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    Ray Nathan’s

    4.5 (277 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Ray Nathan’s Photos

    Business Info

    RAY NATHAN’S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Ray Nathan’s

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    Brisket and Pork
    Cameron K.

    The second I walked in, I knew this place was the real deal--the smell of the smoke is incredible and hits you immediately. I ended up doing a 30-minute carry-out trek home, and while the brisket was a little on the dry side (likely due to the travel time), the fat render was absolutely spot on. The pork was equally flavorful and held up perfectly. The Sauces: * Spicy BBQ: This is the gold standard. Perfect balance of heat without drowning out the meat. * Vinegar Sauce: Tangy and traditional. It's exactly what you want to cut through the richness. The Sides (The real MVP): Usually, BBQ spots have one or two "filler" sides, but everything here was excellent. The Mac and cheese and jalapeño cheese grits are non-negotiable. The beans, fries, cornbread, and slaw were all top-tier as well. Verdict: I'm definitely doing a dine-in order next time to catch that brisket fresh off the block. If it tastes this good after a 30-minute drive, I can only imagine how it hits right at the table.

    brisket sandwich
    Amy K.

    Very tasty BBQ in Gastonia! Food was very good and prices are fair for the quality you get. They also serve beer and wine! Plenty of parking out front and really friendly staff members. I ordered smoked wings but they heard ribs so I just enjoyed those anyway - very tender, flavorful and good portion size. Their cheddar jalapeno grits are to die for. I do wish they had more open hours (currently Thurs/Fri/Sat for lunch and dinner then brunch/lunch Sunday). I'll be back to try some more options, including those wings!

    Michelle M.

    Amazing experience! The food is delicious, the service is wonderful, and the ambiance is unique. I ordered a brisket sandwich and tried all their delicious sauces. The house "sun drop" base was my favorite! The employees were mostly young adults who seemed happy and helpful. The booth seating was comfy and clean and the walls were completely plastered in cool Primus posters on every available surface! Love it and can't wait to go back.

    Brisket sandwich
    Darrell O.

    My wife and I was given an opportunity to leave our child at church and we can go out for dinner on them. We were given Ray Nathan's and we drove down the road to experience this gem. I was taken a back by how large this building is and the options that we had. We were greeted properly and was seated quickly and the server was very attentive to our needs. I ordered the quarter chicken with baked beans and mac and cheese while my wife ordered the brisket sandwich and mac and cheese. The food was very delicious and we actually had a good time here eating. I would definitely recommend this restaurant when in the area.

    Brisket Sandwich with corn as side
    Nick F.

    Best BBQ in North and South Carolina. Service, Food, and ambiance is a solid 11/10 every time. And when corn isn't in season, it's still a 10/10 experience without a doubt. Love this place and highly recommend

    Bbq
    Rachel M.

    We had heard so many good recommendations, so we couldn't wait to go here. I think we had a high expectation with so many good reviews, but it was not what we were expecting for bbq. There was a large serving of food and good service. We didn't like the seasonings that were covered on everything. It was not what we were expecting for the bbq or the Mac n cheese. There was plenty of room for the outside to wait, and inside for seating. Try it for yourself...not bad, just not what we were thinking.

    Stephen's Brisket sandwich
    Kristine L.

    Made it to this place during a roadtrip back home. And it's are to say it was totally worth the small detour. The food was delicious and you can tell it was fresh. The Mac n cheese was hot and fresh but could have used a little bit more seasoning. The Stephen's brisket sandwich was beyond delicious. They had the perfect combination of flavors within the sandwich. We did have to eat in the car as we had 2 dogs with us, but when ordering the staff was very friendly and quick to make our meal. The restaurant was clean and kept well. Very family friendly place and I would definitely recommend coming here!

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    8 months ago

    The brisket is off the chain. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. I will be going back again.

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    11 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Food was freaking AWESOME!! Brisket and jalapeño girts for the win!! Will most definitely eat there again!!

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    9 months ago

    Delicious. Some of the best BBQ I've had, and I've had it in multiple parts of the country.

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    9 months ago

    Best wings and ribs I've had besides the ones my grandad used to make. The sausage is a++ too.

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    Webb Custom Kitchen - Truffle Fries

    Webb Custom Kitchen

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$

    The food was excellent. The service was on point. The ambiance was bright and noisy, which was…read moreperfect.

