New to the neighborhood and decided to give it a try.. 10/10! Love how they have daily specials- tried the double loaded potato- 10/10 And their banana pudding dessert- 10/10 read more

Great food, fair portions, but a bit pricey! I believe they offer lunch specials. The brisket is fabulous! There were two tables with customers, it was quiet except for the TV ,.. that was showing "Andy Griffith"!! We loved that! We will be back! read more

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Ok, this place is so good that we went back the next day for more food. Seriously, the brisket, turkey, pork, sausages, and chicken are all top notch - and I have now had them all. Can't speak highly enough about the service. I ordered at 6:51 not knowing they close at 7, and they had my food when I showed up at 7:15. They were so kind! As soon as I stepped out of my truck, I knew this place was going to be great. When you can see the smoker, expect good things. Great casual setting. read more

Big Ray's BBQ - The smoker outside. - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

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Big Ray's is the worst barbecue in Allen, they serve old food plus reheat old meat to where it is so tough you can't bite into it. The managers are unprofessional. Specifically Camilla Big Ray's's wife. The restaurant is absolutely dirty. The bathrooms have pee all over the ruined my appetite when I went and restroom. And I also have been hearing that Big Ray's doesn't give their employees their tips.. which is illegal. A previous employee of theirs told me that she has not received her tips in over seven months. And when she first asked about it, they said that everybody wasn't getting their tips. And that just makes it even worse for me because if I'm tipping my money to the employees, why are the manager's pocketing the money? read more

Obviously, Baby Ray's has amazing brisket! That's why I make a point to go at least once a month. Tonight, I brought some home to pile onto my baked potato (perfection, by the way). But what I really want to shine a light on is something even more special: their pay-it-forward program. Here, you can pre-buy a meal for someone in need. Whatever you purchase gets printed on a receipt and posted on a sign (see my photos). When someone who's hungry comes in, they can take that ticket and enjoy a hot meal. No questions asked. If you've ever looked for a way to give back while also supporting a small business, this is it. Also the next time you're raising money for a cause, keep Baby Ray's in mind. Good food and good hearts.. that's something worth supporting. read more

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Allen Texas has a Bar- B- Que spot that really delivers ! You know when you see work trucks,minivans, and Mercedes in the parking lot , you are in for deliciousness. The daily specials are just $9.99 Includes Sandwich- one side - one drink. Your choices going down the order line are fresh . The menu is full of options, including fried fish specials. The chopped brisket sandwich with beans and potato salad was outstanding. The service and preparation was great. Located between Hwy 75 and Hwy 5 If you are near Allen Premium Outlet and the Villages of Fairview, stop in for a surprise restaurant Great pit work and classic BBQ The only thing missing is you. See you there soon. read more

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I ate here for the first time in our 14 years in Allen. I gotta say, I've been missing out on some good 'Q. I had the Tuesday lunch special ($10.99), pulled pork samwich, a side (scalloped taters) and a soft drink. Easily some of the best pulled pork ever. Tender, juicy, without any fat or nasties. Atmosphere is old school country BBQ joint and counter service was first rate read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

They don't serve craft barbeque, but Big Ray's is very good for what it is ... a good, old fashion, neighborhood barbeque restaurant that serves its community well. Their daily specials are affordable enough to compete with less healthy lunch options. I was happy to order their 2-meat baked potato that came with a drink for $13.99. As requested, the brisket and ribs were served on the side, so I was able to evaluate each meat and the potato independently. The ribs were flavorful, but a little dry. The brisket was chopped, flavorful, but a little dry. The baked potato was almost perfect; it was dressed with cheese, sour cream, and chives. The only thing missing was butter, but I made up for it by packing it with chopped brisket and BBQ sauce. It was a satisfying meal. The hospitality of the staff, homestyle charm/decor of the restaurant, affordability, and food quality makes this restaurant worthy of a repeat visit. read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Restaurant Entrance - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

