Ju F.

Love this place!!! This hole in the wall grungy restaurant in Kalili serves 5 star food. Big portions with top quality taste for the lowest price on Oahu. You won't find a place like Rays Cafe. If I was just walking around Kalihi looking from the outside it doesn't look appealing but the food quality and quantity is amazing. One of those places I would come over and over again.
(5)
David C.

Always consistent. Highly recommended. Go early. Not a bad thing on the menu. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Steven F.

Maybe we just came in on a bad day. We got ribeyes and tbone steaks. The steak quality was somewhere between apple bees and a midline steakhouse. All were undercooked. One was cold on the inside. Pretty unimpressive. Also the service was fairly poor. The server was not very helpful at all and seemed to be more annoyed that we were asking questions than anything. Be warned, could be better for you but we won't be giving it a second chance.
(2)
Geoff P.

Great local style comfort food. Don't mind the restaurant. It's what you would call a greasy spoon. The restaurant needs to be cleaned thoroughly but it's the food that really matters. Their signature dish is prime rib. King cut nice and large. Served with 2 scoops rice and Mac salad all for $16.75. Go early in the morning to get one or call ahead to place an order. Usually if you go early the meat is a nice medium rare. Later in the morning the meat is more medium. I was lucky I came at 11 am. They had orders waiting and more on the phone. I waited a good 10 minutes when the wait help (the only woman) said they ran out of prime rib. Since I was waiting and they were taking phone reservations before me I was going to make an issue but luckily the owner said to give me a prime rib plate over the objections of his staff. Hats off to Ray. Customers waiting in person should have priority over those over the phone. The prime rib plate was worth the wait. Thank you Ray for such good cooking. Everything else on the menu is top notch and the portions are huge. Go there hungry and walk away very very satisfied. Other favorites - double pork chops, steak plate, fried chicken, and ox tail stew. Overall restaurant rating 4 stars Overall food quality 4.5 stars Menu selection 5 stars Friendly staff 3 stars Value 4.5 stars Check out Rays cafe and look past the greasy spoon atmosphere for some of the best comfort food in town.
(4)
Jeff G.

Ghetto Fab. Great hole in the wall place to eat. Fridays is a must eat here ....... Can't beat the prime rib at that price!!!
(4)
James C.

A real local joint with the best local food for the price. Whether you're in the mood for hamburger steak or lobster & steak, Ray's cafe delivers a superb meal at an excellent value. With a long list of daily specials, Ray's is well known for its prime rib, grilled butterfish and steak and lobster. While parking is scarce and the lunch wait gets a bit long, the taste and value is a reward worth being patient for. Don't come to this place if you're looking for a snooty atmosphere. It's down home good food with no frills.
(5)
Jyron S.

Welly, welly, well. What a nice little surprise this place is. My girlfriend was in the mood for some fried chicken, so I looked around Yelp and found this place. My girlfriend actually grew up eating Rays-her mother owned a store next to his old place on Smith street. I know my girlfriend wanted chicken but she is a HUGE prime rib fan, so she had that, and I had the fried chicken. The prime rib was excellent-juicy and flavorful. My only complaint is that they did not have horseradish. The fried chicken-was made like he knew you were coming over. Let's just say, that those that know, already come here for affordable, great food-it seems to be popular with HPD working the area. I feel guilty mentioning this place, but oh well. This is your quintessential hole in the wall that every major city has that only the locals know about.
(5)
Kathy F.

Food and service is amazing! Haven't had a bad item yet.....loved the cutlet, freid chicken, fresh fish and prime rib. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)
Benjamin O.

Rays Cafe: your Yelp profile says you are open Saturday until 9. 2 friends and I wasted our evening coming to dinner at 8, only to find your door locked. No hours on the door. Your phone rings and rings with no message explaining if you are open or closed, or what your hours are. This is completely inconsiderate of your customers. If this is your crappy approach to respecting customers' time and managing your online information, why should I expect you to take any more care in your food quality and preparation, cleanliness and hygiene, etc? Rude and stupid. Instead of three happy customers who will tell friends what a find you are, we will do the opposite, explaining that you're incompetent at running your business and not to bother going because you may even be closed when you're supposed to be open.
(1)
Sky S.

If you visit here for first time, you'll be really surprise how this tiny place can stay in business with an affordable price with HUGE portion. I hear you, Barry A. We all want this place to be the best secret place for just among us... This place is seriously great. Flavor of their food is very delicate. I ordered Mahimahi. I didn't even need their tartar sauce. Cooked for perfection. It was so moist and flavorful. Fresh seafood and huge, I mean HUGE portion for the price! Their Prim rib is ridiculously HUGE (I think it may weight 2lb!!) for $14!! (as of Oct. '09) You will pay at least $40 at the other restaurants. It is small place so, you'll see parts of soda unit in restaurant area. Usually, places like that collect dust and I get turn off by it but not here. It was nice and clean. The guy who cooks and bring food wears net over his hair. Well, there is also a guy who doesn't need to wear the net due to his hair cut... (Sorry, uncle! lol) They will serve you with aloha spirits. I WILL RETURN FOR MORE! (And I am sure that you will, too...)
(5)
Scott H.

The good: - Big portions... - The oxtail was cooked to perfection. Tomato based stew, so ono!!! - Pretty cheap! $7 for one HUGE plate. The not-so-good: - Oxtail was pretty devoid of meat (small oxtail pieces with not a lot of meat on top as opposed to Ken's in Hilo).
(3)
Howilynn A.

Every time I ate here food was awesome..n I ate here more than 10 times from breakfast, lobster, liver n bacon, ham steak everything is onolicious!!!!! Cheap big portions and if u don't mind waiting like I don't cause I no I'm gonna eat good n get my moneys worth then I suggest u come eat at rays!!!
(5)
Chevelle H.

food is excellent. we come from Waipahu into Kalihi just to eat at Rays for breakfast. but, the new last with the glasses (didn't get her name) is terrible waitress. we were sitting in the restaurant for about ten minutes when another party came in and got served before us. even worse, that same waitress looked at our table and just walked away. that party got utensils, water, and their order taken before she even came to our table. on top of every thing, i feel she is rude, asking "what do you want" when taking your order. but, like i said. the food is excellent. that's one of the only reasons i come back.
(3)
Kenneth K.

Hole in the wall...Greasy spoon...dive.....all these terms can be worn as a badge of honor for Ray's cafe in Kalihi. Located at 2033 N. King st, if you want to eat well and eat well cheaply, then never mind the hot greasy air, the 15 seats, no parking, sketchy neighborhood...make your way to Ray's. The owners name is Felix, not sure why its called Ray's, he's a slightly pudgy middle aged man who you'd swear was filipino, but he's not. Felix and his crew of 2 work out of a kitchen the size of which you'd find in a mobile home, tiny. From here is cranked out popular favorites, fried chicken plate, hamburger steak, the usual suspects at 4 to 7 bucks. They are greasy salty goodness that you'd expect in genorous portions. But look at the wall for the hand written specials, they are numerous. The last time I went was in a group of 3. One ordered the Prime rib special, 13.95...no kidding, at least a one pound and a half thick cut slab of perfectly prepared bovine nirvana. This came with pan grilled potato wedges cut fresh and a simple green salad with bottled dressing that you share between tables. The next person ordered the king crab leg and steak special, about 20 bucks. Same sides or rice depending on your taste, a generous 2 legs of sweet succulent king crab, and a perfectly cooked to order steak of about an 8 ounce portion. I had my favorite special at Ray's that I look forward to finding: their one pound, bone in rib eye steak cooked medium rare with standard sides, 15.95. Some of you may be shrieking " you said eat cheaply!" Look...for about 50 bucks, the 3 of us ate the same quality if not better than a fancier steakhouse/fine dining restaurant at less than half the price! Screw the ambience and snooty waiter in a dimly lit air conditioned Honolulu "scene" eatery. If its about the opportunity to eat good food more often when you're on a budget like most of us these days, head for Ray's. Breakfast, again the usual suspects at 4-6 bucks....I don't care for ham, but look for his special bone in ham slice breakfast. It made me a convert, smoky ham goodness grilled with the perfect trim of fat singed to succuent goodness, with the bone to chew on like a rabid dog. 2 eggs any style with rice or potato when available. Ray's hours are 6 or 7 days a week depending on how Felix feels. Hours are from around 7 or 8 am till whenever he feels which is usually 6 pm, but go earlier because specials sell out fast. Felix says if the open sign is on and the door open, come on in whatever the day or time.
(4)
Barry A.

Rays still rips! Support local business!
(5)
Jimmy H.

Ordered the $7. 95 pork chops and what do I get? 2 huge slabs perfectly seasoned and very tender and juicy. How can you go wrong here. I think I just found my new favorite cheap eat. Go there.
(5)
Clintonn M.

Hole in the wall, yet great food, great owner, low prices... 5 * Prime Rib: Chicken Cutlet Oxtail Stew: Steak and crab legs 4* bento teri beef 3* Pork cutlet. portuguese sausage eggs and rice. 1* cleanliness parking waiting times... But who cares, I love great food @ super low prices...
(5)
Alex R.

This place is awesome! I have been enjoying Felix's cooking since I was a little kid. His Fish is unbeatable for a plate lunch place and the portions are huge. My two favorites are his Opakapaka and Mahi. The Weekend brings Primerib its massive and delicious. The place is a ghetto hole in the wall but its perfect for take out! Just try it!
(5)
Kiva Y.

Their prime rib plate is the bomb...only $14 & at least an inch thick, & covers the whole plate! Get it with their macaroni salad, which is also good; they even serve it with brown rice. But only on Fridays thru Sundays! :)
(5)
frank c.

If the lady cook is working instead of Felix dont expect the same portions! She's very stingy compared to Felix.... Unsatisfactory for sure.
(1)
Oscar F.

Super low prices with HUGE portions. Gotta try the pork chops. Only thing is parking is scarce.
(5)
JC C.

Talk about value for your money. $7.95 for the oxtail stew and I swear the portions are 3x what you would get anywhere else. I honestly do not know how they make any money. Everyone around us were ordering the prime rib ($14 on the daily menu) and it was HUGE! I had the grilled ahi before and they gave 3 steak size pieces for about $9.
(5)
Joshua C.

I didn't know Oxtail Stew even existed til I had it here. For those in search of local flavor, search no more..
(4)
Farrah A.

this place is amazing. the price and the quantity of food...wow! the workers are all so nice too. we ordered the salmon with capers, grilled opakapaka, prime rib, steak with shrimp, oxtail stew....so ono!
(4)
Kristen C.

My dad and I came here for lunch wanting to try the oxtail stew that he heard from his friend but unfortunately they didnt have any today since its a special on fridays, so i definitely gotta hit that place up on a friday. This place is definitely a whole in the wall with a small dining area with about 6 tables and a small open kitchen right in the back. So not really knowing what to order i just went with the bento (chicken, teri beef, spam, and mahi) $7 while my dad went with the mixed plate (shrimp, mahi, and teri beef) $8.25. No tax here so thats a plus. When we came at around 1140 there was only one other table with 2 diners and after i placed my more people were coming in and even picking up their orders so it must be a good sign that they have regulars. Aside from the local food, the specials today sounded good, such as the steak and lobster, roast beef, grilled pork chops, ahi, and opakapaka. When i finally got my order which took about 15 mins rather than the 10 mins the waitress said it was going to take I zoomed right out of there cause we had to do take out since we had our dogs in the car. Anyway, the food was ok. I especially liked how the mahi mahi was grilled rather than deep fried. I also liked the deep fried shrimp that I sampled from my dad while I gave him my chicken. The beef was actually a piece of steak that had no seasoning whatsoever except for the teri sauce which was quite flavorless as well. It was also really chewy so i just left that on the side after taking a few bites. Another gripe was that the rice seemed really old because it was not hot and it really fell apart and was not soft like fresh rice. Overall the food was just ok but i will surely come back to have that darned oxtail soup and maybe my rating will boost it up because everyone else seems to like this joint.
(3)
Mojojojo Y.

to me, ray's cafe embodies all that it is to be local. typical hole in the wall with no frills eating. large portions - good prices. people get their money's worth and stuff tastes good. i really liked the bento and at $7.25 it was waaaayyyy better than zippy's zip pac which is getting ridiculous. i hate zippy's teri beef and always either substitute it or eat just a bit of it before pushing it to the side, but ray's teri beef was soft and tasty (total opposite of zippy's!). parking of course sucks because this part of king street can get pretty nuts but the couple times i've been here i've been lucky. you might have to wait a while before getting your food but since there's only one cook it's understandable. ray's is a winnah in my book!
(4)
Jessica W.

This place is awesome! I went here with my uncle and i had the best breakfast ever! I ate portugeuse sausages with rice and eggs. and i'd have to say that their portugeuse sausage was the BEST thing i've ever eaten. It was very crunchy and tasty. I think it is a very local restaurant, but it is very good. They have alot of variety on their menu too and the portions are pretty big.
(5)
Nolan Z.

Good food at Great Prices!!! Felix has been running Ray's Cafe for decades. He was a chef at the Ilikai back in the Hawaii 5-0 era. Known for his MASSIVE prime rib on Fridays and Saturdays for only $13.95; but he also hand cuts his n.y.steaks and now rib steaks all week long(he goes easy on the salt for those watching their sodium, so do not be afraid to add some salt if you like more flavor) . He also has Fresh Fish Daily specials with portions that will knock you over. Last week my brother had his rack of pork chop special for just 8 bucks, it was well cooked but still so juicy and tender, portion was so big I got to eat just about half my brothers plate! Too guys like me...Ray's is legendary, and Felix has Hero status.
(5)
ROSIE R.

i absolutely loooooove this whole in the wall, i spend a lot of time in hawaii and for sure i never miss this lit place, with friendly philippino cooks and helpers... my absolute favorite soup of all times is sare sare, a clear broth soup... mmmmmm... yet i also have had the prime rib which is out of this world, for only 9.99 huge piece.... i love this place, dont be fooled by the area. :) mmmmm im getting hungry just thinking about it....
(4)
peter m.

the best food, fresh fish. large servings. cant beat this any where.if you can let me know.
(5)
Marci C.

(More like 2.5 stars) Was super excited to try Ray's after reading so many good reviews and hearing about the bomb prime rib!We arrived between 4 and 5PM on a weekday and were fortunate (very very very fortunate.. only had to spin around once) to find street parking nearby. Note that parking and location are TERRIBLE. And there was NO PRIME RIB. Granted it was almost closing time, but the no prime rib part was incredibly disappointing :( Given that our initial first choice wasn't available, we went with a steak plate and a steak & shrimp scampi plate. The lady who took our order was NOT friendly AT ALL and seemed to want to ignore us the whole time. However, we were taking out, so service wasn't such a huge deal. Both plates were reasonably priced, but the steak wasn't anything to jump up and down about, and apparently the scampi was 60 or 70% as good as Giovanni's. Meh. Aside from the ok food, the place itself seemed pretty dirty. The kitchen especially. Was really hoping to try the prime rib, but probably won't eat here again because of the food and overall atmosphere.
(3)
Justin U.

FAT...ASS...PRIME...RIB! Service was great. Ordered from Ray himself...very friendly guy. Ordered the prime rib, medium. This thing was massive and packed with flavor. Parking can be a challenge, and seating too. I saw lots of people order take out. This might be the best method especially during peak lunch times. Another bookmarked restaurant checked off my list. Woot.
(4)
Roxanne Lynn T.

If you're looking for cheap eats and you're on a budget, this is the place to go if you ever in the neighborhood of kalihi. Definitely one of them hole in the wall places but as they say never judge a book by its cover. And to my surprise this little place is generous in prices and food portions. I'm one of those that like to spend money on food that I get more for my buck. It's located on the main street off of King St. so parking is quite limited around this area so we've always gotten take out. As always we do a phone order first before coming here so we could tag team and have someone in the car waiting on the side and one go inside to pick up the order. The place is small so there's only a few tables to dine in and it can get hot inside so that's why we rather enjoy our food at home. No matter what everything may look on the outside and inside, the food and reasonable prices is what keeps customers coming back for more. The infamous prime rib is the most popular choice from here. I don't eat meat much but I have to agree that it's really good and you get your money's worth with it compared to buying it at restaurants. I believe its around $15 for a big chunk of prime rib that is so filling and flavorful. As for me who's not a big fan of red meat, I always get the chicken plate which is so crispy and delish! It's one of Ray's signature dishes as well and combos are available that will only cost you less than $10 a plate, totally worth it! Most of the plates I've gotten here always had to eat it in two sittings because of it's portion sizes. The last time I went here I tried something new which was a lobster omelette. It was about $12 but worth it considering it's seafood, always gonna cost more due to market price of lobster also. It was really good and not your usual typical omelettes that you can make at home. Definitely one of those food places in kalihi that's always worth going to when you're feeling like having a quick bite to eat for plate lunches. BRING CASH!
(5)
Mark A.

As authentic Hawaiian food (breakfast, lunch or dinner) can get. Note: it's cash only
(5)
Gary W.

Let's be honest, you're not coming here for the atmosphere or to impress a date. It's all about the meat. The sides are very basic, but for the price you're honestly getting a quality cut of meat that's been properly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Our prime rib rivaled the best prime rib houses on the mainland.. It was well marbled, tender and juicy with full flavor. A few nights prior we ate at Chucks Cellar in Waikiki and this totally made us rethink why we paid twice as much for theirs which didn't come close in comparison. Even the rib eye steak was delicious. I'm glad I searched this place out and will return on my next visit.
(4)
Ric C.

"Familiarity breeds contentment" Ray's Cafe is an institution in Kalihi as it once was in downtown Honolulu Chinatown. I have been going to Rays since the 1990s when they were located on Smith st. near Beretania. I can honestly say for a spot-on meal at a great price, you cannot beat Rays. It was a sad day for downtown workers when Ray's Cafe left but a cause for celebration for Kalihi town. Rays has been very consistent over the years and very friendly to customers. Felix is always courteous to everyone and really makes you feel special. Forget "mom's" home cooking diners, it's Felix's Cafe that is King. Just like the old downtown location, it's strictly on street parking but for this Kalihi culinary gold mine, "where there's a will there's a way". You will find a way to park to get these ono grinds. Fresh fish, lobster omelets, a terrific hamburger steak, humongous prime rib cuts on the weekends, surf and turf combos, da best fried chicken in Honolulu, the list goes on and on...... Fellow Yelper Paul C. has a UYE dinner offering there several times a year- something everyone should be on the look out for as it fills up really, really fast! So for a slice of local kine offerings with a pinch of nostalgia for the hole in the wall cafÃ©s of years gone by, you gotta try Rays. Great food and friendly service that won't break the bank.
(5)
Gil G.

And two years later, this is still a Favorite! Unsurpassed in simplicity and taste! A must!
(5)
Scott F.

Super casual! Hole in the wall with the best food!!! Prime Rib $16.75...Friday/Saturday/Sunday only! Chicken is the best!! Crunchy skin and juicy! This place is a must!!!
(5)
Sarah S.

Food was tasty, service horrible. Maybe they don't like tourists supporting their business?? Or maybe Ray is racist?? He acknowledged everyone around our table ( only 5 small tables) and gave other tables free food. When he looked our way I tried to make eye contact with a smile and he just turned away. Don't go here if you would like to be treated like a human. I would rate this higher if Ray was not a jerk. We did read the previous yelper that said Ray is a butt hole, so I guess we were warned ha.
(1)
Kenji H.

Small hole in the wall, the food is great, and the prices are even better. Great food at great prices, if the for is open they are open. Parking is at a premium, so be prepared to hunt for a spot.
(5)
Annie C.

Fried chicken was one of my best meals in Hawaii. Felix made us feel so welcome. Great hole in the wall restaurant.
(4)
Alizabeth H.

Great food for an even better price. I talked to a few locals that come here a lot. They all love the food. They said everything is delicious. The food took a long time to come out. They have a lot of call-in orders so he made them first. I would take a star away for the wait and not having parking, but the food was so good that I forgot about it. I had the roast beef and my wife had the steak and lobster. All BIG portions and so ONO! Meat was soft, lobster cook perfect and Mac salad okay but green salad was better. Got to try it. Our fav loco place :)
(5)
Kuuipo D.

I lived in Kalihi for the first half of my life and only now I find out about it! I feel like I have wasted all these years that could've been spent eating here! On my quest to find the most delicious fried chicken on this island, my hubby suggested Ray's. As far as I know, street parking is the only option, so bring quarters. We parked and walked into Ray's. The place is tiny, so I feel lucky that we were able to get a table. We sat down and started checking out the menu. I notice that the prices are really inexpensive. I mean seriously! A friend had texted me while we were driving to Ray's and told me that she could get 2 plates for her family of 4 for under $20 and still have left overs. I thought she was kidding. The prices are really good. My love of fried chicken had me ordering the special (2 pieces of fried chicken and a hamburger steak), while my hubby got the wing plate. We were served a side salad, which made me feel like I could justify my order of fried chicken for breakfast. As we waited for our food, which was a while, I was checking out the Yelp pics of the food. The mac salad looked delish, so I asked if my plate came with it. I was informed that it was wither side salad or mac. Bummer, but no problem, I asked if I could order a side of it. Uncle looks at me and says, "Nah, I'll just give it to you." YES! The place started to fill up, in fact, people were waiting outside for a table. Now don't be deterred by the wait for your food. They make everything fresh, so you will appreciate it when your food does come. We did! Let's start with my plate. It was beautiful. It was art. It was so, so good. It was like the heavens had decided to smile down upon me. The fried chicken was hot and crispy and juicy. The hamburger steak was handmade and had enough seasoning on it that it could have been eaten without the gravy. Now let's talk gravy. I believe that gravy can make or break a meal. Ray's Cafe's gravy is like a gift that just keep on giving. I wanted to it on everything!!!! (Except the chicken, because the chicken was great the way it was.) My side of mac salad reminded me of all the plate lunch places that I ate at as a kid when I lived in Kalihi. Ono!!! As I attacked my plate, the hubby got his food. I swear to the Lord above, his wings were jumbo sized. I was trying to figure out how he was gonna eat all 4 of them. Needless to say, we needed a take out box. The meal was under $15, so I just gave up a $20 to Uncle and walked out a satisfied patron. I am definitely looking for people to come back and eat here!!!!
(4)
Mark Y.

Ray's still as awesome as ever! Felix said in December, he'll be serving Rack of Pork as a daily special every day of the month!!! Holy Cannoli !!!! If you've never had the Rack of Pork, soon will be your chance!
(5)
Jonathan C.

I told a friend that I loved fried chicken so he told me to check this place out. THANK YOU JAYSON!!! I've only been there once, but man was the food good. I ordered the fried chicken and hamburger steak combo and holy cow was it awesome! I felt so guilty after I ate everything off my plate, but it was all good. The place itself is a hole in the way so it's not the nicest place, but I love it. Will always go back when I visit.
(5)
Rod U.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, but cost $1.99, then it must be a beautiful swan swimming in an enchanted pond in front of a glistening bejeweled castle. Keepin it real, Outback Steakhouse quality food served as a plate lunch at half the price, none of the ambiance. Value, YES! But seriously, I'm going to go all bat$hit crazy on the next person who calls any of the food "the best". Grrrr ***End Rant*** Prime Rib: - Yelpie review - Whoa, $16. The best prime rib on the planet. An inch and a half thick. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Poorly trimmed with a lot of visible fat, not allowed to rest post roasting (juices flowing out of the meat). Tough (USDA select?). Mildly seasoned. Requires au jus. Rack of Lamb: - Yelpie review - O...M...G... $23? It's $17 raw at Costco. The best rack of lamb I've ever had. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Rustic Italian. Untrimmed. Very well seasoned. Rack has been taken apart and individual pieces cooked near well done. A waste of such a luxury cut. Nice mild lamb flavor and tender. Win. Grilled Fish: - Yelpie review - Less than $15; it's a steal. It's the best fish I've had in Hawaii. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie Review - Lightly dusted with flour and pan roasted in oil. Texture of frozen fish. Oily on the plate but always perfectly cooked (never dry or flaky). Fried Chicken: - Yelpie review - Wait, how many pieces do I get for $10? Very crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside; broke da mouth! Maybe the best in Hawaii. So much food, I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Wait, how many pieces do I get for $10?Very crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside; broke da mouth! Maybe the best in Hawaii. So much food, I couldn't finish it. A very solid plate lunch eatery serving up the "best in Hawaii", value for the money eats. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
(4)
Rocky S.

I eat here often, I word down the road. The portions are always generous. I like the ahi, I always get a big chunk, enough for 2 meals. The prime rib is so juicy!
(5)
Jon E.

It's a dive. An amazing dive. So dive in. If they have rack of lamb, just get it. Stop thinking about it. Just do it. It's $23. For like 8 ribs, not the typical 4 in most places. It's 8!!! For $23. Guys, seriously, it costs $17 for the pack at Costco. You're getting the whole pack with a bunch of asparagus and rice for chump change. Without doing dishes or messing up your kitchen. It's $23! Did I mention that? Now if they don't have the rack, get the prime rib. Fried chicken if you must have chicken. But really just get the prime rib. If they don't have the lamb. And don't complain if they are closed. If the sign says closed they are closed. If it says open they are open. Kinda like AKL style without you having to do dishes.
(5)
Judy C.

Lucky to have a day off yesterday, for Martin Luther King Day. :) Not knowing where to pick up lunch, I was thinking about Ray's CafÃ© & Paul's UYE # 4 ( & so bummed that I couldn't make it) so I yelped Ray's, called to see if they were opened, & placed my order. I wanted to get the grilled ono, but they were out. :( so I just got the grilled butterfish & Ray's famous fried chicken. When I placed my order, I forgot to request that they separate the macaroni salad. When I picked up my order, it was separated.! Wow!! (without my asking) I did read some Yelper's reviews, on location, parking & cash only. I came prepared- thanks so much to Yelp!! I asked my husband to drive, so I can go in to pick up our order. I took a picture of the menu, for my nexts take out order. I got to meet Felix, the owner. He is very friendly & funny!! ( He likes to joke a lot) We will be back to try the other goods on the menu. & the food, the Fried Chicken was sooooo YUMS!! better than Zippys! & the butterfish was yummy! Loved it!! I can't wait to try the rest of the food. as an reminder, don't judge a book by its cover!! You will regret it if you do. :) & the prices are reasonable!! I was super shocked to hear that the chicken plate cost 7.95 & more shocked when I saw the prices when I was there! I love places where you can get more bangs for your bucks with quality & quantity!!
(5)
Krysten I.

I've only had Ray's chicken and breakfasts in the past, and don't get me wrong, they're definitely good! I was so desperately wanting to try Ray's prime rib at Paul C.'s UYE, but unfortunately had work. I found the time to come in for a late lunch this past week and was thoroughly awed. I didn't even have prime rib. I ordered the butterfish special. For $15, I got three, maybe four times more butterfish than I would have gotten at some other place. My brother ordered the rays special: hamburger steak and 2 pieces of fried chicken for, get this, $8!!!! What?! Crazy!! How do these people stay in business. My brother said it was one of the best hamburger steaks he's had. My dad, on the other hand, apparently has a more sophisticated taste and ordered the lamb because he saw it on yelp. It wasn't on the menu for the day, but Felix said he had one order left that he could make for my dad. So nice! He was probably saving it for himself or his family or someone special. I had a few bites and it was amaaaaaazing. I need to come back for the prime rib, obviously, but I would definitely try some of the other offerings. Felix is very personable, he remembers his regulars and makes great great food. Don't come for the ambiance, or expect table cloths or glassware. Parking is also limited to what you can find on the street. Come for the food, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Erica L.

Felix is hardworking and super friendly! He'll chat people up to check on if they like the food or not. He pointed out to us that he won a Japanese food award and proudly displays a statue. You'll see it on top of the fridge where the menu items are. It reminds me of a Japanese Colonel Sanders. Kudos to anyone who recognizes what award that was :) The portions are awesome. The fried chicken (very crispy and meaty), mahi-mahi, and prime rib are yummy! I get the mini size because it's the smallest size and there is nothing mini about it. If I get the regular, I'm sure I'll have leftovers. Last time I spoke to Felix dining in, in late 2014, he said he was thinking of retiring in about 5 years or so. Better go here before he retires!
(5)
Kathy A.

The five stars are for the quality of the food and absolutely not the restaurant, atmosphere, service or parking which if you have been here you already know is non existent. Missed Paul & David's UYE here earlier in the week, loved the review, and wanted to know what I missed. Well, I apparently missed a lot. Went at 2:00 on Friday afternoon, around the block several times after locating the cafe the first time, missing parking the second but scored one of the two parking spaces, metered, on the third time a block away. Walked thru the screen door and into one of the smallest dining rooms imaginable. Okay I saw all the pictures of the UYE and all the people and still don't see where they all sat. There was a family of six, two guys from Maui, HB and myself making it seem full. The two guys from Maui said you make a lot of friends here because no table is off limits for add ins or considered sacred for a party of two! Anyway, really wanted to try the prime rib but it was still cooking. Shifting gears we both looked at each other remembering the pictures and went with the "winner winner chicken dinner"! Absolutely hands down the best fried chicken we have ever eaten. Crispy, juicy, flavorful and golden brown. Must be a well known item because they sell in mega-quantities up to 50 pieces of thighs, drumsticks and an add on cardboard sign for wings. Light bulbs went off as we decided we found our chicken wing Sunday football pupu take out place. I made it thru 2 of the 3 pieces of my chicken and Keith ate all three of his. He never eats 3 pieces of chicken but had that feral look in this eye that said he was not leaving until he consumed all of it. As we were ready to pay, the prime rib was ready to start serving. Never one to miss an opportunity to indulge my inner carnivore got one to go for midnight snack. Total bill for two outstanding chicken dinners and the prime rib dinner was $28. How was that prime rib you ask? Excellent this morning with homemade crispy hash browns and over easy eggs!
(5)
Renee L.

French toast really good and buttery. Ray is a total but hole. Obnoxious and pushy. Scolding grandma for something she did not do. Telling everyone he doesn't work there, only helping out. Puhleez...he thinks he is a funny nice guy but we all see through the charade. Ray should stay home and the cafe would be much better off!!!
(1)
Alan L.

Went there to get their prime rib and sat for 30 min waiting to be acknowledged not one hello, smile, eye contact or nod of recognition. There were three people who came after me and were greeted, given water and their order was taken. I did what I don't like to do and that is waving my hands and saying "I know you see me," with no success. I resorted to calling the restaurant to let them know I was ready to order. "The guy with the white hat is ready to order," was what I told her. When she came from the kitchen she still didn't acknowledge me. There were four people who came after me and got the royal treatment compared to me. I came hungry and after all that I was hungry and grouchy I'm a very patient and understanding guy but this service was unacceptable. So I went to the back and told her how great of a job she was doing.
(1)
Jozlyn H.

Parking sucks here but it's worth the food!!! $15.00 for a thick a** prime rib! Can't beat that! It comes with two scoops rice (brown rice on request), and a salad. I ordered a side of their fried chicken too. Luckily the day we came, there was an open metered stall right in front of Ray's. We walked in and there were about 2 other people waiting for their takeout food and about two groups of people already eating. It didn't take long for nana (grandma) to ask us what we wanted to drink. As we ordered our drinks, we also ordered our food because we came in for one thing only, to eat their prime rib. It took a little bit (not too long) to get our food. Mind you, there were two other people in front of us waiting for their takeout food. I ordered mine medium rare (i like a little blood) and my friend got hers well-done (it looked scrumptious). You have to ask for the horseradish sauce, but it comes with au jus sauce. I didn't realize their horseradish sauce was gonna be that hot... but i LOVED it... cleared up my sinuses lol Their fried chicken wasn't anything special in my book. But chicken wings are chicken wings. I will definitely come back here when I'm craving some prime rib.... now I know I don't have to wait for hotel weddings to get me some prime rib :)
(4)
Ariana M.

It all started at Yelp's Staycation @ Turtle Bay Resort. I made a yelp-tastic friend that day and she was the one who told me all about Rays Cafe! After hearing Vivian H. roaring recommendations, I just had to get my butt down here and try it for myself~! When we arrived at Ray's, there was only one seat left! Lucky us!! The service is very slow. We were seated for awhile before getting any waters or have our orders taken. Another side note, its hot =__= haha. Fortunately we were sitting by a fan, so it wasn't too bad. However even though service isn't great, the food makes up for it. The Grub. [[ PRIME RIB $15 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ As you can see from all the other million yelpers, the prime rib is gooooood. Large portion and not too fatty. Need I really say more? [[ LOBSTER OMELET $12 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ I thought this dish was good and definitely hit the spot for breakfast. My only complaint was the toast. At first when I saw it, I thought it was a mini breakfast sandwich of some sort because I saw something oozing out from the sides. Nope, that was all butter. Two toast smothered with butter in the middle... wayyyyy too much for me.
(4)
Lia W.

Oh goodness I'm gonna die of high cholesterol and a heart attack!! Serious carnivore action whenever I come here. And what do I almost always get? Two words, Prime Rib. Ooh, juicy prime rib, served Fridays - Mondays. Good thing I usually split whatever we order so it makes it a little better, right? So much for the resolution to go on a vegetarian diet. I have Ray's to blame, I mean thank for it. I won't lie, its location scared me away for a long long time. Parking can be a beast. Street parking with parallel parking involved! Not my strong suite. But friends said I gotta give it a chance. So one day I mustered up the courage and went. And boy was I sorry I didn't go sooner. We've only tried the prime rib, fried chicken and hamburger steak combo, ribeye, Opakapaka, and Butterfish and all were winners! A hole in the wall in Kalihi with no ambiance and fine tablecloths or silverware but portions for the price are amazing. Can't think of where to get a better deal. A huge slab of prime rib for $16? No way. And large portions of fish too.
(5)
Suzanne T.

My work is now just down the road from Ray's so I've eaten here several times over the past six months. It hasn't been great every time, but for the most part is good. Once I got a mixed plate with fried mahi, fried shrimp, and some kind of teri meat. The meat was excellent but the shrimp and mahi were both mediocre. Other things I've tried - fried chicken (good, but dry), grilled mahi (pretty tasty), and the corned beef hash at breakfast was really yummy (and I'm not generally a fan of corned beef). On two occasions the rice was hard - I don't understand how this happens in a place with such volume? As everyone else has already stated in a million other reviews, parking is often a pain, as is getting one of their handful of tables. But overall, it's a great little local place with awesome prices and friendly service.
(4)
Fay M.

A hole in the wall place in Kalihi that is cheap and packs a lot of punch! His portions are HUGE! For breakfast, you can't go wrong with their French Toast! It doesn't need syrup at all. For lunch, we've done the prime rib, steak & lobster, ham hock, grilled fish, fried chicken, sari-sari and they were shareable and yummy! I love everything I've tried. The mac salad...it's a must-have! I am not a mac salad eater...this is the only one! It is a small cramped seating area and parking sucks, but it's worth it. Oh and it's cash only! Enjoy!
(5)
Jenn A.

Today was my first time coming here and I MUST say my tummy was completely satisfied! Prime Rib-- 10 stars Seasoned perfectly, huge, moist and so juicy! The dipping sauce that came with it added more flavor and it definitely hit the spot. Hamburger Steak-- 9 stars Thick sweet gravy smothered over hamburger patty which was also served nice, hot, soft and juicy. Fried Chicken--10 stars Cooked to perfection. Big, tender soft meat, golden crispy skin and juicy. Notice I mentioned soft and juicy three times on everything I've ordered?! Yes, food was that good. I'll definitely be back to try everything else I wanted too but couldn't.
(5)
Janet K.

SO FREAKING GOOD!!! Ermahgahhhhd why didn't I come here earlier? It's a tiny little place in Kalihi with only street parking. It's not the cleanest looking place but you won't care once you taste the food. I ordered the prime rib ($15) of course. Came with toss salad and the waitress brought a squeeze bottle of ranch dressing on the table. I saw her bring a 1000 island bottle to the other table later so I now know there were dressing options. Plates came with white rice. I later saw that the other table had brown rice so I now know that's also another option. FYI - they have Mac salad too but they were out when we came. The prime rib is HUGE as you can see in some of the Yelp photos so you definitely get your money's worth. The hamburger steak is the best I've ever had and the fried chicken is to die for! I'm a fan!
(5)
Wes K.

I was able to get here on Saturday around 11:30am. there was a line out the door and people waiting on the inside. They had many phone orders. Fortunately I had called in my order earlier at 11:00 for the Prime rib which is now $16.75. I'll have to adjust my time and come a little earlier or later to miss the crowd. The Prime rib is still awesome good.
(5)
Addie L.

Don't judge a book my it's cover holds very true here. First of all, it's not in the cleanest or nicest of neighborhoods and parking is tough to find. The restaurant is a real hole in the wall and when you walk in, how could this place be 4.5 star avg rating and serving such higher end foods the everyone posted about? First of all, their food rivals fancier restaurants but at half the cost. Excellent execution and very generous portions. The details: The best bargain is their fried chicken, for $7, you have rice, salad and three generous chicken thighs. Fried to perfection, golden crispy brown, extremely moist on the inside. My wife says that it's a tad under-seasoned. Another good deal is their grilled fish dishes, we tried the ahi and ono. For $10, you get a gigantic cut of fish, must be about 1 pound. Both fishes were grilled perfectly, not under or over cooked, very moist. You would be pay a bit more at Nico's but their fish is less than half the size of Ray's plates. The finale, we had their famous prime rib plate. For $16, it's over 1 pound for sure. Very thick cut of meat, it was well done and not that overcooked. The au jus sauce hits the spot. The meat was not as tender as I expected, especially for prime rib. It's still a decent deal however.
(4)
Randy L.

Love this place. Tried the Rays Special for the first time, what can I say that hasn't already been said. The Hamburger steak with Fried Chix was the perfect combo. Just when I couldn't eat any more, Felix comes out with complimentary Strawberry Cheesecakes for me and my parents. Thank You Felix. Most definitely will be back.
(5)
Lance T.

Friend of mine took me to this hole-in-the-wall diner yesterday. For such a small, unassuming looking place, the food was impressive! I saw guys eating prime rib and crab legs, fried chicken, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. I had the double cheeseburger and the patties were homemade, not the kind you get at McDonalds or Burger King. They are pretty busy and with limited help, service might be a little slow but definitely worth the wait. Order take-out if you don't have the time to wait for a table to open up. Would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Leonard V.

I would give this place 5 stars if the seating wasnt so limited and the wait time werent so long..but the freshness and quality of food served is A+ ... the portions also are big boy status so you get wat you pay for..
(4)
Derrick S.

primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib
(5)
Thomas P.

Raise cafÃ© is not known for its ambience. They are best known for their food. One of the best guys I've ever visited on Oahu, their prime rib is a hugest piece of meat I've ever seen. Their fish and fried chicken are always great and you always get a smile from the staff no matter how busy they are. It's very popular so if you go during rush hour expect to wait, it's a small dining room, And don't expect five-star accommodations but do expect a five star menu.
(5)
H Y.

Great food huge portions. Felix and his staff are great. Great hole in the wall during off hours for some good grub.
(4)
Lien V.

Sometimes the most obscure locations have some of the best eating establishments all around. Ray's Cafe is such a place since their reputation for good food and accommodating service makes them a perennial favorite among many loyal customers. Technically, Ray's Cafe can be classified as an awesome hole-in-the wall eating place but I think their food speaks volume and at the same time, they can stand the taste test well against any fancier restaurant outside of Kalihi. The last time I was here for lunch was back in the days - more like 2007. It was not from the lack of tasty food but more of a parking issue and distance for me personally. I need to get the common "it's too far" out of my head. But thanks to Yelper Paul C. and David T., I am back even if I've to trek all the way across town...lol! Ray's Cafe is a no-thrills and no-frills smaller restaurant but the chef owners make great simple food. Plus the owners and staff are so down-to-earth and that's why I can taste the "love" in their food. A couple of favorite items they do very well here are: crispy pan-fried chicken, excellent carnivorous prime ribs and perfectly pan-fried ahi. I also had their lobster tail and it was fresh and juicy! The ambiance is plain and utilitarian so coming here is all about the serious food eating business. While the place only has less than a half dozen of tables to accommodate the patrons, that is okay with me when I just want to have a good simple meal. Yay for Ray's Cafe!
(4)
Eugene A.

Its that hole in a wall place . The owner is real cool and funny. But the food is really great. I Ordered a rib-eye steak it came out awesome. No complaints here. This is a place I'd come again too.
(5)
Fred W.

Food was plentiful and tasty. Only prob, few seats and little parking. No ambience here, its all about da food!
(4)
Hazel C.

Every experience I've had here so far was great! A bit pricey for a few items on the menu but the portions make up for it (except for the fact that I had a takeout on Ray's special once and I guess they switched their 2 fried chicken thighs with 2 fried chicken WINGS with ONE scoop of rice on the side... =[ ) Although they switched up their portions on "Ray's special" (which is a hamburger steak with 2 pieces of fried chicken and 2 scoops of rice with a side of mac salad), Ray's is still my fave place to get a good ol' homecooked hamburger steak! For about $9, the price is totally worth it. Trust me on that! Their prime rib is HUGE and worth $15 compared to prices at high end restaurants!!!! Overall, this place does deserve 5 stars for its quality of food in its place in Kalihi. Awesome!!! (filipino aunties and uncle are sooo nice... speaking to them in filipino always does the trick ;] )
(5)
Shawna A.

My hubby had the New York Steak w/roasted veggies and potatoes. The steak itself didn't have much favor but the veggies were delish! I ordered Pork Chops and it was very moist and tasty. Originally my hubby wanted the Hamburger Steak/Fried Chicken plate but they were out of chicken thighs. Prices were good. They were busy with people dining in and picking up so that's saying something. Plus the Chef seems to be a nice guy and know his customers. I wonder if he worked at Zippy's in the past. We will be back to try other things on the menu for sure. FYI- cash only, check side streets for parking, and they serve Pepsi products.
(4)
Packie P.

Now everybody who lives in or has lived in Honolulu for any real amount of time knows all about how great Ray's Cafe is so I wouldn't write a review normally but I just read a 1 star review on my feed and I couldn't believe what this very hateful and ignorant person said about this place so I figure I'll even it out with my review. Now first of all, it's called Ray's Cafe but the main man in the back is named Felix. He somehow is able to give us the very rare trifecta combination of quality food with big portions and a very reasonable price. He is a very nice guy considering how hard his job is. He also has a very good memory. I have a friend who was raised here like me but lives on the mainland. He came to visit 3 weeks ago and wanted to go here. His dad owned a lei shop right around the corner from Ray's Cafe way back when he was by Chinatown. My friend saw Felix last when he was still in grade school and used to eat at his place all the time. He did not think that he would remember him but as soon as he came out to talk to the customers, he walked around, saw him, and came right up to him and asked him "How's your dad doing?" He was in shock while the rest of us was laughing. We chatted a bit and when we were done, he gave us all free ice cream which was just perfect after the huge prime rib we just ate. Now he can do that to whoever he wants. It's his prerogative. So don't trash his place just because you didn't get free anything for coming in once. Felix is far from a jerk and anyone who calls him that should look in the mirror. His specials are where it's at and it varies a bit but my and a lot of other peoples favorite is the Prime Rib. I think the last time we went it was about $15. So worth it. It comes out rare so if you want it cooked a bit more, let them know beforehand. it comes with an Au Jus sauce that is beyond good. How good? I could pour it on balut and it would make it taste delicious. If you want horseradish, just ask. The Ham Hock with Beans and the Hamburger Steak and Fried Chicken is also my go-too's. I haven't had anything bad here and I have tried a lot of things here. It is small in there but everyone is polite and parking is the challenge here but it is worth walking a bit to get here. I just really hope that especially in this time and economy that Ray's stays open. We need places like this. That tv show Diner's Drive inn's and Dives should have come here to represent Hawaii. Oh well, next time.
(5)
David M.

