Ray's Candy Store

4.5 (523 reviews)

InexpensiveDesserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Fast Food

Open • Open 24 hours

Updated over 3 months ago

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Ray's Candy Store - Cookies and Cream Soft Serve Ice Cream - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Ray's Candy Store - Food in progress - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Ray's Candy Store - Fried oreo - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Ray's Candy Store Popular Dishes

51 Photos154 Reviews

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Ray's Candy Store menu photos

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RAY'S CANDY STORE ATMOSPHERE

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Inside

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Outside

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Divey

Casual

Quiet

Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Ray's Candy Store

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Reviews With Photos

Tina M.

Changed my order half way thru.... I don't regret it one bit. It's small af in here but by the looks of the traffic it's worth it!

Chocolate vanilla swirl with a dollop of strawberry on top soft serve

Erin H.

Never gone wrong at rays. Must try every time you pass by th neighborhood. Best fried Oreos and soft serve I've ever had. They're accommodating too-- I got vanilla chocolate swirl with a dollar of strawberry on top. Superb indeed.

Larion S.

This Alphabet City institution fills that greasy, late night, munchie craving when you want to relive your college days. Cheesy fries and onion rings in a grease-laden brown paper bag, deep fried candy bars and Oreos, soft serve and milkshakes, and the list goes on. Sure, the food is mediocre, and you might feel some oil and sugar-filled regret the morning after, but how I feel about Ray's is nothing but nostalgia and affection. This place is historic, and I hope Ray and his candy store stay in the East Village for a very long time.

Sadia H.

Small, narrow shop, cluttered but warm. The owner is the beloved Mr. Ray. My niece had the fried oreos that she loved and my nephew ordered the "Obama Coffee". It fascinated me that I had been having Obama coffee all my life without knowing I was! Just a scoop of vanilla ice cream added to a cup of black coffee.

Melissa N.

5 stars for this LES neighborhood staple. Best place to get a late-night snack. This colorful and quirky shop serves ice cream, frozen yogurt, hotdogs, fries, beignets, egg creams, and so much more - all reasonably priced. My go-to order is the chili cheese dog. There's a comforting feeling about this place.

Crystal L.

I finally got to go after having this location saved in my Google maps for a few years! I enjoy making my own fried Oreos so I decided to their special of half fried Oreos & half fried beignets. They were so gooodd! Funny thing is I asked for zeppoles and i basically got a mini version of them I went on a Sat. night and luckily there was no line! I loved the decor and I liked how there was so much to look at and luckily it wasn't hard for me to choose from because I already had my heart set on fried goodies! Can't wait to come back and order more

J S.

A New York institution everyone must visit. I've been wanting to visit Ray's candy store FOR YEARS & was happy I was in the neighborhood to stop by quickly & show support . Lucky enough I wanted to get my first egg cream & the man himself was there to make me one. This hidden gem of a store has almost everything you need to fulfill any craving. They have a vast menu, from pistachio ice cream to fish & fries. Will it be the best you've had? Maybe not but should we do our part to support a small business that has been here since 1974? YES. The interior has signs & decor literally covering the walls, if you look too quickly you might miss out on what feels like 100 options they have. The egg cream was really good, satisfied my sweet craving I had. My companion tried the pistachio ice cream & really enjoyed it. Had us in & out in less than 3 minutes. I even snagged myself a t shirt. I'm glad I got to visit a part of NYC history (that was almost lost during the pandemic).

Nicole K.

Vibes in here are pretty insane. It's a tiny, old-school candy/ice cream shop with an eclectic menu ranging from fried Twix and root beer floats to chili cheese dogs and falafel. Mostly appreciate the fact that they have soft serve, which can be tough to find in this city

Elena S.

The two men in this storefront have the operations locked in. The root beer float was fantastic, as was the chocolate dipped soft serve cones. They can even mix flavors for you, we got vanilla and cookies and cream! One note, the prices for items are not the same on the wall as they are on the register. If something is listed a few times with different prices, assume it's the higher price.

Anurag T.

Overall (A-) It's good but not great. Would maybe go by if in the neighborhood but not worth the special trip. The egg cream is pretty good and so is the ice cream. But nothing special. Yes unique but a reason why it hasn't been replicated by others. It's a novelty. Service is excellent. Gut instinct is that there are old folks hyping this up based on nostalgia.

