Ray's Cafe is consistently good and reasonable. The portions are generous. We'll be back

CODY stopped by for breakfast CODY ordered spam and eggs CODY food was tasty CODY staff were friendly CODY dining area was tiny, cramped, cluttered, with too many flies buzzing around CODY had to park on side streets CODY will return to order more food read more

Ray's Café - Mr Ice Water awaits the food - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Hungry 4 here early diner@4pm, this a super friendly w/awesome food also makes you feel a very friend's kitchen dining places. we ordered~ *prim rib w/king crab legs * fresh grilled butter fish *racks pork chops w/ mushrooms * ham hock w/black eye peas food came with fresh salad +an large size wonderful desert cakes, which I never had it before so can't call the name of :) Yes, I 100% 100% recommended Ray's Cafe. read more

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Rays is a small hole in the wall on King Street in Kalihi. You wouldn't know it by looking at it from the outside, but they make an amazing prime rib. We ordered the prime rib for thanksgiving. They take preorders for their prime rib. It is cash only. You get the Au ju with your order. Just tell them how many pounds you want and when you want to pick it up. Everyone raves about this place despite its sketchy location. Want prime rib? Give them a try! read more

Ray's Café - Prime rib - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Okay so this place is just WOW! First of all, their portions are HUGE!!!! worth every penny! For under $20 and your food comes out the size of your plate, yessss!!!! They are located in the heart of kalihi right on north king street across of central pacific bank. The only downside is parking!!! Super hard to find parking because they are located on the street area so parking is first come first serve. I would def recommend to come with someone so they can drive around the block while you get your food. However if you do plan to eat there, they do have seating inside to enjoy your food. Very limited because the place is not that big. The food is sooo good!! Get their fried chicken!!!! Just do it! Super crunchy and soft inside with ALOT of flavor. Today I got their special which was the mahi mahi and wow! So soft and tasty! and my bf got their pork chops which was soft and flavorful. I am definitely going back to try more because this meal did not disappoint read more

Ray's Café - Grilled Mahi Mahi - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Absolutely amazing! The food was perfectly cooked. We walked in and sat at a table...barely waited and ordered one of their daily specials. The service was great and the people were friendly and polite. Small and quaint dining room...lots of elbow room. Go early and enjoy the warm and friendly Kalihi vibes. Absolutely a winna! read more

Ray's Café - 7 pieces of juicy/perfectly cooked rack of lamb with grilled fresh asparagus and two scoops of rice! Side salad was included. - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Ono food. Heard so much about this place. They're right! The owner is always here. Yup he was. Ray is the sweetest most generous guy ive met. All the customers that came in ray knows all these guys name. . 1 guy came in and didn't order anything. Just came in and gave him $20 and said thank you! Ray didn't want to take it too. But the guy threw it on the cash register and ran out. Lol His food is so reasonable. Prime rib $25. Wow. What a perfect hole in the wall joint. Thank you Ray. . read more

Ray's Café - Rays for lunch - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Amazing value for the food you get at this small place in Kalihi! I got the grilled hamachi special of the day which came with a big piece of fish. I had enough to make two meals out of it. I was shocked when I saw how big the piece of fish was and it was of a good thickness too! There are a few tables inside so a lot of people do takeout. Parking is just on the street so you have to hunt around and may have to walk a bit. That is the only downside, otherwise the food is good with reasonable prices. Definitely one of those hole in the wall gems. The workers are friendly and efficient trying to get out orders as quickly as possible. read more

Ray's Café - Grilled hamachi special of the day. Huge piece of fish! - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Great place for ages and sizes to really enjoy great food also in Kalihi with great staff love it there.

