I lived in NY and yes, tastes like New York style thin crust pizza that I remember Ambience is ok... a bit outdated. Only has it to go. read more

Authentic NY style pizza in the city of Irvine! Famous Ray's Pizza has found a home in Orange County. One of the Big Apple's most iconic pizza chains is nestled in a popular plaza - University Center - within walking distance of the UCI campus. First of all, I find it amusing to read the reviews of the naive, unqualified and uninformed here (because no one else does and for good reason). (This is both the greatest strength and biggest annoyance about Yelp: everyone has a voice.) There is no "closest to" or "not quite" New York style pizza. This is the real deal! I have been to the Original Ray's on a couple of occasions in New York's Manhattan and can assure you they are one and the same! They use the same recipe, ingredients and preparation. And all you have to do is ask the owner and former longtime New Yorker (he likes to go by Ray as well). He challenges you to find any difference at all. I certainly could not. The crust is perfect: made thin, chewy but with that delicate crunch. There is just enough cheese and sauce. The sparsely sprinkled dry mozzarella cheese molds and blends with the sauce, turns ever so slight brown as it melts, not the thick heavy layering of cheese you get and expect with most pizzas. Most importantly, the sauce is also on point: tangy tomato-ey, subtle sweetness, just the right saltiness and moderately seasoned. Pizza by the slice includes Cheese, Pepperoni (both $2.50), Sausage ($2.65), Hawaiian ($2.65) and Veggie ($2.80). They are generously cut and inexpensive. There are the usual options to pizzas at this pizzeria, including sandwiches hot or cold, pastas and salads. The opinions on those are somewhat mixed. Who cares?! 'This is a pizza parlor, eats a pizza pie ya!' Perhaps the biggest barometer of good pizza: you will be craving it time and again. Simple but perfect is the New York style pizza. Blue-collar thin crust pizza done right. These are not those gourmet, award winning pizzas (they almost belong in another category) or the more common Neapolitan pizzas: thicker crusted, heartier and heavily laden with cheese and toppings. It is, however, the pizza you will crave for the most. Few does it like Ray's and southern California residents are lucky to have a Ray's Pizza in Irvine - the hub of Orange County. Awesome Lunch Special Deal: two pizza slices and a soft drink, $6! read more

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Second time coming to Rays and it didn't disappoint. This time we got to meet Ray and what a nice man! proud of his pizza and grateful for the compliments and tips. they have legit arcade machines. Good pizza, clean and friendly service. I've never been to New York so I can't compare it. I will say that the crust is thin, crispy, foldable and has good cheese and toppings. Worth checking it out! read more

This place is a hidden gem at UTC and it's honestly the most affordable and tastiest pizza around Uc Irvine. Ray is the sweetest and I love the NY style interior of the restaurant. highly recommend read more

Love the pizza. Hate the service asked for cheese and peppers he yelled at me and said he gave me some. I looked and only got 1 of each for a whole large pizza read more

I've been looking for NY style pizza in So Cal, everyone says they have it...I finally found it in Irvine. I think this is better than the Ray's in NYC! Two generations enjoy his pizza, me when I was a student at Uci and now my son..Ray and his pizza are very authentic...eat it right there when it's hot, that crispy thin crust and even cheese to sauce ratio is perfection! read more

Ray's Pizza is a wonderful restaurant. The owner, Mr. Ray is quite a host and always has a great smile on his face. The pizza is New York style and it is very delicious! Ray's gets quite busy with all the UCI students who adore his pizza and so many students frequent more than once a week, including my son. I highly recommend Ray's pizza as the 'greatest pizza in the USA'. read more

I'm a huge pizza person and my girlfriend who lived in New York City for 19 years informed me that Ray's is the most legit slice of a New York pie she's had since moving to California a decade ago. I do not think she was embellishing whatsoever. If you're a fan of no-frills, tasty and delicious pizza, you need to get to Ray's ASAP. It's astounding that this place is tucked away near the UC Irvine campus, near the Hello Kitty store and a Dunkin' Donuts. There's even arcade games here which is a kid who grew up in pizza restaurants, I'm a complete sucker for. Highly recommended for any and all pizza lovers. read more