Mandi R.

Oh Ray, you have my whole heart. My husband and I have been to Ray's Candy Store multiple times in the summer when there's been a steady trickle of clientele, but recently we visited around 11:30AM on a random Tuesday when it was 25° outside. When we walked in, the shop appeared empty. We waited a few moments before Ray himself stood up from where he was (sleeping?) behind the counter and said, I'm up! I'm up! I know he stays there and maybe he was short staffed that day and wanted to rest up at the front of the shop. Anyway, he made us some delicious fried Oreos and fried twinkies. I didn't try the twinkies but the Oreos are absolutely sinful. They come out piping hot and are delicious. The place isn't much to look at. In fact, it's a pretty disorganized dump on the inside, but you can tell Ray has a system. He was absolutely as sweet as can be, and we were happy to wish him a belated 92nd birthday. We'll be back,

Amanda S.

As a native New Yorker, Rays candy store in the east village has been a part of the urban landscape my entire life. It was awesome to see him smiling behind the counter and making my ice cream cone! He didn't even charge me for sprinkles. I'm so glad he's doing well and that a lot of folks still patronize this establishment, cause it's a landmark by now.

Joann S.

Pistachio! Loved it. Got the fried oreos too 12 for $7 is pretty good. I knew I was ordering out of gluttony so the cashier helped me ask for sugar on the side so my big backed behind could eat it for later Also there was not a lot of candy I really wanted a pack of gum

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Sirfaraz P.

9 years ago

I don't spend much time in the East Village, but I will say this, establishments like this are what make New York great. Loved the oreos, were great, as another reviewer artfully described them as "farm-to-table" but it's stores like this that are reminiscent of the New York I know and love. Ray was going strong 9:30 pm on a Saturday night. Hoping to be back soon. read more

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Erica F.

Elite 10

118

17 years ago

Ok, I love this place because it's remarkably charming, in a filthy lost puppy sort of way. It's on the extremely cheep side (in a good way), though I have a little trouble with the fact that they covered up their even cheaper prices with nearly transparent recession prices, so you can see the price you would have gotten it for last year. It's true, the fries are not really much compared to Pommes Frites, or even the pommes frites right around the corner at Hop Devil (scratch that from the record, I'm not here to plug HD) Where else in the area (besides McDonald's) can you get a strangely similar to McDonald's tasting Obama burger and chocolate shake for like $6? Really, the kicker for me is the pistachio soft serve ice cream, and the hand Sharpied card board signs. Do I go here regularly, not at all. Would I tell someone to come here who hasn't ever, absolutely. It's a sight to be seen, and really not that bad. read more

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Marcia R.

9 years ago

Beignets PLEASE and thank you, delicious and personally delivered by Ray. The best and I'm happy I got to experience it personally. !

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Jason L.

14 years ago

The nicest guy you'll ever meet. The beignets + ice cream combo was amazing. Only downside, I was covered in powdered sugar.

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Jasper D.

12 years ago

I just found this place last night around 4 AM because some friends were going there. Had a chili cheese dog and fries. Possibly the best fries I've ever had. Also very good hot dog. I feel a little silly having never known about this place, and I'm definitely going to be coming back to try more things. read more

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Zelda G.

11 years ago

Ray is quite possibly the sweetest and most adorable man alive. He is an East Village and NYC treasure and his beignets (and everything else) are AMAZING! Perfect late-night stop or really at any time! read more

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Carmen T.

138

7 years ago

Amazing fried Oreos. Amazing fried beignets. Ray the owner is so sweet. The photos on the walls is the menu which makes it so authentic. Always come here when in the area read more

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Kay A.

16 years ago

Ray's is an establishment. The first time I came here was for a pre-tattoo egg cream and I have been back many times after. The hot dogs are amazing too. But I love it all, the homemade signs and Obama memorabilia. Everything about this place is perfect, and I can't imagine the fate of the East Village if it closes. Another Urban Outfitters, I guess. read more

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Caroline S.

12 years ago

Ray's pistachio soft serve made my night last night. My friend ordered a hot dog and she seemed to think it was pretty great as well. Also, props to Ray for tolerating our drunken enthusiasm. read more

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Burlingame T.