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When "DIY" Goes Wrong: Picture this: I'm craving a McDonald's McRib (don't judge me - that processed pork patty with pickles and BBQ sauce hits different sometimes), so I mention this to my wife Johanna on Saturday. Bless her soul, she finds what looks like the perfect upgrade at Big Ray's BBQ - a "Rib Sandwich" with the most mouth-watering description you've ever seen: "Sink your teeth into our Rib Sandwich: tender, fall-off-the-bone rib meat piled high on a toasted bun, topped with crisp house slaw and drizzled in our signature BBQ sauce for a mouthwatering bite." The photos showed all the fixings too - jalapeños, onions, pickles, cole slaw, even some green beans on the side. I'm thinking, "Hell yes, this is going to blow that McRib out of the water!" What arrived was a prank: No sauce. No pickles. No onions. No coleslaw. No, anything except a half-rack of sauceless bone-in ribs shoved between two pieces of bread like some medieval torture device masquerading as a sandwich. It looked like someone had given up halfway through making lunch. So there I am, standing in my kitchen like some barbecue archaeologist, spending ten minutes excavating bones from what was supposed to be ready-to-eat food. I'm raiding my fridge for BBQ sauce and pickles - you know, the basic ingredients that were supposed to come WITH the sandwich I just paid for. I'm de-boning, smushing, and essentially building the sandwich they should have made in the first place. And here's the thing that gets me - this isn't my first rodeo with DIY delivery disasters. I once ordered a Caesar salad that arrived as three lonely leaves of romaine lettuce. THREE LEAVES. What am I supposed to do with that? Meditate on each leaf? What if I were at a picnic or eating in my car? Am I supposed to carry around a personal prep kitchen? The "DIY Food Movement" Has Gone Too Far: Look, I get that table-side guacamole is a thing, and it's fantastic because the server does the work, making it feel fancy and interactive. But there's a world of difference between theatrical food preparation and just... not preparing food at all. When I'm paying restaurant prices for delivery, I shouldn't need to become my short-order cook. Sandwiches should never have bones - that's like, Sandwich 101. Indian rice bowls like biryani? Boneless, ready to eat. Caesar salads? Pre-chopped and prepared to eat, not a construction project. Why would anyone think a "rib sandwich" with six individual bones is a good idea? What's the point of calling it a sandwich if I need power tools to eat it? The Tragic Irony: Here's what stings: after all my amateur food assembly, the sandwich tasted pretty good. The meat was tender and flavorful. But that's precisely what makes this so frustrating! This should have been considerably better than a McDonald's McRib - it had quality ingredients and authentic barbecue flavor. Instead, it was just comparable to fast food, and only after I fixed it myself. Think about that for a second. McDonald's, with all their industrial processing and assembly-line efficiency, somehow understands the basic concept of a sandwich better than this local BBQ joint. The McRib might be processed mystery meat, but at least it arrives ready to eat, complete with sauce, pickles, and onions already included. When fast food is more convenient and user-friendly than your "artisanal" restaurant, you've lost the plot entirely. Final Verdict: 2/5 Stars: Two stars for decent meat quality, minus three stars for making me cosplay as a short-order cook in my kitchen. Big Ray's charges premium prices for what amounts to a barbecue IKEA kit - some assembly required, instructions not included. A sandwich should be a sandwich when it arrives, not a cooking project. Do better, Big Ray's. Your customers deserve food that's ready to eat. "Me: Hey Claude, do sandwiches have bones? Claude: No, sandwiches definitely should not have bones. That's kind of the whole point of a sandwich - it's supposed to be handheld, bite-sized, and ready to eat without requiring surgical precision or a toolkit." P.S. Johanna, you're still amazing for trying to find a McRib upgrade. It's not your fault they don't understand basic sandwich architecture. read more

Big Ray's BBQ - There's green beans and what appears to be gummy bear cool whip (aka cole slaw?) - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

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The food is really good! We love their beans. I usually get the smoked turkey. We have even ordered it for holidays!

There were some good things and some not so good things. Let me start with the good. It's a cute and cozy spot. The decor is perfect and fun. The staff is pleasant. The condiments area is GREAT! They offer great daily specials. I opted for a carry out order. Food: Rib Sandwich was decent. The meat was tender and it had a good flavor. The bun was perfect and I would get this again. Fish wasn't that great. It lacked seasoning and flavor. It was hard and didn't seem fresh. Sides-OMG these need help and work. I tried 3 sides and only one was good. Someone better call granny and get some recipes. Potato Salad was blah. Fries were not cooked enough and were raw. The potatoes and onions were pretty good. They were well seasoned. I was ready to talk to Big Ray. Please get some love and help for the sides. Overall decent experience. I would go back for a rib sandwich. I would eat in next time to make sure my food is up to par. I love supporting small businesses. I'm hoping for a better visit next time. read more

