This is a hidden gem. Delicious pizzas and they serve a homemade spicy mustard with their sandwiches and cheese and crackers. The outside doesn't say much but inside it's a clean cozy bar with a simple menu that just works with great service. read more

Ray's Place - Homemade spicy mustard with cheddar cheese and crackers - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Classic Wisconsin bar. I wouldn't call it a dive bar - it was nicer than that. We had seen the reviews about their sandwiches so when passing through town we stopped for lunch. It wasn't too busy so we grabbed a could seats at the bar. Great tavern atmosphere! The staff was friendly and pointed out their "extensive" menu posted on the wall - maybe six items! I opted for the hot ham and cheese sandwich with onion. I also got a side of their famous hot horseradish mustard. Wow what a kick! The sandwich was juicy and excellent. My wife got their Spanish stew which was just OK. Kind of a weak chili. Skip it. They are also known for their hot roast beef sandwich. Definitely stop by and try the ham sandwich! read more

Here are two overlapping reasons why a trip to Ray's Place is worth your time. 1. Food & Drink: The beers (a very generous selection of which are on tap) and the beef and ham sandwiches are filling and flavorful. With regard to the sandwiches, be sure to request the horseradish-infused mustard (known among my friends as "Wisconsin Napalm). 2. The People: Ray's Place is a "third place" for all kinds of folk. Sit at the bar or take a table at Ray's and you will rub shoulders with rowdy Packer's fans (look for the green Jell-O shots), UW students taking a break from cracking the books, steel-toe boot wearing workers who have just finished theirs shifts, and/or families catching a quick bite before going to or returning from the kid's' games. Go to Ray's and be prepared to meet a microcosm of Eau Claire. See you there. read more

On my road trips I'm always scouring everything along the way for unique restaurants and this is one of them places. The place is 75 years old and famous for their homemade beef and ham sandwiches and soups. I travel with a cooler in my trunk so I took home a sample with me to try because who knows if I'll get back to this area. The place is old and dive looking with a local following. The bartender was friendly. I ordered the hot beef sandwich with cheese and onion that comes with house made spicy mustard with ingredients from England and I was told it's a must try. The beef sandwich looked amazing piled high on a plain generic hamburger bun. The beef is tender with gravy all in it and sloppy to eat. The mustard is like a wasabi style but yellow. The beef sandwich was good so I ordered the hot ham with cheese and onion to go along with a pea soup and the bean soup for dinner. The soups were not as good as the sandwich, not seasoned with the bean being my favorite. The ham sandwich was really good also with a flavor and texture of ham off the bone. Overall this is a unique place with a simple menu that is a must try if your in the area. read more

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Cold beer, hot sandwiches, very friendly folks, all wrapped up in a dive bar setting, replete with a long bar and plenty of wood table seating. This is WI in bar form. Fast delicious and I left with some money in my pocket!!! Ray's is 100%! read more

Great food. The beef sandwich was excellent piled with Sliced beef. Missed how they used to prepare it with the gravy on top though. The ham sandwich was juicy & flavorful. It will be my new go to. Old fashion charm atmosphere & food from the 50's. read more

Their mustard is delicious. You can buy it by the jar. Prices are fair and the beer is cold.

Great people. Good hot sandwiches and a bowl of beans were the highlight. I would definitely go again.

You can't go wrong with Ray's! I am a huge fan of their hot ham sandwiches. No cheese or condiments needed for me. The meaty ham and tasty gravy always hits the spot. Husband had pea soup which was served nice and hot. Bloody Mary and beers on a Saturday afternoon seals the deal. Capable service. Love the divey neighborhood vibe of the place. read more

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Great Service, Speedy service, Good food - Nice homey bar and restaurant that you should definitely check out

Great roast beef sandwich! But what takes it to the next next level is the spicy mustard! Super reasonable for a delicious sandwich. Tavern atmosphere with a friendly bartender. 10$ well spent for a sandwich and a beer. Will definitely be back. read more