305

11 years ago

Candy store is a misnomer. This is more of an ice cream stand if you ask me. Regardless, I love their chocolate malts. Perfect to pick up after dinner in the East Village or to enjoy during a stroll in nearby Tompkins Square Park. If you're lucky, Ray will be working-a reminder that this is a neighborhood institution that I hope will remain for many years to come. read more

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Clyde F.

17 years ago

Dear Walter, Here are few brief thoughts in case you go looking for them. What strikes me about Ray's is that this is Tompkins Square Park's permanent lemonade stand. The charm of the hand-written signs on cardboard paper and hand-drawn pictures of ice cream cones lack nothing except a backwards 5 and S in 50 cents. The red paint announcing Ray's Burgers next to the door should be the first indication of Ray's earnestness. The fries are tasty and the ice cream taste great. But the real joy is in the sweetness of it all. All the best, C. F. read more

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Hypno T.

11 years ago

Rays is an NYC institution and representative of the mom n pop stores forced out of the area by greedy landlords and the yuppie dude-bro / princess demographic that swallowed this neighborhood up. It's grungy and eclectic and simple, the workers here know the neighborhood and the people, it's the type of place where conversations are had and people congregate. Buy something here to support Ray and keep him open. Lord knows we don't need another obnoxious artisanal something-something opening up in its place. read more

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Carly R.

301

13 years ago

Such a staple of the Lower East Side. It just wouldn't be the same without Ray!

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Zheng Y.

7 years ago

Amazing place, super friendly owner. If you're coming there for some amazing sweets, it's there, but the best part is the owner. He's probably the cutest owner you'll meet with a great personality and stories to tell on and on. read more

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Abhishek G.

7 years ago

Found this place on Googling best beignets in Manhattan. Some blogger had compared the beignets here to the ones from Cafe Du Monde. The old lady who ran the tiny shop front in East Village told us it would cost $9 for 18. But I believe she gave us 30! There is no place to sit there but there is a public park right in front where one can sit. read more

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Ben C.

Elite 15

168

313

1817

14 years ago

This happens to be a great place for its ice cream and egg cream drinks. If it was not for my sister I would have passed it by, thinking it was just a normal store. but as you walk in its narrow entrance to get a egg cream, i noticed on the walls behind me that this place had a history for its fountain drinks and showed how one man kept this going for a very long time. So everytime im visiting saint marks, I made a habit to grab a drink while im walking around. Thanks sis, thanks ray. :D read more

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Ash N.

189

9 years ago

Love this place! I always make a stop for the fried oreos, beignets, and soft serve when I'm in the area. The fried goods are amazing and made on the spot. read more

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Jason G.

Elite 17

400

1108

16 years ago

Ray's a good man, his story is a tearjerker... but let's face it... this place is a dump and the fries are mediocre. Try Pommes-Frites on 2nd ave instead. read more

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Lisa R.

Elite 25

286

1111

16 years ago

I haven't lived in the East Village for long, but I know when I see a neighborhood gem and Ray's Candy Store is it! I love this place and the man running the joint. Frozen yogurt is delicious and the fries are addicting! read more

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Allison H.

Elite 17

302

596

16 years ago

Love it here. Got some fries with a friend and was so happy to see they have Diet Rite on fountain. But then I tasted it, and i'm pretty sure it's RC Cola. Huge difference. The fries I liked, I think they were triple fried and very rustic. Will be back when needing fatty fuel in the hood. read more

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Chavi B.

191

10 years ago

I love coming here! Ray is so sweet & I love supporting him!! He's open all night & has the best soft serve ever!! I love the pistachio soft serve. I will always come here & so should you :) go rayyy! read more

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Jessica C.

13 years ago

The chocolate egg cream was smooth and creamy, as other Yelpers had mentioned. I was in the mood for a classic egg cream, and the one Ray's served certainly fit the bill. The service was extremely friendly and upbeat, despite the balmy weather. As I glanced around, it certainly seemed that Ray's was a neighborhood establishment selling everything from Belgian frites to soft-serve ice cream, and had been doing so for quite some time. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to come back and try some of their other icy treats! read more

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Brian S.

105

11 years ago

Cheap and delicious. The beignets are as good as any you will find in New Orleans.This place is a must for late night snacks.

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Johnny P.

10 years ago

Great desserts! Very nice atmosphere to relax and enjoy a treat. We visited this place twice when we walked the nearby park.