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Loved the old school BBQ vibe. Service was very good, lots of community support in the restaurant, and the other diners seemed to be loyal, which was comforting. I was not happy with my food though. I ordered the two-meat plate. The portion sizes were generous, and I appreciated the buttered toast. My two meats were brisket and Hot-links. The hot links tasted like grocery store hot links, and they were cold. My brisket was overly chewy and was lacking tenderness throughout. The bark had nice flavor, but none of it penetrated through the meat. I understand sliced brisket is meant to hold up, but this wasn't even fork cut tender. If I'm paying $20 for any meal, it better knock my socks off. The French fries and the bread were the best thing on my plate. I also ordered cole-slaw which lacked the acidity it usually calls for. Those items should not be the star. read more

When I packed up and moved to Texas, I had a vision of BBQ joints that were old-school, mom-and-pop treasures, housed in buildings with character and interiors that looked like they'd seen a few too many years of brisket juice and barbecue sauce. But alas, what I found instead were a lot of hipster havens--BBQ places that felt more like they were designed by a team of "rustic-chic" interior decorators looking to maximize profits rather than smoke rings. But then, I stumbled upon this place. And friends, this is the BBQ joint of my dreams. The inside? Let's call it "charmingly rundown." It's clean, but you wouldn't call it fancy--and that's exactly what I've been searching for. Just two guys working the line, no frills, no fuss, just BBQ in its purest form. I'd heard tales of their smoked bologna sandwich - which was my order. Lucky for us the Friday special was a 2-meat sandwich and a side for a sweet $4 discount. We were in luck! - we got one of each. I went for the bologna sammy with scalloped potatoes, and the hubs got the "Friday Special" - 2-meat sandwich with sausage and sliced brisket, plus a side of beans. Both came with drinks, and because we're not quitters, we added the Friday-only special of strawberry cake to go for later. Let's talk sandwiches. My bologna was tender, with just a whisper of a smoke ring. But the real star? That bun. Perfectly toasted to give just the right crispy-chewy balance to every bite. Hubs' 2-meat sandwich was loaded up with enough meat to satisfy even the most hardcore carnivore, all cradled in that same perfect bun. The sides were solid, though I wouldn't have said no to a little more on the plate. As for the two guys working the line? They were as old-school as it gets, and let me tell you, they didn't give a single damn about how jazzed I was to be there. And you know what? I respect that. Oh, and the bathrooms? Spotless. So, they've got that going for them too. So here's to 2000 reviews, and finding the BBQ joints that make it all worth it. If you're looking for something real, this is the spot. Just don't expect anyone to care how excited you are read more

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NO customer service AT ALL when we walked in! Pulled pork was completely dry. Drove all the way from Princeton to give away my money.

Large portion sandwiches. Good lean pulled pork and flavorful sausage. Good baked beans; too much mayonnaise in the coleslaw.

This is one of the best barbecue places in the area. Food is consistent every time we've gone. Everything is so delicious. Especially the baked beans. The staff is always very friendly and accommodating. It's a quaint little place. We have done both even and take out. read more

Finally got to visit here recently and glad I did. I enjoyed everything we ordered, except the brisket was a little dry for my taste but everything else was excellent. My favorite were the sausage and the bread pudding dessert. The service was okay. The staff were helpful but overly friendly or anything, but maybe since it was closer to closing time so they were ready to go. The inside of the restaurant was a lot smaller than I thought it would be compared to what I thought it would be from the outside, but the decor was cute and cozy. The ambiance is definitely friendly family and inviting. I am sure we will back for another visit! read more

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We had the best experience at Big Rays! We were welcomed in, treated so kindly, and the food was wonderful! And we showed up really close to their closing time! But no one rushed us or even seemed to mind. We have eaten a lot of baroque places in the McKinney/ Fairview/Allen area and Big Rays is the best barbecue around. We were in town for a funeral and really needed that happy experience after a long week. Thank you all for the enjoyable atmosphere and the wonderful food! We will be back! Lucas family read more

Another amazing hole-in-the-wall find! We were drawn by the fact they have bologna, which is hard to find in this area. The bologna, turkey, and chopped beef was all fresh and juicy with amazing flavor. The baked potato was HUGE and fully loaded. Overall, this is an old school service style BBQ joint, so getting to your order is not quick, but that's okay. It's not a stand-in-line-for-an-hour kind of place, either. It took about ten minutes to get our order in with two groups ahead of us. As for the sides, the Mac & Cheese was very good, the beans just okay, and the onion rings...meh. That said, I don't go to very many BBQ joints for the sides. We considered dessert, but after packing up half the dinner (again), we had no room! The staff was kind & efficient, and the dining room was quite clean considering the larger groups they had the evening we visited. They have a sign out front with their monthly Saturday special, so that makes me want to return next month to see what's new. read more