I ordered roast pork with gravy for $10 tax included and "WOW" they gave so much. It was good but I could not eat it all so I took the leftover for my dinner. The workers are very friendly and helpful. This is a nostalgic place with many memories, a hole in the wall "GEM." read more

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Look at this food: Ham Hocks with Black ice peas Perfectly cooked & delicious!! Generous portion! Fried Chicken Plate: 3 meaty thighs, fried in a tasty batter , 2 scoops white rice & toss or Macaroni salad. I can love eating at Ray's , you may have to wait awhile for you food. but it's sure worth the wait! read more

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Got try the famous Oxtail Stew, and boy it did not disappoint. It's a HUGE plate (or bowl if you request) of food!!! The oxtail is soft, moist, and oh so scrumptious. They gave three big pieces, giant taters that was oh so soft, and mini carrots that were also soft but still had a slight crunch to them. The stew gravy is robust with beef & tomato flavor. Today was extremely crowded so there was a good wait for our food and all the take out plates. Line out the door for the whole meal. It is a hole in the wall place, so don't go their expecting beautiful decor and ambiance haha. Also sometimes parking can be a challenge as it's limited street parking only. read more

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Honestly I felt a little intimidated at first coming in here by myself but Felix quickly made me feel welcome! Came in on a Sunday morning around 7:25am and the workers were just coming in from what I heard from the regular guests who were already seated. I took a seat and shortly after Felix appeared and offered me a place setting and ice water and took my order. I got a prime rib and it was bomb! The au jus is perfectly seasoned to go with the meat and my favorite part was the crust! Came with a small side salad too, I wish I got Mac salad. It was so cool watching people eat prime rib and king crab legs at 8am lol I loved watching people come in and Felix knew almost all of them and greeted them by name. 10/10 would come back here again for the food and the vibes. read more

Ray's Café - Prime Rib - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This place has mayjah grinds super friendly customer service and an amazing experience

Pros -Good food -Size portions aww very well put together -Friendly service -price is amazing Cons -Limited Parking -location: it's in town so if your craving Rays, it's a drive for me so I just order during work hours -Cash only May I also suggest for the spaghetti: it needs more sauce if buying take out. Sauce is limited and it seems water. Sauce needs to be thicker. I highly suggest looking into baked spaghetti with cheese. I think that will be a BIGGER HIT than just the plain ol' spaghetti. Also add some onions and mushroom to it and this will be a hit seller like their prime rib. read more

Ray's Café - 09.18.2024 Roast Beef with gravy - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you like, huge portions, good taste, and very reasonable prices, Ray's Cafe may be the place for you. However, you have to find street parking, seating is limited, there is no air-conditioning, its crowded, you may to wait, and you have to pay cash. They run different specials on different days of the week. For example, they serve prime rib on Friday through Monday. This is the only hole in the wall that I know of that serves prime rib, fresh fish, ribeye steak, king crab, lobster, rack of lamb, next to fried chicken, beef cutlet, pig's feet soup, sari-sari, oxtail stew, hot cakes, and Vienna sausage omelet. Lol! They are open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. You can also call in a takeout order and eat the comfort of your car, at the office or at home. Plates come with your choice of toss salad or Mac salad and you can bring your own wine or beer. Overall: **** Food: ***** excellent! Very reasonable! Menu: **** great choices, varies daily Ambiance: * hole in the wall with no AC Service: *** depends on when you go Parking: * Street parking only RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER: Prime Rib = A Rib Eye & King Crab = A Oxtail Stew = A Sari Sari = B Fried Chicken = B (look at the pictures of the food on Yelp or Google) Yelp: https://yelp.to/Obhoo4actQ read more

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Located on King St., this hole in the wall has a strong die-hard following. There are tables inside, but most pre-ordered take out. Price point is excellent considering the huge serving portions! You cannot get plate lunches for $10 anywhere else. Taste is pretty good. Cash only. Toro plate: ginormous cut of toro fish. I cooked it more at home in butter and added yuzu ponzu. So delicious over hot sushi rice. Roast pork with gravy: very fatty portions, but oh so delicious. Lots of gravy over the rice and mac salad. Pork chops with asparagus: 2 large pork chops were tender and tasty. Asparagus was a lovely pairing. We need to support small local businesses like Ray's Cafe. What the storefront lacks in ambiance is surely made up for in the cost and taste of the lunch plates. This place fits our budget and you can't beat local style cooking. I am definitely going back for more. I hear the prime rib and lobster is da bomb. read more

