My boyfriend is a New Yorker that moved to California in his 20s. According to him, this is the most authentic tasting New York style pizza he's ever had on the West Coast. That's a win! I've actually never had their pizza, I come here strictly for lasagna! Man is it good. I think it's about $8 with tax for a lasagna, garlic bread, and a small drink. It takes about 5-10 minutes for it to be ready, but I'm glad to wait for something so delicious. The workers are not rude or extremely friendly. They're very much there to just do their job (which I suppose isn't a bad thing). I think that's the only reason why I don't give this place 5 stars. I'm just a talkative person who has worked in the food industry before. I love having a friendly cashier and maybe a smile from a worker (wow, I'm very cheesy). Anyways, your food is the bomb. You have a lifelong customer. read more

The owner was so so so rude. I asked for water and he gave me water filled with dirt in it! I asked if I can have another cup and pay for it but he said NO "Get out of here". I was going to get pizza there but with that service I couldn't. I wish I could give this a 0 out of 1000. BAD SERVICE. read more

Pretty good NY pizza though could have more flavor. This place has been here forever and I noticed they take credit cards now. For 3-4 people just order a whole pizza, better deal and came out pretty fast. read more

I rather enjoyed this place. The bottom of the pizza is crispy, like they way it is in New York. California pizza bread is all soft and chewy, even if the crust is crispy. Slices are decently large and cheese is cheesy. There's nothing fancy about it, but New York pizza ain't fancy. read more

It was actually decent pizza. Appropriate amount of sauce, generous amounts of toppings, but had a lot of herbs (oregano was overpowering). I did love the staff; very kind and food was ready immediately for pick up. read more

Delicious! We ordered an extra large, half cheese half pepperoni & mushrooms. We ordered ahead of time and the order was ready on time for pick up. We split the pizza between two adults and a child, and there were only three slices left over. Highly recommend. read more

I came here for the lunch special. You get two slices of either cheese or pepperoni and a small drink for six dollars. They are located in university town center so the location is great. Overall the employee who helped me was very friendly and when I walked in and he offer the lunch special to me because I had never been there before. I will definitely be returning to Ray's. They put a little bit of oregano and spices on their slices which is unique and enhances the flavor. read more

Ah, Ray's. Always the most unexpected turnout for lunch. Sorta the, "we randomly ended up at Ray's just cuz", kinda answer. The endless lunches spent here watching CNN and wondering how much Budweiser Ray must've purchased before receiving the inflatable dragster car hanging from his ceiling. Ray's pizza is always bitter at the first bite, then the sauce and cheese settle in. Kinda disconcerting at first, but you'll get used to it, it's a UCI thing. If you've seen Travel Channel's explanation on the history behind the "Ray's" name of pizza chains in NY, expect to find nothing of this hoopla here, or even a nod to it. read more

Ray's probably makes the best thin crust pizza I've ever had (I haven't been to NY mind you). The pizza here is very simple: a well made thin crust with cheese and very basic toppings. The crust is just amazing: paper thin and crispy and yet doughy at the same time. You can also get sausage, pepperoni, or hawaiian slices. I especially like the sausage, which seems to be handmade. This place could be 5 stars, but the prices Ray charges are a little steep. I think I paid $6.40 for 1 slice of sausage and 1 slice of pepperoni pizza. A year ago Ray's Special was 2 slices and a drink for $5, but now it's $6.50. Ray can be a grouch too. Sometimes he's kind of nice and sometimes he's a jerk. However, I almost want to bump it up to 5 stars because Ray 's accent sounds like Marlon Brando's Don Vito in the Godfather. read more

Food: Pizza was bland. Not a lot of flavor and to be honest, I actually consider the pizza at some of the conventional chain pizza parlors slightly better (a.k.a Dominos). Not a lot of sauce, and toppings didn't have a lot of flavor. We tried a Hawaiian pizza and a Pepperoni/Sausage. Service: Exceptional!! Ray (I assume that is his name) is awesome. He is very personable. He recommended what we should order and was very helpful. Location: It's located near UCI so it can get very busy. It is located in a small building (perhaps only 4 tables) and can seat maybe 15 people. Bottom Line: This place is alright. They are a little on the pricey size for pizza and I won't consider it the "best" pizza. They have some decent pizza lunch deals that I will want to try out soon. read more

The best pizza you will ever have! My dad is a native New Yorker (from the Bronx), and he swears this is as close as you can get to NY pizza outside of the city. read more