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I have said in the past that I am bit of a BBQ snob. That because living in Texas has spoiled me! It is here that I have had some of the best BBQ ever. Big Ray's is a small red building almost hidden here in Allen. Definitely family or individual owned, the service was quick and good. Everyone I interacted with smiled and were polite. An old schooled rustic decor and vibe which is perfect for a BBQ place. I had the Big Texas Sandwich combo which is a two meat sandwich and two sides. I ordered brisket and sausage with a side of onion rings and scalloped potatoes. I also ordered a side of beans to get a full range of the sides. The only negative that I have is the brisket was tough and dry which is a bummer hence the 3 stars. Everything else was a 4.5 or better in flavor. The scalloped potatoes and baked beans were definitely made on site and delicious. I will say this you should still go to this great Allen treasure. I will be back and will try the brisket again. read more

We are hands-down repeat customers when it comes to Big Ray's brisket!! This review is a quick shout-out about their fabulous Friday & Saturday Fish Fry (offered all day long). You will get 2 full sized catfish filets cooked to order. This means you'll get it hot and fresh! Delicious traditional catfish batter, thick cuts of fish, and served with a homemade tasty tarter sauce to die for. This dinner includes 2 sides of your choice, ranging from fries, onion rings, okra to coleslaw, baked beans, scalloped potatoes, etc. This is a local, family owned business that takes pride in their made from scratch menu. If you're in the area, this is a must try BBQ house. It's like visiting family on a holiday, no lie. The hospitality is awesome! read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Catfish filet is delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

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Good bbq. Brisket and sausage both great. Perfect smoke. Sandwich. Great sides. Homemade.

After many years of enjoying Big Ray's BBQ, the last two times we have gotten their family pack brisket have been less than inspiring. With the most recent purchase, it seems we paid for much more fat than usual. The brisket was tough and flavorless. It actually did not smell or taste like it was smoked. I was going to try to rehab the leftovers, but when I opened the container, the brisket did not smell good at all. I can see having a bad experience one time, but this seems that is it becoming a trend. After all these years enjoyed a good brisket, I won't be going back. read more

I'm going to cut right to the chase. The staff at this restaurant will get tired of seeing me. I plan to eat here as often as I can. I enjoy cooking, but every once in a while, I like to sit in a restaurant and eat someone else's cooking. Cooking is definitely what the chefs in this restaurant know how to do! I ordered two catfish dinners to go. My sides were fried okra, Texas caviar, sweet potato fries, cornbread salad and potato salad. My mom and I shared everything. Everything, and I mean everything, was so good! The food was full of flavor and love. I also ordered banana pudding and strawberry cake. I could eat those everyday. The cake was incredibly moist and the pudding was creamy. Customer service is outstanding! John greeted me when I walked in and was so professional. Since it was my first time, he informed me about the menu. There was another young lady who assisted me at the register and young man who gave me my order, and they were great! I obviously plan to be a repeat customer! I highly recommend! read more

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Food was delicious; i ordered the brisket sandwhich with some baked beans and some sweet tea and not gonna lie i enjoyed every single bite . Restaurant was clean and the staff was very welcoming. i am definitely coming back . 10/10 read more

They have always had the best customer service, the best flavored sides and most delicious desserts from scratch. Their smoked and seasoned barbecue is the best and the fact that they're locally and family owned makes them THE BEST AROUND. read more

LOVE the Catfish (Fridays) LOVE the Jalapeño Sausage LOVE the SweetPot Fries LOVE the Okra And LOVE LOVE LOVE the Bread Pudding... Like, I'm not sharing it AT ALL!!! read more

Pretty disappointed after this place was mentioned to me a few times. A 2 meat plate for $21 and I got a sausage, 1 rib, a piece of Texas toast and 2 sides that had zero flavor! I can buy a couple racks of ribs for the price and sides! Family seemed nice and the sauce was good too bad. read more

This wasn't my first time at Big Ray's but it was my first time ordering fish. It was delicious. I ordered the two piece fish filet, two sides and a drink special. It's a family restaurant and every time I visit, the staff is very welcoming. I usually get my food to go, but this time I ate there, which gave me more time to interact with the staff. I love catfish, so this is going to be my go to spot. The establishment reminds me of a restaurant from my hometown and it gives me all the feels from there. read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Fish - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

