Ray's Café

Many of you might remember Ray's Café when it was still in downtown Honolulu near the corner of Smith Street and Beretania.  All of you must definitely remember the inch thick prime rib for $9.95 as well.  A few years ago, Ray's relocated to the Kalihi area and I haven't been back since.  That is, until now.

Ray's is located on North King Street at the corner of Kopke Street.  In a non-descript shop that was once the home of Naka's Okazuya, you won't find the shop too easily.  The easiest way to find it is to locate the bright orange, hand-lettered sign.

Once inside, I found several of the tables occupied.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying their food, so I decided that it was time for me to look over the menu.

Here's one half of the menu.  It seems like there is quite a nice selection of steaks and the price seems quite reasonable.

Taped to the stainless steel refrigerator, just below the cats and the fan are a few of the daily specials.

After I had placed my order, I sat and waited.  In the meantime, I noticed the condiment tray.  Looks like everything I could ever want to use while I'm here -- syrup, mustard, powdered coffee creamer, Tabasco, steak sauce, ketchup, shoyu, salt and pepper.  Whew!

What did I order?  Well, I actually was going to order the lobster omelet, but it was already sold out.  Instead, I ordered one of the other specials -- New York steak with fried mushroom, onion and bell pepper (and asparagus and celery) AND french fries (US$9.95).

The steak was tender with most of the fat being trimmed away before it was cooked.  It was also perfectly seasoned which meant that I didn't have to add any additional salt or pepper to it.  I also tasted the slightest hint of butter on the steak, leading me to believe that it might have been cooked with butter.  The vegetables were still crisp and crunchy, adding a lot of color and texture to this dish.  The french fries, were of the crinkle cut variety and were a little undercooked (I like mine crispy), but acceptable.

Offering simple, homestyle meals, the food here at Ray's is delicious and a definite bargain.  There are no frills here, but you do get good service and the food is always fresh.  It's too bad that Ray's isn't in downtown, otherwise, I'd probably come here more than I have been.  Then again, now that I've re-discovered the food here at Ray's, maybe I'll start making the drive to Kalihi more often.

Before leaving, as I was paying for my meal, I took this photo of the kitchen where all the tasty food is cooked.

Ray's Café
2033 North King Street
Telephone:  808.841.2771

Comments

[Kirk]

Reid - Thanks for the review. Ray's was a regular Friday Prime Rib spot when they were on Smith St. Good to know it's still around - and that the prices are still right! I remember Ray's used to have a sign in crayon - "When the Doors Open, We Open, When the Doors Closed, We Closed". Great memories!

[AugustusGloop]

Hehe. I like how you say "[the fries] were a little undercooked (I like mine crispy), but acceptable".

I love crunchy golden fries too. Esp those corner bits of the potato. And the broken ones where the jagged shards provide extra crispiness...

[OsloFoodie]

I am a little quirky when it comes to condiment trays, especially in a Chinese restaurant. I have to have mine and I have to have absolutely everything everyone else has in it! When it comes to the steak some people cook it at first with oil but before the meat is almost done, they add a little butter in the end to enhance the taste. But of course some people just use butter from the beginning which then the best might be to use clarified butter to avoid the catch of burned butter. I hope this comment makes sense, it's very warm at noon here in Oslo and I tend to lose my English when the weather is like this!

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

For some reason I remember seeing that sign before, but not now. =(

The steak was great, but I really wanted the lobster omelet. If you've never tried it, you should try it on your next visit.

Hi AG,

I like my french fries super crispy, not overdone, but just a really nice golden brown color. Crisp outside and still moist inside. That said, I'm not usually a fan of crinkle cut, but wedges are cool. =)

Hi Oslo Foodie,

I'm like you when it comes to condiment trays. In fact, I always have to have a peek at the table next to mine to see if we have the same things in our trays. LOL!

I totally understand what you're saying about the butter thing. In my experience, I've found that many places use butter to cook their steaks. At what stage during the cooking process is a mystery to me.

BTW...I'm glad we're both experiencing warm weather. At least I know that I'm not the only one that is dreaming of some ice kacang right about now! =P

[babe_kl]

reid, do u work for sony or some camera shops? hahaha so many cameras to play with! *envious* my dinosaur F505 need to check into the clinic again!! arrghhh... i think i need to buy a new one :p

[Reid]

Hi babe_kl,

No, I don't work for the camera shops, but besides eating =), I do love to spend my money on the latest electronic gadgets. It's an expensive hobby, I know, and I really need to watch my money! My friends tell me that all the time!

[kyle]

I remember breakfasts at Rays. The ham steak, corn beef hash and pancakes. What a bargain.