Ray's has been around for as long as I can remember (going back 11 years for me). Ray himself once told me in his infamous accent, "Enjoy the best pizza my friend." I certainly agree after all of these years. The lunch special can't be beat. read more

Gosh this is way overdue! hahaha. I use to go here allot when I was an undergrad at UCI. I graduated in 2007. haha. First and foremost let me tell you that I do not like meatball sandwiches because they usually are soggy and wet but not at Ray's Pizza! Therefore I normally get the meatball sandwich. It is soo good. The bread is crispy!! The meatball is nicely flavored with melted cheese on top. OMG so delicious! The price was pretty decent too, around $6-7 for a full size. I want one now!! haha I've tried the pizza a few times and its nothing to rave about, I prefer round table and pizza hut pizza. hehe. If you happen to be in the area or still a student at UCI and haven't tried the meatball sandwich, you must (just get the half first and see if you like it. Trust me you will like it!LOL.) !!! read more

Located in UTC hidden in the back (or what I consider the back). Got there at like closing time and they were willing to serve us after they put everything away. Ordered the 2 Pizza & Drink for $6 and they were awesome and giving us a larger size drink as well as not charging extra for Non-Pepperoni and Cheese Pizzas since they already put the Pasta's away. Supposedly NY style pizza... and of course I've had some of the best NY pizza in NY... These were decent... not real NY style but they were good for what they were... Crispy crust as they put pizza back onto the oven to heat it up... I might have a difference in opinion if it was a fresh pizza and not something that was baked and reheated as they do when you buy by the slice. When buying by the slice, there's not that many choices, Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Veggie, & Hawaiian. read more

In a place where so many things feel new, planned and sanitary, Ray's looks like it's been around awhile. That might be part of the plan, but it's different, and I enjoy it. The prices are as good as the people. Strongly recommend supporting them. read more

As a student who is looking for something flavorful and fast, this is a great choice. The pizza is simple yet ridiculously good. The eggplant parmigiana sub sandwich is out of this world. They have great deals and friendly employees. Thanks Ray! read more

The BEST pizza ever!! So affordable yet delicious. 10/10 I love this place been coming since I was a kid!

This is my absolute favorite pizza place ever! Their pizza is so delicious. I love a thin crust pizza and this place does it right. The crust is thin, crispy and service is good too. The number one combo is my favorite, 2 large slices of pizza and a drink for a good price. I went there as a student and I'm still going back every time I visit Irvine! read more

This is my new favorite Pizza place!! Tastes just like the kind of Pizza I used to get back home in Worcester, Mass! The sauce is key and Ray's knows what they are doing. They have other options besides pizza but you can't go wrong with a great 2 slice special. I Love Ray's Pizza~ I would try to get a job there just to eat the pizza every day. read more

I'd prefer to give it 4 stars but since my husband loves this place, I'll give it 5 stars. And now that I think about, it's really as good as it gets for pizza slices in Irvine (followed by Z Pizza and First Class Pizza - First Class only does slices for lunch). I've been frequenting Ray's since 2001. I'm vegetarian so I'm picky about my cheese pizza and this place is GREAT - not too much cheese, tangy sauce, sprinkles of oregano, and a great crust. I've also had the "pasta of the day" which is a good deal for pasta, salad, and garlic bread. If it's your first time, I say definitely go with the 2 slices + drink combo that everyone talks about. I've ordered entire pizzas and THEY ARE NOT CHEAP compared to chains with ridiculous coupons. But Ray's is the THE BEST reheated pizza. I've popped leftover slices in the oven and it's just as good or BETTER than when I first got the pie (Ray's cooks them just perfect, if not slightly undercooked so it's soft and doughy). Ray, the owner, is usually present and happy to see any customer walk in the door. Service is fast and friendly. especially if you get slices. However, don't expect any "extra" things for free (you have to pay for refills, ranch dressing if you don't get a salad, etc). Ray always gives you 2 napkins per person. Has anyone ever gotten more than 2? :) read more

