I finally tried EllaRay's!!!! The fish was flavorful and fresh. The macaroni and cheese was delicious: cheesy, seasoned, and rich with flavor. The yams were nice and sweet. I wasn't a fan of the desserts. The sweet potato pie wasn't sweet enough and I didn't really like the peach cobbler it just wasn't what I expected. I called in my order and it was ready before I got there. Ms. Ella took my order and she was so friendly. When I arrived for pick up the staff was very friendly. I will absolutely be back!!! read more

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I had a small issue with calling in my order, but the food was good...fried fish was crispy, delicate and delicious! I would have ordered more - in line of veggies had I known what was offered. I was truly surprised that the eatery was actually in the mall. Easy in and out. A return visit is promised!!!! read more

On the hunt for good soul food in "the Hood" we venture five minutes from DC into Forestville, MD. And that's about the same driving distance from Andrews AFB and Alexandria VA! Service can be harried, and you may have to check on missing items from your order, but the home style cooking is delicious! We had the Pigs Feet which were cooked to a tender, sticky, gelatinous perfection. The Oxtail was also another long slow braise that brings flavorful, fall-off-the bone meat over a bed of gravy covered rice. The collard greens were sweet, and the macaroni and cheese was tangy and savory. I'd order an extra mac and cheese on my next visit! The Strawberry Lemon cake was a sweet ending to the meal, but we thought it lacked the fruit flavors to match the bright colors of the cake. Take out is a good option as the cafe can be loud. Oxtails and Pigs feet are best eaten in the privacy of your home when you can really dig in without being dainty. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/2PiEBROjyKQ?si=nr94Cp5ln4S6r_Dh read more

Food not worth the money. Spoonful of each side. Plate was so light and empty. Fish was dry n toooooo soft filed with grease. Never had soul food like that before. Try to avoid this place if you looking for good soul food. If I could give a half star that would be great read more

Yelp!!! Please update Sunday hours of this operation lol I just called to place an order and was informed by Mr. Ray that the establishment closed at 6pm on today. I informed him that Yelp has on their site that they are open until 11pm today and he informed me that he doesn't know how or why that is because they have to close the same time the mall closes. Lol I didn't realize they are located in a mall but nonetheless come on yelp!- this is the second Sunday you've failed me! ;((((( read more

Plenty of food in your order but flavorless and unseasoned vegetables were over cooked and soggy I like a little snap in mine the wings were large and juicy and not dried out under the skin but again unseasoned and tasteless if your hungry this is the place to go but if you are looking for good taste this is not the place read more

Well every time I have tried Ella Ray's they were really good. This one particular day it wasn't that great. I got the salmon cake platter with Mac and cheese and cabbage. I also got the fried witting platter with Rice and chicken gravy Mac and cheese. The fried fish and salmon was good the sides not so much. I still rate them well because out of all the times I've been there this was the only time it wasn't the best. read more

I order short ribs and a chicken sandwich. they gave me chicken no brea. The most worst experience I ever had. Me and my aunt Kim got sandwiches with bread the cashier Mari very rude. The lady that called Mr. Ray super rud. I ordered a chicken sandwic. I got chicken no bread no could not get a refund of something I didn't order read more

EllaRay's Cafe - I just wanted a fried chicken sandwich JESUS. Thats all I didn't want poor customer service from my people - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

I was looking forward to experiencing their menu, but it was one of the worst experiences ever. I ordered a Smothered pork chop dinner and after waiting over 30mins I inquired about my meal, they told me they lost my ticket and that they were going to make it now. After another 30mins my food was ready. I asked about a soda and after waiting over 45mins for my food they charged me for the soda. To add insult to injury, the pork chop was under cooked, they tried to rush to get my order completed. Needless to say it went in the Garbage like Ella Rays should go in the Garbage. I'm highly disappointed in yet, another Black Owned Business read more