Best deal in town if you're hungry for some Ono grinds! My girlfriend got the rib eye with crab legs for $29 and they gave soooo much king crab legs that she couldn't finish it all! Gotta go back and try the crispy fried chicken! Mmmmmm!
(5)
Wayne T.

First time here, and ordering to go. Friendly staff, and by the vibe I can feel that the customers are also friendly. Yes the food is a little higher placed above fast food, and serves lamb, prime rib and steak, but it does reflect quality and service here. Ordering for the first time and menu was easy. Specials on the board, if not then there's Aunty here helping me order. Ordered the steak, Katsu, and fish. Awesome selections! And while I was waiting, Aunty hooked me up with a dessert! Will be back again, and definitely bring my friends! Thank you Rays cafe for the take out experience! I'll be back again!
(5)
Kawikali ..

Prime rib served Friday thru Monday
(5)
Haylee F.

The fiance took me here for the first time on Christmas Eve for lunch. Needless to say, I was a little bit hesitant, as it's a smaller hole in the wall located in the heart of Kalihi at the top of school street. Now, I'm a big fan of hole in the wall joints, but I had never heard of Ray's Cafe so it's street cred wasn't quite where it needed to be on my scale. Buuuuut...it seems Ray's Cafe is no secret! Seating only a handful of tables, we waited a short bit before one opened up. My fiance never strays from his order: steak and shrimp, which always lives up to his expectations. His steak was gigantic! So big he actually had to take half of it home. I tried a bite and it was cooked to a perfect medium rare with good flavor. As soon as I walked in I noticed they had a prime rib special, so I immediately committed to that option. I was given the choice of mac or toss salad; I chose the mac and it was delish! The true star on this dish was the prime rib! My medium rare slice was huge! It was marbled with just enough fat to tenderize the meat, and the edges were crispy and full of flavor. The au jus was also a perfect compliment, adding the right amount of saltiness to each bite. I need to stop judging a book by its cover! For my next visit, I hear their fried chicken is a must-try!
(4)
Erik K.

We decided to give this little place in Kalihi a try for a lazy Monday brunch - Ray's Cafe turned out to be a little gem. The place is small with about 6 tables that seats 4 each. Very local atmosphere. Based on others review I had to give the $15.95 Prime rib a try - and it was one of the best prime ribs. The meat was juicy and pink, perfect medium rare. The skin/crust was nicely salted and seasoned, paired with the delicious Au jus (which reminded me of French onion soup), deep and rich flavors that still don't overpower the natural taste of the prime rib. I would highly recommend anyone who enjoys a nice slice of prime rib to visit Ray's Cafe.
(4)
Lonny K.

I remember coming here as a kid growing up, and I loved it... I have a lot of fond memories here, but it's more nostalgic than anything else. It's walking here from an uncle's house, and walking back carrying a tray of fried chicken... it's ordering the Ray's Special and finishing it all by yourself for the first time. But truth be told, if you take all this history and nostalgia out of it, the food has only been so-so, as of late. In my most recent visit, I ordered a steak RARE... and I knew to order it RARE, even though I usually like my steak medium-rare, only because I know that they tend to overcook steaks here. Well, my damn steak came out beyond well done... another 2-3 minutes on the grill, and it would've been beef jerky. The chicken is still good here... but it will come out to you in a little bath of fryer oil. Pat it down w/ a napkin and you're good... but I've brought lady friends here in the past who were kinda grossed out by how oily it was. Prime rib days are still the business... but that's more a reflection of how much prime rib you get for your dollar and less a reflection of how great the prime rib is. It's a decent, quality, run-of-the-mill prime rib... at a great price! Again - if that's your thing... get on it! I like this place. I'll continue to come back. It is what it is. But let's be clear, and not make it out to be something it's not.
(3)
CharlieWayne G.

Been there two times within 4 days, one day with the guys, had the rib eye...unreal cut, taste, and price...the other day with wife and had the prime rib...again same results. Great cut (at least an inch cut), great taste...and unbelievable price...Rays is the place...
(5)
Vincent T.

Very close to 5 stars for me. For a hole in the wall joint definitely 5 stars! Manong Felix has owned Ray's for a while now and his food is excellent! You must try the Ribeye Steak here. I would put his up against Steakhouse in Honolulu!!! He seasons the meat just right and it melts in your mouth! I wouldn't be embarrassed to take a date here at all. The ambience may not be great, but if your looking for taste Ray's is the place!!! Must try's are Ribeye and Giant Lobster for $30, ribeye and Fried shrimp (8 pieces) for $20 and for those on a budget his famous hamburger steak with gravy and fried chicken (2 thighs) for $10. Trust me these are all hard to finish off because the quantity is matched deliciously with the quality. Long live manong Felix!!!
(4)
Gordon R.

Steaks are top notch for this price. Maybe a half star below Ruth ' s Chris but a third the price. Best French Toast I've ever had. Just went back and got a NY with a mushroom omelet and couldn't finish. I'm fat, that never happens. Hyper home style experience. 6 tables usually filled with the friendly loyal local fans. Avoid rush hours. I'd call ahead to ask if there is a wait. I'd wait 30-40 for a seat if I had too. Never had to wait myself but I've seen lines. Steaks cooked slightly over, know that and you're good.
(4)
Lionel L.

This is one of those restaurants that one should see on a food network by Anthony Bourdain or that fat bald guy that likes to eat rat penis in Laos. Not that Rays cafe serves that, but it is truly one of the best kept secrets in Hawaii. The food speaks for itself, just try any of the specials in the menu. If you're looking for comfort food, this is the place to go. Part of the reason why you won't see this on a magazine or 808s best is because of the "hole in the wall" location. It's almost like a ninja restaurant camouflaged between a liquor store and another liquor store across the street from the Salvation Army. If you can get past that and see or smell the beauty of the food in this epic place, you won't regret it. Best part is, the value. At less than $9 per plate on average, you'll have enough to take back to your cousins at the goodwill.
(5)
David T.

Very local spot. Great mixture of food styles. From prime rib to fried chicken! This is a very local place with good portions of local favorites plus some unexpected items such as prime rib, corned beef and cabbage and fried chicken. The prices are very modest and the portions are huge! My favorite is the prime rib, which could easily feed two. It has always been perfectly cooked and is thick and juicy. The breakfast items are all good and the omelets are chocked full of ingredients. It is a very small venue and suited for parties of 4 or less and parking can be a problem. Drive around to find a parking place and then have a nice walk afterwards...You'll need it!
(5)
Julie-ann O.

5 stars for the way Felix treats my dad. He gets all the special stuff or extras. I never tell him who I am so he doesn't feel like he has to cater to me. Felix is a very friendly generous man. His food is cheap for colossal size food. It don't matter who you are you will get a humongous steak so really you getting more for what you paid anyhow. I don't like how certain dignitaries and their cohorts expect a cheaper rate from him when they rich and they getting a good deal anyhow. It's a business and the guy gotta eat too, so come on people, really? Parking sucks here, you gotta be lucky or just have someone drive you there for take out. That's actually the best avenue to ray's. The best things on the menu are the prime rib, steaks, and fried chicken. I like to order cheeseburgers and fries from here the burger is big for 3.75. My dad says his sinigan is really good but I doubt it's on the menu. Most places when you order fish you get a couple of small filets, here you get a piece bigger than your face. It covers the plate. Just like the prime rib, pork chops, or steaks. If you like big cheap food this the place for you.
(5)
Colin Y.

When the door is open their open. When the door is closed their closed. Been coming rays for over 20 years since felix was on smith street. The lunch line used to be out the door with police , city and state workers. For those who are in the "know" its a great place. Cheap, large portions and awesome food. Lobster, prime rib, rack of pork chop, fried chicken,True hole in the wall. For those who have never been here before? Tourists? This is my warning Do not venture on your own. Go with a someone who knows. You will complain about the neghborhood, crappy service, long wait , lack of parking In summary. There is a unique system or culture at Rays from ordering to paying your bill. One of my fav lunch places. But fair warning. ive seen many upset people here so, again. if you dont know, dont go. Hope my review is helpful =)
(5)
Rock A.

I remember Ray's in Chinatown many years as a college student. When I could afford it I'd head down to Ray's because the food was always good and plentiful. Being a college student often made Ray's affordable and back in the mid 70s there were many places in Chinatown that was awesome when it came to food and I mean local foods. But Ray's is the place to come for breakfast, lunch and if you're not too late you could even squeeze in an early dinner! For me, it's Ray's for prime rib for breakfast or lunch - I used to do the steak and eggs on Saturday mornings and decided one Saturday in midstream to change from steak to prime rib, with two scoops of hot rice, two scoops of mac salad with a large OJ and you're all set for one heck of a meal. The Au Jus is always perfect with the right amount of flavor for your prime rib at $16.50 you can't go wrong. Ham Hock with Beans is so Ono that locals come in with their own tupperware bowls for take out and the Fried Chicken is always mouth watering and delicious with every bite. It's a small diner off King Street; parking is on street only so feed the parking meetings unless you find an open parking space down many of the street close to Ray's CafÃ©. And don't ask for Ray... Felix is the one who turns out those wonderful meals... along with his hard working staff. Well worth the time and effort to dine at Ray's cafÃ© - Just be patient with the staff... often times service can be slow but its worth the time spent waiting for your meal.
(4)
Shae O.

This place is a hidden gem! Not in the best area and parking can be a little hard. The pork chops ($9.50) were perfectly cooked. The fresh grilled mahi mahi ($10) was fresh and so delicious.
(4)
Vivian H.

Must Order: Prime rib (weekends), fried chicken I'm updating this review so you don't have to read through my very lengthy stories on my original review! Anyway, the prime rib by far is THE BEST PRIME RIB you can get on the island and for less than $17! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ And if you have an agreeable dining mate, make them get the fried chicken (we prefer the thighs) and then you can share it all! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ The BF has also had their ham hock stew ( yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ ) and loves it, it's enough to save for 2 additional leftover meals. I've heard the butterfish is huge and oh so ono. Not the super saucy kind of butterfish but more of a pan fried one I think. If you're concerned about the location, then just go before it gets dark. Also there's a sign by the door that says "Door Open, Open. Door Closed, Closed". yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ So true but worth going to check! Also, it's worth mentioning that sometimes you will wait. And wait. It's best not to go into it thinking you're going to have a speedy meal. That ain't happening. Also, cash only.
(5)
Meg B.

Definitely a fan for life! Went in a week ago with the family for lunch and was overwhelmed with how blown away we all were. My uncle got the grilled Ono with chicken. Upon arriving at the table, a collective gasp was heard from the four of us as we all took in sheer amount of food that was on that plate. His fish was gigantic. As he cut into it the most amazing smell along with a delightful waft of warm steam made its way across the table to my seat. The flavor was to die for and cooked perfectly. Next to me, my brother had the hamburger steak and chicken. His hamburger steak was so soft and delicious that I nearly forgot about my own food in the process of sampling his. The gravy was just right, not too salty, and complimented the hamburger steak just right. The fried chicken that came with his meal was definitely worth all the hype it comes with. Forget all the fried fast food places, forget zippys chicken, and push your own recipe aside for one day because this chicken is worth it's weight in gold...golden fried skin that is. Across from the table sat my super picky grandmother. She's made it pretty clear that she doesn't just eat anything but she seemed to thoroughly enjoy her cheeseburger and french fries. Her favorite part seemed to be the fries. She managed to eat the entire mountain of french fries before even attempting half of the burger. As for me, the New York steak and mushrooms were absolutely bomb. Just looking at the plate as it was set down in front of me completed my dedication process. The steak itself was moist and so soft I practically melted on my first bite. Needless to say we loved everything and will be coming back again.
(5)
Mark H.

This place is the quintessential Hole-in-the-wall, but damn good food. Rack of lamb is the best. Highly recommend this place. I will be back.
(5)
K B.

Don't come here if you're looking for a pretentious experience. This is a down home Hawaii kind of place. However, the food and the service are phenomenal! I had the lamb chops. I have had red meat everywhere. I've killed and butchered my own and I've dropped serious cash in the best restaurants in the states. This lamb rates with the best. I'm serious. If you've got $40 cash and need to impress a date. Pick this stuff up and take her to a scenic spot. She will rave about your taste like you just spent a Benji . Just don't take her with you when you pick it up cause the setting is very "salt of the earth" in a third world kind of way...but clean!
(4)
Daniel C.

Today was my first time eating at Ray's Cafe and I have to say it was a 5 star experience. First the customer service that we received from Felix was very welcoming. He walked us through the sides that came with the dishes knowing that we were first timers. This helped us pick out the healthiest options for our diets. They have daily specials and today we thought was the prime rib daily special but in fact it is on Friday. This didn't bother us at all because we got to try some amazing food. The portions are huge and you really get bang for your buck here. I ate the ribeye steak with 8 pieces of shrimp with brown rice and toss salad. After consuming it all, I could barely walk back to the car. My friends had the ribeye and fish with garlic chicken. Their portions were just as big as my dish, if not bigger! Luckily one of the guys I was dining with eats there frequently and knew they are BYOB so we got to have a few beers while waiting for our food. When I went up to look closer at the menu, I noticed that the servers bring the food over to Felix for approval before sending it out to the customers which impressed me in their high standards in quality control. This is a new lunch spot that I will frequent. Keep in mind parking isn't the greatest in the area so please account for that if you have a limited amount of time for lunch.
(5)
Seth F.

Great food for great prices. I loved the owners, so nice and welcoming. The portions were huge and it cost so little. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Trish P.

REAL... LOBSTER... OMELETTES... not imitation lobster... REAL lobster chunks. LARGE chunks. MEATY chunks. and it's $12..... "say what?" yeah..... $12. admittedly, the lobster pieces were a little rubbery, but not so much that it was horrible. i would get this again, but hopefully the texture was an isolated incident. only one way to find out.... gotta go back! my dining buddy got their "infamous" prime rib, and it was a 2 inch thick slice of meat larger than my face. i would post a pic of it, but there are already 31,415,926,535 pictures of it on here, so you can look at those and drool.... annnnd - if you go during a brunch-ish time (like around 10 or 1030am), you'll better your chances of finding parking AND getting a table. a friend and i went to eat here, and found parking immediately on a side street, and got a table upon entering. and keep in mind, this is "fo realz hole in da wall kine".... my friend drove past saying "this place looks like its going to be dirty" - i said "well, we ARE in kalihi...." just so you know, its clean. not spotless, but tidy...... p.s. - CASH ONLY
(4)
O O.

It's true. A chunk of well seasoned prime rib as big as your face. 15 dolla. No where will you ever get a piece of meat this tasty and at this price. I was going to post a picture but no need. Get nuff pictures of Ray's prime rib. Restaurant never has room to sit. So go in and order a take out. Make it a small order and you'll get out before the jealous stares of the waiting diners gets to you. Be smart and order something that doesn't need immediate cooking. Like Ray's prime rib. Yes, it's on a foam plate. So what? Take it to the most beautiful beach you can think of and chow down. I was actually taking a picture of it at another location and someone said, "Prime rib? Wea you get em from?" Sorry. His plate was not like Ray's prime rib. I picked up this plate of food for my brother and took a taste while he was eating it. I on the other hand, thinking I was so smart, opted for another location, another plate of food. It was not like Ray's prime rib. How dumbo I felt. I was robbed. I spent over 15 dolla on my lunch. 20.84 cents to be exact. My food was ugga. Not like Ray's prime rib. Go to Ray's. Stand if you must. Wait with a smile. Your patience will be appreciated. They'll send you off with a smile, thank you and wishing you a nice day. Nice day for a take out plate, like Ray's prime rib.
(5)
John N.

The place to eat in Kalihi if you are on a small budget and hungry as hell. Ray's Cafe wins my Hole in the Wall restaurant award. There isn't parking except for street, inside only has a handful of small tables, and its cramped. If you look past this, you will find that there isn't any place better in town where you can spend $8 and fill up. Felix runs the 1 man cooking, washing, and sometimes serving you show. He usually has wait help, but sometimes its just all him. I don't even know how he does it but I'm guessing he's just half machine, half man. Fried Chicken is made to order here and while it is a deal, you may wait for it to cook. My favorite here is the teriyaki beef. It isn't Zippy's style, but more like a slab of beef. It should be called a slab of teri steak. The trick here is that the portions here are huge and there is availability of mini portions. Even the mini portions are huge! Each plate comes with fresh tossed salad. There is also daily specials that Ray puts up. Prices are often unbeatable then.
(5)
Jarod H.

Five stars for Ray's. Good service, food is the best in taste & size. The Prime Rib on Friday is the best deal in town (about $15) for a size double of what Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company serves. No can beat! The prime rib is so tender, tasty, and Oh so heavenly! No can beat! Felix is the best too. Very friendly & nice. Highly recommend!!
(5)
Althea F.

A true hole in the wall find! Ray's offers HUGE portions at reasonable prices. The pork culet is scrumptious and was only $7! The prime rib is not for the feint of heart! Its probably an inch thick and full of flavor. Do come here when you have an empty tummy, as it is a PRIME location to fill it up!
(5)
Cindy W.

This is a hidden gem! I almost don't want to write a review because I don't want everyone to flock there and next thing you know I can't get a table! Their portion sizes are incredible for the price and everything comes out fast. It's a tiny mom and pop shop, so do't expect table cloths or more than one salad dressing choice. This is the place to stop for a quick bite to eat, cheap prices and huge portions. Mahi that will last me lunch and dinner? Yes, please. Prime rib as big as my head? Yes, please. $5 breakfast? yes, please. I'm excited to go back and try the steak and king crab, next!
(4)
Chablis T.

The food? Burst of flavor....prime rib was Ono. Hamburger steak-very delicious. Tried the fried chicken & won't order that again. Tasted stale like it was sitting forever. && they call KC drive in the best for hamburger steak....so not. Hmmm. Where shall I start. Parking....sucks. Street....maybe half way around the block? Meter parking if your lucky. Service....slow as hell. In fact it takes a while to get your order in about 15 minutes because they are so busy ( better off calling it in ) I waited 45 minutes for my food ( being that Ray gave my order away to someone else ) Dining room....tight. No space to walk. However the air circulation is good. I have to try this place again. On a week day *weekend is crazy packed. This prime rib is worth the price & hassle I must say.
(4)
Jorel L.

I've only been here three times but each I go I have to get the prime rib. It a thick cut with a lot of flavor for only $15.99.
(4)
Yvonne M.

So, this was my next hole in the wall YELP destination after I tried Island Style BBQ a few days before...heehee. Anyways, I read the reviews and tips, and I just wasn't craving pork chops or oxtail. I honestly would have tried the prime rib, but being pregs limits my food choices. I did want to try something juicy and with a sauce. Their menu ranges from local plates to their famous prime rib. Breakfast also available till 11am. FOOD ORDERED 1) FRIED CHICKEN and HAMBURGER STEAK with BROWN RICE. The chicken was crispy, fresh, well seasoned and cooked all the way through. Hamburger steak was juicy, succulent, and thick. The gravy was mediocre, just a little lumpy but it served it's purpose. 2) GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH for my son. Huge portion, it was more like 2 sandwiches. He finished most of it. 3) Another FRIED CHICKEN plate for the Hubs. ENVIRONMENT Located in Kalihi on North King street. Yeah, ghettoy but can handle. This ain't no Watts. 5-6 tables of 4. No decor. Just various menus are hung up. Lots of regulars, hanabata days of uncles & aunties stoppin' by and ordering out. Warm, air conditioner a little weak, better than nothing though. Metered parking on North King St. So bring coins. Or try to park on the small side streets like Gulick for free. No bathroom. SERVICE Reminds me of our aunties and uncles. Looks like 3 peeps were working. Good service. They were so nice to my son and kept insisting on giving him a soda or juice for free (which they did anyway). TIP Brown Rice & Toss Salad available. Cash only. Call in your order if you take out, it may be faster. They close when they are out of food.
(4)
Roland T.

ONLY PEOPLE WITH BIG MOUTHS, BIG APPETITES, AND BIG THROATS NEED ONLY TO COME HERE!!! HUGE MEAT!!! This place could risk as a personal health hazard if one doesn't meet 3/3 of the requirements stated above. You've been officially warned. First of all parking sucks. In a state of being hangry (the feeling of being hungry & angry simultaneously due to being hungry) I had to park illegally (again) partially on the pedestrian cross-walk on a Sunday right in front of the cafe. So I was feeling a bit dare devilish. A thousand apologies to the DOT, not. Or to avoid worry, park at Zippy's, or at the banks across the street, or at the lots adjacent to the place. Then take a nice short romantic stroll in the beautiful neighborhood of Kalihi! YAY! Where everyone wants to know your name, social security number, and ATM pin code. This place is a hole's hole, in a wall, within a wall . . . and I loves it. Easily undetectable if one is ignorant enough to not want to know it. The place has a "Ma and Pa" feel to it and is decorated as if the owner knew his food would speak for itself. And it does. We walk-in and the place is seating people whom are already visibly enjoying their packed plate lunches. I recall seeing a guy demolishing a plate of HUGE crab legs, not giving a f**k about life at the moment . . . just in a state of bliss with a mouthful of crabs. I envied. The owner Ray, is a one man army for realsies (considering the quality control of his products and that he was working alone on this day). He's talking story with eaters and laxingly sits us down as soon as we step in all bewildered by the chaotic menus plastered in any which way. My neck got sore trying to keep track of them all. We immediately order the prime rib and pork chops (thank you Instagram hype) and were told that it'll prob be a 15 min wait. We do it eagerly. As soon as our food is served we race on home and open the lid on the plates . . . and let me tell you buddy friend, I've never been so happy to see a plate of animal in front of my face. The portions are humungoid!!! The porkchops and prime rib are thicker than my ass cheeks and cooked to perfection unlike my ass cheeks. The meat was super duper moist and juicy in my mouth (no homo). It took the entire day to finish the plates, literally. What you read on the menu is what you get, but magnified in portion. The prices are more than affordable, so no need to sell your body on the streets. When I'm in my death bed, I'm considering the prime rib plate from Ray's Cafe to be my last request meal on the reals. FIN.
(5)
RobYoko D.

We stopped in on the way to the airport, about 8am weekday. No problem parking on King. But could be a challenge. We shared ham steak and eggs, rice and toast. Plenty for both us. Everything was great.. Nice cut, eggs just right, steamy fresh rice. Uncle was very friendly talking story about his boxing days in Japan. Looking forward to the rest of the menu.
(5)
Michael W.

I've reviewed Ray's previously, but I must tell you about the Mahimahi Plate. Although it's sautÃ©ed with a nice crusty surface, it seemed like the inside was steamed or poached. It was so soft and juicy, without any hint of being under done. It really was deliciously al dente.
(4)
Lyn L.

Finally got back to Ray's Cafe....took my husband this time...it was really hot when we got into Ray's and Felix was working alone...so it took a while to get served. He said he sent the 2 ladies home...guess he thought it was gonna be a slow night..but of course not...we were the third table to be seated, but soon it was full... Prime rib and king crab leg....yummm! My husband was pleasantly surprised! We enjoyed our dinner and even the complimentary watermelon for dessert... Thank you!!!
(5)
Carrie Y.

Randomly decided to come here one day after Yelping food places nearby and although I have lived in Kalihi for more than ten years, there is a certain part of Kalihi that I will not venture past, and to all you locals.. I need not explain why lol. My boyfriend suggested the place and we proceeded on to this little "hole in the wall" restaurant. The parking there is very limited especially if it is around mealtime. You will have to find street parking or have someone order while another drives the car around the street. There are about 4-6 tables in the cafe, which get filled really quickly. Upon arriving, we are immediately seated by a man whom I presume is the owner, Ray. He is friendly and even serves us water as we wait for our take out. We order the popular much raved about prime rib and pork chop lunch plates and yes, the other Yelpers here are most definitely speaking (typing) the truth. The portions are huge! So worth your dolla dolla bill.. y'all, Yelp family! The meat is juicy, moist, and tender. Every bite is flavorful. If I were a cow, I would fill all four chambers of my stomach with these delicious slabs of meat, rice, mac salad, plus, the styrofoam plate.. but alas, even with my large appetite, I wasn't able to finish the plate. 4 stars for this mom and pop-like cafe because the food is super awesome. Just don't venture your wandering eyes anywhere near the floor of the kitchen area or behind the stoves.. and you'll be A-Ok.
(4)
Adam N.

Lobster omelette for $12. A big Serving of French toast to wash it down. This is an amazing gem. You must eat here. Disclaimer: hole in the wall. Just go.
(5)
Ellison U.

Ahh Ray's Cafe, they never disappoint! Funny I don't come here often since I only live right down the street! This place is definitely a hole-in-the-wall establishment. They're known for their thick cut prime rib, mac salad, and fried chicken. I normally get the Ray's Special, fried chicken and hamburger steak but since it was a special occasion, I opted in for the $25 steak and lobster dish. When it was served, oh man... Soo much food. It came with 2 lobster tails and a 10oz New York strip. It was well worth the price! If you, yes you! Get a chance to visit this place make sure you get prime rib or fried chicken. You will not be disappointed. Side note: Service is a bit slow since there is only one person waitressing, but be patient!
(4)
Edmund G.

This is the best place to get the prime rib. Food is excellent and Chef Felix is awesome. Cash only so be ready. Place gets pretty crowded and seating is limited but well worth the wait. Tried the fried chicken and hamburger steak is the best. You can also order take out so you do t have to wait.
(4)
April Y.

I've been meaning to try this place I heard the prime rib was good. The waitress wasn't very pleasant, didn't bring us water I had to ask her for water. She came back to ask us if we ordered two prime rib meals. Just after taking our order....The prime rib was good, rice was mushy. I would try this place again just they need to work on their wait staff.
(2)
Ernz O.

Yet again, another "hole in the wall" with awesome food and prices !!!! Went there during peak hours with a couple of co-workers so there wasn't any parking. But once we found parking it was Game On !!! LOL I ordered the prime rib which was awesome for $15, the others ordered the Rays Special which consists of 2 pieces of crispy delicious fried chicken and hamburger steak w/gravy which also was delish !!!! For those people rating 2-3* (you know who you are) for this place, u should realize where you are at, and dont expect fine dining and melt in your mouth food !!!! Have some respect and keep the nitpicking and bashing to a minimum !!!!
(5)
Mai S.

Rude service. Stood at the front for 20 minutes waiting to order, and couldn't even get eye contact. While standing there, we noticed that the cleanliness of the kitchen is questionable. Someone else was waiting before us to pick up their order, and their order was wrong. People sitting were annoyed waiting for their food. One guy at a table asked where their order was, and the guy working there had to ask the table to remind him what their order was, so he could put it in! Another guy at a table was trying to leave, but the guy working there was ignoring him, so he couldn't even pay his bill. Every customer there looked unhappy. We eventually left after witnessing the chaos going on, and either blatantly or inadvertently being ignored for so long. Will not return. Avoid.
(1)
L C.

The food was great and plentiful! We ate there 6 days straight! The prime rib is terrific. The rack of pork chops is a winner. The grilled ono and chicken is a deal. The grilled opakapaka and grilled ahi were delish.
(5)
Karen M.

Although this is a small mom and pop eatery, they serve huge portions for a small price! The French Toast is really good! I can only eat half! Sari Sari and ham hock are really good too! Again you have more meats, and seafood than rice! I prefer their fried chicken than KFC and Popeyes! Cons: street parking, and limited sitting..
(5)
Brandon G.

Came with friends for Sunday breakfast. Had the waffle, eggs, and Portuguese sausage. Very good taste overall. It is a small dive so don't let the exterior scare you off. Great portions at a bargain price.
(3)
Mia C.

All I can speak for is the fried chicken because I personally don't like too much Hawaiian food. It is AMAZING!!! So crispy it was like a potato chip! I can imagine if you like Hawaiian food, it's as good as it gets. The service was so friendly and we even needed it in a rush to get to the airport and they whipped it right out for us in min. Nice people and the best fried chicken anywhere!
(5)
Juliene C.

Yes this place is a hole in the wall. Yes it is hard to find parking. Yes the way they take your order & serve you is hit or miss. Yes it's a small & dingy restaurant. And yes the food is the freakin' bomb! No menu. Just order from whatever is posted on the wall. Always check out their specials! Bomb food at a cheap price! I've tried their prime rib which is just as good as the one at Lawrys in Beverly Hills if not better! I've had their oxtail stew, french toast, tempura shrimp, steak, & grilled ono. Never once was i disappointed. It just gets crazy when you're eating at one of their very small & cramped tables & there's swarms of people around either waiting on their take out order or for a table. The last time i was here it took me almost 15 minutes just to pay my bill. I was waiting in front of the kitchen with tons of people. Everyone was telling me to just leave & they wouldn't even notice. In fact, the guy i paid my bill with totally forgot our order. So yes, i could've gotten away without paying. But my family & i come here all the time. We can't do that if we are regular patrons! Anyway looove this place!
(4)
Kama A.

Considering myself as an "average Joe" I am always down to support the mom & pop shops around town. As long as I can remember I always dug Rays cafe as the kalihi spot to eat at if I'm anywhere in the area. Dude makes great food and you can taste the love in every bite. Mean grinds and I have never been disappointed in the dozens of times I came here. Even got French toast in the afternnoon just cause.. The struggle is real...Ray makes just enough to stay afloat in these times of inflation and short money. Sure it would be great to renovate and expand but then you would take away that o.g. charm. So come thru next time and you won't regret it. Swag
(5)
Trang L.

Before I had headed to Oahu, I did some research on hole in the wall places to go to in Oahu. So I found this article about hole in the wall restaurants and found Ray's Cafe. I was pretty on a mission that this is one of the places I NEEDED go to. So Ray's Cafe is a little northeast of Waikiki and its pretty much in the boonies lol. We went during late afternoon/early evening and there were no lines. My friend and I ordered their prime rib (which was recommended by our fellow yelpers) and it was HUGE and of course delicious! AND only 15 bucks! Our other friend didn't know what to order and asked another patron if the pork cutlet was good and he just nodded his head as if that it is a MUST to get. ... the pork cutlet was so FUGGIN amazing.. It's ridiculous on how amazing this was- the gravy itself was just.. magical lol.. And guess what the best part was?... it was only 5 bucks! 5 bucks for a whole plate of magic haha.. and to be honest- I'd probably get the cutlet instead of the prime rib. Legit.
(5)
Terrance Y.

I remember going to Ray's when they were on Smith St. Way back then they had a steak special which was awesome especially since I used to work 'til late evenings in Downtown, so I used to pick up those steaks for Dinner. Fast forward, now they are in Kalihi a bit harder to get to parking is a bit of a challenge but when I drive by and when I can find parking easily hey I'm there! Breakfast is great if you want a great Lobster Omelet $12, Crab Omelet, or the standard type Omelets the first two are the top end breakfasts but there are all the standard fare too. Oh for the rest of the day Steaks, Prime Rib, the Specials oh I can go on and on! Let me just talk about the Ray's Special though which consists of a belly bursting thick homemade Hamburger smothered in gravy and Onions with a scoop of Mac Salad, two scoops Rice and Two pieces of Fried Chicken Thighs oh just writing about it makes me full and salivating like Pavlov's Dog! The hamburger Steak was just perfect not over cooked where it would be dry, the fried chicken being like I tear into Chicken thighs like if I was one of the Croods (if you saw the Movie) needless to say doh! I burn my mouth every time because it always comes out steaming hot! But oh so good! I was just there recently and since the patrons there are so friendly I met this rather large guy who works at another restaurant (Which is also one I like) eating there he had the Ham Hock with Black eye beans and I swear he couldn't finish it! He told me sheesh I couldn't make a dent in it! He got a take out container for the rest and I think the thing must have weighed five pounds after he ate! I think this is like a fine dining Steak house in a Ghetto hole in the wall setting where you don't have to dress up, pay unreal prices and get great steaks with that Mom and Pop eatery kind of atmosphere.
(4)
Kimo K.

Hole in the wall with great food at great price. Popular for take out. 5 tables inside. Clean enough. Service is what it is. Plates are large and cheap. Had the roast beef for $8.. nice side salad, 2 small scoops rice (no need so much white rice anyway) meat was great.. soft, good cut of beef, slow cooked.. gravy did not have too much salt like other drive ins. Not much FAT in the gravy also a surprise. I liked it. $5 Kalua Pig cabbage plate. $5 breakfasts. $2.75 burger... $1.75 frieds... Pork Chop plate was excellent.. wish I had ordered the fish and chicken combo for $14... looks like they have not changed the sign in 10 years.. toilet out back in the alley has a third world feel with chickens and kids playing soccer in the alley... Could use some music... or a TV... but they wont change anything.. until someone dies.
(4)
Jace H.

Service sucked and waited OVER HALF AN HOUR for my food!!! Cooks were nice and apologetic
(1)
Osi E.

rays daily specials cheap grindz, but weekend specials primeribs & porkchopps & crablegs & hamhock #onokinegridz..
(5)
Michael M.

It's Superbowl Sunday. Wife and I haven't followed football since The Houston Oilers were a team (ask your Grandpa). That pretty much gives us the whole island to ourselves. It's like World War Z during the Super Bowl. O'ahu is one big ghost town. We did fun things like go to Costco Iwilei and not wait in line. We could have eaten anywhere (aside from a sports bar), and chose Ray's Cafe. We were the only patrons! Chef Felix was so happy to see us. We went all out. I ordered prime rib. Wife ordered the rack of lamb. After a short wait, out comes this HUGE prime rib. The thing might as well have had horns on it because it took up most of the cow. It was tender and delicious. Wife's rack of lamb was equally gargantuan. There was more than half a dozen bone-in pieces of lamb...like little meat lollipops. It was like candy for carnivores. The sides of fried potato wedges and buttered asparagus were just teasing you, because there is no way you can eat them after all that meat. Prime rib and rack of lamb would probably cost you hundreds in Waikiki. Here it set us back less than $40. Chef Felix seemed to want to congratulate me for finishing my prime rib...he bumped knuckles AND shook my hand. "Are you guys from the mainland?" He asked. Of course he would assume that as no self respecting O'ahu resident would darken his door just minutes after kickoff. "Just about," my wife replied, "we're from Kailua."
(5)
Arthur S.

Wewhhoo! What better way to celebrate my 70th something review this weekend by reviewing one of the local hidden gems of the island that offers great quality dinner items at extraordinary prices! Last time i came here i ordered, the prime rib, it came with a couple scoops of rice, and au jus. The prime rib was cooked perfectly. Best prime rib ive had for a while. At nearly $15 this is probably the best slab of prime rib you will get for your buck. Parking is limited. I just parked across the street at some empty parking lot in Kalihi. It was very sketchy, and i monitored it constantly. The bathroom situation is also similarly sketchy. You walk through the kitchen and its out the backdoor. It was actually not as bad of shape as i suspected it to be walking down the alley. They offer many other great menu items. I am really looking forward to revisiting and experiencing more of the menu if im ever around that part of Kalihi again.
(5)
Elizabeth N.

This place really gets a 5 star for food to value rating. It's super cheap and the food is hearty, honest and real. Reason for missing star....well, it ain't the biggest or prettiest place in the world but as some have said, it's clean enough! Definitely this is one of those hole in the wall places that's a local staple. You can tell because out of 6 tables in this tiny place, 3 of the tables all knew each other (would be hollering at each other from table to table), and the ones who would walk in for take out, would get shout outs as well. I've actually been hearing about Ray's from old timer locals for years now but always forgot about it, because it's a bit out the way for me, but we were in the 'hood and saw the sign so stopped by for lunch. The menus are up all over the walls so you gotta look around to see what you want, but the specials of the day are clearly posted. Man, portions are kanak attack huge! Especially for the price. Everything pretty much comes with 2 scoop rice and mac salad or green salad. I had the fried chicken plate (3 thighs for $5, my son had a burger $2.10 (huge!), my husband had the special of ham hock with black eyed peas for $8. Our total bill was only $17.45 and we walked out with left overs enough for another meal! They even had NY Steak with Crab legs for $25 and the plate of legs were huge, huge legs, too. Where this place lacks in ambiance it makes up for in portions and quality of food. It's more like a diner experience where they're just hustling food. No chit chat, just wipe your table, get your order, put out your order. No wait service here. You go up to the soda fountain and wait for someone to take your money after you eat. Eating here, you feel like you're part of something others have known about for years but kept to themselves. Overall, if your wallet is seeing better days, but you want to eat like a king, Ray's CafÃ© is your place. (Cash Only!) Pros: -Food is good and generous -Super affordable (cheaper and better than Zippy's or other fast food places) -Hardworking staff (I kept hearing "everyday I'm hustling..." in my head whenever I'd see the one waiter zip in and out of the kitchen and dining area). Cons: -Very small; Only 6 tables here. Not recommended for parties more than 5 (that's pushing it). Could be a wait (and it has to be outside coz no room for waiting inside) so just be patient OR order take out -Not the prettiest of environments, so come with an open mind and not your best white pants suit -Parking could be an issue in this busy part of Kalihi; its all street parking
(4)
Doris D.

A true hole in the wall if I ever saw one. While you certainly don't come for the atmosphere, the tasty food at extremely reasonable prices is definitely worth the trip! I have no idea how Ray makes money but the food is so, so cheap and the portions are huge. You have to get the infamous $15 prime rib. I thought it was going to be catcher's mitt quality but it's actually really good! It's a heaping slice, flavorful, and well cooked to medium rare. I also got 2 waffles, 2 eggs, and 4 strips of bacon for $7. Good stuff. They also feature lots of $5 breakfast plates. Thanks Ray!
(4)
Gary N.

I really don't mind if you take over ten minutes to take my order (my friends said it took over twenty), if I have to park more than two blocks away, or if you take other people's orders before mine even though I was there first. All of this happened and I'm still giving Ray's Cafe five stars! Why? The prime rib I ordered made me forget about all of this and caused me to simply not care. It is very rare when I receive food that makes me care about nothing else but the food. Honest to good food is my weakness. This was the best prime rib I've had in my life! Bite after bite made me almost want to cry. I'm always happy eating at Ray's, but this was my first time having the prime rib. It is served only from Friday to Monday. The prime rib was so juicy, flavorful, and huge. If I had to guess, I would say it's over two pounds! Ray's Cafe is a hole-in-the-wall, parking is on the street, and sometimes they only have a skeleton crew. When we arrived this past Sunday, we were seated by a slim Filipino man, given water, and then not much else happened. A while later a large Filipino man came from the kitchen and took the whole restaurant's order. He was friendly and just went from closest table to farthest, then went back into the kitchen. Moments later, I was in heaven. I highly recommend Ray's Cafe. The prime rib is only $15 and comes with a green salad with Ranch and French dressings, two scoops of rice, and Au Jus sauce. Just look how big the prime rib is compared to the scoops of rice: yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ . I can't wait to go back for another one!
(5)
Satoru Y.

Great hole-in-the-wall spot. Everybody knows about this place. As people should, this place has been here forever. For that reason, be prepared for a wait during the rush hours. The place is very small, and there is no waiting room for any take-out orders. Parking can be tricky, since there is none: street parking only. However, this place is worth the wait. Everything comes in sumo large portions; just like how local places used to serve. Everything I've gotten here has been greasy spoon delicious. There is an ever changing specials menu so there's variety everyday. Be sure to scan the entire place; since there are menus posted everywhere. One of the place's favorites is the Prime Rib. It is obscenely large; like literally a 1.5 inch slab of meat that takes up half the takeout container. You can literally eat half and use the other half to make sandwiches at home. My other favorite is the Hamburger Steak & Fried Chicken combo: fried chicken is really tasty, and their hamburger gravy is killer. I've had other dishes here and there: hard to have them all since the changing menu encompasses so much. Dishes like the Chicken Cutlet, Pork Chops, and the Oxtail Stew: all have been great here. I still have to try their Ham Hock, Rib Eye Steak. Crab, or Lobster. I'm sure all will be awesome. This place really reminds me of Masu's Massive Plate Lunch that used on be on Liliha Street ages ago: ridiculous portions, wide variety of surf/turf selections, and great greasy spoon flavors. Granted you would get multiple choices per plate at Masu's. It was such an awesome place in it's prime; back when the mom was alive. Anyways, I digress...Ray's Cafe still serves tasty, mammoth-portion plate lunches in a more health-wary time focused on scaling down. Great local style grinds: the old school way.
(4)
Tina L.

My boyfriend was dying to try the prime rib, and boy did he love it! The meat was SUPER TENDER and had lots of delicious fat all over it, (after all, fat is flavor). There was no horseradish that came with it, but the meat was perfectly seasoned, and the portion was SO BIG!! I got the lobster omelet with a side salad,buttered toast,and fried potatoes. I was really disappointed with my lobster omelet. Yes there was a lot of lobster in there, and the portion size was large, but the dish lacked MAJOR FLAVOR. I mean, it was super duper bland, and I had to douse the whole thing in ketchup in order to salvage the meal. The buttered toast was really good though, and being a lover of bread and butter immediately took to that with ravenous force. The fried potatoes were also bland,but I don't mind the taste of potato,and actually enjoyed the taste very much. The lesson of this visit? Get their prime rib, and other hearty meat dishes,but don't get their omelets unless you want something that is devoid of any flavor whatsoever.
(2)
Leinee L.

My fiancee has been coming to Rays since he was 12 when it was in Chinatown. And now in his 30s Felix still remembers him and comes out to say Hi from the back. Thats one of the reasons why we keep coming back to this awesome "hole in the wall." That and he makes the best: 1. Prime rib! Huge piece of your choosing for only $15! And as much extra au jus as u want! Always falvorable and not salty melt in the mouth! 2. Fried Chicken! So moist and crispy each and every bite! For only like $5! 3. Omelettes! Think its like a 4 or 5 eggs, Pretty much any kine u want spam, bacon, lobster etc. But one of my faves is the crab, not with the fake immitation crab, with real crab!!! Soo ono from like $6.95 to $12! The only downfalls is that it only has about 5 tables for four people and 1 table for 2, so like a true hole in the wall there may be a wait especially when everyone rushes here after church. The trick is to come early to get a seat to relax n enjoy your delicious meal. Oh and parking may be kina tricky too cuz he doesnt have a designated parking lot. But if u find street parking and are in the Kalihi area come and check it out!
(5)
jayz z.

I stopped there today and was "jonesing" for the prime rib and had I a designated driver so I could just run in and order two prime ribs to go...guess what? Ray's Cafe was closed, apparently on vacation until next week (or so). But I can tell all about the last prime rib I had a few weeks ago ($16.50?), a huge slab of medium rare enjoyment with two scoops rice, a tossed green salad with Russian(Catalina?) salad dressing, Au Jous and horse radish. I took it straight home and stuffed my face in one sitting, which is rare because it really is at least a pound or more of boneless prime rib. Whether the fried chicken plate or whatevahs, I have never had a disappointing meal there. So I had my designated driver hook a U and headed for Mitsu Ken and ordered a Mitsu Ken bento special and a garlic chicken plate lunch for my friend, each around $7 a piece. Mitsu Ken is also winnahs and the new location across from the Nissan dealership has lots of parking and the line usually moves pretty well.
(4)
Kaohuokaala S.

Ive been goin to Rays Cafe for a while now, its really a hole in the wall, but thats where all the gems are. This place has ono food, from crispy chicken to the prime rib. Portions are generous too. They are CASH ONLY, but no problem because they just recently got an ATM machine installed...YESS!!
(5)
Lai T.

Let it be known that I finally get why oxtail is the bees-knees!! And I have Alt K. and Ray's Cafe to thank for this revelation :) The oxtail stew at Ray's is so tender that the oxtail reminded me of tendon, but with meat. YUM. And at $8 it is quite a steal! Ray's puts all those fancy schmancy places to shame with its onolicious servings and reasonable pricing. On Fridays, they offer prime rib for $15. The thick piece of meat was larger than the size of my hand! It was cooked to perfection :) The dishes came with a side salad, which could probably be a meal in itself for some folks that I know. LOL, not for this girl. But to be honest, the portions here are generous. We could have probably split one dish and been happy. Instead, we split two dishes and found ourselves filled to the brim. Oh, but it was so worth it! The only thing kind of off with our lunch at Ray's was the rice. It seemed a little undercooked...I'm thinking it was a fluke. Would I come back? In a heartbeat because there are so many other things I want to try from their menu :) When you go to Ray's, just remember to come early (this place fills up quickly) and bring cash (I didn't see any ATMs nearby).
(4)
Steven S.