[clare eats]

Ooh this looks good :)
Pity about the fries though.

[tara]

Another crispy fry fan here, anemic fries just don't do it for me. It is funny how shape can make such a difference; I'm not so into crinkle cuts either - too many memories of frozen french fries from the highschool cafeteria.

[chef 'em out]

How long ago (what year) was a prime rib going for $9.95? I am curious.

[Kirk]

Chef - I left the Islands in '97 and was paying $9.95 for the prime rib - but I'm sure Reid will know....
Reid - I'm checking out all those Hungry Bruddah's, they sure know how to eat!

[Reid]

Hi Kyle,

If I had gone to Ray's early enough I would have probably gotten the corned beef hash and eggs too if there was no lobster omelet.

Hi Clare,

The steak was delicious. I just wished for crispier french fries.

Hi Tara,

I never thought of that, but you're right about the french fries, they do remind me of the school cafeteria. I liked tater tots more! =)

Hi chef 'em out,

Oh it wasn't that long ago. Maybe a couple years or so. The prime rib is now a special and on the day that I was there, it was $12.50. Isn't that a deal?

Hi Kirk,

Yep, them bruddahs was hungry. The with the blue tank top had a NY steak plate, a salad and a serious side of deep fried shrimp. He must have been starving. heh.

[chef 'em out]

Daaang, $12.50? That's what you'll pay for a samich at some places in NYC!

[lance]

One day while I was walking towards Ray's for lunch, a lady looked like she was lost. I asked her if she was lost. She mentioned that she was looking for Ray's Cafe. It was a block away so we walked and taked. She was a former client of Ray's Cafe in downtown and was hoping it was the same owner. I told her to look in the kitchen to see if it was the same person. When she saw the cook/owner was the same person, she was so happy, she couldn't stop smiling and couldn't sit still. I must say the prices and food are good. So, if Spots Drive-Inn New York steak is sold-out, I can rely on Ray's steak for that satisfying taste?

[Reid]

Hi Lance,

How nice of you to meet someone on the way there! When I looked into the kitchen I saw the same guy too, so I knew it would still be good.

As far as the steak is concerned, I think Spots was a little better, but you should try this yourself just to see.

Let me know what you think if you decide to try this.

[Reid]

Hi Chef,

Ooops! I missed your comment. Yes, the prime rib is reasonably priced.

[John]

took my wife to Ray's Cafe last night...was originally going to go to Spots but saw Ray Cafe while we were cruising down King Street. i did a U-turn on Gulick & found parking not too far from Ray's.

i had the T-bone steak($9.95) & she had the steak & oyster special($8.45). this was the first time i ever ate there although back in '94, someone told me about it when we were going to school in Texas.

i liked my steak but i must say my wife's combo looked way better. she even saved 1/2 for lunch the next day. and her steak had grill marks, mine didn't. don't know whats up w/that. i think her's the NY steak. and from the pic you took Reid, the sign that says "NY steak special" w/fries is something he has regularly. so next time i'll either get that or the steak w/oysters.

Ray is all class!

[Reid]

Hi John,

The New York steak is almost always on the menu. What you really have to try sometime is the lobster omelette. Try to get there in the morning because if they have it, it's usually sold out early. It's a huge omelette that you can share, so you can probably get a steak as well. Trust me, it's winnahs.

[John]

yeah that lobster omelette sounds ono!

i'll have to try it sometime.

[Reid]

Hi John,

Definitely. When you do, let me know if you liked it as much as I did.

[laurie]

Owner's name is Felix; named restaurant after his son. The other cook is Elaine, a long time employee. Linda is the waitress.

My favorite is Pork and Shrimp Sari-sari or the Fresh Grilled Butterfish. All the fish on the hand-lettered "Specials of the Day" board is fresh, never frozen, Felix gets fish in the morning from the fish auction.

I took my fellow (little old ladies, mostly) senior citizens from Mililani Golden Years Club there to eat. They loved it and many still catch the bus there after church to chow down!

When I first started going to Ray's years ago, there was only white rice, now you may choose from white rice, brown rice, fried potatoes, toast, or french fries.

There are seats for only 24 persons. If it really busy, one of the regulars may bus your table without being asked.

Want proof that the food is good? One guy surprised his date by whipping out a tablecloth, candles, camera and flowers from a brown grocery bag on Valentine's Day 2004. Ask Felix if he still has the picture.

Car pool because parking is hard to find. Try it one day, you will see doctors, lawyers, judges, bus drivers, cops, Indian chiefs and maybe me, there.

Visit soon because the old CPB bank bldg. across the street is being renovated for RM Towill's crew. Good luck getting a seat then.