We ordered take out. I'm not sure they have returned to dining in yet. There were a few folks sitting at tables but none had food on them. They may earn that hard 4th star if I can eat my fried Whiting fish there instead of riding home 45 minutes. Even though Ella's did an excellent job packing the food for travel, fried fish is best the sooner you eat it. It was still very good. I got 3 large size filets. There is 1 left over and I really should have eaten only 1.5 pieces at most but it was to good to stop. Lol. For sides I had the Mac & Cheese 4/5 and the cornbread 5/5. I haven't eaten the beans yet, to much. My side kick had the beef ribs 4/5 served over rice, and the greens 2/5. The greens had to many stems for starters. She is a greens lover and she set these aside after a few bites. She wouldn't order the greens again. Still, it was a positive experience and we'll try some other things on the menu. I recommend you call ahead to see if dining in has reopened before you set your taste buds to order fried fish unless you live nearby or don't mind chowing down in your auto. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Entrance: It's inside the shopping mall near the main entrance doors if you select the correct one. - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

Food takes great. Well seasoned. I recommend this restaurant. She is supposed to move, don't know why it's taking forever

Food was terrible macaroni cheese, dry the greens tasted old they say they were fresh. They didn't taste fresh meatloaf, post to be two pieces was thin as Scrapple small is meatloaf I've ever seen will Nat return for sure read more

Ate in and their service was amazing workers do a good job checking in to make sure you're being taken care of the owner even came to check on our table and food was even better amazing establishment felt welcomed as soon as I walked in and until I left. Will definitely be back. read more

Stopped here after shopping in the mall. After careful consideration, I went with the meatloaf meal, rice & gravy, green beans, and stewed tomatoes. The green beans tasted canned but they were still edible. Rice & gravy was delicious. The meatloaf was good and they gave you a shareable portion but for some reason I kept feeling like there was something sweet on the back end. I didn't mix anything with it so I don't know what it could have been. The meal wasn't bad at all, just that sweet aftertaste on the meatloaf. The stewed tomatoes had sugar in them (to counterbalance the acidity) but I think someone in the kitchen got a little heavy handed. All in all, a good meal for the money and I would go back to try something else. read more

Overall good but they don't do call ins so the line is too long for the wait. If they had call in and pickup would be nice.

The food was the real deal. Grandma's house kinda breakfast. If u like real down home cooking this is a definite spot! Nice set up at the Forestville Mall entrance. Small but very clean seating area. Service is cook to order so pack your patience or call it in. Will definitely be back! read more

The food taste clean, let me explain. Lol This would be perfect for someone with high blood pressure. It wasn't nasty but it wasn't heavily seasoned. I noticed 99% of their customers were elderly so I assume they cater to their guest. My BIGGEST problem was that I ordered at 5:43pm by 6pm I went to check and Ray said it was coming. By 6:20pm I asked to cancel and Ella came up, asked the cook, and he said "it's been sitting here cause I ain't know what the sides were". Ella looks at me and says "they never put your ticket up there". I got my food at 6:22pm! Again, it wasn't nasty, it was ok. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Catfish, Collard Greens and Cabbage - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

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Today I visited EllaRay for breakfast. They open at 10:00am and I place my order around 11:30am. We ordered country bacon breakfast platters and did not get our food until an hour later. So at this point I'm over it and ready for a refund. The order comes up and everything in the platter was ice cold. If it takes you and hour to prepare bacon apples and fried potatoes, it should be piping hot. At the very least run it through the microwave before giving cold food to a paid customer. As for ambiance, there is none. Makeshift walls and mirrors. I'm all about supporting BOB so please do better. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Country Bacon Platter - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

The food is delicious. I can't comment on the ambiance because they recently moved to a bigger location, but it looks like it will be a great place to visit. read more

The food use to be EXCELLENT until they moved across the street. I'm not sure who idea it was to have the food sitting on that buffet style setting. But the food be overcooked, dried out and not freshly made like across the street. It seems as if Ella isn't doing all of the cooking any more neither. Because it doesn't have her taste for food any more! I travel all the way from Waldorf, MD for Ella's food when they were across the street. PLEASE go back to doing whatever was being done when you were across the street. Because the food isn't no way as good as before!!!!!!!! read more

