Ray's Mexican Restaurant
2885 El Cajon Blvd Ste B
(between Kansas St & Utah St)
San Diego, CA 92104 (619) 280-4011
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: None
30 Reviews for Ray's Mexican Restaurant
I just moved out of San Diego, and I miss Ray's! The owner is so nice, and if someone could vaccum seal a black bean, rice and cheese burrito and overnight it to Boston, that would be great. The wait can be long when you want burritos in your stomach NOW, but if you call ahead, it eases the pain.
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I am over the hump now... I love me some Rays Mexican! It is now right down the street from us and will deliver it to us as long as we plan on pigging out. I love the chile reanos and the potalo rolled tacos!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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05/26/2008
We tried this place last night after a long weekend of drinking. It has been recommended to me… Read more »
Let's be honest... I, like most of the people in this country, am a lazy individual.
If we can get something we want easy, than we want it easier. If we can get it fast, we want it faster. And if we can get it cheap, we want it cheaper...it's the American Way!
It's Sunday evening and the night chill has just descended upon our little burg. I just got my bike back from a friend a couple of days back and I am finding any and all excuses to take 'er for a spin.
The wife says "Yo, find us some food." and I'm like "Yo, what kind of food." She said it..."You decide!" Oh shit...
Enter Ray's...
Within biking distance from my house there are at least ten taco shops. But since my beach cruiser has one speed - as fast as I can peddle - and it's getting late, I decide I will go to Roberto's on El Cajon...
As I drive to Roberto's, I read the defense and called an audible at the line. I decided to go another two blocks and check out Ray's...isn't that the beauty of having a bike?
Ray's is a sit down taco shop where you actually don't feel like a degenerate sitting in. They don't have a drive through, and you have to go inside. Not convenient when you just want to drive and dine or you're in your PJs.
What we ate:
Fish Burrito & Three Potato Rolled Tacos
This probably burned seven bones, but it was a decent amount of food at a good price. They have a red and a green hot sauce. I preferred the green with the fish burrito and the red with the Potato Rolled Tacos.
The cute little Mexican woman in front of me orders Menudo and as she walks out with her soup, she smiles and says "I'm gonna tear this Menudo up, boy!" I believed her and I was scared...
I rode my bike back to the habitat and we scarfed that shit in like five.
The audible at the line turned out OK...it wasn't a touchdown, but at least we got the First Down.
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I used to dine here weekly with my wife when we did our laundry next door. I always liked the place, pricing and food until my incident this past Monday. I ordered the carne asada burrito, carne asada quesadilla for my wife and we shared a large horchata.
After eating my burrito, I heard a snapping sound as I bite into small hard fragment. I slowly seperated the fragments from my mouth and discovered a small rock was cracked into two pieces.
I went to the counter and pointed out to the younger man of the rocks. He was shocked and asked to keep it to show his manager. Doing so, he refunded $5 for the burrito. I was in disbelief and left in shock.
The next day my jaw was hurting slightly and started to look up this establishment. Turns out someone posted a few months ago the same thing happening to them! I was so upset I logged in to leave a message to see if I can get more details.
I went back to Ray's which the older man, whom I assume is the owner, wasn't there which the younger guy (looks like his son) remembered me from Monday. I advised him that I need to see his manager and left my number to be reached. I did mention about the last "rock burrito" which he stated that situation was about rocks being in cliantro, but wasn't working there when it happened.
True rocks/pebbles can be found in pinto beans (rarely), but there was no beans in the carne asada burrito being served. I am not happy about this and haven't got a call back.
DON'T EAT HERE, UNLESS YOU WANT "ROCK BURRITOS'!
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THE MAN CAN MAKE A MEAN CALIFORNIA BURRITO!!!!!
and their veggy torta Holy Jeepers Batman!!
what can I say.. I love them. When I want good Mexican I come here..
and on your broke day s 1.95 for 3roll tacos with cheez and gauc. you cant ask for more... well you can but it wont beat the 1.95roll tacos
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If you like crappy Mexican food and your order screwed up half the time this is the place for you. Also they have roaches galore in this place, seriously its gross also they have a crappy attitude when they serve the food here. Can I have a side of someone who hates their job and life in general.
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If this were a review solely based on the green hot sauce, it'd be 5 stars. I don't know why, but that stuff just hits the spot. I'm sure it's tomatillo based, but it's got a different texture than the usual salsa verde you get at the store or at Sombrero's. The red sauce is average, but unnecessary when it's next to that wonderful green goodness.