Ray's Place - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Exactly as advertised! No need for a menu at this place.... Just a chalkboard stand on the floor that says Roast Beef Sandwich and Hot Ham Sandwich w/cheese 50 cents more! (Also lists the soup of the day). Funny thing is the menu board isn't even located in an easy to see location.... Guess only the Ray's Place "virgins" like myself even need to see it! I walked in at 11:15 for lunch and there was a couple of people sitting at the bar. Soon after the door just kept opening, and it filled up pretty quickly. Oddly, it was all men! (One woman was coming in with her husband as I was leaving). Construction workers, businessmen and a lot of retired guys... quite a mix. Because I'm not at all local, and my chances of coming back are probably kind of low, I decided I had to try both sandwiches. Both with cheese, onion and spicy mustard (on the side). Out came two huge piled high sandwiches (Piping hot!) on paper plates that were about the same size as the sandwich. Kind of messy... In a good way. Steam was coming off the sandwich's so I had to wait a minute or two to take my first bites. I very much enjoyed each sandwich. Loved the slice of raw onion and the mustard gave both sandwiches a nice kick. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say I'd lean towards the Ham, but you really can't go wrong. The one improvement I will like to see would be a better bun. A nice hard roll or bakery type bun would make these sandwiches excellent! No frills dining at a local bar hit the spot. read more

Ray's Place - the name of the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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It sounds silly to think that a ham sandwich and bean soup is worth a special trip, but it really is. This is a place you might have passed hundreds of times and never realized what a gem it is. Do yourself a favor and stop here for a bite to eat and drink. And ask for lots of napkins to go with your sandwich. (You'll thank me.) read more

Best ham and cheese sandwich in the area! Tastes the same today as it did in the 90's!

Everyone tells you to get the hot beef, but they are wrong. The hot ham is the greatest sandwich on the planet. Get it with raw onion, cheese, and a tiny amount of Ray's super-strong mustard, and you can die a happy person knowing you will never have a better sandwich. Oh, and be prepared to be messy--bring wet wipes, a bib, or an extra shirt to change into once you are done.... read more

Stopped in as I was told it's a must in Eau Claire. Typical dive bar with a few arcade games and lots of spots to sit. Their menu is very small but they are known for their hot beef sandwich with spicy mustard. It's delish, it's cheap, beer is cold - what more could you ask for? They have trivia on Thursday nights as well read more

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Epic hot beef sandwiches. The horseradish will cure the nasal congestion. They have a hot ham, too, but I've never had it because the beef is sooo good. Decent Bloody Mary and usually a decent beer on tap besides the macro domestic light crap beer. read more

My first night here in Eau Claire Wisconsin .Was recommended this dive.Super cozy. The customers and staff.Really made youfeel welcome..The bartender was very accommodating helped me making a decision on my order I had the hot beef sandwich and navy bean soup. Served with cheese crackers...and I was excited to see that it was sliced cheese and saltine crackers .It suggested hot mustard to go with this....Delicious! If I ever pass through here again from Texas .I'd stop by here again! read more

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First night here, was about a mile from my hotel and I needed to get my steps in. Walked in and there were only 2 other people in the bar, one of which was in deep explanation of how wild water is...so it's a regulars type of place. It's just a bar, but got a beer and the beef sandwich for 10.75, which in these days is unheard of. Great portion on the beef sandwich and the mustard is insanely good. It's just a dive bar with small menu of delicious bar food. read more

If you are looking for fancy or special, don't stop in. Ray's Place is straight out of Road Food by Jane and Michael Stern (not sure they have been here) This is a bar. It is not a very special bar. They serve beer. And mixed drinks, most of which are old fashioned's (brandy, sweet). It's mostly locals, but they won't run a visitor out. What makes it worth the Stern's attention is the Hot Beefs. If you want, you can get onions or horseradish. Served on a napkin. No plates, no silverware. Not even paper plates and plastic forks. It is simple, messy, and you can like it or not, because that is the way things are done at Ray's Place. You want it different, open you own bar. Now sure, you can get a few other things, but really the only thing to eat there are the hot beefs, so don't screw up and order something different. So yes, I am a fan. Tap beer, hot beef (with horseradish). You want something different, or made for polite company, go elesewhere. read more

The service was ok but the pea soup was a bowl of pea soup flavored broth. We were so disappointed!!!

Bartender was extremely rude. Very unwelcoming environment. Would not recommend to anyone.

