great food! but the girl working the counter was the rudest person didn't say a single word to us and then yelled at us when we didn't give her a high tip ? very strange and off putting environment - that girl should not be working in a place like this read more

What an interesting venue. Seems like a corner store with fries, frozen yogurt and batteries to boot! Great for soaking up beer after a night bar-hopping on avenue a. I'd probably never eat these greasy fries sober but hey it's a large hot portion of home-cut style fries with any topping that you want. Mmmmmm greasy goodness. read more

Ray told me tonight that he loves ice cream, pretty girls and pianos. How can you not adore him? I'm a regular at Ray's during my late night cravings that include, but are not limited to, pistachio soft serve, beignets, and hot sausages. Ray's is a NYC institution, and for good reason. The prices are great, and for a few bucks, you can satisfy your drunken cravings. They're 24 hours- so feel free to come at all hours of the day. The experience is even better because of sweet Ray, who always offers up sweet compliments as you wait for your food. He's also a great conversationalist, so if you've nothing better to do, stay and chat! Ray's is also a great place to meet some of the most interesting people in the world. On my most recent trip, I met an award winning filmmaker whose fims were shown in Tribeca numerous times! Ray's brings people of all walks in NYC together for some delicious treats. read more

Oh Ray Alvarez... How I love your delicious frothy egg-creams of magnificence. Being a Brooklyn native means a lot of things and one of them is when you order an egg-cream, it better be made right. I cannot tell you the number of times I have ordered egg-creams at diners or out in general and folks either have no clue what I am talking about, or they bring me back some sort of flat chocolate milk. At Ray's, this is never ever an issue. The milk is always cold (it's kept on ice right in front of you), the syrup is plentiful - (& It's Fox's!) and the seltzer is from a fountain. The egg-cream is prepared correctly - a hearty quantity of flavored syrup, then milk, then seltzer while beating a spoon around to create the perfect head. My egg-cream test is performed by placing a straw in the middle of the lidless cup... If the straw stands up on it's own and doesn't fall over to one side, your egg-creams consistency is perfecto. - I am not too big on the fried food served here (fries etc) - so I have never sampled them - but by the looks of this place and the amount of fries and the likes that they sell on any given night, they must be doing something right! Ray - I hope you'll be around for years to come. NYC needs more places to get a proper egg-cream. Thanks for keeping it real-school. read more

I never went in before tonight. Frankly I thought the facade was gross and seedy, but boy oh boy did I eat my words tonight (and some beignets.). Let's just say this place is a beacon in the night, a port for the wayward, a shelter for the meek. I'll gladly take myself over there either solo or with friends, and slide my money across the counter to sweet as pie Ray, who seems to have it all covered: Soft serve, fries, shakes, burgers, etc. All the soul food a body could want. Although fate prevents me from truly enjoying and eating anything fried, I feasted my eyes on the French fries that walked by as I nibbled happily on the soft serve in my cup. Pistachio, my favorite: who knew! Thanks Ray, you're an example to the work ethic we all should share, and you have the passion few of us are born with. I know everything there is made with love. read more

So I used to be a frequent customer visiting at least twice a month for my milkshake fix. There was an old man there who had the shake game on avenue A on lock! These thick & sweet treats reminded me of my childhood when we used to chase the ice cream truck down the block to get our shakes & this is why I always to used to go here. BUT NOW!!!!!!! Smh!!!! I don't know what happened?!?! They lost the sauce!!! I guess it because the old man is gone. God bless him wherever he is but it's just not the same. RIP to a classic shake spot. read more

NYC can be all about going to fancy restaurants and only dining on the best of food or only going to the hippest places and drinking the latest chic drink or indulging in overpriced coffees or whatever. That's cool. I'm into it and you can be too. NYC can also be about people who have lived here for decades, made their living, become citizens, been pillars of their communities, and cared for everyone that they've come across. I haven't lived in NYC for long but awesome places like Ray's are hard to find anywhere in the world. The man is a living, breathing piece of nostalgia and of NYC. Stop by, support his awesome candy store and get a really unique slice of New York. Also, damn. Where else can you get chili cheese fries for $2 and a slamming black and white malt? read more

Ray's is so much more than a Candy Store, it's an institution! Egg Creams, Chocolate Malts, Milk Shakes, Soft Serve, Belgium Fries, and the list can go on and on. Not only does he have a wide variety, but the quality is top notch. IMO, there is no better Chocolate Egg Cream in NYC! One of the last of it's kind in an ever changing city, it's worth it to come and see it for yourself. Sure the place is small, sure it gets crammed, sure there are some characters, but that's how NYC used to be... Come down to Ray's on Ave A and you will be pleased! Suggestion: Small order of Belgium Fries and a large Chocolate Egg Cream. read more

