A+ Food and Service. I've been going to Ray's Pizza for nearly 10 years and I have always been satisfied. This is authentic New York style pizza (thin crust). Ray uses fresh ingredients and provides a friendly smile. The lasagna is also home-made and AMAZING (must get with the meat sauce). They even take AMEX. Most places dont. It's a small business, so they do have a minimum charge for credits cards, which is posted on the register and completely understandable. They usually break $100 bills if they have the change for it. Always paid the correct amount and love using AMEX or cash! I read the other reviews for this place, and it appears those who dislike this place don't understand that this is NY style pizza. If you wanted something else, go get it rather than being upset that this place isn't what YOU wanted. Also, if you're going to order a small amount of pizza and want change for a $100.. you're essentially treating the store as an ATM. That seems like a personal problem. :p You can order by the slice or whole pie. Ray is personable and great to talk to. It's nice to be able to walk in and have a down to earth conversation (as opposed to going to say Blaze Pizza where they treat you like an assembly line). I LOVE THIS PLACE. read more

I've been hankering for a good NY slice this side of the Mississippi since visiting the Big Apple. This place has it! Every bite is a mouthwatering slice of pizza euphoria. The slight crispiness of the thin doughy crust is just like the pies one would encounter in NYC. Just the right amount of cheese and sauce one would expect from a slice of heaven. Simply delicious! It was so good that I braved the extra $0.75 debit charge and ordered a second slice. It was worth it. There's a 2 slice and a drink combo too for cheese & pepperoni lovers ($6.50). read more

Amazing pizza!! I love this place. I have been coming here since I was a in high school!! Needs a little touch up but other then that everything is delicious. read more

Ray's has been around since I can remember. I've frequented the place a lot more when I started at UCI, but unfortunately haven't been by there as much since I graduated. Its a tiny place with a counter and a table or two, and most people grab takeout. Those who do eat there just order a slice and watch part of the game going on, or can play a video game while waiting (two machines with some old school games). Ray (who you could recognize from the pizza boxes), is always there serving up his slices. Pretty nice New York style pizza here with the thinner crust, although you have to go during the lunch rush to get a newly "fresh" slice. But for a few bucks you can't go wrong here. read more

Best single slice pizza I've ever had. I ordered a couple of single slices (one cheese and one veggie) the total was a little over $7. The older man who works here is so nice and friendly! The pizza was crispy, not overly greasy and the crust was soft (unlike most). I've only been here once, but I hope the quality never changes! read more

Friendly service and good pizza. The price for each is comparable to what you would pay in NYC. The pizza is crispy and has a good chew to it. read more

Why go for the slices when you can go for an extra large? Indulge the inner pizza monster and get that extra large, half cheese and the other half pepperoni and jalapeños. That's the order at our apartment, and it never lets us down. Really fresh ingredients and flavor, and has that right amount of greasiness that you crave. Or maybe it's just me who craves that little bit of greasiness. My poor health. Ray has always been really nice and friendly. The only complaint is the prices-they are a bit on the high side. But honestly they are worth it and Irvine is never cheap. read more

Located in the heart of Irvine on campus drive, Ray's Pizza is a true hidden treasure. You walk by and from the outside it is nothing impressive, but when you walk in, you feel like you are part of the Ray Pizza Family. From the first time ordering, I was greeted by the man the myth the legend, Ray, and he treated me with prestige. After becoming a usual, you will often here the phrase from Ray: 'go for it buddy' when you pay for your food. The customer service is only the start of the experience. Being a pizza enthusiast, I found Rays to truly encompass everything you want out of a pizza. The classic cheese pizza is the best I'be ever had. There is a great distribution of all the ingredients and not to mention the perfect amount of cheese. If you are a folder like myself, then you will find it very easy to enjoy the pizza while folding it, while many other pizzas tend to fall apart and have grease spills. The dough is perfect and the crust is also amazing, not too crunchy, not too soft, but the perfect in between. It is the highlight of my day to visit this 1 of 1 elite Pizza-Joint every time I go. I highly recommend this to any avid pizza enthusiast like myself. read more

Ray's Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Irvine, California

The sandwich wasn't bad but it was a major turn off when the cashier took money and proceeded to go make a pizza without washing his hands or wearing gloves. I had already eaten the sand which or I would have went else where; very unprofessional and disgusting to say the least. Never going back!! read more