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Telma H.

13 years ago

The combo hot dog with chili and cheese with an order of beignets and extra caramel on top is just out of this wold! We don't know but this is Paradise! read more

Ray's Candy Store - Ray's Candy Store gets an A! Congratulations Ray! - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Jason R.

10 years ago

The beignets were better than anything in New Orleans. Ray was a fantastic host!!! We had a dozen for 5 dollars.

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Greg O.

16 years ago

Rays candy Store is stuff of legend! Superb egg creams, belgian fries, and all other good eats. Plus ray cares about his customers, if you dont have enough he may spare you. What a kind and gentle soul in a world of dead beats. Catch me in times square with a sign that reads f*** bloomberg Help keep rays open.Long live rays........Because this place rocks.............. read more

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Ashley A.

10 years ago

Ray's is a cool spot. Unpretentious and not shameful in doling out the hugest portions of soft serve you have ever seen. The ice cream is delicious and satisfying. It can get crowded at the weekend with revelers streaming in wanting their fix but it all just adds to the atmosphere. Four bucks and you'll be in ice cream heaven. read more

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Elizabeth P.

12 years ago

Piping hot Belgian fries with a FULL styrofoam cup of cheese sauce. Really need I say more? This is my favorite place in the LES, no joke. Also Ray is awesome. read more

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Laura M.

11 years ago

This is one of the last relics of old Manhattan. Ray, who has been working at this candy shop for 41 years, serves up everything fresh and with a smile. This place is such a find and worth stopping by at least once. read more

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Sharisma R.

13 years ago

It was pretty hot in New York at night so I suggested Ray's with a friend, which would be our first visit . Had some trouble finding it as there was no sign we could read out in the dark but came across an old , mom and pop looking sign showcasing the menu and read beignets and figured this is it. Once we stepped in , we realized the moment we reached an end by the ice cream machine there was no room left. No Tables, just order and step out to enjoy ; good thing there was no line at the time. The gals were nice, but my friend didnt like the lemonade seltzer one of them made freshly( it was her first day afterall) I tried the soft serve everyone talks about, and it was just that. soft serve. Maybe i just didnt get the right flavor, but it was ok. Nothing to make me come back before i left the city. read more

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Maria P.

9 years ago

I LOVE RAY. If you want good ice cream, milk Shakespeare, anything. You're in the right place

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Cindy C.

7 years ago

Best soft serve in the city!!!!! I love this place. Such a staple in the east village neighborhood.

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Samantha C.

10 years ago

BEIGNETS. This place is everything. It looks old school, it is old school, you may be skeptical at first, but Ray definitely knows what he's doing. Perfection! read more

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Christine M.

10 years ago

Wandered over for a late night snack and ordered a small order of fried Oreos. There were eleven. So many I had to give some away to passersby. Best $5 I've spent in the East Village in a while. Delicious. CASH ONLY. read more

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Shannon Z.

Elite 22

531

901

966

10 years ago

This place is perfect. You get ice cream truck style soft served for a super amazing price. Its a hidden nyc gem and I hope it never closes down. read more

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Zara G.

10 years ago

Had sum fry oreos they were hard couldnt get to the the middle had to throw them away maybe next time

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Alice E.

Elite 17

620

792

12 years ago

I am a fan of Ray's because it is an institution! No great food, nothing special at all but really it is LES institution. On a warm night, junkies piled high outside, squater kids and lots of action. I can't believe it can even pass a health department inspection. The soft serve is totally fine.... Try it just to see the scene but if you want fancy yuppy Ice Cream take a walk around the corner to Big Gay! read more

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Izzy B.

114

169

12 years ago

This place really always played a big part in summer for me. The prices were good, food was always great and the staff have always been awesome! Their chocolate malt shakes, cheese fries and chili cheese dogs...MMM! read more

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Joseph V.

7 years ago

Wow. The fried Oreos here are not of this universe. Simply amazing. Visit and be captivated.

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Page 11 of 14

113 Avenue A
New York, NY 10009
East Village, Alphabet City
Directions
(212) 505-7609
Call Now
Order Delivery
Start Order

Full menu

Hours

What time does Ray's Candy Store open?

Ray's Candy Store is open 24 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Ray's Candy Store close?