I didn't even know this place existed until someone told me about it (hard to find location tucked away on the ground floor/base of the University tower office building.) I truly applaud the designers of UTC. It is pretty difficult to take a PLANNED shopping center and create a layout that relegates a tenant to near obscurity. Anyway, I digress. I would say I have had a decent sampling of NY style pizza. I have been to Lombardi's in New York, Mulberry Street pizza in Beverly Hills, and Mammalucco's in Brea. While it is almost unfair to compare any pizza joint to Lombardi's, Ray's does offer good NY Style pizza that is available by the slice for cheap ($2.50 a slice.) Thin, crispy crust, tasty sauce, and cheese and pepperoni that compliments the crust. My gripes are:There isn't too much variety regarding toppings. Also, the pizza (specifically the crust) was often inconsistent. Sometimes the slices would be perfect, slightly crispy but still chewy. Other times, the slices would be completely chewy. Due to that, I give it a 3.5, if the consistency improved then it deserves a 4. Nonetheless, a good place within walking distance of UCI to grab a quick slice for cheap. read more

I first started going here five years ago when I was living in the Mesa Court dorms at UCI. This place is the shit. I love huge slice of thin crust new york style pepperoni pizza and this is just the place to go for that. Its just a small little place with some new york and sports decorations and old video games. A typical old school pizza place. Thats why this place is so great. They have great prices too. I think two slices of pepperoni was about five bucks and they would definitely fill up most people. The short walk here from the dorms was always worth it. Overall this is great pizza and it definitely has a signature taste that is unique to this Ray's. read more

This is probably the best NY pizza place I've been to in Irvine. For thin pizzas, Ray's does a great job making the crust with just the perfect amount of crispiness in every bite! I usually get the sausage pizza with a drink. And I love the ny style sausage, not the kind they serve at all other california pizza restaurants. The sausage is actually large, flat, flavorful and easy to eat. If you haven't tried it yet, I recommend you check this place out! And say 'hi' to Ray! read more

I've had better pizzas. One thing I kinda do not like about their pizzas is that their cheese always just slides off the whole darn crust. Plus I would have to eat more than my usual number of slices because their slices are so thin. But in the end, a pizza is a pizza and I like the fact that it is hot and freshly made every time. The owner (I am assuming Ray) is kind of grumpy sometimes. read more

This review is only based off of my usual order, so I can't say it's a completely comprehensive review of Ray's menu. I've always had nice experiences from all my visits to Ray's, and I love their pizza! I always order an extra large cheese pizza to split with my sis, and to save for leftovers that are also delicious. Yes yes, I am a pig. But I don't know, it just feels like the most practical order (in my opinion). I don't know if I've ever bought that lunch special with the two pizzas; it's just not my thing. I don't usually get toppings because I tried that before, and I feel like the pizza is flavorful enough by itself. The semi-thin, slightly chewy crust and flavor is just the right balance for me. I can't do super greasy pizza like Pizza Hut...eee. I don't know why I never dropped by Ray's during my undergrad at UCI, but I started going after I graduated and have been going over the past four years. I felt like I kind of missed out back then. I live right next to UTC, so to me, there's just something satisfying about walking two minutes, picking up a fresh pizza, and bringing it back home to feast on! That guy who is usually there, who I can only assume is Ray, is super friendly and kind of adorable. My sis says there have been other workers the past times she's dropped by, so I'm not sure how often he is there. Nice guy though, and yummy pizza! read more

Nothing at all like NYC pizza because it's worse than the worse NY pizza not kidding Mamma Celeste does a better job. Cardboard crust . Worst quality cheese tasteless sauce . Avoid this one - do t bring a friend or a date or you will look like an idiot (like I did) . Oh a small pizza two topping is smaller than 1.5 slices at Whole Foods. And here it costs $16.75 Waste of time money and ingredients . Don't believe the other reviews . I highly doubt they are real: read more

I wrote this review almost 8 years ago-- still love Rays! The food has remained consistently good and staff is always friendly.

I grew up in New York, and Ray's really is the closest thing I've found in this area. Don't get me wrong, he'd be out of business in a week in New York, but it's still a pretty good place to go for lunch. They have a modestly-priced lunch special, but other than that, it's a little pricey for pizza. I wanted to give it 3.5 stars, but it gets the extra half star because Ray has a cool accent. read more

The pizza was pretty good. The price was a turn off, but i understand it's in Irvine and the rent is high, blah blah...But still, i paid $18 for a medium hawaiian pizza!! My gf and I killed that pizza without breaking a sweat. Yes, the crust is good, but for $10 I could get 2 pepperoni hot n' ready pizzas from Little Caesars...which i think has better cheese and a comparable crust. It's not NY style, but still good. I was in Irvine and was craving pizza. it made sense. But, for me, hard to justify $18 for a medium-- essentially 2 topping pizza (Canadian bacon and pineapple). I'm all for supporting the mom & pop shop over Z Pizza. Also, .25 stars deducted for showing the Laker game. GO CLIPPERS!! =) read more