This is my favorite pizza place in Irvine!!! I usually get the ray's special, of 2 slices with a drink, coming up to around 6 bucks. Love new york style pizza, and by far my favourite around here. I used to get it and it was drenched in oil.. Which I usually took off with a napkin, and I used to think was gross.. But recently it hasn't been dripping in its usual oil spill, and I have to admit, I kind of miss it. Even though I'm glad for the reduced oil, I think it probably provided some added flavour, and reduced dryness, which I now find is a hit or miss on those factors. But still, by far, my favorite new york style pizza around here! read more

I appreciate a delicious NY style cheese pizza evey so often. Rays definitely hits the spot. Totally appreciate and love the variety of quality beer. Also, you can order pizza by the slice if you're in a rush. read more

Ray's Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Irvine, California

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Best New York pizza I've had since moving to orange county! Used to make pizzas when I lived in New Jersey. Ray reminds me of a shop keeper from out east and takes pride in the appearance of his shop! Definitely worth the trip to come here! read more

When will I find the perfect pizza joint in OC? Being a recent transplant here, I'm really on the lookout for the best pizza in the area. Yelp review says 4 stars, and some reviewers are saying it's the "best pizza in the area" so it must be pretty good right? nope. I must say, the crust is really good. It's actually just the way I like it, slightly crispy on the bottom with soft end pieces. However, the toppings were just not right. There wasn't enough sauce...or enough cheese. Or both! I'm from NJ so I know what a NY pizza is supposed to taste like, and this isn't it. There isn't nearly enough grease and ooey gooey deliciousness on that pizza! My bf baked a dijorno pizza a few weeks ago and it was a lot better than this without breaking the bank (We got a large pizza with 4 half toppings for $23...except we asked for 3 toppings, and Ray just threw the olives on there for some reason and charged us for it). I'd honestly rather eat papa john's or CPK. It's truly sad if this is what they call the best pizza in Irvine. The search for OC's best pizza continues... read more

4 stars may be a little generous, BUT compared to Gina's, Ray's is the m.f.-ing bomb. Roughly New York style, and nothing too special, but I'll absolutely go back here for take-out pie in Irvine. Crust was thin and chewy, although a little undercooked by NY standards, with a little flavor (Flavor in the crust?! It's a miracle!). Not oversauced, and the sauce isn't too sweet. Pretty generous with toppings (good sausage), and not a gigantic cheese bomb. Maybe not the cheapest, but again, I can't say how much better this is than Gina's. read more

I'll preface this by saying I'm not a huge pizza lover and most of my friends would probably give this place a 4 and would say it's better than Z-Pizza. Their pizza is good (thin crust, chewy) and their sandwiches aren't bad either. I usually order the pastrami which is decent. Ray's cool too. read more

Ray's pizza is probably the closest you'll ever get to New York style pizza. Being from the east coast , a good NY slice is nearly impossible to find in OC and this is probably as good as it's going to get. The slices are huge , great prices (around $2,50 a slice which is what i did) , the crust is nice and thin like it's supposed to be. It was a little on the greasy side , but that tends to be expected with NY style pizza. (After all , you're not eating pizza to be healthy ) The garlic bread is also pretty good but I wish they had garlic knots instead. Also adding wings to the menu would make it perfect. Would definitely recommend, especially over chains like Pizza Hut or dominos that don't even compare to this. read more

Ray's boasts that it has the best pizza in Irvine, and well, that just might be true- but get it fresh. The crust is a New York style crust- thin and chewy, and not bread-like and dough-y. The sauce is tangy but not overwhelming, and you get a hint of basil and oregano in each bite. Ray's skimps on the cheese, so spend the couple bucks for some extra. Ray's serves pizza by the slice, but reheating it cannot bring it back to life. The pizza by the slice is mediocre and will satisfy pizza cravings in a pinch, but fresh is definitely the best. The prices are reasonable, the place is low key, and the service is quick. Overall, the pizza is great, but heed my advice and get your fresh pie to go. read more