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Definitely don't let the modest storefront sign or interior decor prevent you from enjoying the great food! We brought big appetites after a strenuous hike and we were rewarded with a huge slab of medium rare prime rib accompanied by au jus, rice and green salad. We also dove into perfectly grilled ono (that came with tartar sauce) and crispy & tender fried chicken thighs that were outstanding. We should have asked for their mac salad for one of the plates as it looked really good too. We also appreciated the friendly service and the care taken with the food in the packed containers. Hope to get back here soon! read more

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Food was amazing. My wife got the prime rib and I got the hamburger steak with gravy and fried chicken. Food was delicious and the staff were so nice. The owner came out and chatted with our 2 year old and made us feel some welcome. read more

Ray's Café - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The prime rib is so yummy! I know I should try some other things but why? For $25, that is a great deal. We called in the order, as recommended by others and it was ready when we got there. I had to be the one to get it since I was not driving. Ray's Cafe is on the corner of North King and Kopke St. Kopke St. is one-way makai, just an fyi. And the place is just an unassuming space with nothing special about it. You walk in and there's a bunch of tables and they will greet you promptly. I have to say I was a bit overwhelmed. While they put my salad together, a gentleman let me sit at his table. When we got home, I was surprised to also see mac salad. Which is what the bf wanted instead of the toss salad I got. Winners! Would I return? You betcha. But I'll prolly do the same thing and make sure that there's a driver and a picker-upper after we call in the order. Oh, one of the specials when I went was prime rib AND crab for $60. There was a guy in the corner grinding away on the crab. Nice! read more

My first time here. I'm writing this review as I am chowing down on my ribeye (medium rare) and shrimp I ordered from Ray's. I must say that I am impressed. Still good even after my 20 mins back to my place. Parking is a challenge true. I will go back with my family tomorrow and try their oxtail stew. All positive.. read more

Service they do make good food but when I ask a question about the special and what days they have it I just got a smart mouth question instead an answer read more

Best find and value on the island! Local flavor in ambience, clientele, and food. Everything cooked perfectly and gigantic portions. We visited on our way to Pearl Harbor and will definitely be back one more time before we leave. Loved my New York steak with vegetables ($17) and my friend's perfect mahi mahi ($15). French toast also simple and perfect. read more

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A great stop for meat lovers. The food is fresh, tender and delicious. While I'm sure every business appreciates traffic, a bus load of people would kill it's charm. Parking is tricky, but worth the effort. read more

Awesome food! Excellent prices! Everything is so Ono! Ray's so accommodating! Love this place in Kalihi.

The food is always gd @ Ray's Cafe. We had the prime rib and the prices are reasonable.