I always meet good people at Ray's Candy Store. They are drawn to the place. The motto there is "Everything is made with love". It's true and lots of people love Ray as a result. I make a point to duck into this East Village "institution" when I'm in the area, even when I don't want anything,.... like last night for example, at 2am, when a couple came in to buy a half order of beignets for a homeless guy on the corner, but didn't want to wait, handed me $ and asked me to deliver them. While waiting, I talked to six different awesome people. Ray came out with a overflowing double order when he heard it was for a homeless person. He's a good man. It's a step back in time to the old fashioned "mom and pop' type candy stores of yesteryear that will make you magically feel like a kid again or let you know what old NY was like,- one of the few places where you're not being overcharged or gouged, and feel like you actually get more than you pay for. It's open 24/7 and there's an ATM too. You can always find something to satisfy whatever sort of craving you have, even if you don't know what it is that you need, you can figure it out at Ray's...frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream (don't forget sprinkles or chocolates dips), gelato, shakes, ice cream sodas, root beer or coke floats, EGG CREAMS in all flavors, lime rickeys, hot chocolate, hot dogs, grilled cheese, Obama coffee, candy, beignets (fried dough with powdered sugar), onion rings, fried oreos, panini sandwiches, BELGIAN FRIES (small is enough to feed a small army-especially good after a late night out at a local music venue or club with a group of friends!) with all sorts of dipping sauces, etc. You can get kid sizes too, regardless of age. I love you, Ray! Thank you for doing what you do! I wish I was in the neighborhood right now. I could use a yummy egg cream and some beignets! read more

I am signing up for Yelp just to post this. Was out in East Village with a friend and his friends and had a craving for something greasy and fried. I am not quite sure how I decided to venture into Ray's Candy Store but I am so VERY glad I did. Ray is the NICEST store person I have EVER encountered. He is so friendly and generous! The little fried dough ball things (beignets?) were delicious too, as was the root bear float. We were curious about what egg creams were (cue: non-native New Yorkers) and he made us a little cup on the house so we could taste it. And it was delicious! As you can see from all these reviews, Ray is financial trouble, so please go to his Candy Store anytime you can and spend some money there instead of at large chain establishments! Believe me, if you find Ray at his night shift, there is NO way you could regret going, even if your order takes a while or isn't as tasty as you would have liked it to be (which, based on my limited experience, shouldn't happen anyway). read more

I have been searching high and low for a good chocolate egg cream soda and I found it just blocks from my apartment. For less than three dollars, I get an exceptional chocolate egg cream that I can drink while hanging out in Tompkins Square Park. I also tried the chocolate egg cream float, but that tasted too much like Dairy Queen. Stick with the original. read more

Ray is sooo adorbs running his little ol' store in the EV! I came by on a Monday around 10:30pm bc I had an ice cream craving and had to fill it - fast! For a few bucks, Ray satisfied me (and my craving, heh) with a hugeeee soft serve cone. The soft serve was creamy and milky - ohsoderishuz! Would love to return & try the frites sometime! Don't let the small store front fool ya, it's worth a visit! read more

The indisputable heart and core of the old AND new East Village, and home to New York's most kickass milkshakes and egg creams. Period! You're nowhere near there? No such thing. Fuckit, hop in a cab, take the train and hoof it across town. Ray's is open and serving (24 hours), and life's too short. I have a really soft spot for this tiny and grungy hole. Apart from witnessing a strange collision of worlds here: yuppie bar hoppers, hipsters, punks, smellly old timers, squats, and invisible personalities. They're all there, day and night. And they all go there for the same thing. Well, in my case, it's a banana-chocolate malted, thankyouverymuch. Shit -- heaven happened to be right there at Tompkins Square Park after all. Who'dda thought?? Discover it today. Pay homage regularly. read more

Honestly, the reason I came here today was because there was a huge line for Big Gay Ice Cream Shop and I just wanted some ice cream. I wanted strawberry but the softserve was coming out too soft, so I switched to pistachio. $3 bought me an ice cream cone as huge as my face! I finished it...barely. Definitely hit the spot. Also note this place is cash only. read more