Love this real hole in the wall in Kalihi. The prime rib melts in your mouth and prices are great.
(5)
JR D.

Good cheap eats! The service is slow but who cares?! It's all about the food! Parking is limited but who cares?! it's all about the food! My brother would kill for the fried chicken! They have combo specials that are amazing! Definitely going back!
(5)
Paul C.

Convinced my sister and her family to come here for dinner. Had given her heads up regarding the atmosphere and parking of this joint. This place closes at 7pm so we had an early dinner today. We were blessed as both cars found street parking and there was a table to sit all of us 6 when we arrived. As we looked at the "Today's Special" menu board, we noticed several items were sold out but we decided to order the remaining specials along with our cravings. Felix was our waiter who also did some cooking so he was hustling back and forth along with handling takeout orders. He's the man!!! Each dinner came with a large bowl of tossed greens accompanied with bottles of ranch dressing and thousand island dressing. And when our dinners came it had 2 scoops of rice and a LARGE portion of protein. We shared the prime rib (monster cut if it exists), grilled mahi mahi, seafood combo, fried chicken, pork cutlet and a breakfast plate of hamburger and eggs (came w/ 2 whole slices of toast!!!). The food was very flavorful and of great quality. We ate until we were full with some leftover for my sister to take for lunch for tomorrow. Just before we left the restaurant, we spoke w/ Felix and mentioned PRIME RIB is served every Friday to Monday. The table near us had today's special of steak and lobster - it was a huge piece of NY steak w/ 2 large lobster tails for $27.95!!! We are thinking about coming next week when Felix mentioned instead of lobster tails, it'll be king crab legs. We'll be back here again for sure!
(5)
MIKE V.

Great hole in the wall in Oahu! Food was fantastic and prime rib was very good. It is a must have if you come here. Only down fall are the roaches that were crawling on the walls. That was pretty gross!
(3)
Brent K.

NO PARKING ! Not on the road, Not in the back, No parking anywhere ! I like ray's we've been coming here for years. The food is average but the portions is Big ! Today was Prime rib and mahimahi with the boys. Now they have drown rice !
(3)
Elsie F.

A couple of my friends & I came here on a rainy Sunday afternoon for a quick lunch. Parking was a little hard to find but we eventually found parking right across the street from the cafe. I ordered the famous prime rib & it was definitely well worth the price. I like my meat red & juicy & it came out perfectly. My bf ordered the rib eye steak & that was delicious as well because the meat was tender. Don't let the outside appearance deceive you because the food is tasty! Unfortunately, the pork chops & the ox tail stew was not available that day. I'll be back again to try it!
(4)
Aldora K.

Nice family restaurant in Kalihi area named after the owners son! The fried chicken is delicious and the daily specials are sooo onolicious Since there is limited seating, you are able to share a table with a friendly customer! Whenever I'm in Kalihi area, I always take time to stop by for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Jo Y.

My husband and I heard so much and saw so many photos of the prime rib at Ray's Cafe after reading the Yelp reviews that we had to try it for ourselves. We loved it!!! I enjoyed the medium-rare prime rib, as it was so juicy, tender, and ono! The quality of the prime rib is what you would find in a fine-dining restaurant. It was so huge, about an inch think and took a sizeable portion of the plate. It also came with a bowl of fresh and crispy tossed green salad and two scoops rice (I substituted for french fries) and mac salad. All for a reasonable $15, which would be so much more at a fine-dining restaurant. I couldn't finish it all and had to doggie bag it. I was impressed and absolutely loved it! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ As my husband loves pork chops, he ordered the rack of pork chops. He said it's the best pork chops he's ever eaten, and he can't stopped talking about it! For $8.95, he got two huge pork chops that were so juicy, tender, and yummy. I tasted it and must agree that it was good! They must brine their pork chops beforehand, as I couldn't believe how juicy they were, as well as how they just melted in your mouth, considering that they were so thick. We also had to doggie bag this. yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ We certainly will go back again and hope to try other things (can't wait to try their fried chicken), although it will be hard to not get their prime rib and pork chops again. Ray's Cafe is in the heart of Kalihi, and it's one of those small hole-in-the wall places (only six tables)( that serve upscale (lobster/king crab/fish in season, ribeye, steak) and regular food for lunch and dinner. But who cares if it's not a fine-dining establishment, as this is probably what keeps the costs down for upscale entrees. Just close your eyes and enjoy the food. We had gone around 3:30 pm on a Saturday for a really late lunch/early dinner, and we were surprised that it was full. We were the second party waiting in line and got a table about 10 minutes later. Would you believe there were three Japanese tourists eating in there? I guess they must be reading the Yelp reviews prior to eating here, as this is certainly not a tourist spot. Parking may be a problem, as only street parking is available. We luckily found a space right across the street on Gulick Ave. We can overlook the lack of parking, as the food makes up for it. Service was not bad, considering it was a full house, and people were coming in to pick up their take-out orders that were phoned in earlier. This one is a keeper, especially when I'm craving for excellent prime rib! Can't wait to try their other entrees.
(5)
Joseph A.

Quuuiiicck service. Asked for mac salad but got greens instead. Prime rib had no taste.... but I guess you get what you pay for... don't know what all the talk is about their prime rib plate.... maybe its the price.
(3)
Ross M.

I've been eating at Ray's for over 25 years from a smaller place in downtown to his present location. Never had a bad meal, and the food is a great value. If you become one of the "regulars," Felix and his crew treat you like you're special. You may have to wait at times but that's because there's a lot of people in the restaurant and the phone is ring constantly for take out orders. The wait is always worth it because the quality of the food is outstanding for the meager price. CHECK OUT THE WHOLE PRIME RIB FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES !!!
(5)
Jason Y.

no parking hole-in-the-wall, in an interesting location. Killer fried chicken! 'nuff said! The fried chicken is awesome. Regular plate gives you a drum stick and three thighs from some very large chickens. I opted for the mini, which i would consider a regular size plate anywhere else. Cheap too, like $5. more than enough to satisfy most. The chicken is super crispy, i wish i could just order a side of skin! hint: call it in and pick up. someone drive and drop you off while you go in a pick up while your friend drives around the block once or twice. It easiest this way.
(4)
Tongu K.

Great good and nice owner! Their prime rib is terrific, giant slice with great seasoning and a nice dose of Au ju on the side. The fried chicken is also juicy and tender. Mac salad is almost perfect also, I really appreciated the extra scoop! The opa was a bit dry, will need to try the opakapaka next time as that would be a much better fish. Can't wait!
(4)
Lynn F.

Love this place! Quality food made fresh with good prices. Good selection of steaks and seafood. I had Ray's special w 2 pcs of fried chicken and hamburger steak. Hubby had prime rib, woh... huge! One downside, parking is scarce... street only.
(5)
Lori Y.

I go to Ray's cafe every Sunday morning. I love the French toast or Ono combo chicken plate. Rays is a local cafe and he does all the cooking to order. Food is fresh and always piping hot. His chicken is da bomb! Never red and very flavorful.
(5)
K L.

Wow. SUPER WOW! This place is the definition of a diamond in the rough. At first glance, its location can be a little off-putting, but you won't regret stopping by. It's a small place, probably can't sit more than 20 people. One waitress, one chef.. and I believe it's cash only. I'm so happy I found this place. I love prime rib, and it seems that they have the $15 special every day here. You get your meat, perfectly medium rare, rice, and a mac or green salad. I love aux jus. Delicicious salt dip for your beef. Mmm. Hefty portions, it was about an inch or so thick and covered just about the whole plate. It was so good.. I cleared the whole plate. Felt like I was eating dinosaur meat, the portion was so big. The fried chicken is also thumbs up. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the specials. Not sure if the guy in the back was Ray, but he came out to talk story with the customers, nice guy.
(5)
Crystal F.

So I would give them a five star because their food is on point, but the location and the size of the restaurant it's self, I had to deduct a point. We ordered the prime rib and the fried chicken to share and to be honest I wanted the prime rib all to myself after the first bit. I knew right then and there it would not be the last time I ordered take out from this place. I say take out because the restaurant is tiny. I know I have been to many hole in the walls in the mainland but this is literally the size of a van running itself into a brick wall. There was a few tables in it but that was it. I can't see a lot of people actually trying to eat in there anyway, maybe people who know the workers personally but that's it. I think there's only street parking so that is also a downer especially if you have little to no patience like me... but like i said the food is on point so I will definitely be heading back. Give it a try and also remember its cash only...
(4)
Lily B.

Have you tried Ray's Cafe yet?! If not, WTH are you waiting for?! GO! NOW!!! I'm SO thankful to Yelp... for I wouldn't have come across Ray's Cafe without your search option! Ray's Cafe is a little 'hole in the wall' located on North King St in Kalihi. There is street parking (if you get lucky) or you have to go into the residential area behind the establishments to find a spot. There are 6 tables to dine on inside... and they're usually full! We've dined in many times before... but on this last occasion we made a phone order. They have daily specials (which are all delish!) as well as regular menu items. The staff is SUPER friendly! The older women are so nice. I haven't seen Felix in a while... there's a new guy working but he's just as nice. Ray is just as great! My BF ordered the 'infamous' prime rib. I'm telling you... BEST prime rib on the island!!! BEATS ANY restaurant!!! Tender, juicy, and however he makes his au jus sauce... it's yummy! Served with two scoops of rice and mac salad/$15 (mac was on the side) yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Fried chicken wings w/ crinkle cut fries and mac salad on the side. $5. YES. $5!!! Come on... 4 pieces of wings and fries and mac?!?!?! REDONKULOUS! On our FIRST visit I wasn't impressed with the chicken wings... but I must say... I concur with the other reviews because something must've been wrong with my tastebuds on that first occasion but it was SO juicy and flavorful this time around! YUM! yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Steak and king crab legs/$26. I wasn't in the mood for steak... but I do LOVE the pork chops from Ray's. Besides MY OWN pork chops, I NEVER eat pork chops from any restaurant. But Ray makes them THAT GOOD that I asked to swap it out and he agreed (for the same price of $26). THICK CUT juicy porkchops... OMG I'm drooling just thinking about em!... paired with a NICE HEFTY PORTION of king crab legs with butter and lemon. The king crab was SO SWEET AND JUICY... I didn't even need the butter or lemon!!! And that's a DEAL at $26! yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Ray brought our food out to us... my BF checked everything... and Ray chit chatted with us and made a few jokes... he's very personable and funny! He told us there's no where that would give you pork chops and king crab for $26... and he's right! The quality AND quantity can't be beat! We ended up tipping him a nice amount for our take out and he was so surprised he gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek... how sweet!! :) We'll be back Ray... DEFINITELY... and for those of you who haven't gone yet... GO!!! It's SO WORTH IT!!! CASH ONLY!!!
(5)
Bun M.

Two words. Prime Rib. Yeah its a hole in the wall, but you get in credible piece of prime rib done the way you like. Its juicy, perfectly seasoned and comes with a nice bowl of Au Ju. Awww yeah!
(4)
Cartman P.

The yelp review did not disappoint. It is a very small place, with maybe only 6 tables. We were there around 10am on Sunday and the place was already getting packed. You figure how crowded it must get for lunch/dinner time. I got a hamburger steak plate with gravy - Hawaiian style :) It comes with macaroni salad and rice. It's a good portion and high calorie, but who cares when you are on vacation! The hamburger steak was packed with flavor, so as the mac salad (a little too much mayo) but it was super delicious! A local gem!
(4)
Ira J.

Holy hole-in-the-wall, Batman! If you're one of those form-over-function type people who need things to not only be right but to also look right, you might as well skip this grungy little hole-in-the-wall. On the other hand, if you like to be served a generous hearty meal at a reasonable price and you couldn't give a flip about whether or not the dishes match or how clean the surroundings may or may not be; this place is just what you've been looking for. POW! We thought we'd finished our lunch and were sitting there with satisfied smiles on our faces contemplating all we had just eaten when out of the kitchen unexpectedly came complimentary desserts of haupia! And I'm not talking artificially flavored coconut Jello, either. I'm talking real, rich, creamy haupia with that perfect haupia texture. Riddle me this, Batman... Where else but a hole in the wall restaurant can one get a generous hearty lunch special for significantly less than $10 and have it severed with a great dessert? Tune in for lunch -- same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
(4)
Jessica F.

have i mentioned that kalihi has the best places to eat? ray's cafe is one of them. you seriously can't go wrong here. i've tried many plates and they were all so delicious.. my grandma always buys the ham hock and my brother goes almost every week. my family loves their fried chicken. we usually buy a pan. it's similar to zippy's (maybe even better) and cheaper. if you're in kalihi and looking for great cheap eats, give ray's cafe a shot :]
(5)
Ramfis B.

Ok Yelpies, this is the third time updating my review for Ray's Cafe and for a very good reason. This place just can't be beat when it comes to GOOD VALUE, and everytime i eat at this little hole in the wall place in the heart of Kalihi, i feel like i really belong here. Chef Felix is one of the most happiest people i have ever met on the face of this earth. He must be happy all the time because his place is always busy and his food for what you pay for, always makes me leave in a daze because his portions are HUGE, and it never DISAPPOINTS.........NEVER!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ How do you charge 14 dollars for a slab of Prime Rib, which is only served on Fri,Sat, and Sunday which is literally the BEST PRIME RIB on the island....Sorry Dad, but Chef Felix's Prime Rib always makes me weak in the knees and makes me cry tears of foodie joy. This Piece of Prime Rib just MELTS in your mouth with each an every bite and for all of you out there, you have to eat the Prime Rib with the Macaroni Salad. That's right, you heard it from me. Tell them to skip the Tossed Salad and have the Macaroni Salad instead. I thought Zippy's had a good Macaroni Salad, but eating Felix's Macaroni Salad with the Prime Rib was just OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now it's not only the Prime Rib that makes Ray's Cafe so special, well that's 99% of what makes Ray's Cafe so special ;), but the Fried Chicken is downright delicious as well. The Chicken here is cooked to a golden brown and the skin just crackles in your mouth as well as the juices flowing down your fingers...holy cow, im sounding like a Harlequin Romance Novel now, but the Fried Chicken is a must order as well... yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ On Friday's only, they also have an Oxtail Stew which is the perfect rival for you Oxtail Soup fans. The Oxtail Stew here is so meaty and delicious that you totally forget that you are eating stew with Oxtail... yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ On Saturday's, you also have to try the Smoked Hamhock with beans..Oh my lord, i had this for takeout after eating my Primerib in the afternoon, and let me tell you, it just brings you back to the Hanabata days of yesteryear eating this dish. The Hamhocks had so much meat on it and it literally fell off the bone. It was so comforting and after paying only $7.50 for this dish, once again i was floored.. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now if you look to the left of the restaurant, the menu is right there for you. Usually the specials are what catches your eye, but you can use your own imagination on creating a menu just for you. I had the New York Steak with Shrimp Scampi for under 20 bucks and i also had the Prime Rib and King Crablegs Combo for under 30 bucks as well. I even had a New York Steak and King Crablegs for just 25 bucks...CRAZY!!!!!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ This is what my plates look like after i eat at Ray's Cafe yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now if you are looking for ambience here Yelpies, you'll be crap out of luck. The only ambience you'll get here is eating next to bus drivers,construction workers,janitors, and people from all walks of life. That's what makes this place so special. I really love everything about this place, even though it's in a rough and tumble area in the heart of Kalihi. Chef Felix makes everyone feel like they are a part of his family and that's why he has so much repeat guests here. I might want to add that the parking situation here is very tricky as well. Just look for parking along the road or if you are lucky you can park in front of the Filipino house that has cars parked all over the place and just blend in.. I really love Rays Cafe. For a big eater like me, i have eaten at places where main courses can run you 50 or 60 bucks or have a steak for 2 at Wolfgangs Steakhouse which will set you back at least a hundred bucks. Forget all the bells and whistles, Ray's Cafe is music for my foodie ears...Chef Felix, YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!
(5)
Joe P.

Amazing Seafood and breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant not far from the Bishop museum. Check out the white board as you walk in for daily specials. Eat here early as the specials get crossed off as they sell out. Tonight the only specials left were Fresh Grill Ono $7.00 which I had. I regret not taking a pic and also regret eating all of it as it was big enough to serve two people. They also had Fresh Grill Salmon for $10.00 that could easily serve two people. Don't let the neighborhood or the building stop you from going. I've eaten here a few times. Its always full of locals. If the tables are full, ask to share a table which is a very common practice. Some advice, the closing hours vary when they sell out of food they usually close. Please be patient as they can be far busier than it appears, this small family run business serves a tremendous amount of takeout food which can make them very busy in back even when all the tables are empty. As the sign says on the entry door. If the door is open were open, If the door is closed we are closed.
(5)
S. C.

If you want a nice big prime rib or big tender New York steak you gotta get it from Rays. Our first time here. GREAT. Prime rib and steak is just as good as the high end places but without the high prices. Hole in the wall place in Kalihi. On street parking. Suggest calling in your order if you don't want to sit and dine and when you go and pick up the order take someone with you that can wait in the car while you run in to pick up and pay.
(5)
Misty P.

Holy cow this hole in the wall serves the best delicious food ever! If you ever drive by N. King Street in Kalihi near Gulick and Kopke Streets you'd totally pass by this place and not notice it at all. It is a hidden gem. I've tried the fried chicken, steak and oxtail stew. I've also seen my co-worker's order of prime rib and two lobster tails that come with rice and tossed salad. It looked and smelled fabulous. The prime rib and lobster tails were huge and cost $32.99. The oxtail stew was very tasty and was seasoned perfectly. The gravy was not too tomato sauce tasting and was perfect over hot rice. The oxtails were great cuts of meat and didn't have too much gristle. It was also very tender and not tough. I always get a tossed salad with my plate lunches and this side tossed salad was in a separate container. Sometimes it comes with thousand island or ranch dressing. The second time I came here, I got the fried chicken. You get four nice pieces of chicken thighs and it is very flavorful and crispy! Very juicy and not dry. This time, I tried the brown rice and it was cooked well. Not too hard and dry and not soggy either like some places make it. Finally, today I got the "mini steak" which cost about $9.00. There was nothing mini about this steak at all! It was so massive they had to shove it in the Styrofoam plate to make it fit. It came with 3 scoops of rice and a tossed salad. You can get mac salad if you wish. The steak had a nice charred taste and was seasoned well. It also was cooked the way I wanted. Try this place if you get a chance. Service is friendly, but unfortunately there is no parking except for 3 marked stalls in the front curbside parking (which unfortunately is always taken). That's the only draw back.
(5)
Evan Y.

Portions here are amazing for the price you pay and it's quite tasty too. I recommend the Prime Rib or the Steak & Lobster combo (when available). But I have to say I haven't been disappointed in anything I've had here. Downsides: Parking!!! There is none for the most part (Street Parking). It's also not the cleanest of restaurants. Also not the biggest of places (Hole in the wall). I recommend calling in the order and just do take out.
(4)
Brandi S.

Two stars for the best macaroni salad ever! Street parking only. I recommend ordering food to go. Limited seating and no a/c. The food was good and inexpensive.
(3)
David L.

Awsome prime rib just plain awesome. Parking is a problem though it is worth it to find parking to eat at rays cafe the lobster omlet was delicious the hamburger steak was out of this world. go with two people order take out and pull over to the side while the second person picks up the food is the best choice
(5)
Kristi D.

just got some takeout from here. yummo! my friend got the pork chops (can you say brontasaurus ribs?), i got the grilled ahi (big as my FACE!), and my gf got the grilled butterfish. everything was so delicious, and for the 3 plates it was $34. what what?! we have decided that we'd like to go every friday - it's just that good. the pork chops were delicious, my ahi was just the right doneness, and the same with the butterfish. and the service was fab! we'll be back!
(5)
Z Z.

Ray's Cafe may be one of the most over-rated restaurants on Yelp in Honolulu. I have been here twice and was never blown away, or even impressed. Is it better here than some junk local food place?....Yes, it may be slightly better, but that doesn't mean that this place is worthy of visiting. First, parking is horrendous. Secondly, the place is extremely tiny with extremely limited setting. All tables sit 4 people, but many are occupied by only one person. How bout getting some smaller tables for smaller parties? Thirdly, I question the sanitary conditions. I wouldn't say it's filthy here, but I would call it clean either. Fourth, my server didn't seem that enthusiastic or inviting. Kinda like the old lady that takes your order and doesn't care about the customer. When I ordered my Prime Rib to go, she didn't ask me if I wanted mac salad or regular salad. I heard her offer another table the different options though. I ended up getting the regular salad, and didn't want that. Bummer. As for my food, I had the fried chicken on my first visit (I remember it being decent and the portions large, but...nothing amazing) and on my second visit I figure I would try the hamburger (based on the one Yelp review that made it out as though Ray's had some magical hamburger patties) and the infamous and perfect Prime Rib. Well the cheeseburger ($3.00) was a good deal for the price, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Surely not better than Teddy's, Kua'aina, The Counter, or the slew of other burger joints. For the price it's a great value, but it's not a great burger. Its a decent burger, but was missing some key features that would distinguish it as a great burger (i.e. quality meat and cheese, onions, mayo, better buns, the list goes on). As for the prime rib ($15.00!!! Isn't this a little dirty plate lunch place...what's up with the high prices? There are even more expensive plates on the menu also!) it was a large portion but not worth the price. The meat had a smokey taste, which normally I like, but it tasted like an artificial smoke taste not the kind you normally get on a charcoal grill or smoker. Some may not mind, but I taste the difference, and it prevents me from truly enjoying this prime rib. I got some Au Jus on the side, but no horseradish (condiment fail!). There is a huge percentage of fat on the prime rib. I realize that others may like disgusting blubbery fat, but I don't care for it and to me its inedible. Therefore 1 pound of artificially smoked flavored meat meat may only have 1/4 lb. of edible artificially smoked flavored meat. The disappointment of the $15.00 price tag starts to sink in. So all in all, don't have high expectations going into Ray's and you might....just might be somewhat pleasantly surprised. However, if you go in based on the high Yelp reviews and expect an amazing dinning experience, I think the majority will be disappointed on the inside...but on the outside (probably b/c of peer pressure) will say how awesome Ray's was. Even though I live within proximity of Ray's, I have no desire to return there, so that says something. If I offended any of you Ray's Cafe fans, sorry, but you need to get out of your shell and go explore some better places on the island (even though they are few and far between). I'll say it again, Ray's is expensive (at least partially expensive), kinda dirty, inconvenient to go to, lacks great service and seating, and is WAY WAY WAY over-rated. I know your gonna go here anyway, but don't say I didn't warn you.
(3)
Jim C.

First, let me perform a "public service" for the uninitiated who will neither take the time to read this review all the way through - - - nor are intelligent enough to understand military humor . . . "STAY AWAY! THIS PLACE IS IN A VERY BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. FOOD? YOU CALL THAT FOOD? I HAVE SEEN BETTER LOOKING STUFF UNDERNEATH THE RIM OF A TOILET BOWL. STAY AWAY IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE!!!!" (Chuckle, Chuckle). Now that I have (hopefully) scared off the lightweights, let me say that Ray's Cafe is one of the top five places that it has been my privilege to dine in on Oahu. It is a very simple, friendly place with zero frills. You want nice, pretty, clean? Looking for the Hotel Restaurant look without the hotel? Then you seriously should stay away, because you will not find this place to be what you are looking for. You can hang a wee bit tough , and are looking for a place that puts the Quality and Quantity of food first? Then you should most definitely give Ray's a try!!!! The menu consists of good, simple, comfort food of the highest quality. The amount that you get for your money is WAY OVER what anyone could reasonably expect in this day and age. Truly it is $$$$ meals at $ or $$ prices. I will not single out one particular menu item. Other reviewers have already done that. I will simply say that I have NEVER EVER had an unsatisfactory meal from Felix and crew since I was first introduced to them in 1994 when they were at the old Smith and Beretania street location. Sometimes the seating can be a little tight - - - but I could not count the number of times that perfect strangers have offered me a seat at their table. And then proved themselves to be the most entertaining, funny, and pleasant dining companions that one could ever hope for. If you visit Oahu on vacation, you should most definitely have at least one meal at Ray's Cafe. If you don't - - - then you have wasted your trip.
(5)
Yoshi N.

Best prime rib for the price! Always on point every time we eat there. The Ono is good too!
(5)
Karen E.

7*26*2013 So this is my first time eating here. Not sure on what to expect since my husband keeps raving on about this place. All I knew from him was how great the Prime Rib is. First of all it's in Kalihi in a skechy part of Kalihi so if you're use to nice, pretty, and clean this is not the place for you. Parking is nuts. Hopefully you get lucky and score some street parking like we did. When you first step into this place you can smell that Prime Rib invading your nostrils. YUM! I didn't feel like Prime Rib since I'm trying to lose weight and I didn't feel like eating a whole plate of meat. I know shocking that I didn't order Prime Rib. But what I did order was the Ray's Special Hamburger Steak and 2 piece Fried Chicken for $8 bucks a steal! My husband got Steak and Shirmp. Had a salad with our order since they ran out of macaroni salad that day. My daughter didn't order anything since she wasn't hungry. Our waiter noticed that she didn't get anything so he got her a free soda and told us some jokes on the side. She was so happy to get Pepsi since we don't usually let her drink soda. Wish I got his name but he was wearing a cowboy-ish hat. Our food finally came to our table and my daughter started grinding! The food was so good! The gravy on the hambuger steak was awesome! Hope to come back here soon!
(5)
Ryan M.

There are certain types of food that make me want to try certain places and with Rays cafe it was the fried chicken. I am a huge fan of fried chicken. Therefore, this place was worth a try being that some of the highlights were the fried chicken. Food experience I ordered the fried chicken (of course) which turned out to be pretty good. For me, there are certain things that make a good fried chicken. First is the skin. It has to be crispy BUT, it also has to be breakable/flaky (if that makes any sense) meaning it breaks when you bite into it. The chicken skin here was crispy but a little on the tough side. Second, the seasoning must go beyond the skin and into the meat. The seasoning here was very good and passed in my books. Third, it has to be juicy. When I took my first bite of Rays chicken, there was some juice running down my chin. Pass! They also offer brown rice as an option which is always a plus for me. Service experience As soon as we walk in no staff was around except for two other customers who were watching us just stand there. We weren't sure what to do and didn't want to ask the other customers since they were already looking at us weird. So the awkward panda tells us to just sit at the table in hopes that someone will come out eventually. In a few minutes this guy from the kitchen come out and brings water.. pheww. (There is no menu as the menu is on the walls). Then after another few minutes a lady come out to take our order.. okay now we are in business and the awkward panda leaves. Environment experience This place is small but air conditioned. This place has about 4 tables that seat 4 people per table. You can see the kitchen from the dining room. It's has that true hole in the wall dinner feel to the place. They even have old school bathroom tile on the walls which I thought was pretty cool. Parking is street parking. You may be able to find some parking on gulick if your lucky. Overall, it was a pretty good experience because I liked the chicken and the fact that they have brown rice. However, if I am in this area I think I would end up heading to Island Style BBQ. True rating is around a 3.5 but I will still give them 4 stars for now.
(4)
Paul K.

Delicious hole-in-the-wall with a great "Local" atmosphere. Ordered an end cut of delicious Prime Rib & amazing Ham Hock! Don't go at rush hour if you're in a hurry ... And if you do: it's worth waiting for!
(4)
Andrea L.

Prime rib special for $15. Can't go wrong!
(5)
Chris V.

Ho da buggah is mean! Huge piece of prime rib (and I mean huge!) two scoops rice, choice of mac or toss salad and au jus for $15. What more can I ask for. The prime rib was soft and moist, delicious from first to last bite. I'm a believer or this little hole-in-the wall. When's the next potluck cuz I'm bringing Ray's Cafe fried chicken! I heard it is a MUST TRY! Who's setting up the party?
(4)
Sumi N.

I just love the food there!! I usually will order the prime rib and side of 1 fried chicken thigh!! Oh so yummy!! The toss salad is fresh and washed...hard to find nowadays. I will usually call in my order first and then just pick it up. Seating and parking are very limited!!
(5)
Donna Lyn B.

Black eyed peas and ham hocks! I found the best version at Ray's Cafe. You know that scene from the movie, "Soul Food" where they sit down to Sunday dinner? Ray's black eyed peas and ham hocks belongs on that table. Prime Rib! Why wait for a party at a hotel to enjoy this cut of meat. At Ray's, it's frickin' thick! Super tender and seasoned nicely. You'll feel more like a cannibal eating Ray's prime rib. The first two times I had Ray's food was just my husband doing take-out. The third time I had Ray's, we actual ate at the "cafe". I was floored at how tiny that place was. So cramped, too. Luckily we scored a table right when we got in, but it was next to a sink. Our server was really nice and joked around with us. He served us an iceberg salad and put the squeeze bottles of Ranch and Thousand Island dressing on the table before our order came. We had a pretty lengthy wait. Yet, the wait is so worth it for Ray's food. Before we left, an older couple sat at our table and talked story with us about Ray's first location downtown and how the prime rib was three times thicker back then for only $4. "Whoa, whoa grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days!" I love Ray's food, but minus 1 star just for the cramped and very haphazard set-up for the cafe. Also, you won't be able to rack in airline miles here because they don't accept cards, just cash.
(4)
Mike M.

A serious NO-FRILLS PLACE! FOOD : Me and the GF got a plate each, she had the STEAK/SHRIMP and I had to have their FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN PLATE. Her STEAK/SHRIMP was super moist and flavorful, something you'd expect to find and pay for at a more upscale restaurant but for $10.00 here. My FRIED CHICKEN PLATE was super crispy and moist and totally lived up to the hype, oh and did I mention that it was $4.45 for a MINI that packs a punch like a regular plate? SERVICE : The older filipino lady that served us was gracious, fast and always kept checking up on us and making sure to keep our waters full. AMBIANCE : No frills is the word, don't come here expecting high end china or anything outta a page of a htoel restaurant...why would you, this IS a hole in the wall place and lives up with pride to the title. Alot of their orders are PHONE IN TAKE OUT too. LOCATION : Smack dab in the heart of Kalihi, parking can be a premium so a good drive around for street parking would be best or even using ZIPPY'S PARKING LOT too ;) OVER-ALL : RAY'S I WILL BE BACK AND WILL BE A REPEAT CUSTOMER!
(4)
Becky S.

Had food here once, there was a hair in my salad but it's all gravy baby. Just left it and ate my prime rib boiiii
(4)
Anna L.

We're visiting Hawaii and came here to try their food....Good food, Great customer service & the owner is so nice!! We definitely come back.
(5)
Kevin A.

Came in today for some fried chicken for me and the wife on Mother's day and got a free slice of strawberry cheesecake while I waited for free. Really home style cooking and place for a Filipino guy like me. i got the rib eye streak for my cousin and got a generous sized one. he loved it. definitely a place to go if you want to eat steak or meat. the chicken is good too, just wish they weren't out of chicken thighs everytime i go there in the afternoon after work. :)
(5)
Keola m.

GREAT FOOD AT A GREAT PRICE for me, thats all I need to know. When the majority of reviews say the same thing....Im there. Stopped by there after work on Saturday and ordered the Prime Rib and Fried Chicken. FYI, dont call in your order because they dont make your order until you are there. I actually prefer that and didnt mind the short wait. Yup, parking is a challenge but, well worth it. While I was there I noticed that they have take out fried chicken as well. So, if you gotta go pot luck... stop by and pick up fried chicken from here. It will be the hit of the party and prices are way better than Zippys or Kentucky. Only slightly over $1 a piece. Prime Rib was amazing (a huge piece) and the Fried Chicken....thick and juicy. Just the way I like it. NOW, remember....this is Kalihi. Dont expect a lot in atmosphere but, you'll get a lot from the food.
(5)
Esteban W.

This was totally a @YelpHawaii Pham & Ban adventure - Timothy P. (@phamtim) and I ventured out to the depths of Kalihi to try out the famous Ray's Prime Rib. Sadly though, Ray was pau for the day, the prime rib, being a top seller and a top item had been 86'd hours before we walked in. Fortunately, being the determined (and hungry) adventurers that we are, we decided to stick around and see what else Ray had to offer. The GOOD: Fried Chicken. IF you cant get to Ray's in time for the limited time offered (weekends only) fatty beef, you might as well stay for the fatty-fried chicken parts. The chicken was ... surprisingly ... crisp, crunchy and juicy - all at the same time. Honestly, I know "hole-in-the-wall" places have the best food, but deep down, you know you're thinking, "Am I going to get sick from this place?" Timothy P. ordered himself the special (other than the Prime Rib) of Ham Hocks and black-eyed peas. I had a few tastes from his dish, but I am not the hugest fan of Ham Hocks - Ill let Tim review his stuff. The bits of meat I DID try were tender, but the flavors I were hoping were not there...PLUS, I was expecting to come out with Will.I.Am or Fergy (Or even APL since we WERE in Kalihi). The BAD: Nothing really bad to report - I mean, what do you expect from a hole-in-the-wall in Kalihi? I came in with low expectations, hole-in-the-wall expectations and came out with surprisingly crisp chicken. On that note, one of the pieces of chicken was still bleeding a tiny-little bit, but come on, I've been served much worse dishes. If you realize that you're heading into Kalihi to dine at a hole in the wall, expect a dingy setting with suspicious characters sitting around - and also amazing fried foods. OVERALL: if you don't like this place because of the setting, that is your bad. Coming to a hole in the wall and expecting classy ambiance is like going to a dive bar and getting upset because they don't serve Harpoon I.P.A. Get out of your comfort zone and into the danger zone - and definitely hit up Ray's for that Prime Rib... I still have to make that appointment - OMG - UYE anyone?
(4)
Air-n L.

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!! We drive all the way special trip to try this place and we get here at 700 and the guy work there say they closed! Waste time and gas!!! Good reviews but loose money!
(1)
Vance F.

Your typical Kalihi "Mom & Pops" eatery, considering there's a "Mom & Pops" around every corner, they have a some major competition... Having said that, good food, good service, sizable portions. Top 10 in Kalihi in my opinion.
(4)
Tamra P.

I am still in disbelief at the quality to price ratio of Ray's Cafe. Generally speaking, I am skeptical of any $5 plate lunch. It either: 1. must suck 2. consists of fat, grease, skin, and 2 scoops of white rice 3. is not from a place with seating 4. all of the above Much to my surprise I Ray's had great food at ridiculous prices. Yes it's a Kalihi hole-in-the-wall kind of place, parking sucks, and I probably wouldn't dare be in this area at night but you really can't beat the $5 deal on the biggest mini plate ever! I ordered a mini mahi plate. This came with 2 scoops rice (didn't know at the time but they do have brown rice!), choice of a very healthy tossed salad or mac salad, and a monster piece of mahimahi. I couldn't buy a piece of raw mahi at the supermarket this size for $5. My friend Dawn got the bento which I think had 3 different kinds of meats including steak cuts of teriyaki-not the flat teri beef most places serve, but it was like a steak with teriyaki sauce. Her hubby devoured a "2 knuckle" thick prime rib. I don't know how in the world "Ray" makes any money. Great deals, pretty good food, and you can also get breakfast at lunchtime.
(4)
Holly B.

Great fresh fish! Go early because all the good stuff sells out quickly. Such low prices, we can't figure out how he can serve such BIG portions for such small prices! Our gain! Thanks, Ray!
(5)
R S.

LONG AWAITED REVIEW!!! Went to hawaii for vacation with the GF and i and our goal was to try all the great food spots we been hearing about from our friends and on yelp. I was pretty excited seeing that it was my first time in hawaii so i went on yelp to look for great restaurant spots and RAY'S CAFE came up. The first picture i saw was the prime rib...DAMN that look good, so i dragged my gf to check it out. Walked in and it looked like a small neighborhood spot, which was fine because i love supporting small businesses and i was excited for the prime rib meal. The problems began once we sat down. The place was not busy at all, they had maybe two other tables that seem to be finishing up, but it took the waitress a good ten minutes to even acknowledge us so that we can order. I forget what my gf ordered but i order the prime rib as i had planned and i MADE SURE i asked for it to be medium rare. About 10 minutes later my gf receives her food and i assume mine would be following shortly. So about 20 minutes later i asked the waitress where my food was and she told me its almost done. Another 15 minutes or so past and the cook comes out with an overcooked prime rib and says "tell me if this is too over cooked, i didnt know how you wanted it cooked" I was thinking in my head WHAT THE FUC ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU DONT KNOW HOW I WANTED, I TOLD THE F-ING WAITRESS!!!!! But at this point i justed wanted my food, eat and leave. Once i started to eat the meat i knew that this was crap.....it was dry, it was overcooked, it was flavorless l. ALL THAT TIME WASTED!!! Maybe they had an off day, maybe the waitress was busy ( talking to her friends ), or maybe there was mistake, BUT maybe....just maybe this place is just FLAT OUT NOT GOOD!!!
(1)
Emi H.

If you look up the term "hole-in-the-wall" you're likely to find a photo of Ray's Cafe next to it. My boyfriend & I headed to the wrong side of the tracks & as we ventured into Kalihi to find Ray's Cafe. As we turned down the alley way next to Ray's and circled around the block to find parking I turned to my BF and said, "This place had better have some damn good fried chicken!" My BF said "I can't believe we came here just for chicken." I said "Baby, I will walk through dirty dark alleys and get into knife fights for great food!" As I put my switchblade and machete away we ventured into Ray's Cafe. This place is a total hole-in-the-wall with its creaky door, old tables, and 27 various mish moshed menus all over the wall. Specials here, menu there, it's all multi-colored and old. This was going to be AWESOME! An older Filipino man who I assumed was Ray (or perhaps is name was Ignacio?) greeted us and asked us what we'd like. We ordered two fried chicken plates, a three piece with drumsticks and a four piece with wings. Each plate came with two scoops of white rice and mac salad for just $5. Oh and did I mention the plates also came with a soda?! At this point I really didn't care if the chicken was any good because I love finding a good deal! We waited about 10 minutes for our chicken to fry and the nice Filipino man brought it out with a smile. We went home and broke open our boxes of chicken heaven and whoa Nelly the chicken pieces were HUGE! The chicken was not totally fabulous or worth going into the ghetto for, I thought it needed more salt and spices. But, I must say the portions and price made up for it! $5 for a gigantic chicken plate with a soda? Hot damn! See you on the wrong side of the tracks!
(4)
Dennis W.

Great local-styled diner. Parking is almost impossible!...but is worth the distance! Daily specials are always great..like today's grlled ono!!
(4)
Donna B.

I now live in California. My son found Ray's on yelp. What a gold mine! We visited Honolulu for 6 days & ate here 5 times In those 6 days. 2 times in 1day...lol. our final day there I took my God Parents there to have lunch. They couldn't believe that they live there and didn't know about this AWSOME place. We all fell in love with the food & hospitality.
(5)
Tim H.

Very small hole in the wall. The wife was pretty hesitant to enter due to the surrounding area, pretty sure a whore and her pimp were arguing about something just down the street, but once inside the food was well worth it. I ordered the lobster omelet and the wife had waffles and eggs. I thoroughly enjoyed my order but the wife thought her's was just average. Personally I think she never gave gave it a chance due to its location. It only holds about 6 tables and only takes cash.
(4)
Barndi K.

You really gotta be a local. This place is more "dive" mom and pop than "local hole in the wall." Food is solid and cheaper than anything else around but it goes beyond zero atmosphere.
(3)
Lawrence P.

Hole in the wall dining at its finest. Right in the heart of Kalihi, you'll find a precious gem that serves one of the best fried chicken, mac salad, Angus T-Bone steak, and their fat prime rib on the weekends. Yes its a fatty,and I think they reduced the price to 14.95 from 16. One thing to note is the fried chicken because after ordering their plate a lot, sometimes lacks consistency in flavor and browning. But no matter what, its still delicious, crispy on the outside, and very juicy inside. Zippys chicken has no match. If you have a craving for steak on the weekdays, get their t-bone. Its a huge 20 oz steak for less than $20. Everyone will agree that the parking will be extremely hard to find. On top of that, the wait can take a while especially when it gets busy. So save some trouble with the wait and call in ahead of time. For the parking issue, some spots you can park to pick up your food in a hurry would be the white building parking lot at the corner of N. King St. and Gulick Ave. and the gray apartment behind the restaurant. However, if you do find good street parking, take time to dine in. The customers dining and the owner are really friendly.
(5)
Quinn W.

I had the drumstick plate with 4 drumsticks rice and home made macaroni salad. It was amazing! The place isn't spotless or even clean for that matter but the food is AWESOME
(5)
Mei G.

I wish I could give this place half a star. We went to this place out of a recommendation from my BF's friend. Was very excited to try the place even though it's in the not so desirable Kalihi area. My salad had a piece of hair in it; brought it to the Chef's attention and the server and Chef started bickering over whose hair is it. The food wasn't really all that, I could've gone to L&L and gotten something better. Oh well, we should've known better for going into a lil place with burglar doors.
(1)
Janice H.

PRIME RIB IS ONLY SOLD ON FRI, SAT + SUN! Came on a Thursday, so no could order da prime rib. :( Settled for fried chicken instead. BF was quoted a wait time for 10 minutes + ended up waiting over 20+ minutes. He was not a happy camper. Meanwhile, I had to sit in da car on a one-way road because parking was impossible. Had to "borrow" someone's parking small kine while I waited for da BF to pick up our food. Chicken was 'ono, but not worth going into da heart of Kalihi to get. Gonna definitely have to go back + try da prime rib next time around. REVIEW #187
(2)
Irene G.

This is little mom and pop shop on King st. Where else can you get $15 prime rib on the island. This isn't no thin slice of prime rib either. It's enough for lunch and dinner! Four stars just because parking can be difficult, if you're eating in be prepared to wait, and it's a very small dine in area so nothing much. I got the pork chops and it was pretty dry. Nothing a little ketchup couldn't fix though. The wait wasn't too long for my take out and the workers are really nice. I would definitely come back again.
(4)
David C.

I have been to Ray's many times. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ I have never had a bad meal and I am definitely stuffed when I leave. I have had the huge slab of prime rib, the gigantic portion of fresh grilled mahi, the outragous 3 egg omelot and many other dishes Ray's is known for. I was on a mission to get the elusive rack of pork chops that Mark Y. ate. I have popped my head in on 3 separate occasions. I should have just asked them" exactly when do you have this dish" or even made a series of phone calls during the course of a week disguising my voice each time but I did not. I know that it is no rack of pork chop but my consolation meal was the spam and egg sandwich. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ I have to say that this was the best spam and egg sandwich I have ever had. Who would have thought of layering the bread,spam, egg, bread spam and egg! If you do not like a lot of mayo then just say easy on the mayo because with the mayo they geev um! This sandwich was delicious and highly recommended! This is the first sandwich that I ever thought of as comfort food.
(5)
Jed L.

