I am hoping I was just a one off. It was my first time going around 4:00 on a Friday based on a recommendation. I got the ribs, yams, greens and potato salad. I would not go back based on the poor taste of everything I had. The ribs were not good. Just seemed sauced but not seasoned and not cooked long enough. The yams tasted weird. Like canned and buttered but without the typical brown sugar at least and my greens tasted like water which was the final straw. The one thing I was skeptical about going in was the potato salad and that was actually good. Too many nos for me to try again. People were nice though. read more

Food is good. Not sure about the service My wife loves it .The pork chops are well seasoned. The yams are a little too sweet.

The Ox Tail Platter was mad disgusting they didn't remove the fat off the Ox Tails. I had to pull the fat off the Ox Tails. The cabbage and rice was disgusting. The only thing taste good was the macaroni and cheese. My family is from Jamaica and Cuba . Those was the worst Ox Tails I've ever had so disgusting that I refuse to post a picture of it. Someone told me their food was good but it wasn't. I don't think I would ever eat their again. If you want some good Ox Tails goto Peaches Kitchen Restaurant & Catering Service on 6214 3rd St., NW Washington, DC 20011. Everything on their menu is AWESOME!!! Purchase date 05 Mar 2022 @ 1759hrs Cashier was Raymond read more

Y'all let me tell you... If you want some authentic slap yo momma food, Ella Ray's is it!!! First off, I passed by this place so many times while getting my snickadoodles (y'all know what im talking about!)... One, because I thought it was another asian carryout coming to a black neighborhood (y'all know what im talking about, again)... Two, the crowd. I thought it was hype because it was a new joint... And three, because it was by the "cookie place" (been going 15 yrs strong and dont know the name lol)... BUT I WAS WRONG Y'ALL, ALL WRONG! Today was my day and I am so happy it was. I was just getting off of work and decided to run in target to get MORE school supplies and had a craving for cookies but once i walked around target an hour later and got a whole lot of stuff I DIDN'T need, I was beyond hangry! As I walked towards the cookie place I was trying to think of somewhere in the mall to grab a sandwich or fries... And then I remembered this place (Ella Ray's) and because I thought it was a carryout, I had settled on getting fries and a drink. I stepped into Ella's and the smell of soul food made my heart smile! As I walked up to the counter and saw faces that looked like mine made me even happier and the level of customer service I received from MY people made me even THAT MUCH happier ! Ella's is black-owned and black employed! Oh and Ms. Ella herself works there too! I didnt even know it because she's so humble. She and I talked for about 10 minutes while she sipped her coffee and then she got called back into the kitchen. She was explaining to me how she was working on a big catering order. I thought she was an employee the way she was so easy with conversation. Then i put 2 and 2 together and realized how many people greeted her and the huge E on her coffee cup... Duhhhh! She's amazing! Now on to the slap yo momma food! I admit, I played it safe. I ordered the country fried white meat chicken meal with collards and rice and gravy. BUT LET ME TELL YOU... I have NEVER tasted chicken so good... And my momma can cook some good chicken but this here, whew lawd! The outside was so crispy and flavorful and the inside was moist and juicy... And this is white meat y'all, a breast and wing at that. And the collards were real dang collards! Not that canned stuff, Sylvias or Glory Greens but the collards that grandma makes you pick and wash by hand and they gotta simmer for a while and they were full of flavor with a bit of a spicy end note. The rice was fluffy and the gravy was tasty, just needed a dash of salt and pepper. The helpings are definitely worth the price if flavor alone doesnt sell you. I was full as a tick! But all in all, the thing that stood out to me the most on top of the great ownership, excellent customer service, and authentically tasty food, was the cleanliness of the place. There was no trash on the floor. The condiments stayed full and well stocked. The counters and tables were wiped down with no sticky residue anywhere (y'all know what im talking about). The trash was emptied. The mirrors and windows were clean (no flies in the sill). And this is the #1 reason I stayed IN to eat but honestly the food wouldnt have made it home. The upkeep is amazing! I noticed a young man that kept coming around about every 10 minutes to stock the condiments, wipe down the tables and counters, collect trays, and pick up trash if necessary. THAT young man needs to be recognized because the first decision i make on whether or not im going to spend my money at a business, especially a place to eat, is if its clean... And this young man kept the front of the house miraculous! It made me have no doubts about the back of the house! Round of applause to you young man for valuing your position! I even told him he was doing an outstanding job... Thank you Ms. Ella, Ray and staff for an amazing dining experience. The saying goes, you dont need a busload of people, just willing people! I can tell these people love what they do because you can feel it in their service and taste it in their food... You have a forever patron! Until next time! Oh yeah and if you made it this far they not new to this, they true to this... They've been open for OVER A YEAR! read more