This is a classic bar with hometown atmosphere. The service was fast and friendly. It is a fully stocked bar but only about 6-8 beers on tap and most very traditional big brands. I was there for lunch and had the ham cheese sandwich based on the reviews. It was a large sandwich served on a paper dessert size plate. It was similar to eating leftovers home, not very interesting but filling. That plus chips and a tap beer under $13. read more

Stopped in for lunch. Had a beer and sandwich while staying in town. Ordered the hot beef sandwich with cheese and onion. Need to add the hot mustard to make the sandwich awesome. Pairs well with a cold Leinenkugel's! Cool Towny atmosphere. I will stop in again when I'm back in town read more

Ray's Place - Cold beer in inside Ray's - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Best hot beef and ham sandwiches! Best dive bar! Great prices and great staff! Ask for the meat in a bowl with side of horseradish! read more

Ray's Place - the exterior of ray's place - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

This place is legendary. I have been coming here for the past 13 years when I come to visit. Always the same and always the best damn hot ham sandwich. They serve pretty much 2 things year round, hot ham or hot beef sandwiches. If you don't like them, you we can't be friends. Make sure to ask for cheese, a slice of onion and the horseradish mustard. Delicious. read more

Ray's Place - The most tasty ham sandwich you'll ever have - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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This bar brings back many memories. Still has the best hot beefs in the area and maintains that small town feeling in a town that has grown remarkably read more

Place is a staple of Eau Claire! Hot beefs are amazing! Atmosphere is amazing and just an all around awesome place to be! 10/10 will always go again! read more

The greatest bar of all time. The hot beef with cheese and mustard plus a spotted in a frosty mug would be my last meal.

Best corn beef and cabbage dinner on Saint Patties day in Eau Claire. Appears to have numerous call for takeout orders phone always ringing. Camaraderie at tavern is wonderful read more

Ray's was a great lunch stop while passing through town. Your experience here will depend entirely on the type of person you are. Hot beef served on nothing but a napkin... absolutely true. Also absolutely awesome. The people giving the poor reviews are your "less than durable" folks who are picky, high maintenance, expected a formal restaurant, etc, etc. Ray's isn't a fancy restaurant. It's a neighborhood bar that happens to serve drunk food right there on the spot. Nice bartenders. Very attentive. I liked it a lot. Would definitely go back. read more

Ray's Place - Hot Beef with cheese. - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

They had good service, and that's the only thing going for them. The food tasted like someone dumped a ton a salt on it and looked like they just slopped it together. They didn't even serve the food on a plate! After coming in, it was obvious that this place was only good for the bar. I would not recommend going here in the slightest. read more

Ray's Place - This is how the served the food! - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Hands down my favorite place to grab a hot beef, with cheese and onion optional, for lunch! (They also offer ham!) Served super quick by friendly bartenders! If you're a mustard person, gotta try the spicy mustard they serve!! Been stopping here for years, always the best hot beefs! read more

Hell yes to the beef sandwiches and hot mustard!

Being from New Orleans, I have high expectations for hot sandwiches (poboys). I loved Ray's hot ham sandwich. Comes with onions and a sweet glaze sauce that was excellent. $5.25 + .40 for cheese. Flavorful, juicy, tender. Worth every penny. Low key neighborhood bar vibe. Don't let the exterior fool you. The food is worth the trip. read more

Ray's Place - Hot Ham sandwich. Excellent, especially the glaze sauce! - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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rays is great whenever the two random girls aren't working together. they will sit at the other end of the bar, eat, talk, refuse eye contact, and all around just not pleasant. we arrived and immediately they glare at us. "need your ids" no hi how are you, no you're welcomes, just very poor service. jay, joe and jess are awesome! they always make me feel welcome. i understand if you're trying to be safe and ID everyone, but there are ways to do that without making guests want to leave immediately after entering. read more

By far the BEST Hot Ham Sandwiches Around!! A Must Go!! Such a Friendly Atmosphere and Chloe the bartender she's such a fun, upbeat girl with a unique personality!! LOVE IT!!! read more

Best HOT BEEFS in town. That's all I need to say. Hot beefs with the wasabi mustard. YESSSSSSS. Bartenders are super cool! Low key people. I don't know anyone who doesn't love this place! read more

Ray's Place is awesome. I'm in town on business and found this place on Yelp it was great one of those little hold on the walls that you love I got a slice beef hamburger on a napkin with onions and cheese syrup with a jar of mustard horseradish which was great. The stuff is so friendly. When you first pull up you think it's one of those little shady bars but go inside it's a great place worth the time and money you won't regret it. read more

Ray's Place - Bars Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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RAYS for the WIN! yummy messy hot beefs! Friendly hometown appeal! 100% If you haven't tried one, grab a cold beer and enjoy!