Ray's Cafe is my #1 favorite place to eat in the whole damn world. I thought a long time before I typed that sentence. A real, real long time. I thought about all the great restaurants I've been to, all the fantastic meals I've enjoyed in my travels across the US and Europe. So many truly wonderful restaurants, so many memorable meals! And that sentence stands true. True as ice, true as fire. Let me tell you why this little hole in the wall my favorite place to eat. It comes down to these two things: the atmosphere and the value. Like around six years ago I read a Yelp review of this place and decided to give it a try. I showed up early on a Friday night and snagged a table in the tiny dining room. The Daily Specials were listed on a dry erase while board hanging on the wall. At the top it said Prime Rib and Lobster, $28.95. I rubbed my disbelieving eyes and tried to focus. Am I missing something here? Prime Rib and Lobster for $28.95? Is this for real? Only one way to find out. I ordered it. While I waited for my meal I checked out the room. Wow, I thought, this place is old school. I mean, the restaurant is like a time capsule from maybe two or three generations ago. The menu board, the fixtures, tables and chairs, everything really, it's like you stepped back in time. That's the first reason this is my favorite place to eat: the atmosphere, the vibe. History is almost palpable here. Ray's Cafe is a portal, if you will, to the vibe of a different Honolulu, a not-too-distant past Honolulu that late comers like me can otherwise only daydream about. You can pick up on that vibe instantly. Everybody that walks through the always open door is smiling. You immediately sense that Ray's Cafe patrons are like a big extended family. It seems like everyone knows everyone else. And they are incredibly welcoming to newcomers. First visit? Aloha! Welcome to the Ray's Cafe family! They make you feel at home here. That first visit, when they sat my Prime Rib and Lobster Dinner in front of me, I swear my eyes almost bugged out of my damn head. Without a doubt it was a moment I'll never forget. The prime rib was excellent, far exceeding my expectations. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, and melt in your mouth tender. And there was the lobster, riding shotgun on the edge of the plate. Oh my god, that lobster was freaking beautiful. You know what it sounds like when you hit a jackpot on a noisy slot machine? That's what it sounded like in my head when I saw how large that lobster tail was. I was kind of expecting a little dinky tail like, you know, a big prawn or something, But no way, this was a good sized tail. I cut off a big piece and dipped it in the melted butter that came with, and took a bite. That was the exact moment I fell i love. And I fell hard, The whole experience is burned into my memory with the intensity of a thousand suns. I savored each bite of that meal. As the food disappeared from my plate I took progressively smaller and smaller bites because I didn't want the experience to ever end. When it finally did end I was exultant. I felt like I had triumphed in some kind of epic battle. I paid the check and when I walked out onto King Street I was so got damn high it felt like I was floating. I couldn't feel the sidewalk under my feet. I've been back many times since that first visit. Every time I visit my love for Ray's grows deeper. I've been lucky enough to score a couple more Prime Rib and Lobster Combos and I've had the Prime Rib and King Crab Legs Special. This review is an update of the review I wrote after feasting on the King Crab. The Prime Rib and Crab Special is nearly as mind-blowing as the Prime Rib and Lobster Special. So much crab. Actually more crab than I could possibly eat in one sitting. Over the years I've tried several other items on the menu, including the Oxtail Stew, the Opakapaka, the Butterfish and the golden crispy fried chicken. Everything I've tried off the menu here has been excellent. Portions are huge and the prices are astonishingly low. That's the second reason this is my favorite place to eat in the whole world. Ray's Cafe is a phenomenal value. Where else in the world can you get a huge slice of the highest quality Prime Rib for under $25? I had the good fortune to visit Ray's a couple weeks ago for breakfast. I had the Steak and Eggs. The steak was without question the best I've ever had in a Steak and Eggs combo. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare, as requested, and boasted a really nice charred taste. But the highlight of the visit was getting the chance to meet and talk to Chef Felix. It was great to get the chance to tell him how much I love Ray's and thank him for all the great meals I've enjoyed there. Chef Felix clearly appreciated what I said, Before I left he gifted me a Ray's Cafe T Shirt. I was blown away. Absolute highlight of my whole visit to Oahu. Mikey C says: mahalo Chef Felix! Love me some Ray's Cafe! read more

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Breakfast in Honolulu, Hawaii... Some places are worth an updated review. Ray's Café is one of those hole-in-the-wall spots that would be appreciated by select people. Because Ray's in an undesirable part of town, the parking is almost non-existent, and the clientele are the salt of the earth, you can expect down-to-earth service and a great home cooked meal! I think the key is to go with one of the "regulars", like Paul C. He knows what to order and gets over-the-top treatment! I was in awe of how well he knows the menu - like he was taking my order by asking if I wanted rice or potato and tossed salad or Mac? Chef Felix even gave us dessert and New Year's gifts!!! On 1-2-23, we met for breakfast at 8:45am. Street parking was free because it was a holiday. I parked about two blocks away in a metered street stall. Inside, there were a few filled tables and by the time we left, it was a full house! The screen door was open for some ventilation. I asked if there was any lamb - even though it wasn't posted on the Specials of the Day menu. Luckily, Chef Felix pulled some out of the freezer when Paul asked for an order! Whoa! Blessed! Paul also ordered a side of fried chicken - one piece for each of us. I had to take mine home in my takeout container (it's 50 cents a box, so, bring your own and save our environment!). I was too full to finish the remaining six lamb riblets. I ate my fresh green salad, one potato, five riblets, and a slice of custard pie... Food coma! Thank you, Paul, for a very enjoyable breakfast! What a great way to start 2023! Thanks also to Peter Y. for the bacon, potatoes, and chicken... It will be my dinner tonight! Hope you all have fun foodie adventures like this with your family and friends! Note: Paul ordered some meals to go. I decided to jump on the bandwagon and got a Fresh Mushroom Omelette - it comes with potatoes and toast. I took a bite of omelette when I got home - yum! That subtle garlic flavor! Delicious! read more