Ray's offers THE best NY-style pizza in Irvine - but then again, it's not like the competition is all that fierce here anyways, y'knawhadamean? Tucked in a corner of the UTC right behind Golden Spoon, Ray's has a grungy, hole-in-the-wall feel (that I believe ironically adds to the novelty of the place - that's Irvine for you...) The pizza slices themselves are not very filling due to the thin nature of the crust, but they're very well-made, in my opinion - crispy, flavorful, and satisfying. I've only been to NY once in my life and that was several years ago, nor do I have the faintest recollection of eating NY pizza in NY, so I can't really be a COMPLETE pizza snob and draw that comparison, but Ray's is what I crave when the pizza urges hit and it's probably the closest you can get to "real" NY-style pizza in the OC. If anyone can contest my previous statement, though, please feel free to - I'm always looking to scope out new pizza places in the area! read more

Honestly one of the best lunch deals in the area. If u are looking for pizza specifically... there is no better place. The crust is actually just so good. Best thin crust I have had around here. Crisp bottom, with slight perfectly tender chew just after ur teeth break through. Cheese is quality and always served hot. Been coming here since I was just a hungry boi on my way to get rekt by that engineering final. read more

A cool feeling of what an actual NYC pizza parlor would be like....or i assume because i have never been to NYC. it's got the paper plates that the greasy, amazing tasting pizza is served on. there are the pinball and arcade games from the early 90's that take people's quarters on a constant basis. and there is the brick pattern on the inside walls that is obviously fake. all of this is what makes this place awesome. the cheapness. the lameness. and like a bad joke that you've already heard a million times...you still enjoy it. read more

I just wrote a review of Le Dip and now Im all nostalgic of my UCI years. Here was another hole that I frequented back in the day, and sometimes hit up if I visit Irvine. Their pizza is the closest you'll get to true New York style in orange county, still not as good as the stuff back east. Ray's a chill dude, always had fun BS'ing with him, and the old school arcade games add to the charm. Pizza quality is consistent. Make sure you have cash, they hit you up with fees on cards. Eat in and carry out only. read more

The best NY style pizza in OC. I'm a very picky eater when it comes to Italian food, especially pizza but Ray's knows what's up. Thin crispy crust, light sauce, and yummy real cheese. I've only been here once when they were about to close but they still took their time to serve us our food. I wish the owner was there so I could meet him since I only hear good things about this guy. Hopefully another time he'll be around. I will definitely be coming here more often even though it's a 20 min drive. read more

I've been a UCI student for almost three years & I finally found this place. Not to be mistaken by "Z Pizza", please, take the extra 20 steps over to Ray's. The pizza is fresh, hot, & very tasty! I've never had "New york style" pizza before so this was my first time. I got the $6 deal which was 2 slices (pepperoni or cheese) & a small soda. Sooo worth it! The slices were fairly large and I only finished a slice & a half. The area is kind of hidden in UTC. It looks like an old mom & pop pizza joint with minimal seating, TV for your entertainment, pinball machine & arcade games. I'll definitely make my way back to Ray's anytime I'm craving some pizza :) read more

Stopped by for a slice today. They have a $6 for two slices and a drink special. A little on the pricey side but it's Irvine after all. The pizza was simple and delicious. I got pepperoni a little greasy but not too bad. It was a nice simple slice of pizza exactly what I wanted. The guy working the counter seemed like he may be the owner. He was a very nice guy and the service was quick. Will definitely be back read more

Service: (5/5) The workers are kind and can be pretty funny. The food comes out fast and it's piping hot -- in a good way Food: (5/5) The entire "bread" part of the pizza is nice and crunchy.. But not TOO crunchy. It gives that satisfying light crunch every bite you take. If you're tired of the typical take out pizza style, this is a great place. Environment: (4.5/5) A really cool retro feel. Actually kind of feels like "New York"--even though I've never been there. read more

Amazing pizza! The owner is also very kind. The prices are fair and the pizza quality is superb. Very excited to have found this place.