Ray's Candy Store is open 24 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun Open 24 hours

Payment methods

Does Ray's Candy Store take credit cards?

Yes, Ray's Candy Store takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Ray's Candy Store have catering options?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not have catering options.

Does Ray's Candy Store have a drive thru?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not have a drive thru.

Does Ray's Candy Store serve alcohol?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Ray's Candy Store allow dogs?

Yes, Ray's Candy Store allows dogs.

Does Ray's Candy Store have TVs?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Ray's Candy Store have bike parking?

Yes, Ray's Candy Store has bike parking.

Does Ray's Candy Store have outdoor seating?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Ray's Candy Store have parking?

Yes, Ray's Candy Store has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Ray's Candy Store have free WiFi?

No, Ray's Candy Store does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Serving up New York City's BEST Belgian fries, shakes, ice cream, hot dogs, egg creams, frozen yogurt and more. Open 24 hours a day. Everything made with love!

History

Established in 1974.

An East Village NYC Institution For Over 45 Years!

Meet the Business Owner: Ray A.

Thanks for stopping by. I love you all!

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Ray's Candy Store

How is the average cost of your desserts?

Very reasonable.

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Could I coerce someone to drop by and ship me a box of the deep-fried oreos? What would you charge for such a service? I'm in Portland, OR.

Afraid those won’t travel well! You’ll have to come to the store and try them in-person!

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0.5 mi•NoHo

•$$

My first time trying Raising Canes and I'm now a fan!…read more I was down by Aster Place picking up some band shirts on St Marks Place and was starving for dinner. This location is pretty large with plenty of seating, and decently clean considering how busy it was. They do have a bathroom you need a code to enter and it was also clean, They offer different meal combos to choose from. I chose the 3 chicken fingers meal and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. The chicken fingers were large, juicy, tasty, lightly battered and fried just right. Not greasy at all. Came with crinkle cut fries, warm Texas toast, one Cane sauce, and a fountain soda. For $12 you get a decently portioned meal which hits the spot. I would try it again if in the area and craving chicken fingers. Not too bad for a fast food chain.

It was okay nothing to write home about. Fries were really good crispy, the toast was toasted…read moreperfectly, the chicken was a bit greasy. Flavor on the fries and chicken were good tho. Line wasn't too long and food came out in under 5 minutes so that was nice. There's plenty of seating inside. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it but if I was in the area or passing by I would stop in and have it again.

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Back interior seating area

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Raising cane's

Los Tacos No. 1

4.6(647 reviews)

1.6 mi•TriBeCa

•$$

The menu is simple- tacos and tostadas and a few more items. We had carne asada tacos and a pork…read moretaco. We had a Jamaica fresh water drink, and it was delicious. The tacos were made fresh and right in front of the you. You have to hand the guy your receipt so he can make the food. The line was pretty long and you can eat there on one of the tables, but there are no chairs . This place is a must try when in NYC!

Delicious taco that was tender and had the perfect amount of flavor. Their sauces were also spicy…read morewhich I love. They cook it right in front of you and it can get a bit hectic standing at the front telling them what you want on your taco, but I think it's worth trying at least once. I think it is on the pricey side but I haven't had the chance to try tacos anywhere else in New York, and this spot is pretty conveniently near the main tourist spot. If you're really craving a good taco and don't want to go taking a risk elsewhere, then this is the right choice.

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Inside

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1 chicken 1 beef taco 1 green apple soda

Rocco's Italian Sausages & Philly Cheese Steaks

4.3(239 reviews)

4.1 mi•Woodside, Astoria

•$

I ordered multiple sandwiches and it was ready in a very reasonable amount of time. All the…read moresandwiches were very good. Not dried at all. There is some seating area right outside.

I had no idea Rocco's was even there--I only stumbled across it while stopping by Home Depot to…read morepick up some tools. I wasn't particularly hungry, but since I was already in the area and didn't know when I'd be back, I decided to grab a cheesesteak. I'm no cheesesteak connoisseur, but this sandwich really impressed me. It was loaded with well-seasoned shredded beef, topped with veggies and provolone cheese, and packed to the brim. I wouldn't have minded a Cheez Whiz option as well, though I didn't see one available when I visited. Overall, it was a great sandwich, and I'd definitely stop by again if I'm in the area.