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I know the wait time to order food here was long maybe a about 1/2 an hour, but this time it was 1:15 min. Every time I went to check I got 15 min wait time. The food is good. No one should have to wait that long. read more

First of all, the food is 5-star. I chose an unbalanced meal of fried chicken and my two sides were Mac n cheese and rice and gravy. All delicious and the perfectly dissected container kept everything separate, which I love because I don't like my food to touch. Everything is freshly cooked but because of it, I had to pull a star because that means the service is slow. I can live with that for freshly made delicious food, it was worth the wait. One other thing made the wait bearable and that was the busboy (I'm embarrassed I didn't ask his name). He saw me walking with a cane and got a hand menu for me. Later, I had to get a drink with no ice, but as soon as the machine was refilled he came to me and got my drink to add the ice for me. I left Ella Ray full and very pleased. I shall return read more

EllaRay's Cafe - I tore into my food before I remembered to take a photo. - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

Way to slow, air conditioning didn't seem to be working on a hot day. Why do they make the green beans spicy . Well it should say spicy green beans . It was ok read more

Really wanted to try this spot because it was black owned wanted to support, closing time says 11PM on all platforms I searched them I came into the restaurant a little after nine and about 3 staff member screamed at our family "We are closed GOODBYE" "We ain't serving no one else". Now it's not the fact that they were closing early or event closing but the attitude of the staff was outrageous we were customer coming to support. Lost our service won't be trying this place at all! We drove all the way from Virginia to support. read more

Ella & Ray (the owners) are super friendly and their food never disappoints. I love their catfish, oxtails, short ribs, pork chops....basically everything on the menu. read more

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Good food! Fried catfish and cabbage are delicious. I drive 30 min to come and get food from here

DO NOT GO HERE!!!!! This plate may look good to some but the food was horrible eggs were burnt and the bacon was spoiled. I called back to the establishment and the owner Ella was rude and would not take accountability for the garbage that she sold me. I wanted my money back and all she did was offer me more spoiled bacon. Absolutely NOT. Save your money and Don't go here EVER. read more

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

I'm sorry, I'm all for supporting black businesses but the staff are unprofessional and to top it off the food is trash!!!!! The Mac was ok, but needs more seasoning! Overall 1/10 read more

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

To be honest, like a couple of other people who have left reviews on here. I really wanted to like this place and I still want to because we need more black-owned restaurants and businesses in the area. But the food I got from the place yesterday just left me feely so disappointed. When I went to Ella Ray's yesterday, I had a nice experience talking with the owner, Ray and some of the staff. They were nice, attentive, and polite so there were no problems with my experience there at all. That's why I gave a two-star rating. However, when I got home to try my food it was another story. I order the braised short ribs with rice, collard greens, and candied yams. While the short ribs were tender, they lacked seasoning and the gravy was bland. In fact the gravy it didn't even taste like it was made from scratch, it tasted as if it came from a jar. Also, the collard greens had no flavor at all. I expected to taste a hint of salt, pepper, onions, garlic, apple cider vinegar but I didn't taste any of those ingredients. The best thing was the candied yams, which were tender and buttery with the right amount of sugar and spices so I love them. But overall, the meal was lackluster. Now understand it's difficult to run a restaurant with all the constantly changing food costs and concerns for folks dietary preferences. So it may be necessary to cut corners in the beginning since this place hasn't been opened long. But in no way should it affect the quality of the food being served to your customers when serving good food is what your entire business is about. I mean it says something when your cornbread is almost bone dry. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone as it stands right now. Maybe with time, it'll get better which is sad because I was hoping that the negative comments on here were wrong. read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Braised short ribs with collard greens and candied yams - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