With an exterior so run down, you wouldn't expect them to have such delicious fresh, crispy fries! The fries were thin cut, and with a lot per order. I haven't seen a medium or large, but a small was MORE than enough for me, and I'm a heavy eater. The small fries were $5, medium $6, and large $7, and for this price you get to pick 2 of around 10-15 sauces. The selection isn't as large as Pommes Frites, but more than enough for me, not to mention the choices that were there, were very good and I got half a cup of each sauce i picked! YUMMMMMMMM P.S. Yes, the place is pretty damn run down and the inside doesn't look too clean either, hopefully the food is cleaner than the place looks *crosses fingers* (well, I diddn't nor know anyone that has gotten sick from this place) WILL VISIT AGAIN! read more

Dropped in to get two egg creams today. (Using the voice of Rallo Tubbs from 'The Cleveland Show') Daaaaaaaaaammmmmmnn.... read more

This family owned and operated shop is a slice of East Village history. It has been operating for years, and you can tell they struggle in order to keep their prices from rising as fast as the rate of inflation. The place is a bit dilapidated but it does not to diminish the wonderful food! Try the beignets, and order from the old man (the owner!) - he always gives you 8 or 9 even if you order the half dozen, and for only 2 bucks! WOW. Compared to Butter Lane down the street that charges 3 dollars for a small cupcake, this is an amazing steal. The beignets are significantly better as well! I've paid 10+ dollars in french restaurants for beignets that can't even compare. (The fries are good too, but the beignets blow my mind...) Do yourself a favor and check it out!! read more

The beignets are good, little balls of delicious fried dough topped with powdered sugar. I really enjoyed the chewy texture as well. The soft serve was pretty good too, cold, soft, smooth - better than McDonald's. As for the store itself, it's narrow, grubby, and looks unclean. read more

I lived in the East Village my Whole Life! My Father lived here for around 23 years and met Ray when he started his Business! For my Whole Life My family has always supported Ray trough the Bad & the Good! Ray has Ice Cream, Cigarettes, Hot Dogs, and the Obama Cheese burger! Ray had a Bad debt which caused him hitting rock bottom, but months later he payed up his debt and is back in business! He has Sprinkles, which is very Important to Kids. Has Gelato, which is the best thing ever for the new People in the East Village! Has the Best Egg Creams in NYC!!!!!! I am not kidding! One sip and your in Heaven! Ray's Candy Store longest Ice Cream place on 7th Street! 101/100 1000% Pure Heaven! read more

Came here one night at 1am when I just needed to have dessert! It was the only place open that I could find on yelp so I figured I'd give it a try. I am SO happy I did!!! First, I ordered the beignets and peanut butter ice cream. Both were delicious and exactly what I needed to satisfy my craving. The portions were also large and generous! However!!!!! The main reason why I will return to Ray's is because of Ray. He is the sweetest and kindest 84 year old man you'll ever meet. I could sense his dedication and passion upon entering the store and I immediately felt welcomed. Later I did some research and Ray has a pretty interesting history! He's one hardworking man!!! Definitely check it out of you're ever around! read more

Oh my God! If you are ever in LES go to Ray's. If you never go to LES, go and then go to Ray's! This is the sweetest old man in the quaintest old shop! We came in after being turned off by the ridiculous line at Big Gay Ice Cream around the corner. Ray greeted us with a smile! We all had soft serve ice cream in a sugar cone ($4). This ice cream tastes like your childhood! Ray also told us about the annual birthday celebration he has in the store for his birthday (January 1) and showed us pictures of the girls he brings into the store to dance! Overall, a very pleasant experience! You will go home with a smile on your face! read more

I'm not surprised Ray's Candy Store is awesome! I'm just surprised it took me this long to actually get here. Dang - so it's tiny. Ray is really awesome. The guy next to us was tweakin' for some Benignets bad. So we got some and man-oh-man, were they good! I was looking around at what else i could have gotten but being totally full from dinner i opted away from getting anything else. We also grabbed a couple of Hot Apple Ciders to sip on the way out diving into the chilly night. 'twas awesome! Actually the Hot Apple Cider was really really good. I mean it was tarty and had a really nice apple flavor and not too sweet. I like!! I'm coming back! Guaranteed! read more