The food there is good, but not great. As a herbivore, I can't comment on the meaty items, but their veggie burrito supreme is good. Beans cheese and rice is the ol' standby though. So the food gets a 3.5
The service gets a 3. I've always been treated really well here, but it's always been s l o w , even when they're not busy. Which is pretty much all the time.
But the X factor? 2 blocks from my apartment. And down the street from Pacific Liquor. That rounds it up to a solid 4.
Oh boy. We were loving this place for quick/easy food. Till tonight. Last time I checked, rocks weren't part of a burrito.
They refunded our money, but we will never give them our business again.
Unfortunate....nice people. Fast service. Good food. But rocks? Leaves a lasting impression.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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03/26/2008
Was looking for an alternative for delivery food. Knew that Ray's delivered so gave him a call.… Read more »
Ray's is my go-to taco shop. It's in my neighborhood, it's tasty, and you can pretty much always catch vh1 reality on the tele.
I'm all for the potato rolled tacos and any other kind of vegetarian burrito they have. The owner is always there and I love this guy. Not only does he remember your face, but he's Persian and also owns the Chinese spot next door. A Persian cat that speaks Spanish and slangs Mexican and Chinese food and has a wife that dyes her hair blond and is always wearing a J.Lo sweat suit? He's a winner in my book.
Although the wife is not as friendly and one time I was there I got to watch her feud with her Chinese restaurant employees- it was was much more entertaining than vh1.
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One word - Delivery!
So I place an order and well the order was wrong when I got it and the food wasn't really to my liking. A bit too bland and greasy. Props though because they did fix the order...but the overall wait was ouch!
Fast forward. Had an out of town guest who got the drink on before noon. I wasn't gonna take the loud know-it-all show on the road but needed food. Delivery! Suggested Ray's and that I couldn't vouch for it - but it was on.
Wow! The carnitas order was nice - fresh limes to squeeze and all. The grilled tiliapia tacos were right up there as well.
Did I stand corrected? Well I actually stopped in a while back and the beef rolled tacos were nothing to write home about.
So long story short - they have you at delivery and just check out the menu because you might discover a new fav :)
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I am bias.
This place was only 2 blocks from my house and it was open until 10 PM. So on lazy nights I would walk down the street and eat here.
I love the owner. After moving away, the owner remembered me and asked me about what was taking place in my life since I left.
The potato breakfast burrito is HUGE. Thats generally what I would eat for dinner (potatoes-not fries, eggs, beans, rice, and cheese). It would taste especially amazing with the red salsa.
The place was often filled with working class Mexican Americans eating large bowls of soup (I don't eat meat so I never tried it). Why does this matter? "If you see Mexicans at a Mexican restaurant, its authentic and good."
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Excellent California burrito. Veggie burrito is pretty good too. Everything I've had here has been good. Only complaint is it closes at like 10. What kinda mexican fast food closes at 10 lol. Owner is very nice too :)
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Rays is an awesome place that is willing to accomodate just about any taste bud
My Usual....Take the Broccali Cauliflower Burrtio, No Potatoes, add Grilled Fish and Avocado.
Super tasty and satisfying
A taco shop with super friendly staff that delivers????
Thought it wasn't possible? It is!!!
Not the most amazing Mexican food but the fact that these guys deliver to me when I am too hungover and lazy to go anywhere on a Saturday morning earns them a four star rating!
My faves: grilled soft shrimp tacos w/their salsa verede, the good ol bean and cheese, and if the hubby and I are feeling really gnarly.... carne asada nachos.....
*heres a hint....be sure to ask for only the shredded cheese on your supreme nachos because apparently to them "supreme" means god-awful liquified nacho cheese....blech!
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I'll be honest. I tried this place out because of the name.. durr..
My $10+ Fish Sauteed in Garlic combo plate was wayyyyy salty and just plain burnt. The rice and beans were ok. I was pretty disappointed to say the least. Wasn't planning to ever return until I read the other reviews here. So I'm willing to try Ray's again. They have a name to uphold..
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Great Vegetarian fare for a taco shop. I would highly reccomend the Broccoli, Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheese burrito. Sounds strange I know but when doused with the homemade salsa it is delicious. The Veggie Supreme is also good but a bit heavy if you're in the mood for more standard rice and beans burrito.