    Webb Custom Kitchen - Gastonia 10:45am Mothers Day…read more My son asked me where I wanted to go for Mother's Day. I had been to Webb a few times. I thought he would enjoy the theme, environment/vibe so that was my suggestion! Of course they didn't let us down lol! He was looking up the movie that was playing on the screen with Barbara Stanwick and a young Kirk Douglas. We loved the music they had playing as well so many memories wow what a throwback! We were seated upstairs and had a wonderful view of the screen, not to mention the activities in the kitchen down below. Really it's the best seat if you call for reservations! We ordered off of the brunch menu for main dishes, I told him he absolutely had to try a couple of the appetizers! We had fried green tomatoes, and the angry lobster to start. Both were absolutely wonderful and exactly what I expected so definitely consistent. We ordered two Benedict dishes. I got the crabcake Benedict and he got the eggs with ham. Everything was very good, but when it comes to crabcakes, I can't lie. Nothing compares to 131 main so the size of the Crabcakes - I was a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong. They were fresh, but too thin and the flavor and texture were not to my personal preference. The crab kind of got lost in all the other ingredients. I would definitely try a different dish next time. I ordered a side of bacon, perfectly cooked and great flavor. Along with the side of their mac & cheese, which has always been a favorite. I love the combination of cheeses that they use. It's such a treat! Lastly, we had to have their Parmesan truffle fries. Again consistent, excellent! They are always busy so reservations are required versus recommended to be honest. But we parked for free across the street because we were there early. Sadly, neither one of us had room for dessert, but their desserts are so good and the helpings are huge. Maybe next time!

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    Shane's Rib Shack - Ribs & Chicken

    Shane's Rib Shack

    3.2(78 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Shane's Rib Shack - The Grace of the Familiar…read more In an era of fast food, there is a profound comfort in finding a sanctuary of consistency. One does not always need the avant-garde; sometimes, one simply requires the reliable. At Shane's Rib Shack, the reliability is the art form--provided you have the strength to enter and the patience to stay. I must begin with a word of caution: the entrance requires more than a simple appetite; it requires a bit of muscle. The front door is unexpectedly heavy, a physical barrier that many customers seem to struggle against just to cross the threshold. Once inside, the reward is consistent, however, it comes at a premium of time. If you seek a burger, you'll be told there is at least a fifteen-minute wait. I opted for the Cheeseburger Combo with Fried Okra. The burger itself is a sturdy piece of work: the bun is the standout, buttered and toasted with a slight, deliberate crisp along the edges that provides the necessary structural integrity for the fresh vegetables within. The okra, a humble Southern staple, was respectable, but it could have been crispier to match the wait. To wash it down, the Sweet Tea remains a liquid gold standard. There is a quiet dignity in an organized lobby. Ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the house barbecue sauce are all stationed like reliable soldiers, ready for duty. It is an efficiency that respects the diner's time without sacrificing the experience. However, the true excellence of this establishment lies in its people. On this visit, I observed the staff navigating the treacherous waters of the "entitled guest"--those needy patrons who view service as a servant-class interaction. The workers here handle such turbulence with a grace and stoicism that is frankly remarkable. To maintain manners in the face of the ill-mannered is the highest form of professional poise. The Verdict: Shane's Rib Shack does not pretend to be what it is not. It is a masterclass in the fundamentals: good food, a thoughtful environment, and a staff that possesses a level of character far exceeding the price point. While I cannot give it a 5-star rating (partially due to that formidable front door), I think a 4/5 accurately portrays it--a sanctuary of consistency in a world of variables. It remains a staple for a reason.

    I placed an online order with a scheduled pickup time, but ended up waiting over 20 minutes past…read morethe scheduled time. When I finally asked about my order and how much longer? told it had it happened to be sitting behind the counter ready the entire time, which was frustrating. The food quality was disappointing as well. The smoked wings were only room temperature and Sauce all over them when I asked for it on the side. The hot items were packed in the same bag as a two salads, leaving the lettuce wilted and warm Unfortunately, I didn't have time to wait for a fresh remake since I was already running late. Overall, this was a frustrating experience, and I would not recommend ordering online for scheduled pickup.

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    Ray Nathan’s - bbq - Updated May 2026

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