You lost me as a customer!! (Absentee Owner needs to either check on employees or him/herself stop being a cheapskate on portions!!) Your pizza isn't so bad but the reason You're dead to me is the sorry excuse for a Pastrami sandwich. It's like the guys have never heard of a pastrami sandwhich or are so cheap on portions. First of all, unlike other sandwhiches, the pastrami is supposed to be layer upon layer of the cured pastrami meat. Sure, I don't expect places like Subway or Jersey Mikes to make the layering so thick or high -which they don't but at least they put in about a 1/4 inch of layered meat. Ray's (which is supposed to be based on the famous Ray's all over NYC) is committing a crime by putting one single measly layer of a small portion of pastrami!! When i got it I seriously had to lift up and open the French bread to find the meat and finally found it under the tomatoes and lettuce. No No NO!!!! I can't even measure the thickness or lack thereof - maybe 1 centimeter. Please either learn how to make a legitimate pastrami sandwich or take it off the menu. Cheapos! What I tasted of the meat was not bad but again you have to layer the meat to at least Subway/Jersey's height or just close your restaurant!! Fuget about it! read more

Ray's is always my go to for birthday parties. The friendly service and exceptional quality of his food is beyond compare. I recommend this family-owned restaurant to anyone who wants authentic NY style pizza. read more

Been coming to Ray's for a few years now. Ive also heard of this place from my friends who attended UCI. They are located inside the university town center. Ray is a gentle soul and has a good recipe for new york style thin crust pizza. I get the 2 slices and fountain drink combo. The slices are thin enough. I can do without thick crust. Who needs that much dough? Not me... The sauce doesn't overwhelm and each bite has just the right amount of cheese. There is such a thing as too much cheese. I like coming to Ray's because it's nearby, has good value, and I know what to expect. Ray looks a lot like guy on the pizza box. It doesn't say Ray's on it, just a generic pizza box. Maybe it's him? I'll have to ask him one day.... read more

My hubby and I have been conducting "the great american Pizza hunt." We've been looking for a good thin crust Pizza. Alas- we live in Fountain Valley. The other day I tried Ray's. Yum, Yum, Yum!!!!!!! The crust was crispy and thin. The toppings were tasty. I started out ordering a slice of Pizza with a soda. The slice was big and delicious. It was so good (I ordered a second slice). I NEVER DO THAT! I watch my waist-line I'm good. The only bummer about Ray's is, he's too far from my house. I can only enjoy Ray deliciousness at lunchtime when I'm at work. Soon - I will bring my friends and my boss, so they can taste the best Pizza ever - too. Maybe I will even have my Hubby drive down and have the "Ray's experience." read more

I've never had NYC pizza, so I can't say that I'm comparing it to anything, I just liked the flavors. The crust was thin, crisp, and I enjoyed it. The guy working the counter, I'm assuming he's Ray, was a really pleasant man. We really adored the setup he had going, with the arcade machines, and the portraits in the place. It didn't seem busy when we were there, and I think this place is always like that. All in all, pretty cheap if you're getting the special which comes with 2 slices and a drink. That was like $6. Not bad. read more

One of best pizzas I've ever had in CA. Came back a few nights later for my son's birthday (he wanted more Ray's Pizza!). They were about to close but the owner kept it open a bit longer to make us our pizza's. Very nice of him. Highly recommend. Outstanding pizza. CA needs a lot more Ray's pizza, esp in Bay Area! read more

Come here if you want the best NY pizza in Irvine. Crispy and chewy with strong oregano flavors. It's cheap too. Ray will probably serve you and he's a treat. Have been coming here 10 years and will continue to. read more

Pizza was great, the pricing is absolutely ridiculous on the other hand. I asked if I could split the 3 topping pizza and still get the deal, one half with 3 toppings and the other with just pineapple. I ended up being charged more for a pizza with less toppings, that's nonsensical. Also at the end of the day a pizza that is close to being an individual sized pizza should not be more that 12 bucks. P.s fuck Rays read more

So the pizza is really good. SERVERS SUCK ASS. The cashier was a complete douchebag and I won't stand for it. Honestly really good Pizza but would not come back because of how I was treated. read more

Ray! Please open you are missed. We've had to try several other pizza places and none compare to yours

The BEST pizza I've ever had, friendly people, delicious, i literally come here every week it's that good. If you're looking for great quality, delicious pizza this is the place to go! read more