SLOWWWWWW!!! Unfriendly staff! No reason the Line is out the door. Staff NEVER friendly, you have to catch them on a good day to get great customer service. Instead of worrying about decorating for dine in customers, they needed to focus on customer service! UNORGANIZED!! Get your shit together Ella and Ray!!! You're going to lose out on making EllaRays great if you don't start making improvements! read more

I was thoroughly disappointed. This is the 3rd time I waited nearly an hour for six wings. Watched as workers hugged friends and gave them food even though they came in after me. Tried to support this business. Food is reasonable. But since they only want to serve friends and family, I guess they don't need an outsider's business. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

This spot never misses!! We order the fried whiting for a slight snack in the middle of an amazing Friday. The service was good and the food didn't take long either. We sat at the high tables which was convenient and comfortable. Keep it up!!! read more

I had a great carryout dining experience at Ella Ray's Cafe. For the most part their food was on point. We sampled a few things: 1. The catfish platter with yams and rice was good. The rice was plain even with gravy it wasn't much. The catfish and yams were excellent. 2. The oxtails platter was filled with plenty of oxtails but the gravy was lacking. I absolutely loved the Mac & Cheese and the cabbage. 3. The turkey wing platter was fire with the yams and cabbage. 4. They definitely know how to make some good potato salad. I loved it! The desserts were good. We had strawberry lemon cake and red Velvet cake. I would go there again. However I will admit I probably wouldn't get the oxtails again only because the gravy is like something from a can and lacks flavor. Oh and their sweet tea was da' BOMB! You got to get a cup. read more

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This is the best soul food I've had in the DMV. My husband and I stopped in to get some snickerdoodle cookies (iykyk) and I wanted too give Ella Ray's a shot. As soul food lover I have been on the search for southern style soul food since I moved to the area. For the first time, I was not disappointed. I had the whiting. The fish was seasoned well and cooked to perfection. The Mac and cheese was perfect. It is truly southern style with a great amount of cheese. The collards were a tad over cooked but that's exactly the way my GMa used to cook them too so it gave me that nostalgia even though I know better now. :) Of course I had to sample my husbands dinner too. He had the salmon cakes with green beans and candied yams. Not a fan of the salmon cake but I've never had one that I liked, they're just not for me. The sides were great though and I cannot compliment the chef enough, everything was well seasoned. I wanted to try the cobbler and ordered it. I realized the next day that I didn't get it. The portions were enough for two meals (if I hadn't been as hungry as I was). I will definitely be a repeat customer. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Salmon Cake Platter with Green Beans and Candied Yams - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

I love this place for my soulfood cravings. Thier catfish is fried to perfection. So I stopped in today for a sandwich. I'm so disappointed in the serving, 2 small pieces. I dont know, maybe it's time for a new spot. read more

Food is inconsistently of quality. The potato salad is very good, but can not be ordered as a side to a dinner selection. If you want potato salad, it must be ordered as an additional side for additional cost. Ridiculous!! Wait time is exceptionally long most times. read more

Meh, collards are nasty af and over cooked. Put a gang of hot sauce to cover the taste. Yams, fresh out the can. Turkey wings are iight. Shorty in the front with the ugly lashes had an attitude problem. The best was the cornbread from BJ's Update I lied. This whole plate is nasty af And when I called to let them know I will be coming For a refund "we don't do refunds" well I don't wanna eat anything else, y'all food is nasty af. I will be returning to them in the morning to throw this food in the managers face read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

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I went to this business today and ordered the fried chicken. I was told that it would take 15 mins . I ended up waiting 35 mins to get my food. Then when I got home I cut open my chicken breast and the meat was pink and watery. I drove all the way back to return my food but instead of apologizing or admitting the food was undercooked the lady working the front argued with me that it was cooked because there was no blood in it. I don't know about y'all but I've been eating and cooking fried chicken all my life and never have I been served fried chicken where the meat was pink: I even asked her does she eat pink chicken meat but she declined to answer that question just repeatedly saying that the chicken had no blood in it. I just basically waisted a hour of my day and I'm still hungry. I don't recommend this restaurant to anyone. I wish I could give 0 stars. Customer Service - 0 Food - 0 Quality - 0 Waist of time and money -10 read more