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Restaurant front

EL Burrito Box

4.0(1k reviews)

2.9 mi•Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

•$$

I see why my sister has been wanting me to come here for so many years. It's a bit of a commitment…read morefrom Bedstuy, but this no frills primarily take out spot is worth a stop. When you walk in, the menu is clearly visible above the register and they have burritos, quesadillas, and much more. The fam has always hyped the burritos, so I wasn't really looking to try anything else for my first time. I was on the fence between the chicken ranchero and seitan burrito. Since I had never had the latter before, I have to give it a try. I liked that there was an option for a spinach tortilla, I went with that. It was ready in about 10 minutes, and while it is indeed a take out spot, no one else was sitting inside, so we were able to occupy the four seats that were there. The burrito was humongous. I should have taken a picture of it, but I was so hungry and ready to dive in I just didn't. It was delicious. We all shared chips and a hefty amount of red salsa, that was surprisingly spicy. What a meal! We were lucky to just beat a big crowd of people. Folks were standing around waiting and pretty much the entire standing area of the little place to get orders. I'm glad I finally got to try and I would come back. The closest thing that I normally go to is the Nintendo store. I could definitely make it happen again.

Food: Very authentic, fresh, and flavorful feeling. Open to modifications…read more Ambiance: smaller space but homey feeling. Service: quick preparation relatively speaking.

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Inside area

Pork taco

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Namkeen

4.1(170 reviews)

1.4 mi•Williamsburg - South Side

•$$

Amazing. Order at the kiosk and grab a seat. Got the spicy maple wings and single waffle. Staff was…read morequick and place was super trendy, music was hype. I favored the maple wings dressed with pickles (I love them), I'm sure u can maybe ask not to get those but it does add a nice chase after the sweetness. Waffle was super soft and beautifully dressed. Def recommend

I've been to Nashville, but I haven't been to Islamabad (the capital of Pakistan), but something…read moretells me they're fusing the two flavors in the right way. It just tastes good. And judging from the never ending flow of delivery orders churning out of their kitchen, not to mention every seat in the house packed on a Saturday afternoon, sounds like other people think so too. I've now been here twice to try various things on their menu, and while the Nashville hot chicken sandwich is indeed delicious, it's the dhamaka fries that do it for me. The tikka sauce, mint chutney, pickles, cole slaw AND fried chicken make this the stuff of drunchies dreams. On another visit, I really indulged with a fried chicken sandwich between two pieces of waffles. They even provide syrup to dunk this monster into. Something like this makes me feel too rapacious, so I think I'll stick to the maple wings or something in the future. The staff is a delight, so you can't get mad at them even when the food takes a while to come out. I highly recommend ordering a milkshake while you're here too-- the rose flavor is the best.

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Chicken & Waffles Follow @BZeaters on IG for more food recs!

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Spicy Maple

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33 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jason H.

17 years ago

Ray's Candy Store is a Lower East Side institution. Ray has been serving Belgian fries, soft serve, egg creams, burgers, hot dogs and so much more to his customers for more than three decades. The Belgian fries are delicious and in gigantic quantities for the price. An $8 extra large order is likely enough for five people. They are accompanied by any number of sauces from regular ketchup, to pesto, to chipotle mayonnaise The soft serve is especially tasty. It is both thick and flavorful, unlike a lot of bargain soft serves in the vein of McDonalds. If you're feeling adventurous try the Obama coffee where, for only $1, Ray will drop a dollop into a fresh cup of joe. Obama burgers are a popular item as well and excellent tasting for the cheap cheap price! Ray's certainly isn't gourmet dining, but all the food is simple and delightful. Ray himself is a very kind man who will greet you with "Hello brothers! Hello sisters! Hallelujah!" He is always excited to meet and serve new customers and is quite an interesting character himself. Unfortunately, due to increasing gentrification in the area and accompanying rising rents Ray's business is increasingly hard to maintain. So... stop into this L.E.S. store and get a taste of what the neighborhood is all about. At the same time, you'll be helping to maintain its character and put food on Ray's table! For a look at Ray and his store check out its myspace run by some helpful volunteers! http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=442804114 read more

Andrew B.