Now I'm no beignet connoisseur, not that I have a clue what qualifies one, but these pastries had me dancing on the moon. So wickedly good, I defied gravity. I had a few on the spot and then some more over the course of an hour, and later in the comfort of my own home. If I knew then what I know now, I would gladly sacrifice comfort for delicacy. They're so so so much better warm. As most foods are. (Besides ice cream of course.) Reminds me of funnel cake, but better. Spent $5 for Belgian fries. Skip the fries. Potato shaped grease really. BUT the server was plenty sweet and helpful. Recommended flavors among the assortment of condiments available. Sauces are 50 cents each and ketchup is free. I settled for the ancho chipotle, which is creamy with a hint of spice. $4 for half a dozen of beignets, $7 for a dozen. Gave me 9 when I ordered the half dozen. They're pullin' all the stops and I'm hooked. I've already gone back twice! read more

Love this place. A must in the LES. Ray is an icon. It is not just the experience (do not expect much of the store), it is fact that he has such a story mixed with the fact that his beignets are so tasty (not to mention a fantastic deal). Go here and say hi to Ray! read more

Ray's is ill. This shit is classic. These new jack cornballs waiting on lines, need to go back to Connecticut. I'll hit up the ice cream shop around the corner if there's no line, cause it's also good, but Ray's is great. Mix it up you little mallrats. Everything at Ray's is tasty and classic, and everyone is nice. My favorite lil jumpoff in the summer when walking around the neighborhood. Classic, classic. Keep this spot around for many years to come! read more

Preserve Ray's Preserve NYC heritage Preserve Ray's Preserve NYC heritage Preserve Ray's Preserve NYC heritage Preserve Ray's Preserve NYC heritage Preserve Ray's Preserve NYC heritage read more

"WHOA NELLY!" Is all I had to say after Ray handed me my absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS pistachio soft serve! Ray seemed unflapped by the horde of drunken young adults pining for his scrumdiferous delights in the wee hours of the morning. Someone should offer this man a medal, for he is a man of much stronger character than than me-- a ramshackled old petunia who could hardly stand to wade my way through the East Village debauchery during my trek to Ray's delicious treats! So far I have tasted the wonderfully GIANT portion of pistachio soft serve ($4), and the UNBEATABLE hot fudge sundae ($5). No frills. ;) I am making my way back here as soon as I want to TREAT MYSELF! read more

What can I say about Ray's Candy Store? First, it's not a candy store. Second, both the shop and Ray are NYC icons worth preserving as long as possible. Ray was born in Iran in 1933, but moved to the states when he was still young with his father. He got into the food industry as a dishwasher and eventually saved enough money to buy what is now Ray's Candy Store in 1974. It's a deli probably most famous for serving soft sere ice cream, but also egg cream, sandwiches, fries, coffee, beignets, etc. The place is the definition of a hole in the wall. There is barely enough room to stand, leaving any sort of seating completely out of the question. It is packed with stuff, papers, flyers, junk, food, with not an inch of wall space uncovered. But Ray himself is usually there for 12 hours a day, taking the 4 pm - 4 am shift 7 days a week without fail. That late at night, he's often found sleeping behind the counter before a customer walks in and wakes him up. His lovely Eastern European wife sometimes accompanies him. At the age of 84, he's still got the zest and ability to run the business he loves the most. He's just a cute, cool, great guy. He'll talk with you and show you stuff. But if he's got customers, he'll tend to them immediately. I personally go for the soft serve. It's actually great and they are generous about letting you try the flavors. You can choose from all the classics (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) and also now green tea, which has been all the rage for years. You can do a combo of flavors too if you'd like. A cup is $4 and they really stuff it. Is it the best quality in the world? No. But it's pretty good and Ray himself makes the trip worth it on occasion. I hope he's around for decades to come. read more

AKA Ray's Candy Shop (http://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-candy-store-new-york-2#hrid:pbFMHAHOA2p5vamvwrPh7w) Celebrate today's presidential inaguration by heading down to Ray's Candy Shop and order some Obama Fries. If you're the type of person who eats ice cream even when its freezing outside, get an Obama cone too. While you're at it you may as well get some Obama socks. Obamanos! Si se puede! On a serious note, in these difficult economic times word on the street is that this east village mainstay is feeling the pinch: http://neithermorenorless.blogspot.com/2009/01/hard-times-at-rays-candystore.html Nothing beats hanging out in Tompkin's Square Park eating a soft serve cone from rays on a hot summer night. As others have mentioned, don't miss the belgian fries, egg creams, shakes or malts either! read more