Wow! Words can't describe how I feel about Ray's Pizza here in the great city of Irvine. After meeting Uncle Ray himself, my appreciation is so deep for what is now my second home! The hospitality by this man is unmatched and is by far the best of any restaurant I have ever been too. The New York style Pizza is BY FAR the BEST PIZZA I'VE EVER HAD! The pizza has the perfect New York crunch and is perfect if you like to fold your pizza. The perfect amount of grease, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, makes this the best food I've ever put in my mouth. The food comes out in record time. I truly can't think of anything that isn't perfect about Ray's Pizza! There's a reason I drive 30 miles from San Clemente to come to Ray's or should I cal it Heaven. In a world where everything is moving to be done online, I will always come to visit Uncle Ray! read more

Yummmmmm. The really crispy crust is my favorite part. I'm sad I didn't go to this place before I did (last few months at UCI) because it's definitely better than Z Pizza. The first time I ate here I only ordered one pepperoni slice, but I went back in to order another one after scarfing down the first. read more

If you are in Irvine you MUST visit Ray's Pizza. The best pizza I have ever had has been from Ray's! If you try it and it is not in the top three best pizza's you have ever had, you need to try it again later! His buttery crust is a secret recipe with Persian origins. There is usually the perfect ratio of cheese crust and sauce so it feels light like New York pizza should rather than heavy like Chicago deep dish. The biggest variances are in the spice content and the cooking time. Occasionally when Ray isn't there they go a little light on the spices leaving a relatively bland (yet still delicious) pizza. Also sometimes in order to get a pizza out quicker the fresher pizzas (i.e. you ordered a whole new pizza) are a bit under cooked leaving an overly doughy crust. Which I personally usually appreciate as I am in a rush. The biggest let down is that because he uses relatively expensive ingredients (for pizza) he has to be a bit stingy about refills. A small coke is a SMALL coke and refills cost 50 cents. You are better off ordering a large coke which comes in a plastic cup instead of paper. The best part besides the delicious pizza is how personable Ray is. He is more than happy to strike up a conversation with you. He makes you feel like family (and most of his family occasionally works there). It feels like a real old style New York Pizza place. He isn't just serving pizza but happiness. He'll argue and kid around with you just like the iconic Italian chef in movies. His personality takes Ray's Pizza Inc. from a restaurant to an experience. read more

Felt like revising my review based on some recent experiences. My initial review was solely based on the product, which still earns five stars. However, the owner is kind of a dick and it makes me less likely to continue coming here. Maybe it's from dealing with college students all day but he seems put out by doing his job. I ordered the lunch special last time I was here and handed him a $20. He said "you don't have anything smaller?" The food was seven bucks and change... is it really that difficult to make this exchange happen? So I replied "no I don't, I can pay with a credit card?" Apparently that was also an unreasonable method of payment because he grabbed the card from me angrily and swiped it. I'm surprised that I wasn't charged a fee as well. 50c to refill a 12oz drink for a regular customer is pretty insane as well. I wish their pizza wasn't so good because the experience of coming here is definitely not. read more

Went there for lunch a few days ago... It was an average slice of pizza, nothing special but it was stupidly expensive. Would not recommend to anyone looking for a good slice at a reasonable price. read more

Love Ray's!!! Best NY style pizza in OC. The service is impeccable! Ray Jr. always personally greets us and ensures that we are well taken care of. Nice beer selection too! read more

Ordered online and paid in advance. When I came to pick up my order, they had not ever started making my pies. What should have been a wick pop in to pick up my order has become a 20 minute wait on my 30 minute lunch break. Think twice before ordering online for your office. read more

I really love coming to Ray's pizza in irvine...it's located in the plaza right across from UC irvine. The pizza is absolutely fantastic, love eating it and the NY style thin crust that it comes in. Very fairly priced, especially for the big serving that you get. Yes it can be and is often crowded because it's right in the middle of a student-filled plaza and hence, parking can get pretty crazy. But at least once, I plead with you, try the pizza here. read more

One step above pizza hut. Service is slow. Too bad remember as a kid this place being better.

A little pricey but so good. Wish they had options for thicket crust and more cheese.

Used to go to the place every tuesday with a friend during fall quarter! I love the mom and pop atmosphere because you don't often find that in Irvine. Pizza is good! A little expensive but overall, the place is clean, friendly and tasty! read more

lol what the hell-- they are not racist for saying something like that Ray's Pizza is just so good and so awsome- its a shame that its way in the back where theres virtually no traffic read more

The owner Ray and his son Ron...are the best...the pizza is amazing and the Customer Service is TOP NOTCH.... I asked Ron for @siracha sauce...he said they didn't have any...BUT, he will go next door and get some...I said "NO, don't worry about it.." He comes back with the Siracha sauce and I told him....this is the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have ever experienced...and the food was EXCELLENT. read more

Simply the best pizza around, if your from the east coast you need to try them out. The pizza in CA not the best, a few places does it right. read more