Elite 24

2 years ago

Ray's Candy Store, nestled near Tompkins Square NYC, offers a bittersweet experience. I swung by, enticed by the promise of classic desserts, and found myself trying an NYC-classic egg cream for the first time. Opting for chocolate, its taste was perfectly fine - nothing groundbreaking, but satisfying nonetheless. The real star of the show, however, were the beignets. Served warm and fresh, they were a delightful treat, embodying the comforting essence of what you'd hope for in such a dessert. Given the prices, which are undeniably affordable, the portions received were impressively generous, making Ray's a great spot for those on a budget. However, the ambiance of the shop leaves much to be desired; additionally, the service encountered during my visit was less than stellar. The staff, while not outright rude, didn't exude the warmth or friendliness you'd expect from a neighborhood dessert spot. This lack of welcoming atmosphere somewhat dampened the overall experience. It's still definitely a place worth visiting for the food, especially if you're in the mood for a quick, tasty treat without hurting your wallet. But don't set your expectations too high for anything beyond the plate. read more

Matt R.

15 years ago

People often ask "What's so special about Ray's Candy Store?" I say "Go there and you'll know." Take a trip back in time to this old school East Village hang serving up the city's best fries, shakes, frozen yogurt and other delights at Reagan-era prices. Ray is an absolute saint. He's been working the night shift at this 24-hour-a-day haunt that bears his name since before most of us were born. Whether he's making you the biggest heap of golden fries you've ever seen or telling a story about the 'hood back in the day, you'll never leave Ray's unsatisfied. Go. Now. read more

Hansen M.

7 years ago

Ray's candy store on Avenue A in East village is a poem, a cultural institution, a community center, a New York City landmark combined in one place. And at the heart of it all is Ray, the man himself whom the neighborhood folks have loved dearly for decades. Ray has been kind to everyone who passes through. You always get a smile guarenteed. Try the Belgian fries, it's a must. The cream soda is a rare find. The fried Oreos are popular too. read more

Eden B.

418

7 years ago

Who doesn't love Ray and his old school NYC shop? Egg creams, ice cream and now he will deep fry practically anything! I hang out at ray's all the time and he is a huge part of the neighborhood and loved dearly. The portions are HUGE and if you are lucky you can catch Ray working at night and hear his amazing life stories. One of a kind...so happy he is still here as I met him when I was 15! LOVE this place and love Ray! read more

Jessica H.

9 years ago

If you like supporting old school diner joints this is your place. Even as you walk in you see a bunch newspaper clippings posted on the walls. This isn't your average ice cream store. You can tell the owner and staff make every ice cream out of love. They don't just sell ice cream, they sell other treats such as fried oreos, hot dogs, egg cream, and beignets. read more

M J.

169

12 years ago

Try to find a place like Ray 's that serves an egg cream this good!! My out of town totally California types actually never heard of an egg cream- hello it is made of our basic food groups. Chocolate syrup, milk, seltzer ice mix. Ray is the real deal. Take time to take the subway down to A and visit any time. Calories after 10 pm do not count.yum... read more

Joshua D.

9 years ago

RAY is the MAN!!! Hands down the best ice cream in all New York City.. don't stop there, they also have fried oreos Ive lived in new york all my life and Ray has been there ever since i can remember. Great service and very friendly. Ray is truly the Man, The Myth, The Legend read more

Audrey B.

2 years ago

The vibe is so cute! It was closed when I first went even though I followed the hours online. I tried again and got a chocolate egg cream! This place serves up classic sweets for a good price and a nice sweet treat for everyone to start the day or end their night with. read more

Venessa S.

10 years ago

The only reason this place gets four stars and not five is cause this place is very dirty but the food is great prices good egg creams yummy stop by and try it out for yourself wowwwwwwwwewwwwwww Enjoy the drinks fries ice cream love us Ray read more

Scott P.

11 years ago

This is part of the old school New York experience that you don't get to experience just anywhere. The ambience when you walk into this place will send you back to 1940 haha very cool place to grab some good ice cream and munchies! read more

Joey R.

Elite 19

152

2031

10 years ago

Didn't try the icecream yet but the best fried Oreos I ever had!!! Been here a few times and the Oreos were just amazing, had me coming back for more! I usually hate fried Oreos at fairs, but these are seriously, the best. read more

Erica A.

5 years ago

awful waited 45 minutes for f*cking fried oreos and i couldnt wait any longer i got my stupid money back. eat sh!t bc I didn't end up getting my food. read more

Kira P.