I missed Ray the night we checked out his Candy Store, but I definitely felt his spirit in eclectic but classic storefront. We may or may not have ordered five desserts for three people, and each were large, satisfying, and completely worth the cheap prices. - Soft serve: actually the thing we were the least crazy about. I got the choco/vanilla swirl and struggled to keep myself clean while eating it. It's fine and decent soft serve but nothing special other than the generous portion. Also tried a bite of the pistachio, which was a little too artificial tasting for my liking. - Beignets: heavenly. Maybe it was the lateness of the hour, maybe it was the brown bag enhancement, maybe it was the smell of pure goodness, but whatever the reason, these were great. I swear the pricing doesn't make sense but I got well over a dozen for the price of half. I'm not complaining though. Fresh fried dough with a lot of powdered sugar made for a great second dessert course. - Fried oreos: I've never had fried oreos before, I may never have them again, but we shared a wonderful moment together when I tried them at Ray's. The texture was decadent and warm oreos are the best oreos. Thank you, Ray. Overall, I have no regrets about the 27493 calories consumed by way of Ray's. It's totally worth the trek into Alphabet City, it's totally worth sidestepping the drunks and jumping around the barf puddles, and it's totally worth your cash (only). read more

Great quick ice cream stop. The soft serve in a cup is a huge serving, I couldn't even finish it. Pistachio wasn't my favorite. Vanilla cone with sprinkle is life. I'll get one for me and my dog the outside window is so convenient. Belgian fries are perfect when you get the late night munchies. And they give you a CUP of sauce which is everything (not about the paying $1 for a teeny sauce container that's good for 4 dips life) read more

Always open. If I'm in the village I go there for the fried twinkies and pistachio ice cream. They even sell fried oreos. read more

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He's the cutest old man , his store is not the most pleasing to the eyes but he's dedication can be seen. We get fried Oreos all the time & they are amazing ! Highly recommend and I believe they are open 24 hrs read more

The best ice cream! A small place so do not expect seating. However there is a park across the street

Omg! Ray's has been one of my all time favorites for as long as I can remember! It's a little hole in the wall that a lot of people don't even know exists unless you're from the lower East side.The black and white milkshake is my favorite! Do yourself a favor and stop by for a snack, say hi to Ray when you're there. read more

These fries are the bomb, fresh out of the frier, skin on the potato Belgium fries, just they way i like them.

A few years ago, I got a craving at like 3 a.m. for some beignets after talking to someone about them. So I go on Yelp to see if there were any places to get them the next day, and I found out that two blocks from where I was living was a 24 hour place serving beignets. So I went over immediately, got some, and fell in love. First of all, Ray is one of the nicest people ever. He's always so upbeat and friendly. Second, the food is so cheap here and so good. It's great comfort food. The beignets are addictive, the soft serve is perfect, and they have killer milkshakes. I'm scared of trying egg cream, but I've heard great things about theirs. Third, Ray's Candy has so much more character than a lot of the shops in the area. It's gritty, genuine, and has awesome food. It's not some sterile ice cream shop. It's cramped, cluttered, and a little grungy, but it is perfect. Basically, go there, and eat all the food. read more

Finally made it here. Well, actually I stopped in years ago when I first moved here but walked out due to the crowds and let's just say not the cleanest feel to the place. I'm glad we went back on this 99 degree day after attending Yelp Elite event! Ray is awesome...Really nice and it was one of the best and creamiest egg creams I've ever had! All we tried, but I'll go back for the ice cream. Star added since old classic NY places like this, I think are at least a one time visit! read more

A Lower East Side institution. Nay, a New York City institution. I remember my Dad taking me here for my first chocolate egg cream in the mid 1970's when I was 8 or 9 years old. Back then, it was served in a frozen Coca Cola fountain glass. Ah, sweet memories. I stopped by the other day and had one for old times sake. It's now served in a wax paper cup (Large $3.50), but it still tasted as sweet as I remembered it. One of, if not the best, chocolate egg creams in New York City. And one of a dying breed of old New York City hole in the wall treasures. Stop by before it's gone. Truth, Justice and the Comics. read more

Huge size Belgium fries with a cup of ketchup that you can use for a year! Fries are soft and even sticky, with a thick, beautiful skin! Best experience is try chocolate egg cream for the first time! Ray showed us the trick of making a good/NYC-classic egg cream. And I saw a mum holding a giant ice cream which in Ray's word is a "Kid size" one. I went there wih Scott. He is a three-year To-be New Yorker. Ray is warm and kind and talkative. I stopped but really wanted to ask if he got bored when opened the candy store everyday for 24hr without one minute of break. He's 60s but still enthusiastically introducing his shop to us. Listen to what Chinese and Chinese's cities is like in his eyes and how much he enjoyed with his only 14-year-old daughter are best ingredients for the fries! read more