I have read many different reviews about Rays. Today I decided to see what I thought of Rays. I dropped by, ordered two slices for just 2.50 each. The owner, Ray was working behind the counter. He was really friendly and offered a smile. Once he handed me the small box, I looked inside. I thought the slices would be soggy, boy was I wrong. The slices where crispy and flavorful. The texture was great and the pizza was worth eating the carbs. I highly recommend Rays to any hungry sole looking for a good slice, or the entire pie. read more

Ray's Pizza - The box with Ray's pic - Pizza Near Me - Irvine, California

Average pizza, served quick, over $3 per slice. I'd recommend going over to Blaze and getting something that tastes better. read more

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

Oh my God, I love Ray's Pizza! Ray himself is always there and so friendly. He really likes people and it shows. You feel welcomed. The pizza is super! Big pies. Good taste. Just what I like. Nothing fancy. read more

My Dad used to take me here all the time as a kid because he worked in the office above - I'm happy to say that this place is still as good as ever. Perfect NY style pizza with a subtle crunch that is just flawless. My girlfriend is from NY, and she said it's exactly like Two Bros from NY, but better. So good. read more

I'm in love with the pizza here! It's seriously delicious and the closest thing to an authentic NY slice that I've had on the West coast. The owner is a super friendly and kind guy, and the restaurant is clean with really awesome old school vibes. Food is great, staff is great, atmosphere is great! Portions are decent (not the iconic huge NY slices you might imagine) and prices are a little steep for what you get. But honestly, this is probably one of the less trafficked storefronts in the UTC Plaza, and they've gotta make a living too, so it's understandable. All in all, this is an amazing and highly underrated place. I'd gladly recommend anyone to try it out! read more

Great pizza especially fresh and warm and the owner is a hoot and funny! 10/10 recommendations

Was craving a decent slice of NY pie. I wanted that huge, fold-able pizza slice with cheese so gooey that when you bite and pull away, a little string of cheese forms a bridge between the slice and your mouth. Unfortunately, I did not find that here. This is not NYC pizza. I ordered the two slice special (around $8 and you can get a drink). The pizza was served room-temp, slightly cold. I got the Supreme slice which was bell pepper, onion, mushroom, sausage, and pepperoni. The toppings were OK. The sauce was nothing spectacular and the crust was forgettable. It satisfied my current pizza craving but the taste, texture, and temperature didn't have me leaping for joy. I think I would have been even more satisfied with fast food pizza because at least there would be a bit more taste to the crust and the sauce... For $3+ a slice, was expecting a little bit more. read more

Recently moved back to OC and couldn't wait to see if Ray's Pizza was still here. It was our favorite pizza in grad school at UCI. Back then we could only afford to come in for slices at lunch. It was fun to order two of our own extra larger, and they did not disappoint! New York style thin crust with the perfect chew, sauce with the perfect balance of tang & sweetness, and the spice blend adding that perfect touch on top of the cheese. We had one classic cheese & one pepperoni, both excellent. Still can't decide which one is my favorite. And best of all, hearing the voice of Ray himself on the phone when I ordered! We'll definitely put this in our regular takeout rotation. Thanks Ray! read more

Two slices and a drink, chef salad, spaghetti & meatballs. Whatever you're looking for Ray's has it. The freshness of ingredients and generous portions are worth the parking lot. Plus the friendly smile of Ray makes the day complete. read more

Ray is a legend of Irvine. The pizza is always good new york foldable style and the lunch workers special for 2 slices and a coke is always a deal read more

This is the best pizza ever! If it had chicken wings it would be even better. The service is fast and the owner is super nice.

Love their pizza! I like their basic pepperoni...and their 2 slice special. It's the best pizza in the local area.

