on prime+ Class A land. 
 
"The market" screams for a tear-down and modern design/build.

MetroplexJim, You should see the development in that area.  Huge condo projects on every block.  My Daughter lived two blocks away.
 
Although, I think Ray's will win.....He suffers for his steak.

"Ray" - successful a multi-venue restauranteur as he is - is just a small potato compared to any one of the many owners of that corridor who each now have net worths in the high eights; together, the many are insuperable in matters such as these.
 
As taxes from their collective holdings finance the largesse of The People's Republic of Arlington, Ray's "case" will be "settled" in the Men's Grill of the Washington Golf & Country Club.  His "new lease" will terminate when demolition of his premises is about to commence. 
 
Several of the many will offer him a fair market deal on better premises with better parking.  He may then choose and, given his reputation and skill, will surely succeed in even greater measure. 
 
That's what the locals call "The Arlington Way".  Those who covet power and those who are simply content with wealth routinely conspire to their mutual benefit.  Ray needs to "get with the program".

MetroplexJim

That pre-WWII strip center (and another one just up the hill on Wilson across from Court House Metro) are on prime+ Class A land. 

"The market" screams for a tear-down and modern design/build.

Indeed, I've thought that same thing since the early 90s.   That strip mall and the one across from Court House (which I used to call the Gourmet Ghetto) have surprised me with their resiliency to development.

kaszeta

MetroplexJim

That pre-WWII strip center (and another one just up the hill on Wilson across from Court House Metro) are on prime+ Class A land. 

"The market" screams for a tear-down and modern design/build.

Indeed, I've thought that same thing since the early 90s.   That strip mall and the one across from Court House (which I used to call the Gourmet Ghetto) have surprised me with their resiliency to development.

Yes!  I remember back in the '80's when "Rays" strip center housed a seedy strip club and a laundromat.  One of my facorite places in the other center was l'Alouette, a truly decent, reasonably priced French Restaurant.  The former premises of Esposito's original Pizza/Pasta location is now Colonial Place, a 750,000 sq. ft. office/retail development.

 
 
Sad news to report. Rays Hell Burgers has closed two of their locations in Arlington, Va and the property is up for rent once again.
Read the following for all the sad details:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/rays-hell-burger-properties-in-arlington-up-for-lease/article/2521315

At least their location, Ray's to the Third across the street is still operating, but for how long?

There was even a story on the national news today (2/17/13) that Ray's had closed after having been evicted for non-payment of $39,000 in back rent.  Who-da-thunk it, they were so busy @ premium prices?
 
But, remembering past news, Landrum had tried a 'social experiment' in opening up a fine dining establishment in far SE DC.  That closed and had to have been a money pit.  As Clint Eastwood had Dirty Harry saying:  A man has to know his limitations.