Made a yelp account just to say this: go to ray's for piss poor service and cheap obscenely large portions of salt and cholesterol masquerading as good eats. 3.14. 2013 Edit to flesh out details: Now that I can sufficiently step back without seething anger, let me elaborate. The service entailed standing waiting in the middle of a small intimate room for a good 20 min while the waiters and cooks just stared and continued working: no welcome or any prompting. Imagine the embarrassment standing for 20 min with no idea of what to do (the establishment has prices and signs all over but offers no contextual clue of how to order, what the seating etiquette is, etc.); all of those are assumed. It's not a place to go to unless you're a regular or have a friend who "is in the know". Worse yet, when other customers came in after me and proceeded to sit, the waiters and staff never mentioned there already was a wait line. Another customer after paying walked up to me and told me that was "some shi--y behavior; I personally would have given them a piece of my mind." After waiting sufficiently long enough, I got seated and ordered: while waiting for my food I saw other patrons' plates get served (even patrons who sat AFTER me). Bitterness over getting serve-skipped notwithstanding, the food that lumbered on by was nauseating. The purported "good eats" turned out to just be varying patterns of: mounds of meat (pork, beef, or fish) swimming in oil often soaked in by fries/rice which looked more salt than potatoes or looked more salt than rice.
(1)
pat m.

small hole in the wall places with great food is where I love to eat! and this place is at or near the top of the list!! great food!! great prices! if I wouldn't gain 500 lbs I would eat here all the time!
(5)
Gary A.

In my first visit here I noticed a line out the door. It does get crowded mainly because it is a hole in the wall type of place. The owner is very nice and accommodating. Service was fast and the food was great. I ordered their most popular menu item...Prime rib and their chicken. Prime rib is great! Their chicken is good too comparable to others place on the island that has good chicken(like kj's). For the price and quality this is the place to go. I hear that their pork chops a good too so maybe next time I'll consider that if they run out of Prim Rib. I gave them 4 stars because street parking is a challenge to find.
(4)
Sheena C.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? I LOVE RAY'S! $14 for a HUGE slab of perfectly cooked prime rib (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY ONLY!)? Why would you want to go anywhere else??? 1. Street parking is your best (and probably only) bet. And yes, it's in Kalihi, so be prepared to... well, you know what I mean. It's in Kalihi, 'nuff said. 2. If there's no space to sit inside, there isn't a waiting list, so line up outside and peer in to see if a spot opens up. 3. No menus handed out; look up at the walls, and make sure you look at ALL the walls because you might miss something to your liking! 4. Service wasn't exactly speedy, but hey, I had time, and they were busy, so no problem. 5. The place is pretty small (seats about 20 max?), so don't be rude and hog a 4-seater table if you only have 2. The SO & I shared a table with a couple big samoans on their lunch break, and it positively added to the experience in my book--something about, "eh, can you please pass the shoyu sauce?" just makes me realize that I'm so lucky to live Hawaii. -- If you're not from here/didn't grow up here, you may not fully understand the concept, and you may not be able to fully appreciate Ray's in terms of nostalgia, but it is DAMN GOOD, so go, go, go!!!
(4)
Pua K.

PRIME RIB....Fridays! I come here every Furlough Friday to get my Ray's Cafe fix. It's so cute because EVERY time I go around 10ish I see the same group of regulars having coffee and eating a plate off the specials menu while Felix the owner "talks story" with everyone on each table about the happenings in the mornings paper. =) Yeah! the portions at Ray's are "Heart Attack" portions but it's a "BANG" for you buck and tasty. The ham steak breakfast is good with a thick cut of ham! The steak and mushroom omelet (thick slices of mushroom too) gets me nice and stuffed then when I need a seafood fix for the mornings, I choose....the lobster omelet. If you need to bring in something for your office party or potluck and don't want to cook? DON'T GO TO ZIPPY's go to Ray's Cafe and pick up a tray of chicken here. It's just as good. I go here because of the hole in the wall feel that I love and need less to say the PORTIONS!!! I LOVE THE PORTIONS. Parking sucks. LITERALLY! you'll find it hard to find parking. The Bus has a transit stop near Ray's and it usually is crowded with foot traffic making it hard to park but I still find myself coming back for MORE!!! Don't get discouraged if it's packed with people (like Saturday mornings) call in, ask what's the specials and order take out. If you do that on Saturday mornings...I strongly advise you to go as a pair while one person goes in to pick up the food and the other illegally parks the car and waits (oops! did i type that? lols!)
(5)
Ari O.

Amazing food for a small price! The only downside to Ray's would be the location and decor, which scared us a bit at first. But it is a dive, and dives are about the quality of the food. If you're expecting a tourist-friendly experience complete with ambiance, don't even bother. I got the fried chicken, spam, ahi, and teriyaki steak bento with rice. The fried chicken was crispy and delicious, the steak was tender and flavorful, the ahi filet was fresh, and the rice was perfectly cooked. The rest of my family got the mixed plate, which consists of teriyaki steak, mac salad, ahi filet, rice, and shrimp. If you want a little bit of everything, get the mixed plate.
(5)
Edmund L.

I have no idea how a place like this stays in business. They charge so little for SOOOOO much food. For $5, the fried chicken plate comes with 3 pieces of fried chicken, 2 scoops of rice (white or brown), and a scoop of mac salad. Each piece of chicken puts the biggest sized KFC piece to shame. And again, $5. My 2 friends I came with got the prime rib plate at again, a steal. For $14, the plate is a massive piece of prime rib, 2 scoops rice, and mac salad. The piece of prime rib is ridiculously large and only charging $14 for it. That piece is big enough for most places to charge $40 and upwards for it. For example, Good to Grill in Kapahulu charges about $14 for their prime rib plate and the amount of prime rib given there is about 1/3 the size of the meat here, if even that much. The other breakfast items seem interesting, especially the lobster omelet. The king crab legs look like a great dish too. It seems every dish here is served up in massive portions at lost cost. I can see why this place brings up fond memories in those who have known about this place for a while. This place has been around for over a decade or two. The only thing is parking isn't great and it's not in the rosiest area of town
(5)
Travis M.

Finally got to try their prime rib and I was not disappointed. It was a nice cut and for the price you can't go wrong. We also order the fried chicken which was also really good. If anything, just needed a little more salt imo. At the end, we were given watermelon which was super sweet. Only draw back was I was stuffed and felt a little sluggish the rest of the day. I will definitely be back though.
(5)
Jayce G.

If this is your first time looking for Ray's Cafe driving down North King Street in Kalihi you'd probably miss it.It's a tiny place located at the corner of N.King St. and Kopke St. If you plan on dining in I suggest finding street parking along side Ray's Cafe or across the street up Gulick Ave. Just make sure you read the signs because you don't want to be towed during rush hour. If you plan on ordering takeout and absolutely can not find parking I'd suggest parking across the street at Long Drugs Pharmacy and visiting one of the corner stores in that parking lot for soda or candy. The area may seem to be a little ghetto to some folks but for others like me I'm use to it and it's totally safe. I called in this morning to place an order for Ray's famous Prime Rib. It was a lady who answered and she didn't even bother to taking my name. I asked her, "Will it be ready in 10 minutes?", she said "yes". The only reason I asked was because the past three times I ordered take out it was never ready...I guess I always called when they were busy. I sent my friend in to pick up the order...well I actually set her up. She called me and started complaining that the waitresses didn't bother acknowledging her until after 10 minutes. I kinda laughed it off because I knew that was going to happen. Honestly, I could care less about the lack of customer service for this place...I'd wait another 10 minutes if I had to. Seriously you will not find another place that sells $15 Prime Rib with Au jus sauce. The portion is HUGE and cooked to perfection...the Au jus sauce was auuu jus right! I shared my prime rib with 2 other friends and it was a feeding feast of hungry lions. I have yet to try the other things on the menu but for now I do recommend to all the carnivores out there the prime rib is a must. FYI, also try Island Style BBQ a few doors up...I absolutely love their Corn Beef Loco Moco.
(4)
Reid O.

Been eating Felix's cooking for years...even back to when he was located on Smith Street. I continually go there for that hole in the wall feeling and super ono food. Saturdays is a must to have the ham hocks and beans. A delicious meal to enjoy and take you back to the small kid days eating at grandma's house! The prime rib..another super dish that's absolutely huge! Great taste and VERY filling. The ham/cheese/mushroom/green onion omelette is tough to beat and again like many of Felix's dishes..HUGE. French toast super taste and a nice partner for the omelette. Stop by when you have the chance. Sure the neighborhood may have you wondering..but step inside and enjoy a meal you'd think should cost double the price!
(5)
Dana Z.

I hate to break the bubble here but this place looks, feels and tastes like a dive. Yup, the food was a HUGE disappointment! We were starving too and that didn't even help! Not a good sign. I understand that this place is an institution to many. While we were there, a bunch of folks came in and got "to go" orders so I know those of you out there that gave this place high ratings love it. For that reason alone, and the fact that is has been in business for a gillion years, which is amazing, I gave it two stars. But otherwise I would of given it one star. Now let's talk about our experience. First of all you walk up to the place and you get very frightened. The windows are filthy and it looks like a lotto dive in a run down neighborhood. But you think to yourself, look at all these glorious ratings on yelp! Let's go in, must be amazing. Be forewarned, it is not. In fact, this experience has shaken my faith in Yelp. Sad. The food is slop that isn't prepare with any love or pride. The dinning room is as filthy and rundown as the entrance and I shudder to think what the kitchen looks like. They only thing they have going for it is large portions for cheap. I guess that is what everyone is so excited about. But come on people! Large portions of slop is still slop! I have eaten plate lunch for years (lived in Hawaii 6 years) and the mac salad here wasn't even good. My hubby had the ahi shrimp special and I had the mushroom omelet with bacon. The ahi tasted like it was cooked next to a hamburger and was so tough from overcooking that he had to cut it with a knife. My omelet was also tough and almost scrambled. (How do you make a omelet tough??) We also had a starter salad that was iceberg lettuce with ranch or French dressing. Obviously straight from sysco. One thing to remember if you do decide to take your health in your own hands is that they do not take credit cards. Come armed with cash and an iron constitution. Avoid this place unless you like white bread food with no crust. Nuff said.
(2)
Manu P.

Ok I'm going to keep this review short. Portions BIG! Prices GOOD! These guys know how to cook. I had the Ahi plate for $9 and the slab of meat took up about 80% of the plate. I was SHOCKED! For 9 BUCKS. This was a bargain. Steak and eggs you gotta try. Steak was over 1 pound and the eggs was cook to perfection. You could hear the egg POP when I pierced my fork into the yolk. The mixture of the creamy yolk and the kick from the Tabasco sauce made it a perfect dipping sauce for my grilled marked steak. This was the ultimate breakfast for the day.
(5)
JME C.

This hole in the wall is one of the best hole in the wall joints I've been to. Prices are so reasonable. Where can you get a thick slab of PRIME RIB for only $15? There is a plethora of other local specialties. We ate: Prime Rib = $14.95 Hamburger Steak with two fried chicken = $8 Grilled Mahi = $10 Breakfast specialites = under $10 Everything is so affordable, and they give massive amounts of food! I couldn't even finish my hamburger steak! Each order is served with a plain iceberg lettuce salad. I've never eaten anything bad here. Even their Ham Hock Soup with Black Eyed Peas is really good too! Something new this past weekend, that I never had before, they served huge slices of fresh seedless watermelon! That was so refreshing, and placed me over the top! I was soooo fuuullll after eating here. Parking sucks though. You'll have to find it on the streets of Kalihi.
(5)
Cindy L.

Hubby has been wanting to take me to this "hole in the wall" place for prime rib for some time. We finally made it last night, however, since it wasn't Friday, they only serve prime rib on Fridays, we didn't get to try it. I had the 7 piece hot chicken wings with two scopes of rice and salad for $5 and my hubby had the pork cutlet with gravy, rice and salad for $6.95. The taste was okay but the portion size was huge. It's not the most romantic spot for prime rib, but for its price (around $14), I think I will come back to try it.
(3)
Glenn L.

Well if Chinatown has a food institution, before the fine dining restaurants or the food truck extravaganza's there has been Ray's Cafe. I've been coming here since he opened on Smith Street and man in the early 90's everything from City and County workers to State Capitol workers and all inbetween. BTW the restaurant's named for Felix's/(owner/cook) son. Who I guess he was going to pass the legacy on too, before he moved to Kalihi St, Ray was working the Smith street and Papa Kalihi, but I guess too much for son. So Felix closed the Smith St. cafe... Shame Liked the color and characters that would frequent this "Hole-in-the wall" Cafe, But what a "Hole" it is. every thing from local favorite fish to every kine steak and the best deal Prime rib in town (enough for 3-4 people if you ask me). People don't talk much of his huge and ono breakfast the Ham steak is as big as Lana'i( Okay exagerating a bit!) And his Bacon Cheesburger with fries no fillers here all USDA Beef baby! But I think it's when he gets specials like surf and turf with Lobster or King Crab he shines as well as his Ono(one of the Best Sari-Sari) in town. His Oxtail stew is to die for considering not to many places serve, not as refined as say Panyaa (More Euro-style) vs. Local. But still for the money a nice treat. As most said if you like fried chicken Felix's is the best! So if you think 14.95 for Prime rib the size of a Woolly mammoth is a deal then come on down, I'd call to see when he is going to do Sari-Sari, cause it's worth it if you like Sabaw and Veggies shrimp and Lechon... So what are you waiting for only one FYI Good luck with Parking during lunch hardly any, But if patience is a virtue then worth the wait. Still a go to on my ticket! Malama all!
(5)
Kelly G.

Prime rib Fridays for $15. Its monstrous and delicious. That is all.
(4)
Susan F.

I'm usually not a big chicken fan, but Ray's cafe makes a great FRIED CHICKEN. Don't get me wrong, their PRIME RIB is amazing too. It takes a lot for me to like a chicken, a lot of times its either too dry or the skin isn't crunchy enough for me, but they have it right on target here. The pieces of chicken are LARGE, and they are very juicy on the inside and extra crispy on the outside. It comes with 3 large thighs, 2 scoops of rice and 1 of mac salad. Like my previous reviews says, the portion is large and I wouldn't be able to finish it by myself. If you eat a lot of rice, you might want to order an extra scoop of rice. At $5 for this huge plate, its a steal!! Parking is crazy and seating is limited, so if you don't mind... phone order and take it to the park to eat. Ray's continues to be a place that makes my hungry belly happy.
(5)
Clay Y.

The $15.00 prime rib is the best, cooked to medium rare perfection, [ I like mine on the rare side...] Fried chicken is great, parking... none good luck in finding some street parking. It's worth checking it out. like the sign says Door Open "Were Open. Door Closed, Were Closed.
(5)
risk E.

All my coworkers love the prime rib for lunch. I love the fried chicken here. They make it philippino style and it is freakin awesome. Can be packed so try to beat the lunch hour rush.
(5)
Brandon K.

If you don't know...YOU BETTA ASK SOMEBODY!!! Hands down one of the best "hole in the wall" joints in central Kalihi. Fried Chicken = Hocuzmean status Prime Rib = Kanak-attack status And you gotta love the hours of operation sign: RAY'S HOURS OPEN: DOORS OPEN CLOSED: DOORS CLOSED
(5)
Jason C.

I've gone twice in two weeks and have enjoyed what is a classic hole-in-the-wall complete with a flimsy screen door and no AC. The food is solid home-style cooking with surprisingly good prices. I first went to try the fried chicken. The thighs are cooked to order and came out very hot and had perfect golden color. I liked that the crust wasn't too thick but still nice and crispy. The meat had a real nice texture and was very most; I'm pretty sure he takes the trouble to brine the chicken. But I found the flavor to be just one note - salt. I'm not saying that it was too salty, but wished there were other flavors to make it more interesting. It was okay but not something I would go back special for. But I did go back because a buddy of mine wanted to eat the ox tail stew that is a Friday special. It was definitely comfort food with the meat easily falling off the bone, and to boost the value even more, tender chunks of stew meat is added along side the ox tails to insure you leave full. The plate full of meaty ox tails was only $7 including tax. But there's more! Meals come with mac or a large well chilled bowl of tossed greens. You can even get brown rice with no extra charge! Ray's is pretty hard to beat for quality and value.
(4)
Ward K.

I remember when a co-worker and I used to go to Ray's Cafe when they were located downtown near Beretania and Smith St. They were known for their famous thick piece of Prime Rib that would just melt in your mouth as well as a bunch of other plates. If you're in the mood for a great protein breakfast you can't go wrong with their Lobster Omelet. Yummos! You hear of all these places that are known for making a good hamburger. Recently a friend and I went and tried their hamburger and fries. Well it took a little while to get it. Let me tell you this.... it was worth the wait. Fresh ground meat and those golden thick fries hit the spot. When I have some time and want a good burger I will be heading down to Kalihi to get one for sure. Over-all their menu is simple and straight forward. They have homestyle meals, the food is delicious and a definite bargain. When you look up the word of hole in the wall you will see a picture of Ray's cafe as there is no frills, but you do get food that is always fresh.
(4)
Liz C.

I decided to try Ray'sdue to the high ratings and was craving some local grub. The area was sort of iffy and parking was difficult. It was a weekday morning and I took my 2 kids with me. The place was a hole in the wall, no menus just menu placards on the wall. The food was just okay. Place was dirty and when I asked for our check, the lady just came over and told how much it was- no bill ticket which I thought was weird. Bottom line- I don't recommend this place. Yes the portions are large but quality of the food is mediocre and service was non existent. Sorry.. I was really hoping to like this place.
(1)
Jarrett H.

I LIVE TO WRITE REVIEWS FOR PLACES LIKE THIS!!!!! This is truly a hidden gem by all definitions. I have very obsure places where I have had some of the best steaks ever, the Philippines, a friend's home for Prime Rib, and now Ray's Cafe. When I first discovered Ray's I have to admit I was a bit scared. It was a true "hole in the wall" and in an area that was a bit scary to be in at night. My friend and I were hankering for steak after a long day of hard labor so we went to Ray's. Ray greeted us at the door and asked what we wanted. Prime Rib was all out so I order the last tenderloin and my friend ordered the Rib Eye. Both were under $15.It came with a simple salad. The main course came with just rice. My tenderloin comes and its very big. The size of most NY sirloin strip steaks. I'm used to a tiny piece of Filet Mignon. It wasn't cut like a filet. Just a huge slab. It was cooked perfectly to my specifications, medium rare. I took the first bite from the outside and I was pretty impressed. Seasoning was very good and the steak was juicy and tender for something under $15 so I thought I can't really go wrong. Now things changed once I got to the inside of the steak. THAT was pure heaven. They steak simple melted away in my mouth. It was like pure butter. That was truly a high class restaurant quality bite with no sauce needed. Maybe I had the best cut of the day, maybe something fell into the spices or something but wow, it was just perfect for me. I also had a few tastes of my friend's ribeye and that was also special. Its not too often guys have a meal and we absolutely don't talk because we are in our own world just enjoying god's gift to man, steak. Service was fast and Ray was very helpful in getting us the best item on the menu. Parking sucks so you may need to carpool with people. In term of price, portion, and taste, Ruth Chris got NOTHING on this place. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Scott M.

I heard about Ray's through some HPD officers...and you know if HPD eats there, the food must be good! They told me to get the fried chicken once upon a time because it was one of the best on the island...let me tell you, they weren't kidding. I've been to Ray's over a half dozen times and have yet to try anything other than the fried chicken! On my last visit, I tried the hamberger steak...winnahs! next time I'm trying the pork chops or the prime rib which everyone raves about.
(4)
Candi M.

My husband wanted to check this place out for breakfast. It is very convenient since it is near our shop, so we decided to go. We got there and just sat ourselves at a table. First time there, so we are just reading the menu on the board and waiting for a worker to approach us. About 10 minutes later one of the regulars who eat there came up to us and took our order. I ordered the Prime Rib Medium, then he asked what kind of salad dressing I wanted, and it came with rice. My husband ordered the Steak & Omelet and he said it came with rice and toast. He ordered his steak medium as well. I just thought it was unusual for a customer to be taking orders. It got busy and he was taking orders and giving drinks out to all the tables. He was a very nice man! When I got my prime rib it was burnt on the outside. It didn't look like the other pictures I seen on yelp. When I took a bite it was dry and chewy like cardboard. There was no horseradish and I never got a salad. My husbands steak was Medium well (overcooked) and the Omelet was okay which you can't go very wrong with eggs. He had toast, but no jelly. We asked the worker for jelly and he said, "It should be on the other tables." We tried looking, but there was none on the other tables. He then tried looking in the back and gave us jelly about 5 minutes later. We were very dissapointed with the service and the food. We only had a few bites and tried to pack it up for our dogs. No one came to check on us and so my husband had to stand up right in the front minutes for a good 10 where they cooked. We finally got a take out plate and the check. I would definitely not go back to this place again.
(1)
Dan O.

Parking is very hit or miss. I went during a Saturday mid-day lull and it was pretty empty. Had to try the famous prime rib. Rarely ever see a slice that big- just call it a slab! Very tasty. Worth going back. Maybe next time some of my family will join me so I can try some other dishes.
(4)
Bobby K.

Prime rib. What else is there to say about Ray's? Well more actually. I've been eating at Ray's since he was on Smith St. downtown. Prime rib is the best on the island handsdown. You will not leave here hungry that's for sure. The ambiance is...how should I put it...ghetto chic. First time I took my son here, he was like....where the heck are we? It's so ghetto lol. I haven't had everything on the menu, but what I have had was good and plates are huge. Even the mini's are big. The worst part is looking for parking on the street. After all, it is Kalihi.
(4)
Rani R.

The last time I was at Rays was when he was downtown. I went there yesterday and too my wife to have a nice primerib lunch. She was surprised at how much taste it had also the price. She wants to go back again for the hamburger steak with fried chicken. That looked really good. All I can say is that I'll be back and it wont take long this time.
(5)
Wode M.

i didn't want to post a positive review here because i don't want all the tourists and others to find this hole in the wall place, but i need to write about their prime rib ($15). see other people's pics and you will know it's enormous. the taste is also awesome. feels like a 5-star hotel buffet kind of quality. PROS: several times we came here, either there was a long line or there was no parking. my sons (aged 8 and 5) are particularly impatient with lines, but my husband insisted. we took out a few times but also ate in a few times. now, my sons would answer "rays cafe?" whenever we said we didn't know where to go. other dishes i'd recommend is the fried chicken and the opakapaka. for the price it can't go wrong. CONS: the location is not friendly and parking is tough. i would NOT recommend tourists come to this place (but when my family comes to visit from outside of Hawaii, oh yeah, i am gonna take them here). one time when everyone felt so hot, my husband asked humbly if the visible A/C could be turned on, but the answer was "no work." oh fine, but then there was a table of 2 girls who started cussing bad words because they were stared at too much for obvious reasons. one of the girls said she didn't get her water before other tables who came later. i wrote this down so the others could foresee what they may experience. luckily, my boys were not listening or paying attention to the fussy customers.
(5)
Gary F.

What, I posted pics but didn't write a review. 2 slaps for me. Ox tail stew. MMMMMM. Only on Friday's. Yeah parking sucks, traffic blows but plenty food. I got the Prime rib plate and the Ox tail stew. I was so hungry, I couldn't decide. Now I have 2. Great deal if you like lots of food. Pictures say a million words. Big G
(4)
Paul H.

Last time, I had the succulent, tender, crispy roast pork chops. This time, the T-bone steak. One word: Awesome. Ray's Cafe is just a few blocks from church, so Sundays are quite satisfying for the body, spirit and soul, at least for me.
(5)
Lopaka H.

best cheap eats in town. The chicken was the crunchiest most tender chicken ive ever had. the steaks are always cooked perfectly. if you dont mind the small amount of seats and a little wait, def. a great place to go. also...just because prime rib isnt offered every day of the week and you couldn't find parking does not mean you give a place a bad rating. these are businesses owned by good local people, and rating them low for things outside of anyone's control is not cool.
(4)
Genetree P.

Like everyone said; a hole in the wall. Just ate there twice in the week. We needed to try more. You will not be disappointed. Staff is very friendly. Other then having trouble finding parking. The food was worth every penny spent. There Prime rib is awesome for the price...pork cutlet was so soft...all I can say is YUM!!!!
(5)
Sean A.

I found this place on yelp. The place doesn't have very many tables and was packed when we got there. But, we just had to wait a short time for a seat. It sure was worth it. I saw a lot of people order the prime rib so I decided to take the leap. Best $14 I ever spent. It was a huge slab of meat perfectly cooked and seasoned. It came with rice and tossed salad. I hadn't had prime rib in awhile and it sure hit the spot. The taste of the prime rib rivaled that of a fine restaurant and at $14 you can't go wrong. The service and wait may be a little slower, but trust me the wait is worth it. I would definitely go back to Ray's again. My only dilemma is what to get when I go back. The pork chops looked pretty good. But, how can I pass up the prime rib? I think I'll get the prime rib again.
(5)
Christian P.

Thank you fellow Yelpers for doing me a solid. Ordered the prime rib and it was "broke da mouf" good. It was like heaven personified in a cut of Grade A meat. And the au jus sauce.... I could jump in a whole pool and drink my way out. Can't wait to come back and try the fried chicken! If your ever in the area, come to Rays.. BEST DECISION EVER.
(5)
Lee Ann M.

Ray's prime is excellent! Juicy, perfectly cooked. Their rib eye and New York steak is awesome too! Great meal for great value!
(5)
Terrence I.

I heard so much about Ray's and the rumors were right on! We order the Prime Rib for just $15 and it was huge? Two people can partake with just one order. If you heard about Ray's just go! You will never regret it...
(5)
Darren C.

RAY'S CAFE IS THE REAL DEAL! Freshly prepared, solid homey cooking, great value in a hole-in-the-wall with character. Eateries like Ray's Cafe in Kalihi are a dying breed worth eating at often! The food portions are huge, tasty, always a good selection of daily specials, and Felix in the kitchen cooks everything like he gives a sh__! Every meal there fills me with nostalgia, I remember many years ago when Felix used to cook at his eatery on Smith street, downstairs from my grandmothers mahjong joint--cranking out delicious, rib-sticking food. Prime rib is massive, and the fish is fresh at this classic Hawaiian hash-house, can't wait for my next trip to the islands to get back there!
(5)
Donald S.

The place to go for steaks without overpaying for quality. I've had the Prime Rib, rib eye, pork chops, and the fried chicken. All AWESOME.........Parking is kind of an issue, but it is worth all the trouble. Check it out you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Lance K.

Unreal smoke hammock and black eyed peas. Gotta check it out! His fresh fish special is so ono
(5)
Sweet S.

Food is good everytime
(5)
Kara K.

If you don't care that Ray's Cafe food will take an estimated one year off your human life expectancy, then it's all good. Just go, don't even read the rest of this review. For the others: this place is cheap due to a surprising economies of scale and cost-effectiveness. I completely agree with Tamra's review that I was startled by the prices and didn't expect much. To be totally honest I didn't feel that I got much quality-wise. Quantity, yes; quality, no. (I ordered their teri beef and tasted some of the prime rib so others may have more experience with better quality menu items.) The food was pretty greasy and the meat wasn't high quality. But it was extremely cheap and there's no arguing against the saying, "you pay for what you get." I get the feeling that Ray's is special to most people not necessarily because of the food but because of the memories...and Ray? James F. definitely reminisced about coming here with his friends, that has to count for something. I would go back but I am going to make sure that I didn't eat any meat for a week prior to coming here so I could consume the unhealthiness. For those who like Ray's cafe, I think I am doing you a favor. I give this place 3 stars which will make it look less desirable on the overall ratings. Good luck with the parking and finding a table!
(3)
Arnold P.

After reading all the reviews, been wanting to eat here for along time. Yesterday was the perfect day to go for dinner. Hungry and not wanting to cook anything, I decided to call Ray's to find out what time they were closing and if they had prime rib. They said ,"yes" I was so happy and excited I wanted to go down already. Before the guy I talked to on the phone hung up he told me ," I love you." I thought that was kind of weird, so I told my wife. We decided to make a takeout order, just in case they run out of prime rib. Wanted to try their mahi plate but today's special was Ono. Asked about their chicken plates also. 3 drumsticks with rice and salad for $5.00. This is what we ordered. 3 prime rib plates 2 Ono(fish) plates 2 5 pcs chicken plates All this for $73 dollars , I think it's a good deal considering the amount of food you get. Got there about 4:10pm, 5 minutes earlier then I expected. Couldn't find any parking, but decided to park right in front Ray's. No parking and tow away zone is what the sign said. Some of the things I'll do for good food. When I got there the prime rib plates had just come out. Had to wait 10-15 minutes for the chicken & fish plates. The whole time I kept checking on my truck .making sure to not get a ticket or get it towed away. Kinda nerve wracking. Finally my order was done and went straight home. As I was driving home I was getting super hungry from the aromas of the food, couldn't wait to just grind!. Food review: Prime Rib- humungeous 1" slab of meat! Ordered it medium but by the time I got home it was medium well. Still was Ono and the au jus was the bomb! Mac salad was also winnahs . Didn't like rice kind of dry and flaky, I prefer sticky rice. Ono(fish) plate- 2 giant fillets with a lemon slice and a really tiny container of tartar sauce, my suggestion is to get 2 more extra. The Ono was Ono , just drizzle some lemon juice and dip in the tartar sauce....winnahs. Chicken plate- 5 jumbo drumsticks, rice & salad. Should have just ordered 1 plate, this was enough to feed all three kids of ours and still get leftovers. The chicken was still hot and crispy, juicy and tasty. Overall everything was really good except for the rice. The portions are Huge!! Had so much leftovers, I told my family.... Now we can just eat leftovers for the next day or two! We'll definitely be back!! We're sharing plates next time!
(5)
Cassie P.

Super hungry, nothing in the fridge, less than $10 in your pocket? Ray's, baby, Ray's. Yes, it's a hole-in-the-wall. Yes, it's in the heart of Kalihi. Yes, the parking can be difficult. But, YES, the food and prices are amaaaaazing!! For breakfast, the french toast is where it's at. HUGE YUMMY portion for like $3 or something silly. Yeah, there's the whole menu on the wall, mixture of plates and sandwiches, but the daily specials are the key! The other day I had the grilled ono fish special, which came with 2 scoops rice and choice of mac or green salad, it was $8. Did I mention there were TWO big grilled fish filets?? Dude, seriously. Chef Felix is no joke, he knows what he's doing in that kitchen and we all sure do appreciate it!
(5)
Maria C.

I've known Felix for about 18 years. If you 're a little lazy to cook, and craving for delish and inexpensive -fresh local food. Run and order what's on special or posted on the board. It is very informal, hole in the wall atmosphere, but you'll be going home satisfied. I suggest fresh fish, hamburger, prime rib special (it's gigantic). Don't forget the lumpia too.
(5)
Starr K.

Weeeha!!! Friday is prime rib day!
(5)
Val Y.

Was in the neighborhood and decided to pay a visit to one of the best "hole in the wall" restaurants I know. I had an office in Chinatown when Ray's was near the corner of Beretania and Smith and I would eat or order take out lunch or dinner here at least once a day, four times a week. Of course that was when I could burn a 1000 calories just watching TV. Now, I really got to watch my diet and eat the likes of a chicken caesar salad (no dressing) from Costco four times a week. Visiting Ray's again brought back memories of his delicious food and specials. His New York steak, shrimp scampi, seafood mixed plate, prime rib were all on his menu from the Smith Street days. But his is an example of the free enterprise system at work and what success is in America. Ray's used to be a two table "hole in the wall" that could get sweltering hot. Now Ray's is an American dream come true. It is a five table "bigger hole in the wall" with a big fan. I'm proud of you Felix (There is no Ray. Everyone just assumes Felix is Ray); you've moved from the baddest part of town and to a badder part of town. Raised your prices! It's fine with me. Your a great chef, your food is still delicious; you're the same old(er) Ray and I really miss chowing down your New York steak and scampi special. Sometimes when I'm eating my chicken caesar salad; I'm thinking and dreaming of Ray's Cafe. I think that the more things change; the more you wish they remain the same.
(4)
C H.

As usual Ray's doesn't disappoint. My friend and I both had the grilled ono and chicken. 2 pieces of chicken thighs and a nice 6-8 ounce portion of fresh ono with rice and a crispy green salad for $10. Chicken nice and hot and crispy, ono a little overdone to my liking but I ain't complaining (I'm just trying to give an honest review). My other friend wanted the oxtail stew, but they had run out, so she opted for the pork cutlet (2 large pieces covered with gravy for $8) and her plate was left clean. No ambiance, no parking (street only), A/C may be broken, but NO complaining about the food for the price you pay. Thank you Felix.
(5)
Daron C.

Let me add to the love for this place. Thanks Yelpers for for helping me find this little gem in the wall! I was originally going to Mistu-Ken but it was closed, busted out my Yelp app on my Android and boom! Ray's to the rescue. When I first drove by the place, my initial reaction was, "Whoa! Are you serious?" The exterior/interior is nothing to behold...to say the least. I was actually kind of scared to walk in. But the FOOD, lemme tell you, the FOOD! $14 for this absolutely SICK slice of prime rib. Delish. Came with two scoops rice and tossed salad; I also ordered a mac salad in addition to that (but they didn't even charge me for it). My wife/4year old/2 year old SPLIT the "bento": mahi mahi, terriyaki beef, spam, and one of the most delicious pieces of friend chicken ever. THAT was $7.45. And then we ordered the banana lumpia for $3. $24.45 for a family of four with leftovers. Throw in a tip and it came out to $30 total. WHAT?! Do you ever leave a place just shaking your head saying, "How do they stay in business?" and feeling bad that you didn't tip them like...more? This was one of those places. It's also one of those places where the two chefs were also the waiters/busboys/cashiers/hosts so be prepared to wait awhile...but it all adds to the charm of the place. If you're like me and all about value eating (screw you Alan Wong's and your $25 appetizer), this is the place for you. Will be back again.
(5)
Jason H.

After doing some research on the internet for a good place to get fried chicken, I came across Ray's CafÃ©. My friends and I decided to pop in there on a Sunday back in July and I was surprised by how small it was. It was definitely a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It was pretty packed that day but we had time before catching a movie. All three of us decided to order their prime rib and 10 piece fried chicken. After about 30 minutes (keep in mind it was busy), we got our prime ribs and.....WOW, IT WAS HUGE! Most restaurants give small portions, but this prime rib was big enough to feed two or three people. We tasted it and were blown away! I've been to hundreds of restaurants that served prime rib and hands down, RAY'S CAFÃ‰ has the best prime rib not just in town, but perhaps in the entire state or even the country. By the time we got done with our prime ribs, we were too full to eat the chicken so we took it to-go. Later on after the movie was done, we ate the fried chicken and it was delicious too. Although I haven't sampled everything on the menu yet and my friends have left the island since, I'm still a loyal customer of Ray's CafÃ©. If you haven't tried it out yet, you're really missing out. Great food and very friendly people! It doesn't get better than that!
(5)
Chane L.

I'm a fan of the food only. The service isn't all that great unless you know the people I suppose. I had called in an order and when I came to pick it up. The order was somehow lost! I felt bad for the cook, he was the only one that seemed to know how to run the biz, but how can he do it by himself?! There was a man there that was answering the phones, seemed to be trying to help, but when asked for the prices or to pay for the food, he was unable to handle it. I thought he was strange.
(4)
Reina C.

Nowadays, especially in Hawaii, people look for a place where they get a lot of food for the cheapest price, and where can you get this? Ray's. Found out about it recently and my husband loves his prime rib. He couldn't believe it, for just $14, it was pretty good. It comes with 2 scoops of rice and Mac salad. I got myself steak and eggs for $9.95 which is a good price as well. We didn't really have complaints about the food. It was great for the price. Yes parking is a bit tough, we parked across the street. But it's worth it. For those who complain about the quality, well, this is a hole in a wall kind of place, not some fancy chef mavro kind of restaurant. $14 prime rib is definitely a deal and many more great deal.
(4)
Freddie N.

While prime rib was awesome it's kind of hard to overlook that when a dead cockroach is staring at you from corner of the room. When you walk in you can tell that place is dirty. Place was rated by Honolulu Magazine as best fried chicken, and while its good, since I live in NYC and been to other cities I've had much better.
(3)
Nick M.

This place was exactly what all the reviews have said. It's a hole in the wall, small place with a very informal setting. But for a $5 breakfast, I was not disappointed. The one down side was my girlfriend ordered a french toast breakfast sandwhich, and somehow only got eggs and bacon. Not sure if there was a mis-communication when we ordered or what. Because there isn't really a waiter per-se we just went with it and didn't bother to complain. I got the waffle and eggs and it was really good. Not a bad place for a cheap breakfast on the island.
(4)
. ..

If your into food and dont care much about the other stuff, this place is for you. Their Menu is Awsome. My favorite is SAT's Ham Hock's, totally awsome. Many other great deals are the Prime Rib, King Crab Legs, Pork Chops, and Fresh Fish Specials. Broke da mout. Breakfast is another great list of choices. We stop there sometimes with our Harleys as Parking is tight or non existent. But the food, well worth the hassle of searching for a parking spot.
(5)
David G.

What a nice little place. Everyone including the customers were so very nice. The Aloha Spirit is not lost! Eating at Ray's really reminded me of why its: 'lucky you live Hawaii'. The food was well prepared, the portions were beyond ridiculous and the restaurant was clean. Yes, the location could be better, but who really cares when the food & people are so good. I will be going back! PS. Thanks Felix...
(4)
Doug D.

Ray's is noted for their Prime Rib, but this time I didn't get to try it. Instead, I went for the Grilled Ahi ($10). good choice. Almost the size of sirloin and the same thickness, too. Very good. Prepared just right for my taste. Rice was a little on the stiff side, but I didn't go there for the rice. Excellent place for lunch. My wife and son went for the Pork Cutlet, covered in gravy ($6.95). They enjoyed it. If you eat it all guarantee you will have to go for the afternoon nap.
(4)
Veteran B.

My review is strictly for my breakfast experience. I just moved to Kalihi and wanted to find a "go to" breakfast spot close by. The reviews were pretty good for Ray's so I had to check it out first. The food wasn't the issue. The lobster omelet was pretty good, big portions too :) Besides the complete lack of any parking and the fact there are about 5 tables in the place..... (btw I don't consider parking issues and amount of tables in any of my Hawaii reviews including this one because those are always issues in Hawaii) My bottom line is this. I was treated like a second hand citizen the entire time. I am amazed this place can still be operating with the complete lack of customer service or professionalism. Then again, I have a feeling this is a "local place" and I don't look too "local" if you catch my drift, so others might get treated better which is really unfortunate. Last time I checked, the color of money is green. I walk in on a Sunday morning. 3 tables open so I sit down. No employee any where so I wait. A man comes out from the back after about 5 minutes. Doesn't even acknowledge me until I call for him. C'mon now, there are only 5 tables in the place and it's like 300 square feet. He says he'll be right back. Now 2 other parties come in and are waiting too. He comes out and greets the other tables and takes their orders and goes to the back. At this point I'm looking for hidden cameras because I must be on a hidden video T.V. show like Punk'd or something. After another 5 minutes he comes out and takes my order (Lobster omelet with rice, water, coffee). Waiting, waiting.... about 15 mins later the other tables food arrives and they begin eating. I still don't even have water or coffee. Waiting, waiting, waiting... One of the tables are finished eating and paid their bill and left. Waiting... Now all the tables are gone... Just me still waiting. No one ever comes out to see if I need anything or explain if there is a problem or something. Food finally arrives about an hour since first walking in. Never ever again! The food might be good, but you don't treat customers like that! If the owner has ever scratched his/her head wondering why they don't turn a better profit.... tell them to read my post again.
(1)
lamar b.

Awesome place. Good food. And Friendly service. Oh yah this is the same shop that once was located in downtown and is still popular for the prime rib. Wow talk about tasty and the au jus sauce, EXCELLENT. Parking is a problem, because it's street, if there is any.
(4)
Channing B.

Me and one of my co-workers are always looking for new places for inexpensive plate lunches places (we call ourselves the Iron Stomachs). My in-laws told me about Ray's Cafe in Kalihi, having described it as a "hole in the wall" place with great food on the cheap. Right then and there, it qualified as a place we needed to try! We rolled up at around 11:00 am on Monday and found street parking (actually, legal street parking!) right in front of Ray's Cafe. Upon entering, we noticed that all of the tables were full of people enjoying huge portions for lunch. The specials that Monday were Steak and King Crab Legs for $20 (too rich for my skinny wallet), LauLau $6, Pork Cutlet $6, Grilled Ono $7 or Roast Beef with Gravy $7. I was also intrigued by the Bento for $6 with the regular suspects of Fried Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Teri Beef and of course Spam. I asked the counter guy which one he recommended, the Bento, Grilled Ono or the Roast Beef Special, He just stared back at me and shrugged his shoulders as a response to my dilemma. She ordered Grilled NY Steak with Onions, Green Peppers and Mushrooms for $12 (still to rich for this poor dude) and I ordered the Special, Roast Beef with Gravy. Both came with rice and a choice of mac salad or mixed greens. We were both feeling healthy so we choose the mixed greens over the mac salad. We grabbed our Styrofoam boxes and headed back to the office to grind... Hers was a huge steak cooked medium well (she ordered it, not me) with a generous serving of sauteed mushrooms (they ran out of onions and green peppers?) and of course, two scoops of rice. Mine turned out to be a rib-eye roast sliced thin with lots of tasty gravy and rice. Both came with a separate container with tossed greens (don't get too excited, it was just iceberg lettuce), mine with french and hers with ranch dressing. Conclusion: I wolfed my entire lunch down in about 10 minutes and then was in dire need of a nap and she ate less than half of hers and took the rest home for dinner (and probably a lite lunch the next day). We both decided this place made the regular rotation of our lunch places and we are both committed to trying the massive, 4 Egg, Lobster Omelette for $7 next time! We also noticed there was another "hole in the wall" place a couple of doors DH of Ray's (sorry, I didn't get the name of the place). We looked at the menu and noticed they had some good stuff that was even cheaper than Ray's. Next time... Look for my write up on that one!
(4)
Ryan T.

Even though I work right down the street from Ray's, I had never been here before. At the urging of my friend who loves Ray's, I decided to give them a try. Talk about a hole in the wall, we actually ended up parking in a loading zone stall since my friend has a commercial truck and there was no other street parking available. As far the food, it must have been the end of the month because I had to order my third choice since they were out of teri beef and mahi. To my surprise, the BBQ hamburger steak that I ordered was absolutely broke da mouth. Instead of brown gravy like a normal hamburger steak, the meat was covered in teri sauce. The funny thing is that they also ran out of white rice, so I had one scoop of brown rice with one scoop of white. With the portions that they give for the prices that they charge, I really do not know how they make any money. This is yet another cheap eat that I will have to return to.
(4)
Denise D.

First place we stopped after hitting the Islands! The ambiance is pretty much non-existent, but that's not why I come here... The prime rib is the best I've ever tasted!! Thick cut and juicy.. and..... only $15!! That includes salad and rice! Crazy!! It was enough for two people to split! Do yourself a favor.... take your appetite and go!!!
(5)
Robin S.

This is a meat lover's paradise. I went for breakfast and love ham. The ham steak was draped over my plate. Service was good...I'll be back for lunch soon!
(3)
I Crush Your Head C.

Love Ray's. I come here once in a while when I feel like gorging myself but don't feel like spending a lot of money. Great old school kine place. Right in my wheelhouse. Parking sucks but the food is super ono. Cheap prices and huge portions. I usually get the prime rib. The thing is massive. I know most people say it's about 2 inches but last time I went, I swear, the thing was like 4 inches. Ummmm, does god like have a crush on me or something? Go check 'um go.
(5)
Derrick S.

primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib primerib
(5)
Thomas P.

Raise cafÃ© is not known for its ambience. They are best known for their food. One of the best guys I've ever visited on Oahu, their prime rib is a hugest piece of meat I've ever seen. Their fish and fried chicken are always great and you always get a smile from the staff no matter how busy they are. It's very popular so if you go during rush hour expect to wait, it's a small dining room, And don't expect five-star accommodations but do expect a five star menu.
(5)
H Y.

Great food huge portions. Felix and his staff are great. Great hole in the wall during off hours for some good grub.
(4)
C H.