If you're looking for one of the best in SoCal, Ray's is it. His secret is in the dough. If you want as close to N.Y. as it gets, go to Ray's. read more

Insanely good pizza. Sometimes I just want a couple of slices of pizza. Not a whole pie, not a coupon for extra wings or whatever. Just no frills, simple pizza. THIS is the place. Amazing people working at the counter delivering amazing food. Insanely good food, that is. read more

Delicious! Closest to NY style I've found. Family owned too so that is nice to see. Support small business

So the guy here doesn't stop harassing you if you leave them bad reviews. It's been such a long time since my last incident and he just can't seem to let go. :) He wrote: Moreover, when Sanrio Corporation was notified that she was wrongfully using their mark of Hello Kitty, she was asked to remove it since Sanrio Corporation seemed to understand that possessing business cards for the very site you are posting critical reviews is a clear conflict of interest and a commercial purpose. Otherwise removal would not be required. Yelp doesn't seem to understand this, or are too afraid to admit that they resort to such tactics to get advertising agreements. My response: "WOW, really??? Who said that? I seriously don't know where you get these stories. LOL!!!" This speaks for itself. Do your own research before you trust elite yelp users. This is an industry and a big business and some users probably get a commission when they induce a business to advertise on yelp. My response: "Commission? I have never made a single penny from writing a review. I write based on my experience. What the heck are you talking about? " I'd just like to add that I haven't been here since the bad incident (read last review). He never apologized but continues to attack me and make up false stories about me. Talk about negative juju!! I definitely don't like going to businesses with negative energy. I'm not talking about Ray, but I'm talking about his son Ali. You'll know when you see him. He's an angry looking guy who works there! Anyway, my pizza cravings have been replaced by another place with better service and loving staff members. Thankfully, the University Center opened Blaze Pizza on the other side! If you're looking for great quality and delicious pizza that's cheaper, go to Blaze Pizza! Refills on their drinks are free, too! read more

By the time you read this review, Ray's will probably be put out of business by Blaze Pizza, but I'll proceed. Ray's Pizza. The very name invokes New York. Old York is probably more like it. The place smelled of cleaner when we walked in. I'm glad that they keep things sanitary. We ordered two slices, a beer, and a water (which we're still waiting for). Regular readers know that I love pizza, and that I haven't met one that I didn't like. This even goes for frozen, which is the first thing that I thought of when I took my first bite. Another Yelper compared it to Mama Celeste, which is a fair description. The cheese and the sauce were lacking in flavor, and the toppings were probably fresh two or three weeks ago. Just because the pizza is thin doesn't mean that it is NYC-style (and, yes, I've eaten plenty of pizza in New York). I didn't check the hours. Are they open late? For their sake, they had better be. It might be your second best option when you're really drunk. Your best option? Two pints of water and bed rest. read more

Not really NY style, but not bad. Definitely not CA pizza. Would probably enjoy it more if I got a full pizza and got it fresh. They have a decent selection of beer, though I refrained. read more

My kids say that they have the best pizza in Irvine and I agree. The crust is amazing!

I like Ray's pizza (always order vegetarian), I like Ray. Have been a patron since the 1990's. Ray's is an institution in Irvine. Great crust, good sauce, good vegetables. Good house salad as well. Have not tried anything else. read more

This is the most excellent Pizza i've ever had. Very light and flavorful. The menu is quite a lot of food at very reasonable prices. The service is top notch. read more

Ray's Pizza - Having lunch with my wife. - Pizza Near Me - Irvine, California

I like the sign outside the store that instructs you to Google the phrase "best pizza Irvine" to see what hit you get. I just did that and I got a Citysearch page which told me that Haus of Pizza is the best. However, that's in Costa Mesa, so I tried "Irvine best pizza" and a mix of other phrases. I get a hit on Ray's but also Gina's Pizza and Pastaria. I don't understand where they're going with that sign. Anyway, the little shop is located in University Center (the Westwood of UCI) and tucked in the back of a tower so it's rather hard to find. Make use of the directory there. The thin-crust pizza satisfies my random pizza cravings but I wouldn't say its one of the best pizzas I've ever had. They have some lunch specials there but I can't really say that the deals are superb. I believe the most popular choice is two slices of pizza and a small drink for $5.00. They also have a variety of pastas available. read more