Amazing!!! Yummy food. We got 2 small sides of mac and cheese and the catfish. I got the peach cobbler as well. It came out within minutes piping hot. The catfish crispy and seasoned to perfection! The Chef and owner even brought us personally one extra piece and had conversation and thanked us for stopping in. The girls who run the registers are so sweet and impeccable customer service. She even offered to heat up my peach cobbler. It's been almost a year since I had somewhere with GOOD mac and cheese !!!! This place hit the spot. Its clean and the decor is fun and modern. Worth the visit and the prices are really great deal. 2 20oz sodas , 2 mac and cheese, 2 pieces of catfish and a cobbler was 20. Def worth stopping in,its right next to the target entrance to the left side of it across the street from IHOP. Yum!!! read more

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The chitterlings and potatoes salad was good. They give a good serving of chitterlings.

Food wasn't too good to me! Long wait, I suggest calling in your order before you arrive.

Just left Ella Rays today along with my co-worker . I heard about it last night while at the Kenny Latimore show and decided to go today. Online the place looks nice. When I got there my FIRST impression was not favorable. It looks like it needs a good cleaning. The young lady (slim dark skinned) had a real attitude, not one to have a job in customer service. My co-worker ordered a pork chop sandwich but there is NO bread. How can you have a sandwich without bread! Bread is a key component. I ordered oxtails, guess what - no cornbread either for my meal. The website says bread or cornbread. What's the big deal? 'Well" you are a restaurant, its approximately 11:30AM and there are items that come with your order that are not available. Is there a price adjustment for that (which was not offered) or does the consumer take the hit while the restaurant receives FULL price for their meals? Additionally there was a sign on the counter that stated NO BREAKFAST. I had told several people about this restaurant prior to going but that's where it stops. read more

Good food, looks like it is so good that they seem to run out fast with food items you may want. Hopefully on certain days they may have more food. All in all I always enjoy what I order. read more

The best soul food place in the DMV if I know i'm not getting this meal at home I know I can go here and won't be disappointed

Ella Ray's Cafe is located inside the Centre at Forestville, next to Heaven's Bakery. The menu offers breakfast sandwiches, breakfast platters, various entrees, and housemade desserts. The hubs and I came here for a later lunch, and we ordered: mac and cheese (just okay), rice and gravy (rice was fluffy, and I liked the gravy sauce), southern fried chicken (fried hard and wasn't juicy; could have had more seasoning on the skin), N.C. BBQ sandwich (the chopped pork was juicy and delicious, and great with the BBQ sauce), golden fried fish (choice of catfish, tilapia, or whiting; I opted for the whiting; this had a thin batter, and the fish itself was flaky; was slightly fishy in taste; the star was the housemade tartar sauce, which was thick and tasted like egg salad); southern fried pork chop (a leaner, thin-sized pork chop); braised short ribs over rice (a favorite; the short ribs was tender, the gravy/sauce was beefy and good with the rice; a generous amount of beef); Ella's Cobbler (was not a fan of this, as it tasted slightly chalky), homemade sweet potato pie (huge fan of this; a perfect amount of sweetness and I could have eaten multiple slices of this!); and, homemade bread pudding (wasn't a fan of this; while large in size, it tasted more like a bland casserole). The lemonade and the sweet tea was tangy and syrupy, but refreshing. You order first, then you pick-up the order when your number is called. There are counter and some tables available for dine-in, but most patrons seem to get their items to-go. Ms. Ella was there, and she was very sweet and very personable! I'd like to try their fried Granny apples and their breakfast plates on the next visit. Plenty of parking in the mall lot. +sweet potato pie +rice and gravy +NC BBQ pulled pork +housemade tartar sauce +dine-in option available +located next to Heaven's Bakery inside the Centre at Forestville read more

Hit or miss for me. My last visit a few days ago was a MISS. Cabbage and Greens had no seasoning at all. Very Very Bland. Just cooked in water and served. The portions, they give you have went down. Also, that the management seem to cater more their friends/people they know, that visit, more than their customers. Not as friendly anymore. I give up. read more