Went here for the time today based a friends recommendation, but I was disappointed & and will NEVER return. Ordered the Big Tex sandwich & ribs. The ribs were so hard and tough that I could not eat them. Looks as if they gave me the end piece. In addition, the workers were very rude. And I got charged a .59 processing fee?! No thanks Big Ray's read more

All I can say is wow. I had been craving good bbq for a minute so we stopped in for lunch. Got the Big Papa potato special, comes with two meats and a drink. Opted for the pulled pork and chicken and it was indeed a good choice. Potato comes with butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives, and topped with loads of meat. Absolutely delicious. Atmosphere is so cute and welcoming, and the staff was extremely friendly. Needless to say I'll be back, because wow it was tasty! read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

We were visiting TX and looking for great BBQ. We definitely found it. This place is a cute restaurant with friendly service and a small town feel. The meats were tender and juicy and the beans were so flavorful. My favorite was the peach cobbler. You cannot find bbq like this in SoCal. Highly recommend! I didn't take pictures because we were too excited to eat! read more

Had the chopped brisket and on a toasted bun. Meat was so tender, well worth the drive. We'll be back!

This is my first time eating here and I got the family pack with brisket and ham plus ordered a half rack of ribs. The sides were baked beans, Mac and cheese and potato salad. All of it was DELICIOUS This will be our go to bbq spot from now on. read more

Just saw some of the reviews below. There's no way that there is no flavor and I've been coming here for 2 1/2 years? Sounds to me like the competition is getting pissed lol good! I hope this place goes franchise so I can have some out-of-state! The only place I wanted to eat at when I came back in town! I had only one day and I HAD to come here! John and Jay were working and were SO NICE!!! BOTTLE THE BBQ SAUCE ASAP JOHN!! I need it shipped lol The brisket was so good this time I forgot to take a picture for this site! I got the brisket trimmed, okra as always you know I love it here, the carrots always my go to and necessity and a slice of their sweet potato pie. You better believe I had to hold myself back from getting a slice of the pecan lol I don't know what they do to their food or how I could possibly find a place that even remotely matches it. I'm always shocked when people have lived in the area and have never eaten here?! Do they not have yelp?! I understand maybe it's because it's not visible from the street I think? Either way if you have not eaten here you are missing out! I'm going to miss it but I'm definitely going to come here when I come visit! Many blessings to you and your beautiful family you are all always so sweet! I truly hope that you were able to make billions and bottle your amazing barbecue sauce :-) maybe even Shark Tank is an option?! Could you imagine! read more

Big Ray's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Allen, Texas

Amazing! Big Ray's is the highlight of our Thanksgiving feast every year. We ditch the dry turkey & boring sides for Big Ray's yummy BBQ. Our favorites are the Brisket & Pulled Pork. Each year we pick a few sides and this year macaroni & cheese, coleslaw & spicy carrots were on the menu & they did not disappoint. The service is as quick as they can (it's a small business folks so be patient) but it's always done with a smile, and Big Ray himself is so kind & friendly. What a treat to support a local and family run spot! read more

I am always searching for great BBQ, specifically NON CHAIN, family owned brands. Big Rays checks off a lot of boxes. Smaller restaurant, typical BBQ ready and you go through the line. Staff is VERY nice and professional. Young girls working the line and out in the store were smiling and very friendly. The food was good, but nothing really jumped out as amazing. I had a triple meat plate that came with 1 rib, sausage and brisket. Portions were small and prices were normal/high for BBQ spots. It was an enjoyable experience read more

Three words. Smoked bologna sandwich. It's exactly what I get when I go there. It's just a down home centralDallas style bbq joint. You know, meats a tad too tender, not heavily smoked but has good sauces. Love the sides there too. read more

We really enjoy getting the huge potatoes on Thursdays because, although I'm sure that they are tasty everyday, the price on Thursdays is excellent! Two types of whichever meats you want and they aren't stingy! Very delicious, please give them a try, bet you'll love it too! read more

My husband and I had dinner at Big Ray's BBQ. The place could be a little spiffier, but it was okay. I thought the pork ribs were fantastic, but you can't be afraid of fat. Some people would thing they are too fatty. The sweet potato fries were also fantastic. I thought the mac & cheese was not worth eating and suggest you skip that. The staff was very friendly. read more