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

Oh Ray's, with a name like that, you have SO much to live up to. It's good, I liked, it. I'll probably be back, but you're not fooling any New Yorkers. Here's the upside: The sauce is good, fresh. Cheese is appropriately greasy. And the bottom crust is perfectly crisp, to support the slice, has a satisfying crunch. The guy at the counter has a lot of personality and is very nice. There's pinball and some Street Fighter II. And they really want your cash, not your card and that's super NYC of them! Here's what's off: The single slice looks like it came from a 14" pie for $2.69. That just hurts. And it's missing that oh so important outer dough crust section. I can't lie, it's got its high points, but I cannot recommend you take your out of town friends here and show them we know how to make NY style pizza in Irvine unless you want to get razzed all night. read more

Yummy, freshly made pizza. They sell pizza here by the slice for $2.50 and whole pizzas for $11+ The crust here is thin and had a nice doughy consistency, but my favorite was the cheese. The cheese on the pizza is amazing (I ended up eating the whole 12' pizza by myself). It was a little greasy, but nothing a napkin couldn't soak up. My girlfriend ordered the lasagna, and the sauce was absolutely amazing, you could really taste the tomatoes. It comes with two slices of garlic bread which compliment the sauce well, all for around $8. Definitely recommend trying this pizza place instead of the generic pizza from dominoes and papa johns, you wont be disappointed. The cost is about average for the pizza, but you can tell the ingredients are good quality, and is apparent in the taste of their foods. read more

Ray's Pizza - Small 12 inch pizza - Pizza Near Me - Irvine, California

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I never have the highest expectations when eating pizza at a place like this in California. I know nothing is going to match my experience when I was at Chicago or New York, with their city specialties. To be honest, my standards are not simply that high for pizza. I always strive to have higher standards, but my mouth + stomach is satisfied when I order the two slices of NY-style Hawaiian pizza. Crust is excellent, just about the way I like it with a good amount of crisp, and the sauce and the cheese mix very well to my liking. Either this place was made for my palate, or I think Ray's pizza is a underrated spot in UCI's plaza. read more

Pizza is very subjective, but this is by far the best pizza in OC. Just the right amount of sauce, cheese, flavor, and the crust isn't burnt, just enough crisp. read more

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

One of the best ma & pop's pizza restaurants you can find in OC. This place is hidden in the corner of UTC, so its nice that there's rarely a long line whenever you visit. The pizza is always PERFECTLY crispy, not too burnt/ hard, and the crust is not too thick and flavorless like most places. There's just something about the crunchy texture in every bite you take! It's $2.50 for a slice of pizza, or 2 slices + small drink for $6. The slices are huge as well. You really get your moneys worth! read more

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

A single slice is pretty pricy (4$ just for a cheese) but hoooh boy was that a good slice. Dropped in because I have a bit of an affection for thin crust NY style pizzas, and it delivered. I believe they bake on an oven screen based on the pattern I saw on the bottom crust which is a shame since I honestly believe if the bottom crust had some more leopard spotting it would add even more flavor, but boy the texture and crunch on that crust was amazing. Crispy like a potato chip! Flavorful too. For what it's worth if you're buying just a single slice, I would tell them not to give it to you in a box, even if it's to go, unless you absolutely needed a box. Saves you 20 cents, and we all know how valuable every bit of savings is nowadays. If I came here again I'd order a proper full pizza since the single slice for that price hurts my college student funds badly. Really great pizza though, I can see why it's a staple at UTC. read more

If you are looking for NY style pizza this is as close to it besides going to NY. Lunch specials are great. The atmosphere is a ode to the 80s. read more

Great service, great pizza! Everyone at Ray's is super friendly. The pizza has the perfect ratio of crust, cheese and topping(s). We ordered the veggie pizza and one with pineapple (controversial, I know! But they do pineapple pizza well). Order local and support Ray's! read more

Kind of on the expensive side, but I guess that's how everything is turning out to be nowadays. Ray can either be viewed as jerkish or eccentric, depending on how you look at it. Since he's a Laker's fan, though, he's kinda cooler in my book. Three stars. If it wasn't so expensive, I'd give four. read more

I had a really pleasant first experience at Ray's. I went over to get a mid-day snack an hour before my class started so I went with the 2 slice combo that comes with a drink. The pizza wasn't the best I ever had but it did the job. It wasn't overpriced, the old man that took my order was very courteous and accommodating. The pizza wasn't greasy and there was a good distribution of pepperoni on it. If you're craving pizza and are on a budget it does 't hurt going here. read more