This is my new GO TO SOUL FOOD SPOT! My friends and sisters told me about the chicken wings and catfish so I decided to stop by and I AM SOOO glad it did! The first time I ordered Turkey Wings with Yams & Mac n Cheese, Ox Tails with Rice/Gravy, Green beans and THAT WAS THE BOMB! I was hooked every since. I've now had the catfish, chicken wings, greens It may take a while to get your order (especially on a Friday evening) but bide your time. The food is worth the wait. I love the family environment, even though they are working hard and getting food out I've experience good customer service. The inside isn't open for dining, just carry out which is fine with me! read more

The love this place. The food is very flavorful. I've driven from my home 30 minutes away to get a meal from here.

Food was very good. Would like to eat some more from this restaurant. I hope they have some Chitterlings

I was hoping for some good food but was disappointed. They have to do better. I ordered two dinners. The North Carolina BBQ w/ 2 Sides. It was dry and tasteless. It did not come with any bread to make a sandwich. The two sides were greens. It was as if they were boiled in water with no seasoning at all; tasteless ! The second meal was Barbeque Spare Ribs. The ribs were above average in taste. They were small. The two sides were potato salad. I ordered the potato salad to go with the greens from the other dinner. The potato salad was very plain. I would have been better off getting store bought potato salad from Giant. I could get any of these dinners from most Chinese carry outs anywhere in DC. It is safe to say I would not order anything from this place again. The young ladies that took my order were very nice and the best thing that I experienced from this place. read more

I don't usually come on here and write reviews about places I have eaten at because places I have gone to, the food is good. I normally cook anyway. When EllaRays was in forestville Mall the door was okay. Now that they have relocated across the street. IDK . I got the pork chop dinner yesterday from the new establishment. Let me tell y'all, the pork chop was so dry. I couldn't even bite into it. It was so hard I had to rip it apart. And I waited for a fresh batch. They now store some of their meats in a warmer. This one elderly lady ordered fish and it also looked dry. A lot of elderly people go to Ella Ray's and if the order chops, their dentures will come out. I used to order the chops when they were in the mall and they were pretty good. After my experience yesterday, I will not be going back. And if you're elderly, don't get the chops. They are cutting corners. The food was much better in the mall. read more

I love Ellaray's usually. From time to time it's not so good. They are not very open to complaints so i write this review in hopes of them reading it. The ribs are not good so I never order them. On this trip we got pork chop dinner and whitting dinner. Both meats were over cooked. My husband thought the chops were ok but the whitting was not good. The fish serving was small for whitting, the pieces were thin, see thru and not flavorful. I was very disappointed. I have to go back to the cat fish. It's a better deal and taste better. Ella's sides are always good and the dessert cakes are the best. The restaurant had an unpleasant smell on this visit. Can't identify the smell. Ella's will be moving soon. Yay! read more

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2nd time visiting and it was the charm. The first time (when they just opened) they were out of a lot of items. This time it was spot on. I appreciate that the food was seasoned and not salty. I will definitely be back. No more MID - Atlantic for me. Collard Greens and Cabbage Pork Chops Chicken Wings Candied Yams Southern Fried Pork Chops read more

Annoyed AF. Came here for greens, ordered the veggie platter, paid, waited 15mins only to be told they have no greens. Why didn't the cashier know this? These businesses DO NOT respect people's hard earned money or time. No apology- nothing. I'm SICK of these businesses. read more

Good Food. Slow Service when busy. They would make a killing with mobile app ordering. Fried Pork Chops are very good. The spot is smallish and I would not want to eat inside. 3.5 stars read more

Food is good but customer service here is not worth returning to this establishment. Cashier and cash registered accepted my order for sides with platter and after waiting 30 minutes, I was told it was not possible. Then the owner went back and forth with me for a side of meat that cost the same as the side of fried apples or potatoes. I just wanted to exchange items with the same cost under the same category. SMH I WONT BE BACK!! read more

Too crowded noisy workers spend too much time looking for a manager need a larger facility.