As usual Ray's doesn't disappoint. My friend and I both had the grilled ono and chicken. 2 pieces of chicken thighs and a nice 6-8 ounce portion of fresh ono with rice and a crispy green salad for $10. Chicken nice and hot and crispy, ono a little overdone to my liking but I ain't complaining (I'm just trying to give an honest review). My other friend wanted the oxtail stew, but they had run out, so she opted for the pork cutlet (2 large pieces covered with gravy for $8) and her plate was left clean. No ambiance, no parking (street only), A/C may be broken, but NO complaining about the food for the price you pay. Thank you Felix.
(5)
Daron C.

Let me add to the love for this place. Thanks Yelpers for for helping me find this little gem in the wall! I was originally going to Mistu-Ken but it was closed, busted out my Yelp app on my Android and boom! Ray's to the rescue. When I first drove by the place, my initial reaction was, "Whoa! Are you serious?" The exterior/interior is nothing to behold...to say the least. I was actually kind of scared to walk in. But the FOOD, lemme tell you, the FOOD! $14 for this absolutely SICK slice of prime rib. Delish. Came with two scoops rice and tossed salad; I also ordered a mac salad in addition to that (but they didn't even charge me for it). My wife/4year old/2 year old SPLIT the "bento": mahi mahi, terriyaki beef, spam, and one of the most delicious pieces of friend chicken ever. THAT was $7.45. And then we ordered the banana lumpia for $3. $24.45 for a family of four with leftovers. Throw in a tip and it came out to $30 total. WHAT?! Do you ever leave a place just shaking your head saying, "How do they stay in business?" and feeling bad that you didn't tip them like...more? This was one of those places. It's also one of those places where the two chefs were also the waiters/busboys/cashiers/hosts so be prepared to wait awhile...but it all adds to the charm of the place. If you're like me and all about value eating (screw you Alan Wong's and your $25 appetizer), this is the place for you. Will be back again.
(5)
Jason H.

After doing some research on the internet for a good place to get fried chicken, I came across Ray's CafÃ©. My friends and I decided to pop in there on a Sunday back in July and I was surprised by how small it was. It was definitely a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It was pretty packed that day but we had time before catching a movie. All three of us decided to order their prime rib and 10 piece fried chicken. After about 30 minutes (keep in mind it was busy), we got our prime ribs and.....WOW, IT WAS HUGE! Most restaurants give small portions, but this prime rib was big enough to feed two or three people. We tasted it and were blown away! I've been to hundreds of restaurants that served prime rib and hands down, RAY'S CAFÃ‰ has the best prime rib not just in town, but perhaps in the entire state or even the country. By the time we got done with our prime ribs, we were too full to eat the chicken so we took it to-go. Later on after the movie was done, we ate the fried chicken and it was delicious too. Although I haven't sampled everything on the menu yet and my friends have left the island since, I'm still a loyal customer of Ray's CafÃ©. If you haven't tried it out yet, you're really missing out. Great food and very friendly people! It doesn't get better than that!
(5)
Chane L.

I'm a fan of the food only. The service isn't all that great unless you know the people I suppose. I had called in an order and when I came to pick it up. The order was somehow lost! I felt bad for the cook, he was the only one that seemed to know how to run the biz, but how can he do it by himself?! There was a man there that was answering the phones, seemed to be trying to help, but when asked for the prices or to pay for the food, he was unable to handle it. I thought he was strange.
(4)
Bobby K.

Prime rib. What else is there to say about Ray's? Well more actually. I've been eating at Ray's since he was on Smith St. downtown. Prime rib is the best on the island handsdown. You will not leave here hungry that's for sure. The ambiance is...how should I put it...ghetto chic. First time I took my son here, he was like....where the heck are we? It's so ghetto lol. I haven't had everything on the menu, but what I have had was good and plates are huge. Even the mini's are big. The worst part is looking for parking on the street. After all, it is Kalihi.
(4)
Rani R.

The last time I was at Rays was when he was downtown. I went there yesterday and too my wife to have a nice primerib lunch. She was surprised at how much taste it had also the price. She wants to go back again for the hamburger steak with fried chicken. That looked really good. All I can say is that I'll be back and it wont take long this time.
(5)
James C.

A real local joint with the best local food for the price. Whether you're in the mood for hamburger steak or lobster & steak, Ray's cafe delivers a superb meal at an excellent value. With a long list of daily specials, Ray's is well known for its prime rib, grilled butterfish and steak and lobster. While parking is scarce and the lunch wait gets a bit long, the taste and value is a reward worth being patient for. Don't come to this place if you're looking for a snooty atmosphere. It's down home good food with no frills.
(5)
Reina C.

Nowadays, especially in Hawaii, people look for a place where they get a lot of food for the cheapest price, and where can you get this? Ray's. Found out about it recently and my husband loves his prime rib. He couldn't believe it, for just $14, it was pretty good. It comes with 2 scoops of rice and Mac salad. I got myself steak and eggs for $9.95 which is a good price as well. We didn't really have complaints about the food. It was great for the price. Yes parking is a bit tough, we parked across the street. But it's worth it. For those who complain about the quality, well, this is a hole in a wall kind of place, not some fancy chef mavro kind of restaurant. $14 prime rib is definitely a deal and many more great deal.
(4)
Freddie N.

While prime rib was awesome it's kind of hard to overlook that when a dead cockroach is staring at you from corner of the room. When you walk in you can tell that place is dirty. Place was rated by Honolulu Magazine as best fried chicken, and while its good, since I live in NYC and been to other cities I've had much better.
(3)
Nick M.

This place was exactly what all the reviews have said. It's a hole in the wall, small place with a very informal setting. But for a $5 breakfast, I was not disappointed. The one down side was my girlfriend ordered a french toast breakfast sandwhich, and somehow only got eggs and bacon. Not sure if there was a mis-communication when we ordered or what. Because there isn't really a waiter per-se we just went with it and didn't bother to complain. I got the waffle and eggs and it was really good. Not a bad place for a cheap breakfast on the island.
(4)
. ..

If your into food and dont care much about the other stuff, this place is for you. Their Menu is Awsome. My favorite is SAT's Ham Hock's, totally awsome. Many other great deals are the Prime Rib, King Crab Legs, Pork Chops, and Fresh Fish Specials. Broke da mout. Breakfast is another great list of choices. We stop there sometimes with our Harleys as Parking is tight or non existent. But the food, well worth the hassle of searching for a parking spot.
(5)
David G.

What a nice little place. Everyone including the customers were so very nice. The Aloha Spirit is not lost! Eating at Ray's really reminded me of why its: 'lucky you live Hawaii'. The food was well prepared, the portions were beyond ridiculous and the restaurant was clean. Yes, the location could be better, but who really cares when the food & people are so good. I will be going back! PS. Thanks Felix...
(4)
Doug D.

Ray's is noted for their Prime Rib, but this time I didn't get to try it. Instead, I went for the Grilled Ahi ($10). good choice. Almost the size of sirloin and the same thickness, too. Very good. Prepared just right for my taste. Rice was a little on the stiff side, but I didn't go there for the rice. Excellent place for lunch. My wife and son went for the Pork Cutlet, covered in gravy ($6.95). They enjoyed it. If you eat it all guarantee you will have to go for the afternoon nap.
(4)
Veteran B.

My review is strictly for my breakfast experience. I just moved to Kalihi and wanted to find a "go to" breakfast spot close by. The reviews were pretty good for Ray's so I had to check it out first. The food wasn't the issue. The lobster omelet was pretty good, big portions too :) Besides the complete lack of any parking and the fact there are about 5 tables in the place..... (btw I don't consider parking issues and amount of tables in any of my Hawaii reviews including this one because those are always issues in Hawaii) My bottom line is this. I was treated like a second hand citizen the entire time. I am amazed this place can still be operating with the complete lack of customer service or professionalism. Then again, I have a feeling this is a "local place" and I don't look too "local" if you catch my drift, so others might get treated better which is really unfortunate. Last time I checked, the color of money is green. I walk in on a Sunday morning. 3 tables open so I sit down. No employee any where so I wait. A man comes out from the back after about 5 minutes. Doesn't even acknowledge me until I call for him. C'mon now, there are only 5 tables in the place and it's like 300 square feet. He says he'll be right back. Now 2 other parties come in and are waiting too. He comes out and greets the other tables and takes their orders and goes to the back. At this point I'm looking for hidden cameras because I must be on a hidden video T.V. show like Punk'd or something. After another 5 minutes he comes out and takes my order (Lobster omelet with rice, water, coffee). Waiting, waiting.... about 15 mins later the other tables food arrives and they begin eating. I still don't even have water or coffee. Waiting, waiting, waiting... One of the tables are finished eating and paid their bill and left. Waiting... Now all the tables are gone... Just me still waiting. No one ever comes out to see if I need anything or explain if there is a problem or something. Food finally arrives about an hour since first walking in. Never ever again! The food might be good, but you don't treat customers like that! If the owner has ever scratched his/her head wondering why they don't turn a better profit.... tell them to read my post again.
(1)
lamar b.

Awesome place. Good food. And Friendly service. Oh yah this is the same shop that once was located in downtown and is still popular for the prime rib. Wow talk about tasty and the au jus sauce, EXCELLENT. Parking is a problem, because it's street, if there is any.
(4)
Howilynn A.

Every time I ate here food was awesome..n I ate here more than 10 times from breakfast, lobster, liver n bacon, ham steak everything is onolicious!!!!! Cheap big portions and if u don't mind waiting like I don't cause I no I'm gonna eat good n get my moneys worth then I suggest u come eat at rays!!!
(5)
Chevelle H.

food is excellent. we come from Waipahu into Kalihi just to eat at Rays for breakfast. but, the new last with the glasses (didn't get her name) is terrible waitress. we were sitting in the restaurant for about ten minutes when another party came in and got served before us. even worse, that same waitress looked at our table and just walked away. that party got utensils, water, and their order taken before she even came to our table. on top of every thing, i feel she is rude, asking "what do you want" when taking your order. but, like i said. the food is excellent. that's one of the only reasons i come back.
(3)
Channing B.

Me and one of my co-workers are always looking for new places for inexpensive plate lunches places (we call ourselves the Iron Stomachs). My in-laws told me about Ray's Cafe in Kalihi, having described it as a "hole in the wall" place with great food on the cheap. Right then and there, it qualified as a place we needed to try! We rolled up at around 11:00 am on Monday and found street parking (actually, legal street parking!) right in front of Ray's Cafe. Upon entering, we noticed that all of the tables were full of people enjoying huge portions for lunch. The specials that Monday were Steak and King Crab Legs for $20 (too rich for my skinny wallet), LauLau $6, Pork Cutlet $6, Grilled Ono $7 or Roast Beef with Gravy $7. I was also intrigued by the Bento for $6 with the regular suspects of Fried Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Teri Beef and of course Spam. I asked the counter guy which one he recommended, the Bento, Grilled Ono or the Roast Beef Special, He just stared back at me and shrugged his shoulders as a response to my dilemma. She ordered Grilled NY Steak with Onions, Green Peppers and Mushrooms for $12 (still to rich for this poor dude) and I ordered the Special, Roast Beef with Gravy. Both came with rice and a choice of mac salad or mixed greens. We were both feeling healthy so we choose the mixed greens over the mac salad. We grabbed our Styrofoam boxes and headed back to the office to grind... Hers was a huge steak cooked medium well (she ordered it, not me) with a generous serving of sauteed mushrooms (they ran out of onions and green peppers?) and of course, two scoops of rice. Mine turned out to be a rib-eye roast sliced thin with lots of tasty gravy and rice. Both came with a separate container with tossed greens (don't get too excited, it was just iceberg lettuce), mine with french and hers with ranch dressing. Conclusion: I wolfed my entire lunch down in about 10 minutes and then was in dire need of a nap and she ate less than half of hers and took the rest home for dinner (and probably a lite lunch the next day). We both decided this place made the regular rotation of our lunch places and we are both committed to trying the massive, 4 Egg, Lobster Omelette for $7 next time! We also noticed there was another "hole in the wall" place a couple of doors DH of Ray's (sorry, I didn't get the name of the place). We looked at the menu and noticed they had some good stuff that was even cheaper than Ray's. Next time... Look for my write up on that one!
(4)
Ryan T.

Even though I work right down the street from Ray's, I had never been here before. At the urging of my friend who loves Ray's, I decided to give them a try. Talk about a hole in the wall, we actually ended up parking in a loading zone stall since my friend has a commercial truck and there was no other street parking available. As far the food, it must have been the end of the month because I had to order my third choice since they were out of teri beef and mahi. To my surprise, the BBQ hamburger steak that I ordered was absolutely broke da mouth. Instead of brown gravy like a normal hamburger steak, the meat was covered in teri sauce. The funny thing is that they also ran out of white rice, so I had one scoop of brown rice with one scoop of white. With the portions that they give for the prices that they charge, I really do not know how they make any money. This is yet another cheap eat that I will have to return to.
(4)
Jeff G.

Ghetto Fab. Great hole in the wall place to eat. Fridays is a must eat here ....... Can't beat the prime rib at that price!!!
(4)
Jyron S.

Welly, welly, well. What a nice little surprise this place is. My girlfriend was in the mood for some fried chicken, so I looked around Yelp and found this place. My girlfriend actually grew up eating Rays-her mother owned a store next to his old place on Smith street. I know my girlfriend wanted chicken but she is a HUGE prime rib fan, so she had that, and I had the fried chicken. The prime rib was excellent-juicy and flavorful. My only complaint is that they did not have horseradish. The fried chicken-was made like he knew you were coming over. Let's just say, that those that know, already come here for affordable, great food-it seems to be popular with HPD working the area. I feel guilty mentioning this place, but oh well. This is your quintessential hole in the wall that every major city has that only the locals know about.
(5)
Kathy F.

Food and service is amazing! Haven't had a bad item yet.....loved the cutlet, freid chicken, fresh fish and prime rib. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)
Benjamin O.

Rays Cafe: your Yelp profile says you are open Saturday until 9. 2 friends and I wasted our evening coming to dinner at 8, only to find your door locked. No hours on the door. Your phone rings and rings with no message explaining if you are open or closed, or what your hours are. This is completely inconsiderate of your customers. If this is your crappy approach to respecting customers' time and managing your online information, why should I expect you to take any more care in your food quality and preparation, cleanliness and hygiene, etc? Rude and stupid. Instead of three happy customers who will tell friends what a find you are, we will do the opposite, explaining that you're incompetent at running your business and not to bother going because you may even be closed when you're supposed to be open.
(1)
Sky S.

If you visit here for first time, you'll be really surprise how this tiny place can stay in business with an affordable price with HUGE portion. I hear you, Barry A. We all want this place to be the best secret place for just among us... This place is seriously great. Flavor of their food is very delicate. I ordered Mahimahi. I didn't even need their tartar sauce. Cooked for perfection. It was so moist and flavorful. Fresh seafood and huge, I mean HUGE portion for the price! Their Prim rib is ridiculously HUGE (I think it may weight 2lb!!) for $14!! (as of Oct. '09) You will pay at least $40 at the other restaurants. It is small place so, you'll see parts of soda unit in restaurant area. Usually, places like that collect dust and I get turn off by it but not here. It was nice and clean. The guy who cooks and bring food wears net over his hair. Well, there is also a guy who doesn't need to wear the net due to his hair cut... (Sorry, uncle! lol) They will serve you with aloha spirits. I WILL RETURN FOR MORE! (And I am sure that you will, too...)
(5)
Scott H.

The good: - Big portions... - The oxtail was cooked to perfection. Tomato based stew, so ono!!! - Pretty cheap! $7 for one HUGE plate. The not-so-good: - Oxtail was pretty devoid of meat (small oxtail pieces with not a lot of meat on top as opposed to Ken's in Hilo).
(3)
Kenneth K.

Hole in the wall...Greasy spoon...dive.....all these terms can be worn as a badge of honor for Ray's cafe in Kalihi. Located at 2033 N. King st, if you want to eat well and eat well cheaply, then never mind the hot greasy air, the 15 seats, no parking, sketchy neighborhood...make your way to Ray's. The owners name is Felix, not sure why its called Ray's, he's a slightly pudgy middle aged man who you'd swear was filipino, but he's not. Felix and his crew of 2 work out of a kitchen the size of which you'd find in a mobile home, tiny. From here is cranked out popular favorites, fried chicken plate, hamburger steak, the usual suspects at 4 to 7 bucks. They are greasy salty goodness that you'd expect in genorous portions. But look at the wall for the hand written specials, they are numerous. The last time I went was in a group of 3. One ordered the Prime rib special, 13.95...no kidding, at least a one pound and a half thick cut slab of perfectly prepared bovine nirvana. This came with pan grilled potato wedges cut fresh and a simple green salad with bottled dressing that you share between tables. The next person ordered the king crab leg and steak special, about 20 bucks. Same sides or rice depending on your taste, a generous 2 legs of sweet succulent king crab, and a perfectly cooked to order steak of about an 8 ounce portion. I had my favorite special at Ray's that I look forward to finding: their one pound, bone in rib eye steak cooked medium rare with standard sides, 15.95. Some of you may be shrieking " you said eat cheaply!" Look...for about 50 bucks, the 3 of us ate the same quality if not better than a fancier steakhouse/fine dining restaurant at less than half the price! Screw the ambience and snooty waiter in a dimly lit air conditioned Honolulu "scene" eatery. If its about the opportunity to eat good food more often when you're on a budget like most of us these days, head for Ray's. Breakfast, again the usual suspects at 4-6 bucks....I don't care for ham, but look for his special bone in ham slice breakfast. It made me a convert, smoky ham goodness grilled with the perfect trim of fat singed to succuent goodness, with the bone to chew on like a rabid dog. 2 eggs any style with rice or potato when available. Ray's hours are 6 or 7 days a week depending on how Felix feels. Hours are from around 7 or 8 am till whenever he feels which is usually 6 pm, but go earlier because specials sell out fast. Felix says if the open sign is on and the door open, come on in whatever the day or time.
(4)
Barry A.

Rays still rips! Support local business!
(5)
Jimmy H.

Ordered the $7. 95 pork chops and what do I get? 2 huge slabs perfectly seasoned and very tender and juicy. How can you go wrong here. I think I just found my new favorite cheap eat. Go there.
(5)
Clintonn M.

Hole in the wall, yet great food, great owner, low prices... 5 * Prime Rib: Chicken Cutlet Oxtail Stew: Steak and crab legs 4* bento teri beef 3* Pork cutlet. portuguese sausage eggs and rice. 1* cleanliness parking waiting times... But who cares, I love great food @ super low prices...
(5)
frank c.

If the lady cook is working instead of Felix dont expect the same portions! She's very stingy compared to Felix.... Unsatisfactory for sure.
(1)
Oscar F.

Super low prices with HUGE portions. Gotta try the pork chops. Only thing is parking is scarce.
(5)
JC C.

Talk about value for your money. $7.95 for the oxtail stew and I swear the portions are 3x what you would get anywhere else. I honestly do not know how they make any money. Everyone around us were ordering the prime rib ($14 on the daily menu) and it was HUGE! I had the grilled ahi before and they gave 3 steak size pieces for about $9.
(5)
Joshua C.

I didn't know Oxtail Stew even existed til I had it here. For those in search of local flavor, search no more..
(4)
Farrah A.

this place is amazing. the price and the quantity of food...wow! the workers are all so nice too. we ordered the salmon with capers, grilled opakapaka, prime rib, steak with shrimp, oxtail stew....so ono!
(4)
Kristen C.

My dad and I came here for lunch wanting to try the oxtail stew that he heard from his friend but unfortunately they didnt have any today since its a special on fridays, so i definitely gotta hit that place up on a friday. This place is definitely a whole in the wall with a small dining area with about 6 tables and a small open kitchen right in the back. So not really knowing what to order i just went with the bento (chicken, teri beef, spam, and mahi) $7 while my dad went with the mixed plate (shrimp, mahi, and teri beef) $8.25. No tax here so thats a plus. When we came at around 1140 there was only one other table with 2 diners and after i placed my more people were coming in and even picking up their orders so it must be a good sign that they have regulars. Aside from the local food, the specials today sounded good, such as the steak and lobster, roast beef, grilled pork chops, ahi, and opakapaka. When i finally got my order which took about 15 mins rather than the 10 mins the waitress said it was going to take I zoomed right out of there cause we had to do take out since we had our dogs in the car. Anyway, the food was ok. I especially liked how the mahi mahi was grilled rather than deep fried. I also liked the deep fried shrimp that I sampled from my dad while I gave him my chicken. The beef was actually a piece of steak that had no seasoning whatsoever except for the teri sauce which was quite flavorless as well. It was also really chewy so i just left that on the side after taking a few bites. Another gripe was that the rice seemed really old because it was not hot and it really fell apart and was not soft like fresh rice. Overall the food was just ok but i will surely come back to have that darned oxtail soup and maybe my rating will boost it up because everyone else seems to like this joint.
(3)
Mojojojo Y.

to me, ray's cafe embodies all that it is to be local. typical hole in the wall with no frills eating. large portions - good prices. people get their money's worth and stuff tastes good. i really liked the bento and at $7.25 it was waaaayyyy better than zippy's zip pac which is getting ridiculous. i hate zippy's teri beef and always either substitute it or eat just a bit of it before pushing it to the side, but ray's teri beef was soft and tasty (total opposite of zippy's!). parking of course sucks because this part of king street can get pretty nuts but the couple times i've been here i've been lucky. you might have to wait a while before getting your food but since there's only one cook it's understandable. ray's is a winnah in my book!
(4)
Jessica W.

This place is awesome! I went here with my uncle and i had the best breakfast ever! I ate portugeuse sausages with rice and eggs. and i'd have to say that their portugeuse sausage was the BEST thing i've ever eaten. It was very crunchy and tasty. I think it is a very local restaurant, but it is very good. They have alot of variety on their menu too and the portions are pretty big.
(5)
Nolan Z.

Good food at Great Prices!!! Felix has been running Ray's Cafe for decades. He was a chef at the Ilikai back in the Hawaii 5-0 era. Known for his MASSIVE prime rib on Fridays and Saturdays for only $13.95; but he also hand cuts his n.y.steaks and now rib steaks all week long(he goes easy on the salt for those watching their sodium, so do not be afraid to add some salt if you like more flavor) . He also has Fresh Fish Daily specials with portions that will knock you over. Last week my brother had his rack of pork chop special for just 8 bucks, it was well cooked but still so juicy and tender, portion was so big I got to eat just about half my brothers plate! Too guys like me...Ray's is legendary, and Felix has Hero status.
(5)
ROSIE R.

i absolutely loooooove this whole in the wall, i spend a lot of time in hawaii and for sure i never miss this lit place, with friendly philippino cooks and helpers... my absolute favorite soup of all times is sare sare, a clear broth soup... mmmmmm... yet i also have had the prime rib which is out of this world, for only 9.99 huge piece.... i love this place, dont be fooled by the area. :) mmmmm im getting hungry just thinking about it....
(4)
peter m.

the best food, fresh fish. large servings. cant beat this any where.if you can let me know.
(5)
Lien V.

Sometimes the most obscure locations have some of the best eating establishments all around. Ray's Cafe is such a place since their reputation for good food and accommodating service makes them a perennial favorite among many loyal customers. Technically, Ray's Cafe can be classified as an awesome hole-in-the wall eating place but I think their food speaks volume and at the same time, they can stand the taste test well against any fancier restaurant outside of Kalihi. The last time I was here for lunch was back in the days - more like 2007. It was not from the lack of tasty food but more of a parking issue and distance for me personally. I need to get the common "it's too far" out of my head. But thanks to Yelper Paul C. and David T., I am back even if I've to trek all the way across town...lol! Ray's Cafe is a no-thrills and no-frills smaller restaurant but the chef owners make great simple food. Plus the owners and staff are so down-to-earth and that's why I can taste the "love" in their food. A couple of favorite items they do very well here are: crispy pan-fried chicken, excellent carnivorous prime ribs and perfectly pan-fried ahi. I also had their lobster tail and it was fresh and juicy! The ambiance is plain and utilitarian so coming here is all about the serious food eating business. While the place only has less than a half dozen of tables to accommodate the patrons, that is okay with me when I just want to have a good simple meal. Yay for Ray's Cafe!
(4)
Eugene A.

Its that hole in a wall place . The owner is real cool and funny. But the food is really great. I Ordered a rib-eye steak it came out awesome. No complaints here. This is a place I'd come again too.
(5)
Fred W.

Food was plentiful and tasty. Only prob, few seats and little parking. No ambience here, its all about da food!
(4)
Hazel C.

Every experience I've had here so far was great! A bit pricey for a few items on the menu but the portions make up for it (except for the fact that I had a takeout on Ray's special once and I guess they switched their 2 fried chicken thighs with 2 fried chicken WINGS with ONE scoop of rice on the side... =[ ) Although they switched up their portions on "Ray's special" (which is a hamburger steak with 2 pieces of fried chicken and 2 scoops of rice with a side of mac salad), Ray's is still my fave place to get a good ol' homecooked hamburger steak! For about $9, the price is totally worth it. Trust me on that! Their prime rib is HUGE and worth $15 compared to prices at high end restaurants!!!! Overall, this place does deserve 5 stars for its quality of food in its place in Kalihi. Awesome!!! (filipino aunties and uncle are sooo nice... speaking to them in filipino always does the trick ;] )
(5)
Shawna A.

My hubby had the New York Steak w/roasted veggies and potatoes. The steak itself didn't have much favor but the veggies were delish! I ordered Pork Chops and it was very moist and tasty. Originally my hubby wanted the Hamburger Steak/Fried Chicken plate but they were out of chicken thighs. Prices were good. They were busy with people dining in and picking up so that's saying something. Plus the Chef seems to be a nice guy and know his customers. I wonder if he worked at Zippy's in the past. We will be back to try other things on the menu for sure. FYI- cash only, check side streets for parking, and they serve Pepsi products.
(4)
Packie P.

Now everybody who lives in or has lived in Honolulu for any real amount of time knows all about how great Ray's Cafe is so I wouldn't write a review normally but I just read a 1 star review on my feed and I couldn't believe what this very hateful and ignorant person said about this place so I figure I'll even it out with my review. Now first of all, it's called Ray's Cafe but the main man in the back is named Felix. He somehow is able to give us the very rare trifecta combination of quality food with big portions and a very reasonable price. He is a very nice guy considering how hard his job is. He also has a very good memory. I have a friend who was raised here like me but lives on the mainland. He came to visit 3 weeks ago and wanted to go here. His dad owned a lei shop right around the corner from Ray's Cafe way back when he was by Chinatown. My friend saw Felix last when he was still in grade school and used to eat at his place all the time. He did not think that he would remember him but as soon as he came out to talk to the customers, he walked around, saw him, and came right up to him and asked him "How's your dad doing?" He was in shock while the rest of us was laughing. We chatted a bit and when we were done, he gave us all free ice cream which was just perfect after the huge prime rib we just ate. Now he can do that to whoever he wants. It's his prerogative. So don't trash his place just because you didn't get free anything for coming in once. Felix is far from a jerk and anyone who calls him that should look in the mirror. His specials are where it's at and it varies a bit but my and a lot of other peoples favorite is the Prime Rib. I think the last time we went it was about $15. So worth it. It comes out rare so if you want it cooked a bit more, let them know beforehand. it comes with an Au Jus sauce that is beyond good. How good? I could pour it on balut and it would make it taste delicious. If you want horseradish, just ask. The Ham Hock with Beans and the Hamburger Steak and Fried Chicken is also my go-too's. I haven't had anything bad here and I have tried a lot of things here. It is small in there but everyone is polite and parking is the challenge here but it is worth walking a bit to get here. I just really hope that especially in this time and economy that Ray's stays open. We need places like this. That tv show Diner's Drive inn's and Dives should have come here to represent Hawaii. Oh well, next time.
(5)
David M.

Best deal in town if you're hungry for some Ono grinds! My girlfriend got the rib eye with crab legs for $29 and they gave soooo much king crab legs that she couldn't finish it all! Gotta go back and try the crispy fried chicken! Mmmmmm!
(5)
Wayne T.

First time here, and ordering to go. Friendly staff, and by the vibe I can feel that the customers are also friendly. Yes the food is a little higher placed above fast food, and serves lamb, prime rib and steak, but it does reflect quality and service here. Ordering for the first time and menu was easy. Specials on the board, if not then there's Aunty here helping me order. Ordered the steak, Katsu, and fish. Awesome selections! And while I was waiting, Aunty hooked me up with a dessert! Will be back again, and definitely bring my friends! Thank you Rays cafe for the take out experience! I'll be back again!
(5)
Kawikali ..

Prime rib served Friday thru Monday
(5)
Haylee F.

The fiance took me here for the first time on Christmas Eve for lunch. Needless to say, I was a little bit hesitant, as it's a smaller hole in the wall located in the heart of Kalihi at the top of school street. Now, I'm a big fan of hole in the wall joints, but I had never heard of Ray's Cafe so it's street cred wasn't quite where it needed to be on my scale. Buuuuut...it seems Ray's Cafe is no secret! Seating only a handful of tables, we waited a short bit before one opened up. My fiance never strays from his order: steak and shrimp, which always lives up to his expectations. His steak was gigantic! So big he actually had to take half of it home. I tried a bite and it was cooked to a perfect medium rare with good flavor. As soon as I walked in I noticed they had a prime rib special, so I immediately committed to that option. I was given the choice of mac or toss salad; I chose the mac and it was delish! The true star on this dish was the prime rib! My medium rare slice was huge! It was marbled with just enough fat to tenderize the meat, and the edges were crispy and full of flavor. The au jus was also a perfect compliment, adding the right amount of saltiness to each bite. I need to stop judging a book by its cover! For my next visit, I hear their fried chicken is a must-try!
(4)
Erik K.

We decided to give this little place in Kalihi a try for a lazy Monday brunch - Ray's Cafe turned out to be a little gem. The place is small with about 6 tables that seats 4 each. Very local atmosphere. Based on others review I had to give the $15.95 Prime rib a try - and it was one of the best prime ribs. The meat was juicy and pink, perfect medium rare. The skin/crust was nicely salted and seasoned, paired with the delicious Au jus (which reminded me of French onion soup), deep and rich flavors that still don't overpower the natural taste of the prime rib. I would highly recommend anyone who enjoys a nice slice of prime rib to visit Ray's Cafe.
(4)
Lonny K.

I remember coming here as a kid growing up, and I loved it... I have a lot of fond memories here, but it's more nostalgic than anything else. It's walking here from an uncle's house, and walking back carrying a tray of fried chicken... it's ordering the Ray's Special and finishing it all by yourself for the first time. But truth be told, if you take all this history and nostalgia out of it, the food has only been so-so, as of late. In my most recent visit, I ordered a steak RARE... and I knew to order it RARE, even though I usually like my steak medium-rare, only because I know that they tend to overcook steaks here. Well, my damn steak came out beyond well done... another 2-3 minutes on the grill, and it would've been beef jerky. The chicken is still good here... but it will come out to you in a little bath of fryer oil. Pat it down w/ a napkin and you're good... but I've brought lady friends here in the past who were kinda grossed out by how oily it was. Prime rib days are still the business... but that's more a reflection of how much prime rib you get for your dollar and less a reflection of how great the prime rib is. It's a decent, quality, run-of-the-mill prime rib... at a great price! Again - if that's your thing... get on it! I like this place. I'll continue to come back. It is what it is. But let's be clear, and not make it out to be something it's not.
(3)
Vincent T.

Very close to 5 stars for me. For a hole in the wall joint definitely 5 stars! Manong Felix has owned Ray's for a while now and his food is excellent! You must try the Ribeye Steak here. I would put his up against Steakhouse in Honolulu!!! He seasons the meat just right and it melts in your mouth! I wouldn't be embarrassed to take a date here at all. The ambience may not be great, but if your looking for taste Ray's is the place!!! Must try's are Ribeye and Giant Lobster for $30, ribeye and Fried shrimp (8 pieces) for $20 and for those on a budget his famous hamburger steak with gravy and fried chicken (2 thighs) for $10. Trust me these are all hard to finish off because the quantity is matched deliciously with the quality. Long live manong Felix!!!
(4)
Gordon R.

Steaks are top notch for this price. Maybe a half star below Ruth ' s Chris but a third the price. Best French Toast I've ever had. Just went back and got a NY with a mushroom omelet and couldn't finish. I'm fat, that never happens. Hyper home style experience. 6 tables usually filled with the friendly loyal local fans. Avoid rush hours. I'd call ahead to ask if there is a wait. I'd wait 30-40 for a seat if I had too. Never had to wait myself but I've seen lines. Steaks cooked slightly over, know that and you're good.
(4)
Lionel L.

This is one of those restaurants that one should see on a food network by Anthony Bourdain or that fat bald guy that likes to eat rat penis in Laos. Not that Rays cafe serves that, but it is truly one of the best kept secrets in Hawaii. The food speaks for itself, just try any of the specials in the menu. If you're looking for comfort food, this is the place to go. Part of the reason why you won't see this on a magazine or 808s best is because of the "hole in the wall" location. It's almost like a ninja restaurant camouflaged between a liquor store and another liquor store across the street from the Salvation Army. If you can get past that and see or smell the beauty of the food in this epic place, you won't regret it. Best part is, the value. At less than $9 per plate on average, you'll have enough to take back to your cousins at the goodwill.
(5)
David T.

Very local spot. Great mixture of food styles. From prime rib to fried chicken! This is a very local place with good portions of local favorites plus some unexpected items such as prime rib, corned beef and cabbage and fried chicken. The prices are very modest and the portions are huge! My favorite is the prime rib, which could easily feed two. It has always been perfectly cooked and is thick and juicy. The breakfast items are all good and the omelets are chocked full of ingredients. It is a very small venue and suited for parties of 4 or less and parking can be a problem. Drive around to find a parking place and then have a nice walk afterwards...You'll need it!
(5)
Julie-ann O.

5 stars for the way Felix treats my dad. He gets all the special stuff or extras. I never tell him who I am so he doesn't feel like he has to cater to me. Felix is a very friendly generous man. His food is cheap for colossal size food. It don't matter who you are you will get a humongous steak so really you getting more for what you paid anyhow. I don't like how certain dignitaries and their cohorts expect a cheaper rate from him when they rich and they getting a good deal anyhow. It's a business and the guy gotta eat too, so come on people, really? Parking sucks here, you gotta be lucky or just have someone drive you there for take out. That's actually the best avenue to ray's. The best things on the menu are the prime rib, steaks, and fried chicken. I like to order cheeseburgers and fries from here the burger is big for 3.75. My dad says his sinigan is really good but I doubt it's on the menu. Most places when you order fish you get a couple of small filets, here you get a piece bigger than your face. It covers the plate. Just like the prime rib, pork chops, or steaks. If you like big cheap food this the place for you.
(5)
Colin Y.

When the door is open their open. When the door is closed their closed. Been coming rays for over 20 years since felix was on smith street. The lunch line used to be out the door with police , city and state workers. For those who are in the "know" its a great place. Cheap, large portions and awesome food. Lobster, prime rib, rack of pork chop, fried chicken,True hole in the wall. For those who have never been here before? Tourists? This is my warning Do not venture on your own. Go with a someone who knows. You will complain about the neghborhood, crappy service, long wait , lack of parking In summary. There is a unique system or culture at Rays from ordering to paying your bill. One of my fav lunch places. But fair warning. ive seen many upset people here so, again. if you dont know, dont go. Hope my review is helpful =)
(5)
Rock A.

I remember Ray's in Chinatown many years as a college student. When I could afford it I'd head down to Ray's because the food was always good and plentiful. Being a college student often made Ray's affordable and back in the mid 70s there were many places in Chinatown that was awesome when it came to food and I mean local foods. But Ray's is the place to come for breakfast, lunch and if you're not too late you could even squeeze in an early dinner! For me, it's Ray's for prime rib for breakfast or lunch - I used to do the steak and eggs on Saturday mornings and decided one Saturday in midstream to change from steak to prime rib, with two scoops of hot rice, two scoops of mac salad with a large OJ and you're all set for one heck of a meal. The Au Jus is always perfect with the right amount of flavor for your prime rib at $16.50 you can't go wrong. Ham Hock with Beans is so Ono that locals come in with their own tupperware bowls for take out and the Fried Chicken is always mouth watering and delicious with every bite. It's a small diner off King Street; parking is on street only so feed the parking meetings unless you find an open parking space down many of the street close to Ray's CafÃ©. And don't ask for Ray... Felix is the one who turns out those wonderful meals... along with his hard working staff. Well worth the time and effort to dine at Ray's cafÃ© - Just be patient with the staff... often times service can be slow but its worth the time spent waiting for your meal.
(4)
Trang L.

Before I had headed to Oahu, I did some research on hole in the wall places to go to in Oahu. So I found this article about hole in the wall restaurants and found Ray's Cafe. I was pretty on a mission that this is one of the places I NEEDED go to. So Ray's Cafe is a little northeast of Waikiki and its pretty much in the boonies lol. We went during late afternoon/early evening and there were no lines. My friend and I ordered their prime rib (which was recommended by our fellow yelpers) and it was HUGE and of course delicious! AND only 15 bucks! Our other friend didn't know what to order and asked another patron if the pork cutlet was good and he just nodded his head as if that it is a MUST to get. ... the pork cutlet was so FUGGIN amazing.. It's ridiculous on how amazing this was- the gravy itself was just.. magical lol.. And guess what the best part was?... it was only 5 bucks! 5 bucks for a whole plate of magic haha.. and to be honest- I'd probably get the cutlet instead of the prime rib. Legit.
(5)
Terrance Y.

I remember going to Ray's when they were on Smith St. Way back then they had a steak special which was awesome especially since I used to work 'til late evenings in Downtown, so I used to pick up those steaks for Dinner. Fast forward, now they are in Kalihi a bit harder to get to parking is a bit of a challenge but when I drive by and when I can find parking easily hey I'm there! Breakfast is great if you want a great Lobster Omelet $12, Crab Omelet, or the standard type Omelets the first two are the top end breakfasts but there are all the standard fare too. Oh for the rest of the day Steaks, Prime Rib, the Specials oh I can go on and on! Let me just talk about the Ray's Special though which consists of a belly bursting thick homemade Hamburger smothered in gravy and Onions with a scoop of Mac Salad, two scoops Rice and Two pieces of Fried Chicken Thighs oh just writing about it makes me full and salivating like Pavlov's Dog! The hamburger Steak was just perfect not over cooked where it would be dry, the fried chicken being like I tear into Chicken thighs like if I was one of the Croods (if you saw the Movie) needless to say doh! I burn my mouth every time because it always comes out steaming hot! But oh so good! I was just there recently and since the patrons there are so friendly I met this rather large guy who works at another restaurant (Which is also one I like) eating there he had the Ham Hock with Black eye beans and I swear he couldn't finish it! He told me sheesh I couldn't make a dent in it! He got a take out container for the rest and I think the thing must have weighed five pounds after he ate! I think this is like a fine dining Steak house in a Ghetto hole in the wall setting where you don't have to dress up, pay unreal prices and get great steaks with that Mom and Pop eatery kind of atmosphere.
(4)
Kimo K.

Hole in the wall with great food at great price. Popular for take out. 5 tables inside. Clean enough. Service is what it is. Plates are large and cheap. Had the roast beef for $8.. nice side salad, 2 small scoops rice (no need so much white rice anyway) meat was great.. soft, good cut of beef, slow cooked.. gravy did not have too much salt like other drive ins. Not much FAT in the gravy also a surprise. I liked it. $5 Kalua Pig cabbage plate. $5 breakfasts. $2.75 burger... $1.75 frieds... Pork Chop plate was excellent.. wish I had ordered the fish and chicken combo for $14... looks like they have not changed the sign in 10 years.. toilet out back in the alley has a third world feel with chickens and kids playing soccer in the alley... Could use some music... or a TV... but they wont change anything.. until someone dies.
(4)
Jace H.

Service sucked and waited OVER HALF AN HOUR for my food!!! Cooks were nice and apologetic
(1)
Osi E.

rays daily specials cheap grindz, but weekend specials primeribs & porkchopps & crablegs & hamhock #onokinegridz..
(5)
Michael M.

It's Superbowl Sunday. Wife and I haven't followed football since The Houston Oilers were a team (ask your Grandpa). That pretty much gives us the whole island to ourselves. It's like World War Z during the Super Bowl. O'ahu is one big ghost town. We did fun things like go to Costco Iwilei and not wait in line. We could have eaten anywhere (aside from a sports bar), and chose Ray's Cafe. We were the only patrons! Chef Felix was so happy to see us. We went all out. I ordered prime rib. Wife ordered the rack of lamb. After a short wait, out comes this HUGE prime rib. The thing might as well have had horns on it because it took up most of the cow. It was tender and delicious. Wife's rack of lamb was equally gargantuan. There was more than half a dozen bone-in pieces of lamb...like little meat lollipops. It was like candy for carnivores. The sides of fried potato wedges and buttered asparagus were just teasing you, because there is no way you can eat them after all that meat. Prime rib and rack of lamb would probably cost you hundreds in Waikiki. Here it set us back less than $40. Chef Felix seemed to want to congratulate me for finishing my prime rib...he bumped knuckles AND shook my hand. "Are you guys from the mainland?" He asked. Of course he would assume that as no self respecting O'ahu resident would darken his door just minutes after kickoff. "Just about," my wife replied, "we're from Kailua."
(5)
Arthur S.

Wewhhoo! What better way to celebrate my 70th something review this weekend by reviewing one of the local hidden gems of the island that offers great quality dinner items at extraordinary prices! Last time i came here i ordered, the prime rib, it came with a couple scoops of rice, and au jus. The prime rib was cooked perfectly. Best prime rib ive had for a while. At nearly $15 this is probably the best slab of prime rib you will get for your buck. Parking is limited. I just parked across the street at some empty parking lot in Kalihi. It was very sketchy, and i monitored it constantly. The bathroom situation is also similarly sketchy. You walk through the kitchen and its out the backdoor. It was actually not as bad of shape as i suspected it to be walking down the alley. They offer many other great menu items. I am really looking forward to revisiting and experiencing more of the menu if im ever around that part of Kalihi again.
(5)
Elizabeth N.

This place really gets a 5 star for food to value rating. It's super cheap and the food is hearty, honest and real. Reason for missing star....well, it ain't the biggest or prettiest place in the world but as some have said, it's clean enough! Definitely this is one of those hole in the wall places that's a local staple. You can tell because out of 6 tables in this tiny place, 3 of the tables all knew each other (would be hollering at each other from table to table), and the ones who would walk in for take out, would get shout outs as well. I've actually been hearing about Ray's from old timer locals for years now but always forgot about it, because it's a bit out the way for me, but we were in the 'hood and saw the sign so stopped by for lunch. The menus are up all over the walls so you gotta look around to see what you want, but the specials of the day are clearly posted. Man, portions are kanak attack huge! Especially for the price. Everything pretty much comes with 2 scoop rice and mac salad or green salad. I had the fried chicken plate (3 thighs for $5, my son had a burger $2.10 (huge!), my husband had the special of ham hock with black eyed peas for $8. Our total bill was only $17.45 and we walked out with left overs enough for another meal! They even had NY Steak with Crab legs for $25 and the plate of legs were huge, huge legs, too. Where this place lacks in ambiance it makes up for in portions and quality of food. It's more like a diner experience where they're just hustling food. No chit chat, just wipe your table, get your order, put out your order. No wait service here. You go up to the soda fountain and wait for someone to take your money after you eat. Eating here, you feel like you're part of something others have known about for years but kept to themselves. Overall, if your wallet is seeing better days, but you want to eat like a king, Ray's CafÃ© is your place. (Cash Only!) Pros: -Food is good and generous -Super affordable (cheaper and better than Zippy's or other fast food places) -Hardworking staff (I kept hearing "everyday I'm hustling..." in my head whenever I'd see the one waiter zip in and out of the kitchen and dining area). Cons: -Very small; Only 6 tables here. Not recommended for parties more than 5 (that's pushing it). Could be a wait (and it has to be outside coz no room for waiting inside) so just be patient OR order take out -Not the prettiest of environments, so come with an open mind and not your best white pants suit -Parking could be an issue in this busy part of Kalihi; its all street parking
(4)
Doris D.