Back in my more carnivoric days I would get the Beef, Potato, and Cheeese burrito, which was delicious. the shredded beef was moist and perfectly marinated.
Ray the owner is very nice as well. He doesn't seem to forget a face or the specs of an owner and always welcomes me like an old friend even if it's been a month between visits. He's not mexican ( I think he is Iranian) but his cooks make some great food.
Oh yeah, free delivery!
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my girlfriend showed me this place because she is a huge fan of the broccoli and cauliflower burrito. i thought it was odd sounding so i myself ordered the vegetarian burrito, and i just might put it up there as the best vegetarian burrito around. and i also tried the broccoli and cauliflower burrito and it was better than i could have imagined. since that visit i have returned several times and this last time i brought my friend who ordered the vegetarian tostada. it was huge and looked great for only about 5 bucks. and of course, the broccoli/cauliflower burrito was as good as ever. and the workers are always nice and helpful. sometimes they will even bring your food out to you and a few times someone has even made the effort to pick up our trays from the table.
The only reason I eat Ray's? FREE DELIVERY! Yes, you have to have a 15 dollar minimum, but their menu is very vegan friendly and very delicious.
If you are home and drunk and need something super duper fried, get he bean chimi! Holy batman, so much fried tortilla, it was like a godsend. And potato rolled tacos, schwing!
I really dont have much to say. I have never actually been inside the restaurant, and don't know any other places that deliver mexican so win win to me!
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Oh Em Gee! Caldos! Delivered no less! Their pozole is fabulous. It's Mexicans version of chicken soup for whatever ails ya. They also do a fantastic caldo de res, although I'd have been happier had it had some corn in it. Very authentic. Their rolled tacos are alright, I especially like the potato ones. Now if they'd just make potato enchiladas, I'd be in heaven. Enchiladas and tamales, I wasn't all that impressed with. Next to try are the burritos.
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Wow, now that I know about this place, screw wherever else I've been going! It's way better than some of the other holes in the wall I've been getting my cheapo meals at. My fish burrito was not greasy or heavy at all- and I actually knew what fish it was (tilapia!)- amazing considering most other fish tacos/burritos taste like defrosted cod. You can order grilled or breaded fish too- I don't like breaded but it's so rare I actually get to say what I want.
Oh, and they've got Orange Bang! The closest thing to old school Orange Julius I've found. And don't go telling me about the new Orange Julius, because that shizz is gross.
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Vegan if you don't get dairy. Great, unique burritos. Super-slow most of the time. Interesting decor. Awesome hot sauce if you dine-in. Get a bean and cheese with potatoes, super cheap. Call ahead if you are pressed for time.
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My gf and I were craving for Mexican food on the new year's eve, and this was the only place we could find open. We were happily surprised by the quality of the food. I had a shrimp burrito and she had a chicken chimichanga. Both were delicious. I wish Ashburn had something like this. The only negative is that we had to wait a while to get our food. 4.5 stars.
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I like Ray's. Ray really isn't Mexican, he is Iraqi, but he speaks Spanish as well as English, Arabic and some others. Take a good look at the inside walls. Ray faux painted the place himself and it looks pretty good. It's that kind of attention that Ray pays to his food too.
Want a good burrito? Try his chicken burrito. It is a meal in itself and it comes fast (usually) and hot--just the way I like 'em.
mexican food that delivers for free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everything you can get at a drive thru but they deliver to your home , or work !!!
how cool is that.
ray is very nice and the food is so good
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Yum, Ray's is great. I am in love with their brocoli, cauliflower, potato burrito....it sounds strange, but it is delicous! My only qualm with Ray's is sometimes it will take FOREVER to get your food, oh and one time I ordered a black bean burrito that was so salty I couldn't eat it....Other than that though, I do love Ray's.
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Great food. Even the traditional dishes are like Abuelita used to make! The owner is very nice too. Always very friendly.
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Located in a very small strip mall. Nicely lit inside. Cool looking menu. Good food for decent prices. Carne asada burritos are good. Rolled tacos are 3 for $1.95. Green salsa is delicious.
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Ray's was recomended to me by a friend, so maybe I went there with a higher expectation level. Regardless, I wasn't the least bit impressed. I think the best part about my meal was the 'orang whip' fountain drink. Otherwise, the tacos were greasy and the flavors just didn't do it for me. I'm not saying that it was bad, but it wasn't great either.
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this place is the best. i don't know why it just has some damn good food
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