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Good friendly service with quality eats! The owner and staff are welcoming and the ambience is small, quaint and warm! read more

Ray's Café - Menu - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Yes it's in the hood but the food is so good 1/3 of the price compared to sit down restaurant Service was good, just call ahead You can sit down and eat however not a four star restaurant Ambiance, what ambiance it's a hole in the wall place and be respectful to the mom and pop shop read more

Ray's Café - Lobster with prime - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Folks, this is the real deal. I came here on a whim, because I had some cash with me, hoping to take something good home for dinner. Felix didn't disappoint, I ordered the prime rib with lobster tail for $60. I don't understand how I can get a huge slab of prime rib, and two good sized lobster tails for that price. The prime rib comes with I was you, and the lobsters come with melted butter, dip, and a large wedge of lemon as usual, there's too much rice and a delicious scoop of macaroni salad on the side, but the stars of the show are definitely the lobster and prime rib!!' read more

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First of, I wanna say that Rays is definitely not for the normal Haole. This place took me back to old Manila. The kitchen was in disarray and the place looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years. And for that matter, it probably hasn't been inspected in years either. Having said that, we were both glad that we didn't get sick. The "2" stars was just for the fried chicken which was good. Ray, if you're still around, mangyaring linisin ang iyong lugar. read more

If you judged the taste of the food by the way the establishment looked, you would definitely miss out . Came here for the Prime Rib but just missed the last cut so you have to come early because they sell out. I had the Ribeye and shrimp. Ribeye was seared and cooked rare, nice and juicy. Shrimps were huge and cooked to perfection. Definitely want to come back and try the Prime Rib. read more

Ray's Café - Ribeye and Shrimp - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

First off, I have to open up my review by saying this, if your in search for a cleanse fine dining establishments, Rays is not for you, so don't be leaving a review as if your expecting it to be one. It's in Kalihi, you're in the hood. A hood I can proudly say where I grew up. That being said this Old school GEM, hole in the wall one may say is nothing but the best! I love the food, exp the prices and large mount. For me, my personal go to is the Lamb, prime rib and steak, I've pretty much tried everyone except the oxtail. I gave them a 5 star because of the food and prices outweigh whatever appearance you see. On top of that, they have an awesome kind owner, who always worries about his customers. read more

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Redemption yesterday as I returned after more than a year. This time the plate I ordered was the daily special in the hamburger steak and fried chicken mix. It was Ono and my belly was satisfied! It was slow when I went at about 3:30 in the afternoon but the food quality was excellent and the price of $14 was still very reasonable. read more

Ray's Café - Felix and Green - American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Rays Cafe is my all time favorite spot!! Been eating here for 25 years!! Service is quick, no frills nothing fancy. The food, is outta this world. It is the most affordable place to eat on Oahu!! Blessings to Ray's Cafe, you guys are the Bomb!! read more

Everything is good here! Prime rib is the best option! Very generous servings and super super affordable!!! Fried chicken is very good also. Breakfast is also very good. Order luncheon meat. Very thick slice and tasty! No can go wrong with anything! Felix is an old time cook who's in tune with the local style! Pork chops also a very great choice Parking can be a challenge but street parking is readily available. I've always found parking on the street. Just have to walk a bit! If door open - OPEN, if door closed - CLOSED! Great hours of operation! Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

11/10/2022... See my previous review!! Wanted to add my Food pictures along with my Review!! Mahalo & Aloha :) \000/ read more

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Luv the fried chicken Hamburger steak,homemade patties ,with awesome gravy is fire . read more

Good prices on great food items. Seems like the steak & lobster is a fav pic in the neighborhood. Place is very small. Owner was very nice & sociable. Ray is a very cool dude. read more