A true hole in the wall if I ever saw one. While you certainly don't come for the atmosphere, the tasty food at extremely reasonable prices is definitely worth the trip! I have no idea how Ray makes money but the food is so, so cheap and the portions are huge. You have to get the infamous $15 prime rib. I thought it was going to be catcher's mitt quality but it's actually really good! It's a heaping slice, flavorful, and well cooked to medium rare. I also got 2 waffles, 2 eggs, and 4 strips of bacon for $7. Good stuff. They also feature lots of $5 breakfast plates. Thanks Ray!
(4)
Gary N.

I really don't mind if you take over ten minutes to take my order (my friends said it took over twenty), if I have to park more than two blocks away, or if you take other people's orders before mine even though I was there first. All of this happened and I'm still giving Ray's Cafe five stars! Why? The prime rib I ordered made me forget about all of this and caused me to simply not care. It is very rare when I receive food that makes me care about nothing else but the food. Honest to good food is my weakness. This was the best prime rib I've had in my life! Bite after bite made me almost want to cry. I'm always happy eating at Ray's, but this was my first time having the prime rib. It is served only from Friday to Monday. The prime rib was so juicy, flavorful, and huge. If I had to guess, I would say it's over two pounds! Ray's Cafe is a hole-in-the-wall, parking is on the street, and sometimes they only have a skeleton crew. When we arrived this past Sunday, we were seated by a slim Filipino man, given water, and then not much else happened. A while later a large Filipino man came from the kitchen and took the whole restaurant's order. He was friendly and just went from closest table to farthest, then went back into the kitchen. Moments later, I was in heaven. I highly recommend Ray's Cafe. The prime rib is only $15 and comes with a green salad with Ranch and French dressings, two scoops of rice, and Au Jus sauce. Just look how big the prime rib is compared to the scoops of rice: yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ . I can't wait to go back for another one!
(5)
Satoru Y.

Great hole-in-the-wall spot. Everybody knows about this place. As people should, this place has been here forever. For that reason, be prepared for a wait during the rush hours. The place is very small, and there is no waiting room for any take-out orders. Parking can be tricky, since there is none: street parking only. However, this place is worth the wait. Everything comes in sumo large portions; just like how local places used to serve. Everything I've gotten here has been greasy spoon delicious. There is an ever changing specials menu so there's variety everyday. Be sure to scan the entire place; since there are menus posted everywhere. One of the place's favorites is the Prime Rib. It is obscenely large; like literally a 1.5 inch slab of meat that takes up half the takeout container. You can literally eat half and use the other half to make sandwiches at home. My other favorite is the Hamburger Steak & Fried Chicken combo: fried chicken is really tasty, and their hamburger gravy is killer. I've had other dishes here and there: hard to have them all since the changing menu encompasses so much. Dishes like the Chicken Cutlet, Pork Chops, and the Oxtail Stew: all have been great here. I still have to try their Ham Hock, Rib Eye Steak. Crab, or Lobster. I'm sure all will be awesome. This place really reminds me of Masu's Massive Plate Lunch that used on be on Liliha Street ages ago: ridiculous portions, wide variety of surf/turf selections, and great greasy spoon flavors. Granted you would get multiple choices per plate at Masu's. It was such an awesome place in it's prime; back when the mom was alive. Anyways, I digress...Ray's Cafe still serves tasty, mammoth-portion plate lunches in a more health-wary time focused on scaling down. Great local style grinds: the old school way.
(4)
Tina L.

My boyfriend was dying to try the prime rib, and boy did he love it! The meat was SUPER TENDER and had lots of delicious fat all over it, (after all, fat is flavor). There was no horseradish that came with it, but the meat was perfectly seasoned, and the portion was SO BIG!! I got the lobster omelet with a side salad,buttered toast,and fried potatoes. I was really disappointed with my lobster omelet. Yes there was a lot of lobster in there, and the portion size was large, but the dish lacked MAJOR FLAVOR. I mean, it was super duper bland, and I had to douse the whole thing in ketchup in order to salvage the meal. The buttered toast was really good though, and being a lover of bread and butter immediately took to that with ravenous force. The fried potatoes were also bland,but I don't mind the taste of potato,and actually enjoyed the taste very much. The lesson of this visit? Get their prime rib, and other hearty meat dishes,but don't get their omelets unless you want something that is devoid of any flavor whatsoever.
(2)
Leinee L.

My fiancee has been coming to Rays since he was 12 when it was in Chinatown. And now in his 30s Felix still remembers him and comes out to say Hi from the back. Thats one of the reasons why we keep coming back to this awesome "hole in the wall." That and he makes the best: 1. Prime rib! Huge piece of your choosing for only $15! And as much extra au jus as u want! Always falvorable and not salty melt in the mouth! 2. Fried Chicken! So moist and crispy each and every bite! For only like $5! 3. Omelettes! Think its like a 4 or 5 eggs, Pretty much any kine u want spam, bacon, lobster etc. But one of my faves is the crab, not with the fake immitation crab, with real crab!!! Soo ono from like $6.95 to $12! The only downfalls is that it only has about 5 tables for four people and 1 table for 2, so like a true hole in the wall there may be a wait especially when everyone rushes here after church. The trick is to come early to get a seat to relax n enjoy your delicious meal. Oh and parking may be kina tricky too cuz he doesnt have a designated parking lot. But if u find street parking and are in the Kalihi area come and check it out!
(5)
jayz z.

I stopped there today and was "jonesing" for the prime rib and had I a designated driver so I could just run in and order two prime ribs to go...guess what? Ray's Cafe was closed, apparently on vacation until next week (or so). But I can tell all about the last prime rib I had a few weeks ago ($16.50?), a huge slab of medium rare enjoyment with two scoops rice, a tossed green salad with Russian(Catalina?) salad dressing, Au Jous and horse radish. I took it straight home and stuffed my face in one sitting, which is rare because it really is at least a pound or more of boneless prime rib. Whether the fried chicken plate or whatevahs, I have never had a disappointing meal there. So I had my designated driver hook a U and headed for Mitsu Ken and ordered a Mitsu Ken bento special and a garlic chicken plate lunch for my friend, each around $7 a piece. Mitsu Ken is also winnahs and the new location across from the Nissan dealership has lots of parking and the line usually moves pretty well.
(4)
Kaohuokaala S.

Ive been goin to Rays Cafe for a while now, its really a hole in the wall, but thats where all the gems are. This place has ono food, from crispy chicken to the prime rib. Portions are generous too. They are CASH ONLY, but no problem because they just recently got an ATM machine installed...YESS!!
(5)
Lai T.

Let it be known that I finally get why oxtail is the bees-knees!! And I have Alt K. and Ray's Cafe to thank for this revelation :) The oxtail stew at Ray's is so tender that the oxtail reminded me of tendon, but with meat. YUM. And at $8 it is quite a steal! Ray's puts all those fancy schmancy places to shame with its onolicious servings and reasonable pricing. On Fridays, they offer prime rib for $15. The thick piece of meat was larger than the size of my hand! It was cooked to perfection :) The dishes came with a side salad, which could probably be a meal in itself for some folks that I know. LOL, not for this girl. But to be honest, the portions here are generous. We could have probably split one dish and been happy. Instead, we split two dishes and found ourselves filled to the brim. Oh, but it was so worth it! The only thing kind of off with our lunch at Ray's was the rice. It seemed a little undercooked...I'm thinking it was a fluke. Would I come back? In a heartbeat because there are so many other things I want to try from their menu :) When you go to Ray's, just remember to come early (this place fills up quickly) and bring cash (I didn't see any ATMs nearby).
(4)
Steven S.

Love this real hole in the wall in Kalihi. The prime rib melts in your mouth and prices are great.
(5)
JR D.

Good cheap eats! The service is slow but who cares?! It's all about the food! Parking is limited but who cares?! it's all about the food! My brother would kill for the fried chicken! They have combo specials that are amazing! Definitely going back!
(5)
Paul C.

Convinced my sister and her family to come here for dinner. Had given her heads up regarding the atmosphere and parking of this joint. This place closes at 7pm so we had an early dinner today. We were blessed as both cars found street parking and there was a table to sit all of us 6 when we arrived. As we looked at the "Today's Special" menu board, we noticed several items were sold out but we decided to order the remaining specials along with our cravings. Felix was our waiter who also did some cooking so he was hustling back and forth along with handling takeout orders. He's the man!!! Each dinner came with a large bowl of tossed greens accompanied with bottles of ranch dressing and thousand island dressing. And when our dinners came it had 2 scoops of rice and a LARGE portion of protein. We shared the prime rib (monster cut if it exists), grilled mahi mahi, seafood combo, fried chicken, pork cutlet and a breakfast plate of hamburger and eggs (came w/ 2 whole slices of toast!!!). The food was very flavorful and of great quality. We ate until we were full with some leftover for my sister to take for lunch for tomorrow. Just before we left the restaurant, we spoke w/ Felix and mentioned PRIME RIB is served every Friday to Monday. The table near us had today's special of steak and lobster - it was a huge piece of NY steak w/ 2 large lobster tails for $27.95!!! We are thinking about coming next week when Felix mentioned instead of lobster tails, it'll be king crab legs. We'll be back here again for sure!
(5)
MIKE V.

Great hole in the wall in Oahu! Food was fantastic and prime rib was very good. It is a must have if you come here. Only down fall are the roaches that were crawling on the walls. That was pretty gross!
(3)
Brent K.

NO PARKING ! Not on the road, Not in the back, No parking anywhere ! I like ray's we've been coming here for years. The food is average but the portions is Big ! Today was Prime rib and mahimahi with the boys. Now they have drown rice !
(3)
Elsie F.

A couple of my friends & I came here on a rainy Sunday afternoon for a quick lunch. Parking was a little hard to find but we eventually found parking right across the street from the cafe. I ordered the famous prime rib & it was definitely well worth the price. I like my meat red & juicy & it came out perfectly. My bf ordered the rib eye steak & that was delicious as well because the meat was tender. Don't let the outside appearance deceive you because the food is tasty! Unfortunately, the pork chops & the ox tail stew was not available that day. I'll be back again to try it!
(4)
Aldora K.

Nice family restaurant in Kalihi area named after the owners son! The fried chicken is delicious and the daily specials are sooo onolicious Since there is limited seating, you are able to share a table with a friendly customer! Whenever I'm in Kalihi area, I always take time to stop by for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Jo Y.

My husband and I heard so much and saw so many photos of the prime rib at Ray's Cafe after reading the Yelp reviews that we had to try it for ourselves. We loved it!!! I enjoyed the medium-rare prime rib, as it was so juicy, tender, and ono! The quality of the prime rib is what you would find in a fine-dining restaurant. It was so huge, about an inch think and took a sizeable portion of the plate. It also came with a bowl of fresh and crispy tossed green salad and two scoops rice (I substituted for french fries) and mac salad. All for a reasonable $15, which would be so much more at a fine-dining restaurant. I couldn't finish it all and had to doggie bag it. I was impressed and absolutely loved it! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ As my husband loves pork chops, he ordered the rack of pork chops. He said it's the best pork chops he's ever eaten, and he can't stopped talking about it! For $8.95, he got two huge pork chops that were so juicy, tender, and yummy. I tasted it and must agree that it was good! They must brine their pork chops beforehand, as I couldn't believe how juicy they were, as well as how they just melted in your mouth, considering that they were so thick. We also had to doggie bag this. yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ We certainly will go back again and hope to try other things (can't wait to try their fried chicken), although it will be hard to not get their prime rib and pork chops again. Ray's Cafe is in the heart of Kalihi, and it's one of those small hole-in-the wall places (only six tables)( that serve upscale (lobster/king crab/fish in season, ribeye, steak) and regular food for lunch and dinner. But who cares if it's not a fine-dining establishment, as this is probably what keeps the costs down for upscale entrees. Just close your eyes and enjoy the food. We had gone around 3:30 pm on a Saturday for a really late lunch/early dinner, and we were surprised that it was full. We were the second party waiting in line and got a table about 10 minutes later. Would you believe there were three Japanese tourists eating in there? I guess they must be reading the Yelp reviews prior to eating here, as this is certainly not a tourist spot. Parking may be a problem, as only street parking is available. We luckily found a space right across the street on Gulick Ave. We can overlook the lack of parking, as the food makes up for it. Service was not bad, considering it was a full house, and people were coming in to pick up their take-out orders that were phoned in earlier. This one is a keeper, especially when I'm craving for excellent prime rib! Can't wait to try their other entrees.
(5)
Shae O.

This place is a hidden gem! Not in the best area and parking can be a little hard. The pork chops ($9.50) were perfectly cooked. The fresh grilled mahi mahi ($10) was fresh and so delicious.
(4)
Vivian H.

Must Order: Prime rib (weekends), fried chicken I'm updating this review so you don't have to read through my very lengthy stories on my original review! Anyway, the prime rib by far is THE BEST PRIME RIB you can get on the island and for less than $17! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ And if you have an agreeable dining mate, make them get the fried chicken (we prefer the thighs) and then you can share it all! yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ The BF has also had their ham hock stew ( yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ ) and loves it, it's enough to save for 2 additional leftover meals. I've heard the butterfish is huge and oh so ono. Not the super saucy kind of butterfish but more of a pan fried one I think. If you're concerned about the location, then just go before it gets dark. Also there's a sign by the door that says "Door Open, Open. Door Closed, Closed". yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ So true but worth going to check! Also, it's worth mentioning that sometimes you will wait. And wait. It's best not to go into it thinking you're going to have a speedy meal. That ain't happening. Also, cash only.
(5)
Meg B.

Definitely a fan for life! Went in a week ago with the family for lunch and was overwhelmed with how blown away we all were. My uncle got the grilled Ono with chicken. Upon arriving at the table, a collective gasp was heard from the four of us as we all took in sheer amount of food that was on that plate. His fish was gigantic. As he cut into it the most amazing smell along with a delightful waft of warm steam made its way across the table to my seat. The flavor was to die for and cooked perfectly. Next to me, my brother had the hamburger steak and chicken. His hamburger steak was so soft and delicious that I nearly forgot about my own food in the process of sampling his. The gravy was just right, not too salty, and complimented the hamburger steak just right. The fried chicken that came with his meal was definitely worth all the hype it comes with. Forget all the fried fast food places, forget zippys chicken, and push your own recipe aside for one day because this chicken is worth it's weight in gold...golden fried skin that is. Across from the table sat my super picky grandmother. She's made it pretty clear that she doesn't just eat anything but she seemed to thoroughly enjoy her cheeseburger and french fries. Her favorite part seemed to be the fries. She managed to eat the entire mountain of french fries before even attempting half of the burger. As for me, the New York steak and mushrooms were absolutely bomb. Just looking at the plate as it was set down in front of me completed my dedication process. The steak itself was moist and so soft I practically melted on my first bite. Needless to say we loved everything and will be coming back again.
(5)
Mark H.

This place is the quintessential Hole-in-the-wall, but damn good food. Rack of lamb is the best. Highly recommend this place. I will be back.
(5)
K B.

Don't come here if you're looking for a pretentious experience. This is a down home Hawaii kind of place. However, the food and the service are phenomenal! I had the lamb chops. I have had red meat everywhere. I've killed and butchered my own and I've dropped serious cash in the best restaurants in the states. This lamb rates with the best. I'm serious. If you've got $40 cash and need to impress a date. Pick this stuff up and take her to a scenic spot. She will rave about your taste like you just spent a Benji . Just don't take her with you when you pick it up cause the setting is very "salt of the earth" in a third world kind of way...but clean!
(4)
Daniel C.

Today was my first time eating at Ray's Cafe and I have to say it was a 5 star experience. First the customer service that we received from Felix was very welcoming. He walked us through the sides that came with the dishes knowing that we were first timers. This helped us pick out the healthiest options for our diets. They have daily specials and today we thought was the prime rib daily special but in fact it is on Friday. This didn't bother us at all because we got to try some amazing food. The portions are huge and you really get bang for your buck here. I ate the ribeye steak with 8 pieces of shrimp with brown rice and toss salad. After consuming it all, I could barely walk back to the car. My friends had the ribeye and fish with garlic chicken. Their portions were just as big as my dish, if not bigger! Luckily one of the guys I was dining with eats there frequently and knew they are BYOB so we got to have a few beers while waiting for our food. When I went up to look closer at the menu, I noticed that the servers bring the food over to Felix for approval before sending it out to the customers which impressed me in their high standards in quality control. This is a new lunch spot that I will frequent. Keep in mind parking isn't the greatest in the area so please account for that if you have a limited amount of time for lunch.
(5)
Seth F.

Great food for great prices. I loved the owners, so nice and welcoming. The portions were huge and it cost so little. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Trish P.

REAL... LOBSTER... OMELETTES... not imitation lobster... REAL lobster chunks. LARGE chunks. MEATY chunks. and it's $12..... "say what?" yeah..... $12. admittedly, the lobster pieces were a little rubbery, but not so much that it was horrible. i would get this again, but hopefully the texture was an isolated incident. only one way to find out.... gotta go back! my dining buddy got their "infamous" prime rib, and it was a 2 inch thick slice of meat larger than my face. i would post a pic of it, but there are already 31,415,926,535 pictures of it on here, so you can look at those and drool.... annnnd - if you go during a brunch-ish time (like around 10 or 1030am), you'll better your chances of finding parking AND getting a table. a friend and i went to eat here, and found parking immediately on a side street, and got a table upon entering. and keep in mind, this is "fo realz hole in da wall kine".... my friend drove past saying "this place looks like its going to be dirty" - i said "well, we ARE in kalihi...." just so you know, its clean. not spotless, but tidy...... p.s. - CASH ONLY
(4)
O O.

It's true. A chunk of well seasoned prime rib as big as your face. 15 dolla. No where will you ever get a piece of meat this tasty and at this price. I was going to post a picture but no need. Get nuff pictures of Ray's prime rib. Restaurant never has room to sit. So go in and order a take out. Make it a small order and you'll get out before the jealous stares of the waiting diners gets to you. Be smart and order something that doesn't need immediate cooking. Like Ray's prime rib. Yes, it's on a foam plate. So what? Take it to the most beautiful beach you can think of and chow down. I was actually taking a picture of it at another location and someone said, "Prime rib? Wea you get em from?" Sorry. His plate was not like Ray's prime rib. I picked up this plate of food for my brother and took a taste while he was eating it. I on the other hand, thinking I was so smart, opted for another location, another plate of food. It was not like Ray's prime rib. How dumbo I felt. I was robbed. I spent over 15 dolla on my lunch. 20.84 cents to be exact. My food was ugga. Not like Ray's prime rib. Go to Ray's. Stand if you must. Wait with a smile. Your patience will be appreciated. They'll send you off with a smile, thank you and wishing you a nice day. Nice day for a take out plate, like Ray's prime rib.
(5)
John N.

The place to eat in Kalihi if you are on a small budget and hungry as hell. Ray's Cafe wins my Hole in the Wall restaurant award. There isn't parking except for street, inside only has a handful of small tables, and its cramped. If you look past this, you will find that there isn't any place better in town where you can spend $8 and fill up. Felix runs the 1 man cooking, washing, and sometimes serving you show. He usually has wait help, but sometimes its just all him. I don't even know how he does it but I'm guessing he's just half machine, half man. Fried Chicken is made to order here and while it is a deal, you may wait for it to cook. My favorite here is the teriyaki beef. It isn't Zippy's style, but more like a slab of beef. It should be called a slab of teri steak. The trick here is that the portions here are huge and there is availability of mini portions. Even the mini portions are huge! Each plate comes with fresh tossed salad. There is also daily specials that Ray puts up. Prices are often unbeatable then.
(5)
Jarod H.

Five stars for Ray's. Good service, food is the best in taste & size. The Prime Rib on Friday is the best deal in town (about $15) for a size double of what Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company serves. No can beat! The prime rib is so tender, tasty, and Oh so heavenly! No can beat! Felix is the best too. Very friendly & nice. Highly recommend!!
(5)
Althea F.

A true hole in the wall find! Ray's offers HUGE portions at reasonable prices. The pork culet is scrumptious and was only $7! The prime rib is not for the feint of heart! Its probably an inch thick and full of flavor. Do come here when you have an empty tummy, as it is a PRIME location to fill it up!
(5)
Cindy W.

This is a hidden gem! I almost don't want to write a review because I don't want everyone to flock there and next thing you know I can't get a table! Their portion sizes are incredible for the price and everything comes out fast. It's a tiny mom and pop shop, so do't expect table cloths or more than one salad dressing choice. This is the place to stop for a quick bite to eat, cheap prices and huge portions. Mahi that will last me lunch and dinner? Yes, please. Prime rib as big as my head? Yes, please. $5 breakfast? yes, please. I'm excited to go back and try the steak and king crab, next!
(4)
Chablis T.

The food? Burst of flavor....prime rib was Ono. Hamburger steak-very delicious. Tried the fried chicken & won't order that again. Tasted stale like it was sitting forever. && they call KC drive in the best for hamburger steak....so not. Hmmm. Where shall I start. Parking....sucks. Street....maybe half way around the block? Meter parking if your lucky. Service....slow as hell. In fact it takes a while to get your order in about 15 minutes because they are so busy ( better off calling it in ) I waited 45 minutes for my food ( being that Ray gave my order away to someone else ) Dining room....tight. No space to walk. However the air circulation is good. I have to try this place again. On a week day *weekend is crazy packed. This prime rib is worth the price & hassle I must say.
(4)
Jorel L.

I've only been here three times but each I go I have to get the prime rib. It a thick cut with a lot of flavor for only $15.99.
(4)
Yvonne M.

So, this was my next hole in the wall YELP destination after I tried Island Style BBQ a few days before...heehee. Anyways, I read the reviews and tips, and I just wasn't craving pork chops or oxtail. I honestly would have tried the prime rib, but being pregs limits my food choices. I did want to try something juicy and with a sauce. Their menu ranges from local plates to their famous prime rib. Breakfast also available till 11am. FOOD ORDERED 1) FRIED CHICKEN and HAMBURGER STEAK with BROWN RICE. The chicken was crispy, fresh, well seasoned and cooked all the way through. Hamburger steak was juicy, succulent, and thick. The gravy was mediocre, just a little lumpy but it served it's purpose. 2) GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH for my son. Huge portion, it was more like 2 sandwiches. He finished most of it. 3) Another FRIED CHICKEN plate for the Hubs. ENVIRONMENT Located in Kalihi on North King street. Yeah, ghettoy but can handle. This ain't no Watts. 5-6 tables of 4. No decor. Just various menus are hung up. Lots of regulars, hanabata days of uncles & aunties stoppin' by and ordering out. Warm, air conditioner a little weak, better than nothing though. Metered parking on North King St. So bring coins. Or try to park on the small side streets like Gulick for free. No bathroom. SERVICE Reminds me of our aunties and uncles. Looks like 3 peeps were working. Good service. They were so nice to my son and kept insisting on giving him a soda or juice for free (which they did anyway). TIP Brown Rice & Toss Salad available. Cash only. Call in your order if you take out, it may be faster. They close when they are out of food.
(4)
Roland T.

ONLY PEOPLE WITH BIG MOUTHS, BIG APPETITES, AND BIG THROATS NEED ONLY TO COME HERE!!! HUGE MEAT!!! This place could risk as a personal health hazard if one doesn't meet 3/3 of the requirements stated above. You've been officially warned. First of all parking sucks. In a state of being hangry (the feeling of being hungry & angry simultaneously due to being hungry) I had to park illegally (again) partially on the pedestrian cross-walk on a Sunday right in front of the cafe. So I was feeling a bit dare devilish. A thousand apologies to the DOT, not. Or to avoid worry, park at Zippy's, or at the banks across the street, or at the lots adjacent to the place. Then take a nice short romantic stroll in the beautiful neighborhood of Kalihi! YAY! Where everyone wants to know your name, social security number, and ATM pin code. This place is a hole's hole, in a wall, within a wall . . . and I loves it. Easily undetectable if one is ignorant enough to not want to know it. The place has a "Ma and Pa" feel to it and is decorated as if the owner knew his food would speak for itself. And it does. We walk-in and the place is seating people whom are already visibly enjoying their packed plate lunches. I recall seeing a guy demolishing a plate of HUGE crab legs, not giving a f**k about life at the moment . . . just in a state of bliss with a mouthful of crabs. I envied. The owner Ray, is a one man army for realsies (considering the quality control of his products and that he was working alone on this day). He's talking story with eaters and laxingly sits us down as soon as we step in all bewildered by the chaotic menus plastered in any which way. My neck got sore trying to keep track of them all. We immediately order the prime rib and pork chops (thank you Instagram hype) and were told that it'll prob be a 15 min wait. We do it eagerly. As soon as our food is served we race on home and open the lid on the plates . . . and let me tell you buddy friend, I've never been so happy to see a plate of animal in front of my face. The portions are humungoid!!! The porkchops and prime rib are thicker than my ass cheeks and cooked to perfection unlike my ass cheeks. The meat was super duper moist and juicy in my mouth (no homo). It took the entire day to finish the plates, literally. What you read on the menu is what you get, but magnified in portion. The prices are more than affordable, so no need to sell your body on the streets. When I'm in my death bed, I'm considering the prime rib plate from Ray's Cafe to be my last request meal on the reals. FIN.
(5)
RobYoko D.

We stopped in on the way to the airport, about 8am weekday. No problem parking on King. But could be a challenge. We shared ham steak and eggs, rice and toast. Plenty for both us. Everything was great.. Nice cut, eggs just right, steamy fresh rice. Uncle was very friendly talking story about his boxing days in Japan. Looking forward to the rest of the menu.
(5)
Michael W.

I've reviewed Ray's previously, but I must tell you about the Mahimahi Plate. Although it's sautÃ©ed with a nice crusty surface, it seemed like the inside was steamed or poached. It was so soft and juicy, without any hint of being under done. It really was deliciously al dente.
(4)
Lyn L.

Finally got back to Ray's Cafe....took my husband this time...it was really hot when we got into Ray's and Felix was working alone...so it took a while to get served. He said he sent the 2 ladies home...guess he thought it was gonna be a slow night..but of course not...we were the third table to be seated, but soon it was full... Prime rib and king crab leg....yummm! My husband was pleasantly surprised! We enjoyed our dinner and even the complimentary watermelon for dessert... Thank you!!!
(5)
Carrie Y.

Randomly decided to come here one day after Yelping food places nearby and although I have lived in Kalihi for more than ten years, there is a certain part of Kalihi that I will not venture past, and to all you locals.. I need not explain why lol. My boyfriend suggested the place and we proceeded on to this little "hole in the wall" restaurant. The parking there is very limited especially if it is around mealtime. You will have to find street parking or have someone order while another drives the car around the street. There are about 4-6 tables in the cafe, which get filled really quickly. Upon arriving, we are immediately seated by a man whom I presume is the owner, Ray. He is friendly and even serves us water as we wait for our take out. We order the popular much raved about prime rib and pork chop lunch plates and yes, the other Yelpers here are most definitely speaking (typing) the truth. The portions are huge! So worth your dolla dolla bill.. y'all, Yelp family! The meat is juicy, moist, and tender. Every bite is flavorful. If I were a cow, I would fill all four chambers of my stomach with these delicious slabs of meat, rice, mac salad, plus, the styrofoam plate.. but alas, even with my large appetite, I wasn't able to finish the plate. 4 stars for this mom and pop-like cafe because the food is super awesome. Just don't venture your wandering eyes anywhere near the floor of the kitchen area or behind the stoves.. and you'll be A-Ok.
(4)
Adam N.

Lobster omelette for $12. A big Serving of French toast to wash it down. This is an amazing gem. You must eat here. Disclaimer: hole in the wall. Just go.
(5)
Ellison U.

Ahh Ray's Cafe, they never disappoint! Funny I don't come here often since I only live right down the street! This place is definitely a hole-in-the-wall establishment. They're known for their thick cut prime rib, mac salad, and fried chicken. I normally get the Ray's Special, fried chicken and hamburger steak but since it was a special occasion, I opted in for the $25 steak and lobster dish. When it was served, oh man... Soo much food. It came with 2 lobster tails and a 10oz New York strip. It was well worth the price! If you, yes you! Get a chance to visit this place make sure you get prime rib or fried chicken. You will not be disappointed. Side note: Service is a bit slow since there is only one person waitressing, but be patient!
(4)
Edmund G.

This is the best place to get the prime rib. Food is excellent and Chef Felix is awesome. Cash only so be ready. Place gets pretty crowded and seating is limited but well worth the wait. Tried the fried chicken and hamburger steak is the best. You can also order take out so you do t have to wait.
(4)
April Y.

I've been meaning to try this place I heard the prime rib was good. The waitress wasn't very pleasant, didn't bring us water I had to ask her for water. She came back to ask us if we ordered two prime rib meals. Just after taking our order....The prime rib was good, rice was mushy. I would try this place again just they need to work on their wait staff.
(2)
Ernz O.

Yet again, another "hole in the wall" with awesome food and prices !!!! Went there during peak hours with a couple of co-workers so there wasn't any parking. But once we found parking it was Game On !!! LOL I ordered the prime rib which was awesome for $15, the others ordered the Rays Special which consists of 2 pieces of crispy delicious fried chicken and hamburger steak w/gravy which also was delish !!!! For those people rating 2-3* (you know who you are) for this place, u should realize where you are at, and dont expect fine dining and melt in your mouth food !!!! Have some respect and keep the nitpicking and bashing to a minimum !!!!
(5)
Mai S.

Rude service. Stood at the front for 20 minutes waiting to order, and couldn't even get eye contact. While standing there, we noticed that the cleanliness of the kitchen is questionable. Someone else was waiting before us to pick up their order, and their order was wrong. People sitting were annoyed waiting for their food. One guy at a table asked where their order was, and the guy working there had to ask the table to remind him what their order was, so he could put it in! Another guy at a table was trying to leave, but the guy working there was ignoring him, so he couldn't even pay his bill. Every customer there looked unhappy. We eventually left after witnessing the chaos going on, and either blatantly or inadvertently being ignored for so long. Will not return. Avoid.
(1)
L C.

The food was great and plentiful! We ate there 6 days straight! The prime rib is terrific. The rack of pork chops is a winner. The grilled ono and chicken is a deal. The grilled opakapaka and grilled ahi were delish.
(5)
Karen M.

Although this is a small mom and pop eatery, they serve huge portions for a small price! The French Toast is really good! I can only eat half! Sari Sari and ham hock are really good too! Again you have more meats, and seafood than rice! I prefer their fried chicken than KFC and Popeyes! Cons: street parking, and limited sitting..
(5)
Brandon G.

Came with friends for Sunday breakfast. Had the waffle, eggs, and Portuguese sausage. Very good taste overall. It is a small dive so don't let the exterior scare you off. Great portions at a bargain price.
(3)
Mia C.

All I can speak for is the fried chicken because I personally don't like too much Hawaiian food. It is AMAZING!!! So crispy it was like a potato chip! I can imagine if you like Hawaiian food, it's as good as it gets. The service was so friendly and we even needed it in a rush to get to the airport and they whipped it right out for us in min. Nice people and the best fried chicken anywhere!
(5)
Juliene C.

Yes this place is a hole in the wall. Yes it is hard to find parking. Yes the way they take your order & serve you is hit or miss. Yes it's a small & dingy restaurant. And yes the food is the freakin' bomb! No menu. Just order from whatever is posted on the wall. Always check out their specials! Bomb food at a cheap price! I've tried their prime rib which is just as good as the one at Lawrys in Beverly Hills if not better! I've had their oxtail stew, french toast, tempura shrimp, steak, & grilled ono. Never once was i disappointed. It just gets crazy when you're eating at one of their very small & cramped tables & there's swarms of people around either waiting on their take out order or for a table. The last time i was here it took me almost 15 minutes just to pay my bill. I was waiting in front of the kitchen with tons of people. Everyone was telling me to just leave & they wouldn't even notice. In fact, the guy i paid my bill with totally forgot our order. So yes, i could've gotten away without paying. But my family & i come here all the time. We can't do that if we are regular patrons! Anyway looove this place!
(4)
Kama A.

Considering myself as an "average Joe" I am always down to support the mom & pop shops around town. As long as I can remember I always dug Rays cafe as the kalihi spot to eat at if I'm anywhere in the area. Dude makes great food and you can taste the love in every bite. Mean grinds and I have never been disappointed in the dozens of times I came here. Even got French toast in the afternnoon just cause.. The struggle is real...Ray makes just enough to stay afloat in these times of inflation and short money. Sure it would be great to renovate and expand but then you would take away that o.g. charm. So come thru next time and you won't regret it. Swag
(5)
I Crush Your Head C.

Love Ray's. I come here once in a while when I feel like gorging myself but don't feel like spending a lot of money. Great old school kine place. Right in my wheelhouse. Parking sucks but the food is super ono. Cheap prices and huge portions. I usually get the prime rib. The thing is massive. I know most people say it's about 2 inches but last time I went, I swear, the thing was like 4 inches. Ummmm, does god like have a crush on me or something? Go check 'um go.
(5)
K L.

Wow. SUPER WOW! This place is the definition of a diamond in the rough. At first glance, its location can be a little off-putting, but you won't regret stopping by. It's a small place, probably can't sit more than 20 people. One waitress, one chef.. and I believe it's cash only. I'm so happy I found this place. I love prime rib, and it seems that they have the $15 special every day here. You get your meat, perfectly medium rare, rice, and a mac or green salad. I love aux jus. Delicicious salt dip for your beef. Mmm. Hefty portions, it was about an inch or so thick and covered just about the whole plate. It was so good.. I cleared the whole plate. Felt like I was eating dinosaur meat, the portion was so big. The fried chicken is also thumbs up. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the specials. Not sure if the guy in the back was Ray, but he came out to talk story with the customers, nice guy.
(5)
Crystal F.

So I would give them a five star because their food is on point, but the location and the size of the restaurant it's self, I had to deduct a point. We ordered the prime rib and the fried chicken to share and to be honest I wanted the prime rib all to myself after the first bit. I knew right then and there it would not be the last time I ordered take out from this place. I say take out because the restaurant is tiny. I know I have been to many hole in the walls in the mainland but this is literally the size of a van running itself into a brick wall. There was a few tables in it but that was it. I can't see a lot of people actually trying to eat in there anyway, maybe people who know the workers personally but that's it. I think there's only street parking so that is also a downer especially if you have little to no patience like me... but like i said the food is on point so I will definitely be heading back. Give it a try and also remember its cash only...
(4)
Tongu K.

Great good and nice owner! Their prime rib is terrific, giant slice with great seasoning and a nice dose of Au ju on the side. The fried chicken is also juicy and tender. Mac salad is almost perfect also, I really appreciated the extra scoop! The opa was a bit dry, will need to try the opakapaka next time as that would be a much better fish. Can't wait!
(4)
Lynn F.

Love this place! Quality food made fresh with good prices. Good selection of steaks and seafood. I had Ray's special w 2 pcs of fried chicken and hamburger steak. Hubby had prime rib, woh... huge! One downside, parking is scarce... street only.
(5)
Lori Y.

I go to Ray's cafe every Sunday morning. I love the French toast or Ono combo chicken plate. Rays is a local cafe and he does all the cooking to order. Food is fresh and always piping hot. His chicken is da bomb! Never red and very flavorful.
(5)
Lily B.

Have you tried Ray's Cafe yet?! If not, WTH are you waiting for?! GO! NOW!!! I'm SO thankful to Yelp... for I wouldn't have come across Ray's Cafe without your search option! Ray's Cafe is a little 'hole in the wall' located on North King St in Kalihi. There is street parking (if you get lucky) or you have to go into the residential area behind the establishments to find a spot. There are 6 tables to dine on inside... and they're usually full! We've dined in many times before... but on this last occasion we made a phone order. They have daily specials (which are all delish!) as well as regular menu items. The staff is SUPER friendly! The older women are so nice. I haven't seen Felix in a while... there's a new guy working but he's just as nice. Ray is just as great! My BF ordered the 'infamous' prime rib. I'm telling you... BEST prime rib on the island!!! BEATS ANY restaurant!!! Tender, juicy, and however he makes his au jus sauce... it's yummy! Served with two scoops of rice and mac salad/$15 (mac was on the side) yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Fried chicken wings w/ crinkle cut fries and mac salad on the side. $5. YES. $5!!! Come on... 4 pieces of wings and fries and mac?!?!?! REDONKULOUS! On our FIRST visit I wasn't impressed with the chicken wings... but I must say... I concur with the other reviews because something must've been wrong with my tastebuds on that first occasion but it was SO juicy and flavorful this time around! YUM! yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Steak and king crab legs/$26. I wasn't in the mood for steak... but I do LOVE the pork chops from Ray's. Besides MY OWN pork chops, I NEVER eat pork chops from any restaurant. But Ray makes them THAT GOOD that I asked to swap it out and he agreed (for the same price of $26). THICK CUT juicy porkchops... OMG I'm drooling just thinking about em!... paired with a NICE HEFTY PORTION of king crab legs with butter and lemon. The king crab was SO SWEET AND JUICY... I didn't even need the butter or lemon!!! And that's a DEAL at $26! yelp.com/user_local_photâ€¦ Ray brought our food out to us... my BF checked everything... and Ray chit chatted with us and made a few jokes... he's very personable and funny! He told us there's no where that would give you pork chops and king crab for $26... and he's right! The quality AND quantity can't be beat! We ended up tipping him a nice amount for our take out and he was so surprised he gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek... how sweet!! :) We'll be back Ray... DEFINITELY... and for those of you who haven't gone yet... GO!!! It's SO WORTH IT!!! CASH ONLY!!!
(5)
Bun M.

Two words. Prime Rib. Yeah its a hole in the wall, but you get in credible piece of prime rib done the way you like. Its juicy, perfectly seasoned and comes with a nice bowl of Au Ju. Awww yeah!
(4)
Cartman P.

The yelp review did not disappoint. It is a very small place, with maybe only 6 tables. We were there around 10am on Sunday and the place was already getting packed. You figure how crowded it must get for lunch/dinner time. I got a hamburger steak plate with gravy - Hawaiian style :) It comes with macaroni salad and rice. It's a good portion and high calorie, but who cares when you are on vacation! The hamburger steak was packed with flavor, so as the mac salad (a little too much mayo) but it was super delicious! A local gem!
(4)
Ira J.

Holy hole-in-the-wall, Batman! If you're one of those form-over-function type people who need things to not only be right but to also look right, you might as well skip this grungy little hole-in-the-wall. On the other hand, if you like to be served a generous hearty meal at a reasonable price and you couldn't give a flip about whether or not the dishes match or how clean the surroundings may or may not be; this place is just what you've been looking for. POW! We thought we'd finished our lunch and were sitting there with satisfied smiles on our faces contemplating all we had just eaten when out of the kitchen unexpectedly came complimentary desserts of haupia! And I'm not talking artificially flavored coconut Jello, either. I'm talking real, rich, creamy haupia with that perfect haupia texture. Riddle me this, Batman... Where else but a hole in the wall restaurant can one get a generous hearty lunch special for significantly less than $10 and have it severed with a great dessert? Tune in for lunch -- same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
(4)
Jessica F.

have i mentioned that kalihi has the best places to eat? ray's cafe is one of them. you seriously can't go wrong here. i've tried many plates and they were all so delicious.. my grandma always buys the ham hock and my brother goes almost every week. my family loves their fried chicken. we usually buy a pan. it's similar to zippy's (maybe even better) and cheaper. if you're in kalihi and looking for great cheap eats, give ray's cafe a shot :]
(5)
Ramfis B.

Ok Yelpies, this is the third time updating my review for Ray's Cafe and for a very good reason. This place just can't be beat when it comes to GOOD VALUE, and everytime i eat at this little hole in the wall place in the heart of Kalihi, i feel like i really belong here. Chef Felix is one of the most happiest people i have ever met on the face of this earth. He must be happy all the time because his place is always busy and his food for what you pay for, always makes me leave in a daze because his portions are HUGE, and it never DISAPPOINTS.........NEVER!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ How do you charge 14 dollars for a slab of Prime Rib, which is only served on Fri,Sat, and Sunday which is literally the BEST PRIME RIB on the island....Sorry Dad, but Chef Felix's Prime Rib always makes me weak in the knees and makes me cry tears of foodie joy. This Piece of Prime Rib just MELTS in your mouth with each an every bite and for all of you out there, you have to eat the Prime Rib with the Macaroni Salad. That's right, you heard it from me. Tell them to skip the Tossed Salad and have the Macaroni Salad instead. I thought Zippy's had a good Macaroni Salad, but eating Felix's Macaroni Salad with the Prime Rib was just OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now it's not only the Prime Rib that makes Ray's Cafe so special, well that's 99% of what makes Ray's Cafe so special ;), but the Fried Chicken is downright delicious as well. The Chicken here is cooked to a golden brown and the skin just crackles in your mouth as well as the juices flowing down your fingers...holy cow, im sounding like a Harlequin Romance Novel now, but the Fried Chicken is a must order as well... yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ On Friday's only, they also have an Oxtail Stew which is the perfect rival for you Oxtail Soup fans. The Oxtail Stew here is so meaty and delicious that you totally forget that you are eating stew with Oxtail... yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ On Saturday's, you also have to try the Smoked Hamhock with beans..Oh my lord, i had this for takeout after eating my Primerib in the afternoon, and let me tell you, it just brings you back to the Hanabata days of yesteryear eating this dish. The Hamhocks had so much meat on it and it literally fell off the bone. It was so comforting and after paying only $7.50 for this dish, once again i was floored.. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now if you look to the left of the restaurant, the menu is right there for you. Usually the specials are what catches your eye, but you can use your own imagination on creating a menu just for you. I had the New York Steak with Shrimp Scampi for under 20 bucks and i also had the Prime Rib and King Crablegs Combo for under 30 bucks as well. I even had a New York Steak and King Crablegs for just 25 bucks...CRAZY!!!!!! yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ This is what my plates look like after i eat at Ray's Cafe yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ Now if you are looking for ambience here Yelpies, you'll be crap out of luck. The only ambience you'll get here is eating next to bus drivers,construction workers,janitors, and people from all walks of life. That's what makes this place so special. I really love everything about this place, even though it's in a rough and tumble area in the heart of Kalihi. Chef Felix makes everyone feel like they are a part of his family and that's why he has so much repeat guests here. I might want to add that the parking situation here is very tricky as well. Just look for parking along the road or if you are lucky you can park in front of the Filipino house that has cars parked all over the place and just blend in.. I really love Rays Cafe. For a big eater like me, i have eaten at places where main courses can run you 50 or 60 bucks or have a steak for 2 at Wolfgangs Steakhouse which will set you back at least a hundred bucks. Forget all the bells and whistles, Ray's Cafe is music for my foodie ears...Chef Felix, YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!
(5)
Joe P.

Amazing Seafood and breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant not far from the Bishop museum. Check out the white board as you walk in for daily specials. Eat here early as the specials get crossed off as they sell out. Tonight the only specials left were Fresh Grill Ono $7.00 which I had. I regret not taking a pic and also regret eating all of it as it was big enough to serve two people. They also had Fresh Grill Salmon for $10.00 that could easily serve two people. Don't let the neighborhood or the building stop you from going. I've eaten here a few times. Its always full of locals. If the tables are full, ask to share a table which is a very common practice. Some advice, the closing hours vary when they sell out of food they usually close. Please be patient as they can be far busier than it appears, this small family run business serves a tremendous amount of takeout food which can make them very busy in back even when all the tables are empty. As the sign says on the entry door. If the door is open were open, If the door is closed we are closed.
(5)
S. C.

If you want a nice big prime rib or big tender New York steak you gotta get it from Rays. Our first time here. GREAT. Prime rib and steak is just as good as the high end places but without the high prices. Hole in the wall place in Kalihi. On street parking. Suggest calling in your order if you don't want to sit and dine and when you go and pick up the order take someone with you that can wait in the car while you run in to pick up and pay.
(5)
Misty P.

Holy cow this hole in the wall serves the best delicious food ever! If you ever drive by N. King Street in Kalihi near Gulick and Kopke Streets you'd totally pass by this place and not notice it at all. It is a hidden gem. I've tried the fried chicken, steak and oxtail stew. I've also seen my co-worker's order of prime rib and two lobster tails that come with rice and tossed salad. It looked and smelled fabulous. The prime rib and lobster tails were huge and cost $32.99. The oxtail stew was very tasty and was seasoned perfectly. The gravy was not too tomato sauce tasting and was perfect over hot rice. The oxtails were great cuts of meat and didn't have too much gristle. It was also very tender and not tough. I always get a tossed salad with my plate lunches and this side tossed salad was in a separate container. Sometimes it comes with thousand island or ranch dressing. The second time I came here, I got the fried chicken. You get four nice pieces of chicken thighs and it is very flavorful and crispy! Very juicy and not dry. This time, I tried the brown rice and it was cooked well. Not too hard and dry and not soggy either like some places make it. Finally, today I got the "mini steak" which cost about $9.00. There was nothing mini about this steak at all! It was so massive they had to shove it in the Styrofoam plate to make it fit. It came with 3 scoops of rice and a tossed salad. You can get mac salad if you wish. The steak had a nice charred taste and was seasoned well. It also was cooked the way I wanted. Try this place if you get a chance. Service is friendly, but unfortunately there is no parking except for 3 marked stalls in the front curbside parking (which unfortunately is always taken). That's the only draw back.
(5)
Evan Y.

Portions here are amazing for the price you pay and it's quite tasty too. I recommend the Prime Rib or the Steak & Lobster combo (when available). But I have to say I haven't been disappointed in anything I've had here. Downsides: Parking!!! There is none for the most part (Street Parking). It's also not the cleanest of restaurants. Also not the biggest of places (Hole in the wall). I recommend calling in the order and just do take out.
(4)
Brandi S.

Two stars for the best macaroni salad ever! Street parking only. I recommend ordering food to go. Limited seating and no a/c. The food was good and inexpensive.
(3)
David L.

Awsome prime rib just plain awesome. Parking is a problem though it is worth it to find parking to eat at rays cafe the lobster omlet was delicious the hamburger steak was out of this world. go with two people order take out and pull over to the side while the second person picks up the food is the best choice
(5)
Kristi D.

just got some takeout from here. yummo! my friend got the pork chops (can you say brontasaurus ribs?), i got the grilled ahi (big as my FACE!), and my gf got the grilled butterfish. everything was so delicious, and for the 3 plates it was $34. what what?! we have decided that we'd like to go every friday - it's just that good. the pork chops were delicious, my ahi was just the right doneness, and the same with the butterfish. and the service was fab! we'll be back!
(5)
Z Z.

Ray's Cafe may be one of the most over-rated restaurants on Yelp in Honolulu. I have been here twice and was never blown away, or even impressed. Is it better here than some junk local food place?....Yes, it may be slightly better, but that doesn't mean that this place is worthy of visiting. First, parking is horrendous. Secondly, the place is extremely tiny with extremely limited setting. All tables sit 4 people, but many are occupied by only one person. How bout getting some smaller tables for smaller parties? Thirdly, I question the sanitary conditions. I wouldn't say it's filthy here, but I would call it clean either. Fourth, my server didn't seem that enthusiastic or inviting. Kinda like the old lady that takes your order and doesn't care about the customer. When I ordered my Prime Rib to go, she didn't ask me if I wanted mac salad or regular salad. I heard her offer another table the different options though. I ended up getting the regular salad, and didn't want that. Bummer. As for my food, I had the fried chicken on my first visit (I remember it being decent and the portions large, but...nothing amazing) and on my second visit I figure I would try the hamburger (based on the one Yelp review that made it out as though Ray's had some magical hamburger patties) and the infamous and perfect Prime Rib. Well the cheeseburger ($3.00) was a good deal for the price, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Surely not better than Teddy's, Kua'aina, The Counter, or the slew of other burger joints. For the price it's a great value, but it's not a great burger. Its a decent burger, but was missing some key features that would distinguish it as a great burger (i.e. quality meat and cheese, onions, mayo, better buns, the list goes on). As for the prime rib ($15.00!!! Isn't this a little dirty plate lunch place...what's up with the high prices? There are even more expensive plates on the menu also!) it was a large portion but not worth the price. The meat had a smokey taste, which normally I like, but it tasted like an artificial smoke taste not the kind you normally get on a charcoal grill or smoker. Some may not mind, but I taste the difference, and it prevents me from truly enjoying this prime rib. I got some Au Jus on the side, but no horseradish (condiment fail!). There is a huge percentage of fat on the prime rib. I realize that others may like disgusting blubbery fat, but I don't care for it and to me its inedible. Therefore 1 pound of artificially smoked flavored meat meat may only have 1/4 lb. of edible artificially smoked flavored meat. The disappointment of the $15.00 price tag starts to sink in. So all in all, don't have high expectations going into Ray's and you might....just might be somewhat pleasantly surprised. However, if you go in based on the high Yelp reviews and expect an amazing dinning experience, I think the majority will be disappointed on the inside...but on the outside (probably b/c of peer pressure) will say how awesome Ray's was. Even though I live within proximity of Ray's, I have no desire to return there, so that says something. If I offended any of you Ray's Cafe fans, sorry, but you need to get out of your shell and go explore some better places on the island (even though they are few and far between). I'll say it again, Ray's is expensive (at least partially expensive), kinda dirty, inconvenient to go to, lacks great service and seating, and is WAY WAY WAY over-rated. I know your gonna go here anyway, but don't say I didn't warn you.
(3)
Jim C.

First, let me perform a "public service" for the uninitiated who will neither take the time to read this review all the way through - - - nor are intelligent enough to understand military humor . . . "STAY AWAY! THIS PLACE IS IN A VERY BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. FOOD? YOU CALL THAT FOOD? I HAVE SEEN BETTER LOOKING STUFF UNDERNEATH THE RIM OF A TOILET BOWL. STAY AWAY IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE!!!!" (Chuckle, Chuckle). Now that I have (hopefully) scared off the lightweights, let me say that Ray's Cafe is one of the top five places that it has been my privilege to dine in on Oahu. It is a very simple, friendly place with zero frills. You want nice, pretty, clean? Looking for the Hotel Restaurant look without the hotel? Then you seriously should stay away, because you will not find this place to be what you are looking for. You can hang a wee bit tough , and are looking for a place that puts the Quality and Quantity of food first? Then you should most definitely give Ray's a try!!!! The menu consists of good, simple, comfort food of the highest quality. The amount that you get for your money is WAY OVER what anyone could reasonably expect in this day and age. Truly it is $$$$ meals at $ or $$ prices. I will not single out one particular menu item. Other reviewers have already done that. I will simply say that I have NEVER EVER had an unsatisfactory meal from Felix and crew since I was first introduced to them in 1994 when they were at the old Smith and Beretania street location. Sometimes the seating can be a little tight - - - but I could not count the number of times that perfect strangers have offered me a seat at their table. And then proved themselves to be the most entertaining, funny, and pleasant dining companions that one could ever hope for. If you visit Oahu on vacation, you should most definitely have at least one meal at Ray's Cafe. If you don't - - - then you have wasted your trip.
(5)
Yoshi N.

Best prime rib for the price! Always on point every time we eat there. The Ono is good too!
(5)
Karen E.

7*26*2013 So this is my first time eating here. Not sure on what to expect since my husband keeps raving on about this place. All I knew from him was how great the Prime Rib is. First of all it's in Kalihi in a skechy part of Kalihi so if you're use to nice, pretty, and clean this is not the place for you. Parking is nuts. Hopefully you get lucky and score some street parking like we did. When you first step into this place you can smell that Prime Rib invading your nostrils. YUM! I didn't feel like Prime Rib since I'm trying to lose weight and I didn't feel like eating a whole plate of meat. I know shocking that I didn't order Prime Rib. But what I did order was the Ray's Special Hamburger Steak and 2 piece Fried Chicken for $8 bucks a steal! My husband got Steak and Shirmp. Had a salad with our order since they ran out of macaroni salad that day. My daughter didn't order anything since she wasn't hungry. Our waiter noticed that she didn't get anything so he got her a free soda and told us some jokes on the side. She was so happy to get Pepsi since we don't usually let her drink soda. Wish I got his name but he was wearing a cowboy-ish hat. Our food finally came to our table and my daughter started grinding! The food was so good! The gravy on the hambuger steak was awesome! Hope to come back here soon!
(5)
Ryan M.

There are certain types of food that make me want to try certain places and with Rays cafe it was the fried chicken. I am a huge fan of fried chicken. Therefore, this place was worth a try being that some of the highlights were the fried chicken. Food experience I ordered the fried chicken (of course) which turned out to be pretty good. For me, there are certain things that make a good fried chicken. First is the skin. It has to be crispy BUT, it also has to be breakable/flaky (if that makes any sense) meaning it breaks when you bite into it. The chicken skin here was crispy but a little on the tough side. Second, the seasoning must go beyond the skin and into the meat. The seasoning here was very good and passed in my books. Third, it has to be juicy. When I took my first bite of Rays chicken, there was some juice running down my chin. Pass! They also offer brown rice as an option which is always a plus for me. Service experience As soon as we walk in no staff was around except for two other customers who were watching us just stand there. We weren't sure what to do and didn't want to ask the other customers since they were already looking at us weird. So the awkward panda tells us to just sit at the table in hopes that someone will come out eventually. In a few minutes this guy from the kitchen come out and brings water.. pheww. (There is no menu as the menu is on the walls). Then after another few minutes a lady come out to take our order.. okay now we are in business and the awkward panda leaves. Environment experience This place is small but air conditioned. This place has about 4 tables that seat 4 people per table. You can see the kitchen from the dining room. It's has that true hole in the wall dinner feel to the place. They even have old school bathroom tile on the walls which I thought was pretty cool. Parking is street parking. You may be able to find some parking on gulick if your lucky. Overall, it was a pretty good experience because I liked the chicken and the fact that they have brown rice. However, if I am in this area I think I would end up heading to Island Style BBQ. True rating is around a 3.5 but I will still give them 4 stars for now.
(4)
Paul K.

Delicious hole-in-the-wall with a great "Local" atmosphere. Ordered an end cut of delicious Prime Rib & amazing Ham Hock! Don't go at rush hour if you're in a hurry ... And if you do: it's worth waiting for!
(4)
Andrea L.

Prime rib special for $15. Can't go wrong!
(5)
Kevin A.

Came in today for some fried chicken for me and the wife on Mother's day and got a free slice of strawberry cheesecake while I waited for free. Really home style cooking and place for a Filipino guy like me. i got the rib eye streak for my cousin and got a generous sized one. he loved it. definitely a place to go if you want to eat steak or meat. the chicken is good too, just wish they weren't out of chicken thighs everytime i go there in the afternoon after work. :)
(5)
Donna Lyn B.

Black eyed peas and ham hocks! I found the best version at Ray's Cafe. You know that scene from the movie, "Soul Food" where they sit down to Sunday dinner? Ray's black eyed peas and ham hocks belongs on that table. Prime Rib! Why wait for a party at a hotel to enjoy this cut of meat. At Ray's, it's frickin' thick! Super tender and seasoned nicely. You'll feel more like a cannibal eating Ray's prime rib. The first two times I had Ray's food was just my husband doing take-out. The third time I had Ray's, we actual ate at the "cafe". I was floored at how tiny that place was. So cramped, too. Luckily we scored a table right when we got in, but it was next to a sink. Our server was really nice and joked around with us. He served us an iceberg salad and put the squeeze bottles of Ranch and Thousand Island dressing on the table before our order came. We had a pretty lengthy wait. Yet, the wait is so worth it for Ray's food. Before we left, an older couple sat at our table and talked story with us about Ray's first location downtown and how the prime rib was three times thicker back then for only $4. "Whoa, whoa grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days!" I love Ray's food, but minus 1 star just for the cramped and very haphazard set-up for the cafe. Also, you won't be able to rack in airline miles here because they don't accept cards, just cash.
(4)
Mike M.

A serious NO-FRILLS PLACE! FOOD : Me and the GF got a plate each, she had the STEAK/SHRIMP and I had to have their FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN PLATE. Her STEAK/SHRIMP was super moist and flavorful, something you'd expect to find and pay for at a more upscale restaurant but for $10.00 here. My FRIED CHICKEN PLATE was super crispy and moist and totally lived up to the hype, oh and did I mention that it was $4.45 for a MINI that packs a punch like a regular plate? SERVICE : The older filipino lady that served us was gracious, fast and always kept checking up on us and making sure to keep our waters full. AMBIANCE : No frills is the word, don't come here expecting high end china or anything outta a page of a htoel restaurant...why would you, this IS a hole in the wall place and lives up with pride to the title. Alot of their orders are PHONE IN TAKE OUT too. LOCATION : Smack dab in the heart of Kalihi, parking can be a premium so a good drive around for street parking would be best or even using ZIPPY'S PARKING LOT too ;) OVER-ALL : RAY'S I WILL BE BACK AND WILL BE A REPEAT CUSTOMER!
(4)
Becky S.

Had food here once, there was a hair in my salad but it's all gravy baby. Just left it and ate my prime rib boiiii
(4)
Anna L.

We're visiting Hawaii and came here to try their food....Good food, Great customer service & the owner is so nice!! We definitely come back.
(5)
Chris V.

Ho da buggah is mean! Huge piece of prime rib (and I mean huge!) two scoops rice, choice of mac or toss salad and au jus for $15. What more can I ask for. The prime rib was soft and moist, delicious from first to last bite. I'm a believer or this little hole-in-the wall. When's the next potluck cuz I'm bringing Ray's Cafe fried chicken! I heard it is a MUST TRY! Who's setting up the party?
(4)
Keola m.

GREAT FOOD AT A GREAT PRICE for me, thats all I need to know. When the majority of reviews say the same thing....Im there. Stopped by there after work on Saturday and ordered the Prime Rib and Fried Chicken. FYI, dont call in your order because they dont make your order until you are there. I actually prefer that and didnt mind the short wait. Yup, parking is a challenge but, well worth it. While I was there I noticed that they have take out fried chicken as well. So, if you gotta go pot luck... stop by and pick up fried chicken from here. It will be the hit of the party and prices are way better than Zippys or Kentucky. Only slightly over $1 a piece. Prime Rib was amazing (a huge piece) and the Fried Chicken....thick and juicy. Just the way I like it. NOW, remember....this is Kalihi. Dont expect a lot in atmosphere but, you'll get a lot from the food.
(5)
Esteban W.

This was totally a @YelpHawaii Pham & Ban adventure - Timothy P. (@phamtim) and I ventured out to the depths of Kalihi to try out the famous Ray's Prime Rib. Sadly though, Ray was pau for the day, the prime rib, being a top seller and a top item had been 86'd hours before we walked in. Fortunately, being the determined (and hungry) adventurers that we are, we decided to stick around and see what else Ray had to offer. The GOOD: Fried Chicken. IF you cant get to Ray's in time for the limited time offered (weekends only) fatty beef, you might as well stay for the fatty-fried chicken parts. The chicken was ... surprisingly ... crisp, crunchy and juicy - all at the same time. Honestly, I know "hole-in-the-wall" places have the best food, but deep down, you know you're thinking, "Am I going to get sick from this place?" Timothy P. ordered himself the special (other than the Prime Rib) of Ham Hocks and black-eyed peas. I had a few tastes from his dish, but I am not the hugest fan of Ham Hocks - Ill let Tim review his stuff. The bits of meat I DID try were tender, but the flavors I were hoping were not there...PLUS, I was expecting to come out with Will.I.Am or Fergy (Or even APL since we WERE in Kalihi). The BAD: Nothing really bad to report - I mean, what do you expect from a hole-in-the-wall in Kalihi? I came in with low expectations, hole-in-the-wall expectations and came out with surprisingly crisp chicken. On that note, one of the pieces of chicken was still bleeding a tiny-little bit, but come on, I've been served much worse dishes. If you realize that you're heading into Kalihi to dine at a hole in the wall, expect a dingy setting with suspicious characters sitting around - and also amazing fried foods. OVERALL: if you don't like this place because of the setting, that is your bad. Coming to a hole in the wall and expecting classy ambiance is like going to a dive bar and getting upset because they don't serve Harpoon I.P.A. Get out of your comfort zone and into the danger zone - and definitely hit up Ray's for that Prime Rib... I still have to make that appointment - OMG - UYE anyone?
(4)
Air-n L.

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!! We drive all the way special trip to try this place and we get here at 700 and the guy work there say they closed! Waste time and gas!!! Good reviews but loose money!
(1)
Vance F.

Your typical Kalihi "Mom & Pops" eatery, considering there's a "Mom & Pops" around every corner, they have a some major competition... Having said that, good food, good service, sizable portions. Top 10 in Kalihi in my opinion.
(4)
Tamra P.

I am still in disbelief at the quality to price ratio of Ray's Cafe. Generally speaking, I am skeptical of any $5 plate lunch. It either: 1. must suck 2. consists of fat, grease, skin, and 2 scoops of white rice 3. is not from a place with seating 4. all of the above Much to my surprise I Ray's had great food at ridiculous prices. Yes it's a Kalihi hole-in-the-wall kind of place, parking sucks, and I probably wouldn't dare be in this area at night but you really can't beat the $5 deal on the biggest mini plate ever! I ordered a mini mahi plate. This came with 2 scoops rice (didn't know at the time but they do have brown rice!), choice of a very healthy tossed salad or mac salad, and a monster piece of mahimahi. I couldn't buy a piece of raw mahi at the supermarket this size for $5. My friend Dawn got the bento which I think had 3 different kinds of meats including steak cuts of teriyaki-not the flat teri beef most places serve, but it was like a steak with teriyaki sauce. Her hubby devoured a "2 knuckle" thick prime rib. I don't know how in the world "Ray" makes any money. Great deals, pretty good food, and you can also get breakfast at lunchtime.
(4)
Holly B.

Great fresh fish! Go early because all the good stuff sells out quickly. Such low prices, we can't figure out how he can serve such BIG portions for such small prices! Our gain! Thanks, Ray!
(5)
R S.

LONG AWAITED REVIEW!!! Went to hawaii for vacation with the GF and i and our goal was to try all the great food spots we been hearing about from our friends and on yelp. I was pretty excited seeing that it was my first time in hawaii so i went on yelp to look for great restaurant spots and RAY'S CAFE came up. The first picture i saw was the prime rib...DAMN that look good, so i dragged my gf to check it out. Walked in and it looked like a small neighborhood spot, which was fine because i love supporting small businesses and i was excited for the prime rib meal. The problems began once we sat down. The place was not busy at all, they had maybe two other tables that seem to be finishing up, but it took the waitress a good ten minutes to even acknowledge us so that we can order. I forget what my gf ordered but i order the prime rib as i had planned and i MADE SURE i asked for it to be medium rare. About 10 minutes later my gf receives her food and i assume mine would be following shortly. So about 20 minutes later i asked the waitress where my food was and she told me its almost done. Another 15 minutes or so past and the cook comes out with an overcooked prime rib and says "tell me if this is too over cooked, i didnt know how you wanted it cooked" I was thinking in my head WHAT THE FUC ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU DONT KNOW HOW I WANTED, I TOLD THE F-ING WAITRESS!!!!! But at this point i justed wanted my food, eat and leave. Once i started to eat the meat i knew that this was crap.....it was dry, it was overcooked, it was flavorless l. ALL THAT TIME WASTED!!! Maybe they had an off day, maybe the waitress was busy ( talking to her friends ), or maybe there was mistake, BUT maybe....just maybe this place is just FLAT OUT NOT GOOD!!!
(1)
Emi H.

If you look up the term "hole-in-the-wall" you're likely to find a photo of Ray's Cafe next to it. My boyfriend & I headed to the wrong side of the tracks & as we ventured into Kalihi to find Ray's Cafe. As we turned down the alley way next to Ray's and circled around the block to find parking I turned to my BF and said, "This place had better have some damn good fried chicken!" My BF said "I can't believe we came here just for chicken." I said "Baby, I will walk through dirty dark alleys and get into knife fights for great food!" As I put my switchblade and machete away we ventured into Ray's Cafe. This place is a total hole-in-the-wall with its creaky door, old tables, and 27 various mish moshed menus all over the wall. Specials here, menu there, it's all multi-colored and old. This was going to be AWESOME! An older Filipino man who I assumed was Ray (or perhaps is name was Ignacio?) greeted us and asked us what we'd like. We ordered two fried chicken plates, a three piece with drumsticks and a four piece with wings. Each plate came with two scoops of white rice and mac salad for just $5. Oh and did I mention the plates also came with a soda?! At this point I really didn't care if the chicken was any good because I love finding a good deal! We waited about 10 minutes for our chicken to fry and the nice Filipino man brought it out with a smile. We went home and broke open our boxes of chicken heaven and whoa Nelly the chicken pieces were HUGE! The chicken was not totally fabulous or worth going into the ghetto for, I thought it needed more salt and spices. But, I must say the portions and price made up for it! $5 for a gigantic chicken plate with a soda? Hot damn! See you on the wrong side of the tracks!
(4)
Dennis W.

Great local-styled diner. Parking is almost impossible!...but is worth the distance! Daily specials are always great..like today's grlled ono!!
(4)
Donna B.

I now live in California. My son found Ray's on yelp. What a gold mine! We visited Honolulu for 6 days & ate here 5 times In those 6 days. 2 times in 1day...lol. our final day there I took my God Parents there to have lunch. They couldn't believe that they live there and didn't know about this AWSOME place. We all fell in love with the food & hospitality.
(5)
Tim H.

Very small hole in the wall. The wife was pretty hesitant to enter due to the surrounding area, pretty sure a whore and her pimp were arguing about something just down the street, but once inside the food was well worth it. I ordered the lobster omelet and the wife had waffles and eggs. I thoroughly enjoyed my order but the wife thought her's was just average. Personally I think she never gave gave it a chance due to its location. It only holds about 6 tables and only takes cash.
(4)
Barndi K.

You really gotta be a local. This place is more "dive" mom and pop than "local hole in the wall." Food is solid and cheaper than anything else around but it goes beyond zero atmosphere.
(3)
Lawrence P.

Hole in the wall dining at its finest. Right in the heart of Kalihi, you'll find a precious gem that serves one of the best fried chicken, mac salad, Angus T-Bone steak, and their fat prime rib on the weekends. Yes its a fatty,and I think they reduced the price to 14.95 from 16. One thing to note is the fried chicken because after ordering their plate a lot, sometimes lacks consistency in flavor and browning. But no matter what, its still delicious, crispy on the outside, and very juicy inside. Zippys chicken has no match. If you have a craving for steak on the weekdays, get their t-bone. Its a huge 20 oz steak for less than $20. Everyone will agree that the parking will be extremely hard to find. On top of that, the wait can take a while especially when it gets busy. So save some trouble with the wait and call in ahead of time. For the parking issue, some spots you can park to pick up your food in a hurry would be the white building parking lot at the corner of N. King St. and Gulick Ave. and the gray apartment behind the restaurant. However, if you do find good street parking, take time to dine in. The customers dining and the owner are really friendly.
(5)
Quinn W.

I had the drumstick plate with 4 drumsticks rice and home made macaroni salad. It was amazing! The place isn't spotless or even clean for that matter but the food is AWESOME
(5)
Mei G.

I wish I could give this place half a star. We went to this place out of a recommendation from my BF's friend. Was very excited to try the place even though it's in the not so desirable Kalihi area. My salad had a piece of hair in it; brought it to the Chef's attention and the server and Chef started bickering over whose hair is it. The food wasn't really all that, I could've gone to L&L and gotten something better. Oh well, we should've known better for going into a lil place with burglar doors.
(1)
Janice H.

PRIME RIB IS ONLY SOLD ON FRI, SAT + SUN! Came on a Thursday, so no could order da prime rib. :( Settled for fried chicken instead. BF was quoted a wait time for 10 minutes + ended up waiting over 20+ minutes. He was not a happy camper. Meanwhile, I had to sit in da car on a one-way road because parking was impossible. Had to "borrow" someone's parking small kine while I waited for da BF to pick up our food. Chicken was 'ono, but not worth going into da heart of Kalihi to get. Gonna definitely have to go back + try da prime rib next time around. REVIEW #187
(2)
Irene G.

This is little mom and pop shop on King st. Where else can you get $15 prime rib on the island. This isn't no thin slice of prime rib either. It's enough for lunch and dinner! Four stars just because parking can be difficult, if you're eating in be prepared to wait, and it's a very small dine in area so nothing much. I got the pork chops and it was pretty dry. Nothing a little ketchup couldn't fix though. The wait wasn't too long for my take out and the workers are really nice. I would definitely come back again.
(4)
Sumi N.

I just love the food there!! I usually will order the prime rib and side of 1 fried chicken thigh!! Oh so yummy!! The toss salad is fresh and washed...hard to find nowadays. I will usually call in my order first and then just pick it up. Seating and parking are very limited!!
(5)
Denise D.

First place we stopped after hitting the Islands! The ambiance is pretty much non-existent, but that's not why I come here... The prime rib is the best I've ever tasted!! Thick cut and juicy.. and..... only $15!! That includes salad and rice! Crazy!! It was enough for two people to split! Do yourself a favor.... take your appetite and go!!!
(5)
Robin S.

This is a meat lover's paradise. I went for breakfast and love ham. The ham steak was draped over my plate. Service was good...I'll be back for lunch soon!
(3)
David C.

I have been to Ray's many times. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ I have never had a bad meal and I am definitely stuffed when I leave. I have had the huge slab of prime rib, the gigantic portion of fresh grilled mahi, the outragous 3 egg omelot and many other dishes Ray's is known for. I was on a mission to get the elusive rack of pork chops that Mark Y. ate. I have popped my head in on 3 separate occasions. I should have just asked them" exactly when do you have this dish" or even made a series of phone calls during the course of a week disguising my voice each time but I did not. I know that it is no rack of pork chop but my consolation meal was the spam and egg sandwich. yelp.com/biz_photos/YCg6â€¦ I have to say that this was the best spam and egg sandwich I have ever had. Who would have thought of layering the bread,spam, egg, bread spam and egg! If you do not like a lot of mayo then just say easy on the mayo because with the mayo they geev um! This sandwich was delicious and highly recommended! This is the first sandwich that I ever thought of as comfort food.
(5)
Ross M.

I've been eating at Ray's for over 25 years from a smaller place in downtown to his present location. Never had a bad meal, and the food is a great value. If you become one of the "regulars," Felix and his crew treat you like you're special. You may have to wait at times but that's because there's a lot of people in the restaurant and the phone is ring constantly for take out orders. The wait is always worth it because the quality of the food is outstanding for the meager price. CHECK OUT THE WHOLE PRIME RIB FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES !!!
(5)
Jason Y.

no parking hole-in-the-wall, in an interesting location. Killer fried chicken! 'nuff said! The fried chicken is awesome. Regular plate gives you a drum stick and three thighs from some very large chickens. I opted for the mini, which i would consider a regular size plate anywhere else. Cheap too, like $5. more than enough to satisfy most. The chicken is super crispy, i wish i could just order a side of skin! hint: call it in and pick up. someone drive and drop you off while you go in a pick up while your friend drives around the block once or twice. It easiest this way.
(4)
Jed L.

Made a yelp account just to say this: go to ray's for piss poor service and cheap obscenely large portions of salt and cholesterol masquerading as good eats. 3.14. 2013 Edit to flesh out details: Now that I can sufficiently step back without seething anger, let me elaborate. The service entailed standing waiting in the middle of a small intimate room for a good 20 min while the waiters and cooks just stared and continued working: no welcome or any prompting. Imagine the embarrassment standing for 20 min with no idea of what to do (the establishment has prices and signs all over but offers no contextual clue of how to order, what the seating etiquette is, etc.); all of those are assumed. It's not a place to go to unless you're a regular or have a friend who "is in the know". Worse yet, when other customers came in after me and proceeded to sit, the waiters and staff never mentioned there already was a wait line. Another customer after paying walked up to me and told me that was "some shi--y behavior; I personally would have given them a piece of my mind." After waiting sufficiently long enough, I got seated and ordered: while waiting for my food I saw other patrons' plates get served (even patrons who sat AFTER me). Bitterness over getting serve-skipped notwithstanding, the food that lumbered on by was nauseating. The purported "good eats" turned out to just be varying patterns of: mounds of meat (pork, beef, or fish) swimming in oil often soaked in by fries/rice which looked more salt than potatoes or looked more salt than rice.
(1)
pat m.

small hole in the wall places with great food is where I love to eat! and this place is at or near the top of the list!! great food!! great prices! if I wouldn't gain 500 lbs I would eat here all the time!
(5)
Gary A.

In my first visit here I noticed a line out the door. It does get crowded mainly because it is a hole in the wall type of place. The owner is very nice and accommodating. Service was fast and the food was great. I ordered their most popular menu item...Prime rib and their chicken. Prime rib is great! Their chicken is good too comparable to others place on the island that has good chicken(like kj's). For the price and quality this is the place to go. I hear that their pork chops a good too so maybe next time I'll consider that if they run out of Prim Rib. I gave them 4 stars because street parking is a challenge to find.
(4)
Scott M.

I heard about Ray's through some HPD officers...and you know if HPD eats there, the food must be good! They told me to get the fried chicken once upon a time because it was one of the best on the island...let me tell you, they weren't kidding. I've been to Ray's over a half dozen times and have yet to try anything other than the fried chicken! On my last visit, I tried the hamberger steak...winnahs! next time I'm trying the pork chops or the prime rib which everyone raves about.
(4)
Sheena C.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? I LOVE RAY'S! $14 for a HUGE slab of perfectly cooked prime rib (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY ONLY!)? Why would you want to go anywhere else??? 1. Street parking is your best (and probably only) bet. And yes, it's in Kalihi, so be prepared to... well, you know what I mean. It's in Kalihi, 'nuff said. 2. If there's no space to sit inside, there isn't a waiting list, so line up outside and peer in to see if a spot opens up. 3. No menus handed out; look up at the walls, and make sure you look at ALL the walls because you might miss something to your liking! 4. Service wasn't exactly speedy, but hey, I had time, and they were busy, so no problem. 5. The place is pretty small (seats about 20 max?), so don't be rude and hog a 4-seater table if you only have 2. The SO & I shared a table with a couple big samoans on their lunch break, and it positively added to the experience in my book--something about, "eh, can you please pass the shoyu sauce?" just makes me realize that I'm so lucky to live Hawaii. -- If you're not from here/didn't grow up here, you may not fully understand the concept, and you may not be able to fully appreciate Ray's in terms of nostalgia, but it is DAMN GOOD, so go, go, go!!!
(4)
Pua K.

PRIME RIB....Fridays! I come here every Furlough Friday to get my Ray's Cafe fix. It's so cute because EVERY time I go around 10ish I see the same group of regulars having coffee and eating a plate off the specials menu while Felix the owner "talks story" with everyone on each table about the happenings in the mornings paper. =) Yeah! the portions at Ray's are "Heart Attack" portions but it's a "BANG" for you buck and tasty. The ham steak breakfast is good with a thick cut of ham! The steak and mushroom omelet (thick slices of mushroom too) gets me nice and stuffed then when I need a seafood fix for the mornings, I choose....the lobster omelet. If you need to bring in something for your office party or potluck and don't want to cook? DON'T GO TO ZIPPY's go to Ray's Cafe and pick up a tray of chicken here. It's just as good. I go here because of the hole in the wall feel that I love and need less to say the PORTIONS!!! I LOVE THE PORTIONS. Parking sucks. LITERALLY! you'll find it hard to find parking. The Bus has a transit stop near Ray's and it usually is crowded with foot traffic making it hard to park but I still find myself coming back for MORE!!! Don't get discouraged if it's packed with people (like Saturday mornings) call in, ask what's the specials and order take out. If you do that on Saturday mornings...I strongly advise you to go as a pair while one person goes in to pick up the food and the other illegally parks the car and waits (oops! did i type that? lols!)
(5)
Ari O.

Amazing food for a small price! The only downside to Ray's would be the location and decor, which scared us a bit at first. But it is a dive, and dives are about the quality of the food. If you're expecting a tourist-friendly experience complete with ambiance, don't even bother. I got the fried chicken, spam, ahi, and teriyaki steak bento with rice. The fried chicken was crispy and delicious, the steak was tender and flavorful, the ahi filet was fresh, and the rice was perfectly cooked. The rest of my family got the mixed plate, which consists of teriyaki steak, mac salad, ahi filet, rice, and shrimp. If you want a little bit of everything, get the mixed plate.
(5)
Edmund L.

I have no idea how a place like this stays in business. They charge so little for SOOOOO much food. For $5, the fried chicken plate comes with 3 pieces of fried chicken, 2 scoops of rice (white or brown), and a scoop of mac salad. Each piece of chicken puts the biggest sized KFC piece to shame. And again, $5. My 2 friends I came with got the prime rib plate at again, a steal. For $14, the plate is a massive piece of prime rib, 2 scoops rice, and mac salad. The piece of prime rib is ridiculously large and only charging $14 for it. That piece is big enough for most places to charge $40 and upwards for it. For example, Good to Grill in Kapahulu charges about $14 for their prime rib plate and the amount of prime rib given there is about 1/3 the size of the meat here, if even that much. The other breakfast items seem interesting, especially the lobster omelet. The king crab legs look like a great dish too. It seems every dish here is served up in massive portions at lost cost. I can see why this place brings up fond memories in those who have known about this place for a while. This place has been around for over a decade or two. The only thing is parking isn't great and it's not in the rosiest area of town
(5)
Travis M.

Finally got to try their prime rib and I was not disappointed. It was a nice cut and for the price you can't go wrong. We also order the fried chicken which was also really good. If anything, just needed a little more salt imo. At the end, we were given watermelon which was super sweet. Only draw back was I was stuffed and felt a little sluggish the rest of the day. I will definitely be back though.
(5)
Jayce G.

If this is your first time looking for Ray's Cafe driving down North King Street in Kalihi you'd probably miss it.It's a tiny place located at the corner of N.King St. and Kopke St. If you plan on dining in I suggest finding street parking along side Ray's Cafe or across the street up Gulick Ave. Just make sure you read the signs because you don't want to be towed during rush hour. If you plan on ordering takeout and absolutely can not find parking I'd suggest parking across the street at Long Drugs Pharmacy and visiting one of the corner stores in that parking lot for soda or candy. The area may seem to be a little ghetto to some folks but for others like me I'm use to it and it's totally safe. I called in this morning to place an order for Ray's famous Prime Rib. It was a lady who answered and she didn't even bother to taking my name. I asked her, "Will it be ready in 10 minutes?", she said "yes". The only reason I asked was because the past three times I ordered take out it was never ready...I guess I always called when they were busy. I sent my friend in to pick up the order...well I actually set her up. She called me and started complaining that the waitresses didn't bother acknowledging her until after 10 minutes. I kinda laughed it off because I knew that was going to happen. Honestly, I could care less about the lack of customer service for this place...I'd wait another 10 minutes if I had to. Seriously you will not find another place that sells $15 Prime Rib with Au jus sauce. The portion is HUGE and cooked to perfection...the Au jus sauce was auuu jus right! I shared my prime rib with 2 other friends and it was a feeding feast of hungry lions. I have yet to try the other things on the menu but for now I do recommend to all the carnivores out there the prime rib is a must. FYI, also try Island Style BBQ a few doors up...I absolutely love their Corn Beef Loco Moco.
(4)
Reid O.

Been eating Felix's cooking for years...even back to when he was located on Smith Street. I continually go there for that hole in the wall feeling and super ono food. Saturdays is a must to have the ham hocks and beans. A delicious meal to enjoy and take you back to the small kid days eating at grandma's house! The prime rib..another super dish that's absolutely huge! Great taste and VERY filling. The ham/cheese/mushroom/green onion omelette is tough to beat and again like many of Felix's dishes..HUGE. French toast super taste and a nice partner for the omelette. Stop by when you have the chance. Sure the neighborhood may have you wondering..but step inside and enjoy a meal you'd think should cost double the price!
(5)
Dana Z.

I hate to break the bubble here but this place looks, feels and tastes like a dive. Yup, the food was a HUGE disappointment! We were starving too and that didn't even help! Not a good sign. I understand that this place is an institution to many. While we were there, a bunch of folks came in and got "to go" orders so I know those of you out there that gave this place high ratings love it. For that reason alone, and the fact that is has been in business for a gillion years, which is amazing, I gave it two stars. But otherwise I would of given it one star. Now let's talk about our experience. First of all you walk up to the place and you get very frightened. The windows are filthy and it looks like a lotto dive in a run down neighborhood. But you think to yourself, look at all these glorious ratings on yelp! Let's go in, must be amazing. Be forewarned, it is not. In fact, this experience has shaken my faith in Yelp. Sad. The food is slop that isn't prepare with any love or pride. The dinning room is as filthy and rundown as the entrance and I shudder to think what the kitchen looks like. They only thing they have going for it is large portions for cheap. I guess that is what everyone is so excited about. But come on people! Large portions of slop is still slop! I have eaten plate lunch for years (lived in Hawaii 6 years) and the mac salad here wasn't even good. My hubby had the ahi shrimp special and I had the mushroom omelet with bacon. The ahi tasted like it was cooked next to a hamburger and was so tough from overcooking that he had to cut it with a knife. My omelet was also tough and almost scrambled. (How do you make a omelet tough??) We also had a starter salad that was iceberg lettuce with ranch or French dressing. Obviously straight from sysco. One thing to remember if you do decide to take your health in your own hands is that they do not take credit cards. Come armed with cash and an iron constitution. Avoid this place unless you like white bread food with no crust. Nuff said.
(2)
Manu P.

Ok I'm going to keep this review short. Portions BIG! Prices GOOD! These guys know how to cook. I had the Ahi plate for $9 and the slab of meat took up about 80% of the plate. I was SHOCKED! For 9 BUCKS. This was a bargain. Steak and eggs you gotta try. Steak was over 1 pound and the eggs was cook to perfection. You could hear the egg POP when I pierced my fork into the yolk. The mixture of the creamy yolk and the kick from the Tabasco sauce made it a perfect dipping sauce for my grilled marked steak. This was the ultimate breakfast for the day.
(5)
JME C.

This hole in the wall is one of the best hole in the wall joints I've been to. Prices are so reasonable. Where can you get a thick slab of PRIME RIB for only $15? There is a plethora of other local specialties. We ate: Prime Rib = $14.95 Hamburger Steak with two fried chicken = $8 Grilled Mahi = $10 Breakfast specialites = under $10 Everything is so affordable, and they give massive amounts of food! I couldn't even finish my hamburger steak! Each order is served with a plain iceberg lettuce salad. I've never eaten anything bad here. Even their Ham Hock Soup with Black Eyed Peas is really good too! Something new this past weekend, that I never had before, they served huge slices of fresh seedless watermelon! That was so refreshing, and placed me over the top! I was soooo fuuullll after eating here. Parking sucks though. You'll have to find it on the streets of Kalihi.
(5)
Cindy L.

Hubby has been wanting to take me to this "hole in the wall" place for prime rib for some time. We finally made it last night, however, since it wasn't Friday, they only serve prime rib on Fridays, we didn't get to try it. I had the 7 piece hot chicken wings with two scopes of rice and salad for $5 and my hubby had the pork cutlet with gravy, rice and salad for $6.95. The taste was okay but the portion size was huge. It's not the most romantic spot for prime rib, but for its price (around $14), I think I will come back to try it.
(3)
Glenn L.

Well if Chinatown has a food institution, before the fine dining restaurants or the food truck extravaganza's there has been Ray's Cafe. I've been coming here since he opened on Smith Street and man in the early 90's everything from City and County workers to State Capitol workers and all inbetween. BTW the restaurant's named for Felix's/(owner/cook) son. Who I guess he was going to pass the legacy on too, before he moved to Kalihi St, Ray was working the Smith street and Papa Kalihi, but I guess too much for son. So Felix closed the Smith St. cafe... Shame Liked the color and characters that would frequent this "Hole-in-the wall" Cafe, But what a "Hole" it is. every thing from local favorite fish to every kine steak and the best deal Prime rib in town (enough for 3-4 people if you ask me). People don't talk much of his huge and ono breakfast the Ham steak is as big as Lana'i( Okay exagerating a bit!) And his Bacon Cheesburger with fries no fillers here all USDA Beef baby! But I think it's when he gets specials like surf and turf with Lobster or King Crab he shines as well as his Ono(one of the Best Sari-Sari) in town. His Oxtail stew is to die for considering not to many places serve, not as refined as say Panyaa (More Euro-style) vs. Local. But still for the money a nice treat. As most said if you like fried chicken Felix's is the best! So if you think 14.95 for Prime rib the size of a Woolly mammoth is a deal then come on down, I'd call to see when he is going to do Sari-Sari, cause it's worth it if you like Sabaw and Veggies shrimp and Lechon... So what are you waiting for only one FYI Good luck with Parking during lunch hardly any, But if patience is a virtue then worth the wait. Still a go to on my ticket! Malama all!
(5)
CharlieWayne G.

Been there two times within 4 days, one day with the guys, had the rib eye...unreal cut, taste, and price...the other day with wife and had the prime rib...again same results. Great cut (at least an inch cut), great taste...and unbelievable price...Rays is the place...
(5)
Ju F.

Love this place!!! This hole in the wall grungy restaurant in Kalili serves 5 star food. Big portions with top quality taste for the lowest price on Oahu. You won't find a place like Rays Cafe. If I was just walking around Kalihi looking from the outside it doesn't look appealing but the food quality and quantity is amazing. One of those places I would come over and over again.
(5)
Justin U.

FAT...ASS...PRIME...RIB! Service was great. Ordered from Ray himself...very friendly guy. Ordered the prime rib, medium. This thing was massive and packed with flavor. Parking can be a challenge, and seating too. I saw lots of people order take out. This might be the best method especially during peak lunch times. Another bookmarked restaurant checked off my list. Woot.
(4)
Geoff P.

Great local style comfort food. Don't mind the restaurant. It's what you would call a greasy spoon. The restaurant needs to be cleaned thoroughly but it's the food that really matters. Their signature dish is prime rib. King cut nice and large. Served with 2 scoops rice and Mac salad all for $16.75. Go early in the morning to get one or call ahead to place an order. Usually if you go early the meat is a nice medium rare. Later in the morning the meat is more medium. I was lucky I came at 11 am. They had orders waiting and more on the phone. I waited a good 10 minutes when the wait help (the only woman) said they ran out of prime rib. Since I was waiting and they were taking phone reservations before me I was going to make an issue but luckily the owner said to give me a prime rib plate over the objections of his staff. Hats off to Ray. Customers waiting in person should have priority over those over the phone. The prime rib plate was worth the wait. Thank you Ray for such good cooking. Everything else on the menu is top notch and the portions are huge. Go there hungry and walk away very very satisfied. Other favorites - double pork chops, steak plate, fried chicken, and ox tail stew. Overall restaurant rating 4 stars Overall food quality 4.5 stars Menu selection 5 stars Friendly staff 3 stars Value 4.5 stars Check out Rays cafe and look past the greasy spoon atmosphere for some of the best comfort food in town.
(4)
Marci C.

(More like 2.5 stars) Was super excited to try Ray's after reading so many good reviews and hearing about the bomb prime rib!We arrived between 4 and 5PM on a weekday and were fortunate (very very very fortunate.. only had to spin around once) to find street parking nearby. Note that parking and location are TERRIBLE. And there was NO PRIME RIB. Granted it was almost closing time, but the no prime rib part was incredibly disappointing :( Given that our initial first choice wasn't available, we went with a steak plate and a steak & shrimp scampi plate. The lady who took our order was NOT friendly AT ALL and seemed to want to ignore us the whole time. However, we were taking out, so service wasn't such a huge deal. Both plates were reasonably priced, but the steak wasn't anything to jump up and down about, and apparently the scampi was 60 or 70% as good as Giovanni's. Meh. Aside from the ok food, the place itself seemed pretty dirty. The kitchen especially. Was really hoping to try the prime rib, but probably won't eat here again because of the food and overall atmosphere.
(3)
David C.

Always consistent. Highly recommended. Go early. Not a bad thing on the menu. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Steven F.

Maybe we just came in on a bad day. We got ribeyes and tbone steaks. The steak quality was somewhere between apple bees and a midline steakhouse. All were undercooked. One was cold on the inside. Pretty unimpressive. Also the service was fairly poor. The server was not very helpful at all and seemed to be more annoyed that we were asking questions than anything. Be warned, could be better for you but we won't be giving it a second chance.
(2)
Roxanne Lynn T.

If you're looking for cheap eats and you're on a budget, this is the place to go if you ever in the neighborhood of kalihi. Definitely one of them hole in the wall places but as they say never judge a book by its cover. And to my surprise this little place is generous in prices and food portions. I'm one of those that like to spend money on food that I get more for my buck. It's located on the main street off of King St. so parking is quite limited around this area so we've always gotten take out. As always we do a phone order first before coming here so we could tag team and have someone in the car waiting on the side and one go inside to pick up the order. The place is small so there's only a few tables to dine in and it can get hot inside so that's why we rather enjoy our food at home. No matter what everything may look on the outside and inside, the food and reasonable prices is what keeps customers coming back for more. The infamous prime rib is the most popular choice from here. I don't eat meat much but I have to agree that it's really good and you get your money's worth with it compared to buying it at restaurants. I believe its around $15 for a big chunk of prime rib that is so filling and flavorful. As for me who's not a big fan of red meat, I always get the chicken plate which is so crispy and delish! It's one of Ray's signature dishes as well and combos are available that will only cost you less than $10 a plate, totally worth it! Most of the plates I've gotten here always had to eat it in two sittings because of it's portion sizes. The last time I went here I tried something new which was a lobster omelette. It was about $12 but worth it considering it's seafood, always gonna cost more due to market price of lobster also. It was really good and not your usual typical omelettes that you can make at home. Definitely one of those food places in kalihi that's always worth going to when you're feeling like having a quick bite to eat for plate lunches. BRING CASH!
(5)
Mark A.

As authentic Hawaiian food (breakfast, lunch or dinner) can get. Note: it's cash only
(5)
Gary W.

Let's be honest, you're not coming here for the atmosphere or to impress a date. It's all about the meat. The sides are very basic, but for the price you're honestly getting a quality cut of meat that's been properly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Our prime rib rivaled the best prime rib houses on the mainland.. It was well marbled, tender and juicy with full flavor. A few nights prior we ate at Chucks Cellar in Waikiki and this totally made us rethink why we paid twice as much for theirs which didn't come close in comparison. Even the rib eye steak was delicious. I'm glad I searched this place out and will return on my next visit.
(4)
Ric C.

"Familiarity breeds contentment" Ray's Cafe is an institution in Kalihi as it once was in downtown Honolulu Chinatown. I have been going to Rays since the 1990s when they were located on Smith st. near Beretania. I can honestly say for a spot-on meal at a great price, you cannot beat Rays. It was a sad day for downtown workers when Ray's Cafe left but a cause for celebration for Kalihi town. Rays has been very consistent over the years and very friendly to customers. Felix is always courteous to everyone and really makes you feel special. Forget "mom's" home cooking diners, it's Felix's Cafe that is King. Just like the old downtown location, it's strictly on street parking but for this Kalihi culinary gold mine, "where there's a will there's a way". You will find a way to park to get these ono grinds. Fresh fish, lobster omelets, a terrific hamburger steak, humongous prime rib cuts on the weekends, surf and turf combos, da best fried chicken in Honolulu, the list goes on and on...... Fellow Yelper Paul C. has a UYE dinner offering there several times a year- something everyone should be on the look out for as it fills up really, really fast! So for a slice of local kine offerings with a pinch of nostalgia for the hole in the wall cafÃ©s of years gone by, you gotta try Rays. Great food and friendly service that won't break the bank.
(5)
Gil G.

And two years later, this is still a Favorite! Unsurpassed in simplicity and taste! A must!
(5)
Scott F.

Super casual! Hole in the wall with the best food!!! Prime Rib $16.75...Friday/Saturday/Sunday only! Chicken is the best!! Crunchy skin and juicy! This place is a must!!!
(5)
Sarah S.

Food was tasty, service horrible. Maybe they don't like tourists supporting their business?? Or maybe Ray is racist?? He acknowledged everyone around our table ( only 5 small tables) and gave other tables free food. When he looked our way I tried to make eye contact with a smile and he just turned away. Don't go here if you would like to be treated like a human. I would rate this higher if Ray was not a jerk. We did read the previous yelper that said Ray is a butt hole, so I guess we were warned ha.
(1)
Kenji H.

Small hole in the wall, the food is great, and the prices are even better. Great food at great prices, if the for is open they are open. Parking is at a premium, so be prepared to hunt for a spot.
(5)
Annie C.

Fried chicken was one of my best meals in Hawaii. Felix made us feel so welcome. Great hole in the wall restaurant.
(4)
Alizabeth H.

Great food for an even better price. I talked to a few locals that come here a lot. They all love the food. They said everything is delicious. The food took a long time to come out. They have a lot of call-in orders so he made them first. I would take a star away for the wait and not having parking, but the food was so good that I forgot about it. I had the roast beef and my wife had the steak and lobster. All BIG portions and so ONO! Meat was soft, lobster cook perfect and Mac salad okay but green salad was better. Got to try it. Our fav loco place :)
(5)
Kuuipo D.

I lived in Kalihi for the first half of my life and only now I find out about it! I feel like I have wasted all these years that could've been spent eating here! On my quest to find the most delicious fried chicken on this island, my hubby suggested Ray's. As far as I know, street parking is the only option, so bring quarters. We parked and walked into Ray's. The place is tiny, so I feel lucky that we were able to get a table. We sat down and started checking out the menu. I notice that the prices are really inexpensive. I mean seriously! A friend had texted me while we were driving to Ray's and told me that she could get 2 plates for her family of 4 for under $20 and still have left overs. I thought she was kidding. The prices are really good. My love of fried chicken had me ordering the special (2 pieces of fried chicken and a hamburger steak), while my hubby got the wing plate. We were served a side salad, which made me feel like I could justify my order of fried chicken for breakfast. As we waited for our food, which was a while, I was checking out the Yelp pics of the food. The mac salad looked delish, so I asked if my plate came with it. I was informed that it was wither side salad or mac. Bummer, but no problem, I asked if I could order a side of it. Uncle looks at me and says, "Nah, I'll just give it to you." YES! The place started to fill up, in fact, people were waiting outside for a table. Now don't be deterred by the wait for your food. They make everything fresh, so you will appreciate it when your food does come. We did! Let's start with my plate. It was beautiful. It was art. It was so, so good. It was like the heavens had decided to smile down upon me. The fried chicken was hot and crispy and juicy. The hamburger steak was handmade and had enough seasoning on it that it could have been eaten without the gravy. Now let's talk gravy. I believe that gravy can make or break a meal. Ray's Cafe's gravy is like a gift that just keep on giving. I wanted to it on everything!!!! (Except the chicken, because the chicken was great the way it was.) My side of mac salad reminded me of all the plate lunch places that I ate at as a kid when I lived in Kalihi. Ono!!! As I attacked my plate, the hubby got his food. I swear to the Lord above, his wings were jumbo sized. I was trying to figure out how he was gonna eat all 4 of them. Needless to say, we needed a take out box. The meal was under $15, so I just gave up a $20 to Uncle and walked out a satisfied patron. I am definitely looking for people to come back and eat here!!!!
(4)
Mark Y.

Ray's still as awesome as ever! Felix said in December, he'll be serving Rack of Pork as a daily special every day of the month!!! Holy Cannoli !!!! If you've never had the Rack of Pork, soon will be your chance!
(5)
Jonathan C.

I told a friend that I loved fried chicken so he told me to check this place out. THANK YOU JAYSON!!! I've only been there once, but man was the food good. I ordered the fried chicken and hamburger steak combo and holy cow was it awesome! I felt so guilty after I ate everything off my plate, but it was all good. The place itself is a hole in the way so it's not the nicest place, but I love it. Will always go back when I visit.
(5)
Rod U.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, but cost $1.99, then it must be a beautiful swan swimming in an enchanted pond in front of a glistening bejeweled castle. Keepin it real, Outback Steakhouse quality food served as a plate lunch at half the price, none of the ambiance. Value, YES! But seriously, I'm going to go all bat$hit crazy on the next person who calls any of the food "the best". Grrrr ***End Rant*** Prime Rib: - Yelpie review - Whoa, $16. The best prime rib on the planet. An inch and a half thick. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Poorly trimmed with a lot of visible fat, not allowed to rest post roasting (juices flowing out of the meat). Tough (USDA select?). Mildly seasoned. Requires au jus. Rack of Lamb: - Yelpie review - O...M...G... $23? It's $17 raw at Costco. The best rack of lamb I've ever had. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Rustic Italian. Untrimmed. Very well seasoned. Rack has been taken apart and individual pieces cooked near well done. A waste of such a luxury cut. Nice mild lamb flavor and tender. Win. Grilled Fish: - Yelpie review - Less than $15; it's a steal. It's the best fish I've had in Hawaii. I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie Review - Lightly dusted with flour and pan roasted in oil. Texture of frozen fish. Oily on the plate but always perfectly cooked (never dry or flaky). Fried Chicken: - Yelpie review - Wait, how many pieces do I get for $10? Very crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside; broke da mouth! Maybe the best in Hawaii. So much food, I couldn't finish it. - Translated foodie review - Wait, how many pieces do I get for $10?Very crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside; broke da mouth! Maybe the best in Hawaii. So much food, I couldn't finish it. A very solid plate lunch eatery serving up the "best in Hawaii", value for the money eats. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
(4)
Rocky S.

I eat here often, I word down the road. The portions are always generous. I like the ahi, I always get a big chunk, enough for 2 meals. The prime rib is so juicy!
(5)
Jon E.

It's a dive. An amazing dive. So dive in. If they have rack of lamb, just get it. Stop thinking about it. Just do it. It's $23. For like 8 ribs, not the typical 4 in most places. It's 8!!! For $23. Guys, seriously, it costs $17 for the pack at Costco. You're getting the whole pack with a bunch of asparagus and rice for chump change. Without doing dishes or messing up your kitchen. It's $23! Did I mention that? Now if they don't have the rack, get the prime rib. Fried chicken if you must have chicken. But really just get the prime rib. If they don't have the lamb. And don't complain if they are closed. If the sign says closed they are closed. If it says open they are open. Kinda like AKL style without you having to do dishes.
(5)
Judy C.

Lucky to have a day off yesterday, for Martin Luther King Day. :) Not knowing where to pick up lunch, I was thinking about Ray's CafÃ© & Paul's UYE # 4 ( & so bummed that I couldn't make it) so I yelped Ray's, called to see if they were opened, & placed my order. I wanted to get the grilled ono, but they were out. :( so I just got the grilled butterfish & Ray's famous fried chicken. When I placed my order, I forgot to request that they separate the macaroni salad. When I picked up my order, it was separated.! Wow!! (without my asking) I did read some Yelper's reviews, on location, parking & cash only. I came prepared- thanks so much to Yelp!! I asked my husband to drive, so I can go in to pick up our order. I took a picture of the menu, for my nexts take out order. I got to meet Felix, the owner. He is very friendly & funny!! ( He likes to joke a lot) We will be back to try the other goods on the menu. & the food, the Fried Chicken was sooooo YUMS!! better than Zippys! & the butterfish was yummy! Loved it!! I can't wait to try the rest of the food. as an reminder, don't judge a book by its cover!! You will regret it if you do. :) & the prices are reasonable!! I was super shocked to hear that the chicken plate cost 7.95 & more shocked when I saw the prices when I was there! I love places where you can get more bangs for your bucks with quality & quantity!!
(5)
Krysten I.

I've only had Ray's chicken and breakfasts in the past, and don't get me wrong, they're definitely good! I was so desperately wanting to try Ray's prime rib at Paul C.'s UYE, but unfortunately had work. I found the time to come in for a late lunch this past week and was thoroughly awed. I didn't even have prime rib. I ordered the butterfish special. For $15, I got three, maybe four times more butterfish than I would have gotten at some other place. My brother ordered the rays special: hamburger steak and 2 pieces of fried chicken for, get this, $8!!!! What?! Crazy!! How do these people stay in business. My brother said it was one of the best hamburger steaks he's had. My dad, on the other hand, apparently has a more sophisticated taste and ordered the lamb because he saw it on yelp. It wasn't on the menu for the day, but Felix said he had one order left that he could make for my dad. So nice! He was probably saving it for himself or his family or someone special. I had a few bites and it was amaaaaaazing. I need to come back for the prime rib, obviously, but I would definitely try some of the other offerings. Felix is very personable, he remembers his regulars and makes great great food. Don't come for the ambiance, or expect table cloths or glassware. Parking is also limited to what you can find on the street. Come for the food, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Erica L.

Felix is hardworking and super friendly! He'll chat people up to check on if they like the food or not. He pointed out to us that he won a Japanese food award and proudly displays a statue. You'll see it on top of the fridge where the menu items are. It reminds me of a Japanese Colonel Sanders. Kudos to anyone who recognizes what award that was :) The portions are awesome. The fried chicken (very crispy and meaty), mahi-mahi, and prime rib are yummy! I get the mini size because it's the smallest size and there is nothing mini about it. If I get the regular, I'm sure I'll have leftovers. Last time I spoke to Felix dining in, in late 2014, he said he was thinking of retiring in about 5 years or so. Better go here before he retires!
(5)
Kathy A.

The five stars are for the quality of the food and absolutely not the restaurant, atmosphere, service or parking which if you have been here you already know is non existent. Missed Paul & David's UYE here earlier in the week, loved the review, and wanted to know what I missed. Well, I apparently missed a lot. Went at 2:00 on Friday afternoon, around the block several times after locating the cafe the first time, missing parking the second but scored one of the two parking spaces, metered, on the third time a block away. Walked thru the screen door and into one of the smallest dining rooms imaginable. Okay I saw all the pictures of the UYE and all the people and still don't see where they all sat. There was a family of six, two guys from Maui, HB and myself making it seem full. The two guys from Maui said you make a lot of friends here because no table is off limits for add ins or considered sacred for a party of two! Anyway, really wanted to try the prime rib but it was still cooking. Shifting gears we both looked at each other remembering the pictures and went with the "winner winner chicken dinner"! Absolutely hands down the best fried chicken we have ever eaten. Crispy, juicy, flavorful and golden brown. Must be a well known item because they sell in mega-quantities up to 50 pieces of thighs, drumsticks and an add on cardboard sign for wings. Light bulbs went off as we decided we found our chicken wing Sunday football pupu take out place. I made it thru 2 of the 3 pieces of my chicken and Keith ate all three of his. He never eats 3 pieces of chicken but had that feral look in this eye that said he was not leaving until he consumed all of it. As we were ready to pay, the prime rib was ready to start serving. Never one to miss an opportunity to indulge my inner carnivore got one to go for midnight snack. Total bill for two outstanding chicken dinners and the prime rib dinner was $28. How was that prime rib you ask? Excellent this morning with homemade crispy hash browns and over easy eggs!
(5)
Renee L.

French toast really good and buttery. Ray is a total but hole. Obnoxious and pushy. Scolding grandma for something she did not do. Telling everyone he doesn't work there, only helping out. Puhleez...he thinks he is a funny nice guy but we all see through the charade. Ray should stay home and the cafe would be much better off!!!
(1)
Alan L.

Went there to get their prime rib and sat for 30 min waiting to be acknowledged not one hello, smile, eye contact or nod of recognition. There were three people who came after me and were greeted, given water and their order was taken. I did what I don't like to do and that is waving my hands and saying "I know you see me," with no success. I resorted to calling the restaurant to let them know I was ready to order. "The guy with the white hat is ready to order," was what I told her. When she came from the kitchen she still didn't acknowledge me. There were four people who came after me and got the royal treatment compared to me. I came hungry and after all that I was hungry and grouchy I'm a very patient and understanding guy but this service was unacceptable. So I went to the back and told her how great of a job she was doing.
(1)
Jozlyn H.

Parking sucks here but it's worth the food!!! $15.00 for a thick a** prime rib! Can't beat that! It comes with two scoops rice (brown rice on request), and a salad. I ordered a side of their fried chicken too. Luckily the day we came, there was an open metered stall right in front of Ray's. We walked in and there were about 2 other people waiting for their takeout food and about two groups of people already eating. It didn't take long for nana (grandma) to ask us what we wanted to drink. As we ordered our drinks, we also ordered our food because we came in for one thing only, to eat their prime rib. It took a little bit (not too long) to get our food. Mind you, there were two other people in front of us waiting for their takeout food. I ordered mine medium rare (i like a little blood) and my friend got hers well-done (it looked scrumptious). You have to ask for the horseradish sauce, but it comes with au jus sauce. I didn't realize their horseradish sauce was gonna be that hot... but i LOVED it... cleared up my sinuses lol Their fried chicken wasn't anything special in my book. But chicken wings are chicken wings. I will definitely come back here when I'm craving some prime rib.... now I know I don't have to wait for hotel weddings to get me some prime rib :)
(4)
Ariana M.

It all started at Yelp's Staycation @ Turtle Bay Resort. I made a yelp-tastic friend that day and she was the one who told me all about Rays Cafe! After hearing Vivian H. roaring recommendations, I just had to get my butt down here and try it for myself~! When we arrived at Ray's, there was only one seat left! Lucky us!! The service is very slow. We were seated for awhile before getting any waters or have our orders taken. Another side note, its hot =__= haha. Fortunately we were sitting by a fan, so it wasn't too bad. However even though service isn't great, the food makes up for it. The Grub. [[ PRIME RIB $15 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ As you can see from all the other million yelpers, the prime rib is gooooood. Large portion and not too fatty. Need I really say more? [[ LOBSTER OMELET $12 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/raysâ€¦ I thought this dish was good and definitely hit the spot for breakfast. My only complaint was the toast. At first when I saw it, I thought it was a mini breakfast sandwich of some sort because I saw something oozing out from the sides. Nope, that was all butter. Two toast smothered with butter in the middle... wayyyyy too much for me.
(4)
Lia W.

Oh goodness I'm gonna die of high cholesterol and a heart attack!! Serious carnivore action whenever I come here. And what do I almost always get? Two words, Prime Rib. Ooh, juicy prime rib, served Fridays - Mondays. Good thing I usually split whatever we order so it makes it a little better, right? So much for the resolution to go on a vegetarian diet. I have Ray's to blame, I mean thank for it. I won't lie, its location scared me away for a long long time. Parking can be a beast. Street parking with parallel parking involved! Not my strong suite. But friends said I gotta give it a chance. So one day I mustered up the courage and went. And boy was I sorry I didn't go sooner. We've only tried the prime rib, fried chicken and hamburger steak combo, ribeye, Opakapaka, and Butterfish and all were winners! A hole in the wall in Kalihi with no ambiance and fine tablecloths or silverware but portions for the price are amazing. Can't think of where to get a better deal. A huge slab of prime rib for $16? No way. And large portions of fish too.
(5)
Suzanne T.

My work is now just down the road from Ray's so I've eaten here several times over the past six months. It hasn't been great every time, but for the most part is good. Once I got a mixed plate with fried mahi, fried shrimp, and some kind of teri meat. The meat was excellent but the shrimp and mahi were both mediocre. Other things I've tried - fried chicken (good, but dry), grilled mahi (pretty tasty), and the corned beef hash at breakfast was really yummy (and I'm not generally a fan of corned beef). On two occasions the rice was hard - I don't understand how this happens in a place with such volume? As everyone else has already stated in a million other reviews, parking is often a pain, as is getting one of their handful of tables. But overall, it's a great little local place with awesome prices and friendly service.
(4)
Fay M.

A hole in the wall place in Kalihi that is cheap and packs a lot of punch! His portions are HUGE! For breakfast, you can't go wrong with their French Toast! It doesn't need syrup at all. For lunch, we've done the prime rib, steak & lobster, ham hock, grilled fish, fried chicken, sari-sari and they were shareable and yummy! I love everything I've tried. The mac salad...it's a must-have! I am not a mac salad eater...this is the only one! It is a small cramped seating area and parking sucks, but it's worth it. Oh and it's cash only! Enjoy!
(5)
Jenn A.

Today was my first time coming here and I MUST say my tummy was completely satisfied! Prime Rib-- 10 stars Seasoned perfectly, huge, moist and so juicy! The dipping sauce that came with it added more flavor and it definitely hit the spot. Hamburger Steak-- 9 stars Thick sweet gravy smothered over hamburger patty which was also served nice, hot, soft and juicy. Fried Chicken--10 stars Cooked to perfection. Big, tender soft meat, golden crispy skin and juicy. Notice I mentioned soft and juicy three times on everything I've ordered?! Yes, food was that good. I'll definitely be back to try everything else I wanted too but couldn't.
(5)
Janet K.

SO FREAKING GOOD!!! Ermahgahhhhd why didn't I come here earlier? It's a tiny little place in Kalihi with only street parking. It's not the cleanest looking place but you won't care once you taste the food. I ordered the prime rib ($15) of course. Came with toss salad and the waitress brought a squeeze bottle of ranch dressing on the table. I saw her bring a 1000 island bottle to the other table later so I now know there were dressing options. Plates came with white rice. I later saw that the other table had brown rice so I now know that's also another option. FYI - they have Mac salad too but they were out when we came. The prime rib is HUGE as you can see in some of the Yelp photos so you definitely get your money's worth. The hamburger steak is the best I've ever had and the fried chicken is to die for! I'm a fan!
(5)
Wes K.

I was able to get here on Saturday around 11:30am. there was a line out the door and people waiting on the inside. They had many phone orders. Fortunately I had called in my order earlier at 11:00 for the Prime rib which is now $16.75. I'll have to adjust my time and come a little earlier or later to miss the crowd. The Prime rib is still awesome good.
(5)
Addie L.

Don't judge a book my it's cover holds very true here. First of all, it's not in the cleanest or nicest of neighborhoods and parking is tough to find. The restaurant is a real hole in the wall and when you walk in, how could this place be 4.5 star avg rating and serving such higher end foods the everyone posted about? First of all, their food rivals fancier restaurants but at half the cost. Excellent execution and very generous portions. The details: The best bargain is their fried chicken, for $7, you have rice, salad and three generous chicken thighs. Fried to perfection, golden crispy brown, extremely moist on the inside. My wife says that it's a tad under-seasoned. Another good deal is their grilled fish dishes, we tried the ahi and ono. For $10, you get a gigantic cut of fish, must be about 1 pound. Both fishes were grilled perfectly, not under or over cooked, very moist. You would be pay a bit more at Nico's but their fish is less than half the size of Ray's plates. The finale, we had their famous prime rib plate. For $16, it's over 1 pound for sure. Very thick cut of meat, it was well done and not that overcooked. The au jus sauce hits the spot. The meat was not as tender as I expected, especially for prime rib. It's still a decent deal however.
(4)
Randy L.

Love this place. Tried the Rays Special for the first time, what can I say that hasn't already been said. The Hamburger steak with Fried Chix was the perfect combo. Just when I couldn't eat any more, Felix comes out with complimentary Strawberry Cheesecakes for me and my parents. Thank You Felix. Most definitely will be back.
(5)
Lance T.

Friend of mine took me to this hole-in-the-wall diner yesterday. For such a small, unassuming looking place, the food was impressive! I saw guys eating prime rib and crab legs, fried chicken, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. I had the double cheeseburger and the patties were homemade, not the kind you get at McDonalds or Burger King. They are pretty busy and with limited help, service might be a little slow but definitely worth the wait. Order take-out if you don't have the time to wait for a table to open up. Would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Leonard V.

I would give this place 5 stars if the seating wasnt so limited and the wait time werent so long..but the freshness and quality of food served is A+ ... the portions also are big boy status so you get wat you pay for..
(4)
Susan F.

I'm usually not a big chicken fan, but Ray's cafe makes a great FRIED CHICKEN. Don't get me wrong, their PRIME RIB is amazing too. It takes a lot for me to like a chicken, a lot of times its either too dry or the skin isn't crunchy enough for me, but they have it right on target here. The pieces of chicken are LARGE, and they are very juicy on the inside and extra crispy on the outside. It comes with 3 large thighs, 2 scoops of rice and 1 of mac salad. Like my previous reviews says, the portion is large and I wouldn't be able to finish it by myself. If you eat a lot of rice, you might want to order an extra scoop of rice. At $5 for this huge plate, its a steal!! Parking is crazy and seating is limited, so if you don't mind... phone order and take it to the park to eat. Ray's continues to be a place that makes my hungry belly happy.
(5)
Clay Y.

The $15.00 prime rib is the best, cooked to medium rare perfection, [ I like mine on the rare side...] Fried chicken is great, parking... none good luck in finding some street parking. It's worth checking it out. like the sign says Door Open "Were Open. Door Closed, Were Closed.
(5)
risk E.

All my coworkers love the prime rib for lunch. I love the fried chicken here. They make it philippino style and it is freakin awesome. Can be packed so try to beat the lunch hour rush.
(5)
Brandon K.

If you don't know...YOU BETTA ASK SOMEBODY!!! Hands down one of the best "hole in the wall" joints in central Kalihi. Fried Chicken = Hocuzmean status Prime Rib = Kanak-attack status And you gotta love the hours of operation sign: RAY'S HOURS OPEN: DOORS OPEN CLOSED: DOORS CLOSED
(5)
Jason C.

I've gone twice in two weeks and have enjoyed what is a classic hole-in-the-wall complete with a flimsy screen door and no AC. The food is solid home-style cooking with surprisingly good prices. I first went to try the fried chicken. The thighs are cooked to order and came out very hot and had perfect golden color. I liked that the crust wasn't too thick but still nice and crispy. The meat had a real nice texture and was very most; I'm pretty sure he takes the trouble to brine the chicken. But I found the flavor to be just one note - salt. I'm not saying that it was too salty, but wished there were other flavors to make it more interesting. It was okay but not something I would go back special for. But I did go back because a buddy of mine wanted to eat the ox tail stew that is a Friday special. It was definitely comfort food with the meat easily falling off the bone, and to boost the value even more, tender chunks of stew meat is added along side the ox tails to insure you leave full. The plate full of meaty ox tails was only $7 including tax. But there's more! Meals come with mac or a large well chilled bowl of tossed greens. You can even get brown rice with no extra charge! Ray's is pretty hard to beat for quality and value.
(4)
Kelly G.

Prime rib Fridays for $15. Its monstrous and delicious. That is all.
(4)
Joseph A.

Quuuiiicck service. Asked for mac salad but got greens instead. Prime rib had no taste.... but I guess you get what you pay for... don't know what all the talk is about their prime rib plate.... maybe its the price.
(3)
Ward K.

I remember when a co-worker and I used to go to Ray's Cafe when they were located downtown near Beretania and Smith St. They were known for their famous thick piece of Prime Rib that would just melt in your mouth as well as a bunch of other plates. If you're in the mood for a great protein breakfast you can't go wrong with their Lobster Omelet. Yummos! You hear of all these places that are known for making a good hamburger. Recently a friend and I went and tried their hamburger and fries. Well it took a little while to get it. Let me tell you this.... it was worth the wait. Fresh ground meat and those golden thick fries hit the spot. When I have some time and want a good burger I will be heading down to Kalihi to get one for sure. Over-all their menu is simple and straight forward. They have homestyle meals, the food is delicious and a definite bargain. When you look up the word of hole in the wall you will see a picture of Ray's cafe as there is no frills, but you do get food that is always fresh.
(4)
Liz C.

I decided to try Ray'sdue to the high ratings and was craving some local grub. The area was sort of iffy and parking was difficult. It was a weekday morning and I took my 2 kids with me. The place was a hole in the wall, no menus just menu placards on the wall. The food was just okay. Place was dirty and when I asked for our check, the lady just came over and told how much it was- no bill ticket which I thought was weird. Bottom line- I don't recommend this place. Yes the portions are large but quality of the food is mediocre and service was non existent. Sorry.. I was really hoping to like this place.
(1)
Jarrett H.

I LIVE TO WRITE REVIEWS FOR PLACES LIKE THIS!!!!! This is truly a hidden gem by all definitions. I have very obsure places where I have had some of the best steaks ever, the Philippines, a friend's home for Prime Rib, and now Ray's Cafe. When I first discovered Ray's I have to admit I was a bit scared. It was a true "hole in the wall" and in an area that was a bit scary to be in at night. My friend and I were hankering for steak after a long day of hard labor so we went to Ray's. Ray greeted us at the door and asked what we wanted. Prime Rib was all out so I order the last tenderloin and my friend ordered the Rib Eye. Both were under $15.It came with a simple salad. The main course came with just rice. My tenderloin comes and its very big. The size of most NY sirloin strip steaks. I'm used to a tiny piece of Filet Mignon. It wasn't cut like a filet. Just a huge slab. It was cooked perfectly to my specifications, medium rare. I took the first bite from the outside and I was pretty impressed. Seasoning was very good and the steak was juicy and tender for something under $15 so I thought I can't really go wrong. Now things changed once I got to the inside of the steak. THAT was pure heaven. They steak simple melted away in my mouth. It was like pure butter. That was truly a high class restaurant quality bite with no sauce needed. Maybe I had the best cut of the day, maybe something fell into the spices or something but wow, it was just perfect for me. I also had a few tastes of my friend's ribeye and that was also special. Its not too often guys have a meal and we absolutely don't talk because we are in our own world just enjoying god's gift to man, steak. Service was fast and Ray was very helpful in getting us the best item on the menu. Parking sucks so you may need to carpool with people. In term of price, portion, and taste, Ruth Chris got NOTHING on this place. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Candi M.

My husband wanted to check this place out for breakfast. It is very convenient since it is near our shop, so we decided to go. We got there and just sat ourselves at a table. First time there, so we are just reading the menu on the board and waiting for a worker to approach us. About 10 minutes later one of the regulars who eat there came up to us and took our order. I ordered the Prime Rib Medium, then he asked what kind of salad dressing I wanted, and it came with rice. My husband ordered the Steak & Omelet and he said it came with rice and toast. He ordered his steak medium as well. I just thought it was unusual for a customer to be taking orders. It got busy and he was taking orders and giving drinks out to all the tables. He was a very nice man! When I got my prime rib it was burnt on the outside. It didn't look like the other pictures I seen on yelp. When I took a bite it was dry and chewy like cardboard. There was no horseradish and I never got a salad. My husbands steak was Medium well (overcooked) and the Omelet was okay which you can't go very wrong with eggs. He had toast, but no jelly. We asked the worker for jelly and he said, "It should be on the other tables." We tried looking, but there was none on the other tables. He then tried looking in the back and gave us jelly about 5 minutes later. We were very dissapointed with the service and the food. We only had a few bites and tried to pack it up for our dogs. No one came to check on us and so my husband had to stand up right in the front minutes for a good 10 where they cooked. We finally got a take out plate and the check. I would definitely not go back to this place again.
(1)
Dan O.

Parking is very hit or miss. I went during a Saturday mid-day lull and it was pretty empty. Had to try the famous prime rib. Rarely ever see a slice that big- just call it a slab! Very tasty. Worth going back. Maybe next time some of my family will join me so I can try some other dishes.
(4)
Wode M.

i didn't want to post a positive review here because i don't want all the tourists and others to find this hole in the wall place, but i need to write about their prime rib ($15). see other people's pics and you will know it's enormous. the taste is also awesome. feels like a 5-star hotel buffet kind of quality. PROS: several times we came here, either there was a long line or there was no parking. my sons (aged 8 and 5) are particularly impatient with lines, but my husband insisted. we took out a few times but also ate in a few times. now, my sons would answer "rays cafe?" whenever we said we didn't know where to go. other dishes i'd recommend is the fried chicken and the opakapaka. for the price it can't go wrong. CONS: the location is not friendly and parking is tough. i would NOT recommend tourists come to this place (but when my family comes to visit from outside of Hawaii, oh yeah, i am gonna take them here). one time when everyone felt so hot, my husband asked humbly if the visible A/C could be turned on, but the answer was "no work." oh fine, but then there was a table of 2 girls who started cussing bad words because they were stared at too much for obvious reasons. one of the girls said she didn't get her water before other tables who came later. i wrote this down so the others could foresee what they may experience. luckily, my boys were not listening or paying attention to the fussy customers.
(5)
Starr K.

Weeeha!!! Friday is prime rib day!
(5)
Gary F.

What, I posted pics but didn't write a review. 2 slaps for me. Ox tail stew. MMMMMM. Only on Friday's. Yeah parking sucks, traffic blows but plenty food. I got the Prime rib plate and the Ox tail stew. I was so hungry, I couldn't decide. Now I have 2. Great deal if you like lots of food. Pictures say a million words. Big G
(4)
Paul H.

Last time, I had the succulent, tender, crispy roast pork chops. This time, the T-bone steak. One word: Awesome. Ray's Cafe is just a few blocks from church, so Sundays are quite satisfying for the body, spirit and soul, at least for me.
(5)
Lopaka H.

best cheap eats in town. The chicken was the crunchiest most tender chicken ive ever had. the steaks are always cooked perfectly. if you dont mind the small amount of seats and a little wait, def. a great place to go. also...just because prime rib isnt offered every day of the week and you couldn't find parking does not mean you give a place a bad rating. these are businesses owned by good local people, and rating them low for things outside of anyone's control is not cool.
(4)
Genetree P.

Like everyone said; a hole in the wall. Just ate there twice in the week. We needed to try more. You will not be disappointed. Staff is very friendly. Other then having trouble finding parking. The food was worth every penny spent. There Prime rib is awesome for the price...pork cutlet was so soft...all I can say is YUM!!!!
(5)
Sean A.

I found this place on yelp. The place doesn't have very many tables and was packed when we got there. But, we just had to wait a short time for a seat. It sure was worth it. I saw a lot of people order the prime rib so I decided to take the leap. Best $14 I ever spent. It was a huge slab of meat perfectly cooked and seasoned. It came with rice and tossed salad. I hadn't had prime rib in awhile and it sure hit the spot. The taste of the prime rib rivaled that of a fine restaurant and at $14 you can't go wrong. The service and wait may be a little slower, but trust me the wait is worth it. I would definitely go back to Ray's again. My only dilemma is what to get when I go back. The pork chops looked pretty good. But, how can I pass up the prime rib? I think I'll get the prime rib again.
(5)
Christian P.

Thank you fellow Yelpers for doing me a solid. Ordered the prime rib and it was "broke da mouf" good. It was like heaven personified in a cut of Grade A meat. And the au jus sauce.... I could jump in a whole pool and drink my way out. Can't wait to come back and try the fried chicken! If your ever in the area, come to Rays.. BEST DECISION EVER.
(5)
Lee Ann M.

Ray's prime is excellent! Juicy, perfectly cooked. Their rib eye and New York steak is awesome too! Great meal for great value!
(5)
Terrence I.

I heard so much about Ray's and the rumors were right on! We order the Prime Rib for just $15 and it was huge? Two people can partake with just one order. If you heard about Ray's just go! You will never regret it...
(5)
Darren C.

RAY'S CAFE IS THE REAL DEAL! Freshly prepared, solid homey cooking, great value in a hole-in-the-wall with character. Eateries like Ray's Cafe in Kalihi are a dying breed worth eating at often! The food portions are huge, tasty, always a good selection of daily specials, and Felix in the kitchen cooks everything like he gives a sh__! Every meal there fills me with nostalgia, I remember many years ago when Felix used to cook at his eatery on Smith street, downstairs from my grandmothers mahjong joint--cranking out delicious, rib-sticking food. Prime rib is massive, and the fish is fresh at this classic Hawaiian hash-house, can't wait for my next trip to the islands to get back there!
(5)
Donald S.

The place to go for steaks without overpaying for quality. I've had the Prime Rib, rib eye, pork chops, and the fried chicken. All AWESOME.........Parking is kind of an issue, but it is worth all the trouble. Check it out you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Lance K.

Unreal smoke hammock and black eyed peas. Gotta check it out! His fresh fish special is so ono
(5)
Sweet S.

Food is good everytime
(5)
Kara K.

If you don't care that Ray's Cafe food will take an estimated one year off your human life expectancy, then it's all good. Just go, don't even read the rest of this review. For the others: this place is cheap due to a surprising economies of scale and cost-effectiveness. I completely agree with Tamra's review that I was startled by the prices and didn't expect much. To be totally honest I didn't feel that I got much quality-wise. Quantity, yes; quality, no. (I ordered their teri beef and tasted some of the prime rib so others may have more experience with better quality menu items.) The food was pretty greasy and the meat wasn't high quality. But it was extremely cheap and there's no arguing against the saying, "you pay for what you get." I get the feeling that Ray's is special to most people not necessarily because of the food but because of the memories...and Ray? James F. definitely reminisced about coming here with his friends, that has to count for something. I would go back but I am going to make sure that I didn't eat any meat for a week prior to coming here so I could consume the unhealthiness. For those who like Ray's cafe, I think I am doing you a favor. I give this place 3 stars which will make it look less desirable on the overall ratings. Good luck with the parking and finding a table!
(3)
Alex R.

This place is awesome! I have been enjoying Felix's cooking since I was a little kid. His Fish is unbeatable for a plate lunch place and the portions are huge. My two favorites are his Opakapaka and Mahi. The Weekend brings Primerib its massive and delicious. The place is a ghetto hole in the wall but its perfect for take out! Just try it!
(5)
Kiva Y.

Their prime rib plate is the bomb...only $14 & at least an inch thick, & covers the whole plate! Get it with their macaroni salad, which is also good; they even serve it with brown rice. But only on Fridays thru Sundays! :)
(5)
Arnold P.

After reading all the reviews, been wanting to eat here for along time. Yesterday was the perfect day to go for dinner. Hungry and not wanting to cook anything, I decided to call Ray's to find out what time they were closing and if they had prime rib. They said ,"yes" I was so happy and excited I wanted to go down already. Before the guy I talked to on the phone hung up he told me ," I love you." I thought that was kind of weird, so I told my wife. We decided to make a takeout order, just in case they run out of prime rib. Wanted to try their mahi plate but today's special was Ono. Asked about their chicken plates also. 3 drumsticks with rice and salad for $5.00. This is what we ordered. 3 prime rib plates 2 Ono(fish) plates 2 5 pcs chicken plates All this for $73 dollars , I think it's a good deal considering the amount of food you get. Got there about 4:10pm, 5 minutes earlier then I expected. Couldn't find any parking, but decided to park right in front Ray's. No parking and tow away zone is what the sign said. Some of the things I'll do for good food. When I got there the prime rib plates had just come out. Had to wait 10-15 minutes for the chicken & fish plates. The whole time I kept checking on my truck .making sure to not get a ticket or get it towed away. Kinda nerve wracking. Finally my order was done and went straight home. As I was driving home I was getting super hungry from the aromas of the food, couldn't wait to just grind!. Food review: Prime Rib- humungeous 1" slab of meat! Ordered it medium but by the time I got home it was medium well. Still was Ono and the au jus was the bomb! Mac salad was also winnahs . Didn't like rice kind of dry and flaky, I prefer sticky rice. Ono(fish) plate- 2 giant fillets with a lemon slice and a really tiny container of tartar sauce, my suggestion is to get 2 more extra. The Ono was Ono , just drizzle some lemon juice and dip in the tartar sauce....winnahs. Chicken plate- 5 jumbo drumsticks, rice & salad. Should have just ordered 1 plate, this was enough to feed all three kids of ours and still get leftovers. The chicken was still hot and crispy, juicy and tasty. Overall everything was really good except for the rice. The portions are Huge!! Had so much leftovers, I told my family.... Now we can just eat leftovers for the next day or two! We'll definitely be back!! We're sharing plates next time!
(5)
Cassie P.

Super hungry, nothing in the fridge, less than $10 in your pocket? Ray's, baby, Ray's. Yes, it's a hole-in-the-wall. Yes, it's in the heart of Kalihi. Yes, the parking can be difficult. But, YES, the food and prices are amaaaaazing!! For breakfast, the french toast is where it's at. HUGE YUMMY portion for like $3 or something silly. Yeah, there's the whole menu on the wall, mixture of plates and sandwiches, but the daily specials are the key! The other day I had the grilled ono fish special, which came with 2 scoops rice and choice of mac or green salad, it was $8. Did I mention there were TWO big grilled fish filets?? Dude, seriously. Chef Felix is no joke, he knows what he's doing in that kitchen and we all sure do appreciate it!
(5)
Maria C.

I've known Felix for about 18 years. If you 're a little lazy to cook, and craving for delish and inexpensive -fresh local food. Run and order what's on special or posted on the board. It is very informal, hole in the wall atmosphere, but you'll be going home satisfied. I suggest fresh fish, hamburger, prime rib special (it's gigantic). Don't forget the lumpia too.
(5)
Val Y.

Was in the neighborhood and decided to pay a visit to one of the best "hole in the wall" restaurants I know. I had an office in Chinatown when Ray's was near the corner of Beretania and Smith and I would eat or order take out lunch or dinner here at least once a day, four times a week. Of course that was when I could burn a 1000 calories just watching TV. Now, I really got to watch my diet and eat the likes of a chicken caesar salad (no dressing) from Costco four times a week. Visiting Ray's again brought back memories of his delicious food and specials. His New York steak, shrimp scampi, seafood mixed plate, prime rib were all on his menu from the Smith Street days. But his is an example of the free enterprise system at work and what success is in America. Ray's used to be a two table "hole in the wall" that could get sweltering hot. Now Ray's is an American dream come true. It is a five table "bigger hole in the wall" with a big fan. I'm proud of you Felix (There is no Ray. Everyone just assumes Felix is Ray); you've moved from the baddest part of town and to a badder part of town. Raised your prices! It's fine with me. Your a great chef, your food is still delicious; you're the same old(er) Ray and I really miss chowing down your New York steak and scampi special. Sometimes when I'm eating my chicken caesar salad; I'm thinking and dreaming of Ray's Cafe. I think that the more things change; the more you wish they remain the same.
(4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 2033 N King St
Honolulu, HI, 96819
Phone (808) 841-2771
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :7:00 am - 7:3

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Ray’s Café

2033 N King St, Honolulu, HI, 96819

Ray’s Café Menu

Ju F.

David C.

Steven F.

Geoff P.

Jeff G.

James C.

Jyron S.

Kathy F.

Benjamin O.

Sky S.

Scott H.

Howilynn A.

Chevelle H.

Kenneth K.

Barry A.

Jimmy H.

Clintonn M.

Alex R.

Kiva Y.

frank c.

Oscar F.

JC C.

Joshua C.

Farrah A.

Kristen C.

Mojojojo Y.

Jessica W.

Nolan Z.

ROSIE R.

peter m.

Marci C.

Justin U.

Roxanne Lynn T.

Mark A.

Gary W.

Ric C.

Gil G.

Scott F.

Sarah S.

Kenji H.

Annie C.

Alizabeth H.

Kuuipo D.

Mark Y.

Jonathan C.

Rod U.

Rocky S.

Jon E.

Judy C.

Krysten I.

Erica L.

Kathy A.

Renee L.

Alan L.

Jozlyn H.

Ariana M.

Lia W.

Suzanne T.

Fay M.

Jenn A.

Janet K.

Wes K.

Addie L.

Randy L.

Lance T.

Leonard V.

Derrick S.

Thomas P.

H Y.

Lien V.

Eugene A.

Fred W.

Hazel C.

Shawna A.

Packie P.

David M.