We came to this restaurant and my mother ordered a side a greens with her meal and when she ate them after a couple of minutes after her stomach started to hurt so then when we left she vomited the greens bad so if u come to this place be careful of what u order read more

I'm sorry I used to love to go to Ella's but yesterday was my last time supporting them. I ordered a pork chop dinner and was told my order should be ready in about 15 minutes. I place my order at 2:48 and didn't get my food until 3:58. The only reason I waited is because I was getting this order for my daughter other than that I would've have left. No apology for anyone. They all need training. Poor customer service. read more

I visited the restaurant and ordered pork chops and pinto beans. The pork chops were very tough and the beans tasted like they had been cooked using vinegar. I was so disappointe. The second time I was recommended to go try Ms. Carrols cake. When I ask about it the person waiting on me acted annoyed with my question and was very polite stating they didn't have that. I would have never gone back except Ms. Carrol herself informed me about her cakes being sold there. There was No Soul in this establishment. read more

The food is very yummy! We call ahead of time and pick up and it's always hot and fresh. The fried fish is amazing.

To be honest I have been here four times and haven't tasted anything great yet. My biggest problem is anything that has gravy has way too much gravy. My rice was literally swimming in gravy. The gravy doesn't taste good either. The collards and the cabbage have no flavor. I had the fried pork chops and they were so hard I could barely eat them. I refuse to spend anymore money in here. I wish them luck though. read more

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Wonderfully prepared food every time. The service is personal and the prices are better than the pricing for many places with substandard food. We'll always come back to Ella Rays read more

I came across this place totally by accident. I had been searching for good southern cooked, tasty pig feet on this side of town. I had almost given up hope...but the YELP foodie gods heard my stomach cries and answered my prayers. I typed in pig feet...this location popped up...and off I went on my quest to find good, seasoned and tender pig feet. Huuunttyyyy!! Let me tell you... The trotters were good...I can tell that they were cooked with LOVE, red pepper flakes, and overall seasoning!!! For my sides I ordered the collard greens and cabbage. The cabbage was seasoned soooo good, it had just the right amount of sweetness versus heat combination. The collard greens were cooked as if big momma fixed them!! Surprising Chef Ms. Ella was walking around speaking to everyone and even prepared my carry-out bag. My mom ordered the pork bar-b-que, with potato salad and collard greens. She was overly pleased..and feels like I feel..meaning we can't wait to go back and order something else of the menu... Overall, try it..you won't be disappointed...Trust me!! read more

EllaRay's Cafe - Pig feet ..good size and taste!! - Soul Food Near Me - Forestville, Maryland

Delicious soul food. I always get the fried fish dinner with Mac and cheese and greens. Consistently great

Ok 25 minute wait for fish and wings understandably for cooked to order. Plus it was busy with a real steady stream of customers. The place is cute and comfortable, the service was neutral but efficient. Whiting they sell a lot of it cuz while I was waiting and then ate in, I heard it called for no less than 7 times. Three pieces, 2 nice sized 1 sort of medium thin if that makes sense. Wayyy better than that Keith n sons fiasco I had I will update that review also. Seasoned very slightly I doused with hot sauce and tarter so it was good. Cabbage seemed safe based on reviews but it tasted odd to me. Potato salad was really good just needed boiled eggs and chopped onion I can fix that. Cornbread yep dry like Sahara but soaked in the cabbage which made that better tasting. Wings were good w/hot sauce. I would come back to try different items. read more

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

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Food is bomb. Customer service is great and staff and management work together as team to satisfy they customers.

Ordered the turkey wing dinner turkey wings were very tender along with the greens I also ordered chicken gizzard over rice was seasoned just right definitely when you want some good old soul food cooking have to try and the most important thing to me their food is never over seasoned its just right read more

Don't go to Forestville very often and happened to go into the mall to look around. Saw Ell Ray's Cafe and wondered how the food was. Shopped around for a bit and asked a cashier about the cafe. He said food was good and revealed that the catfish meal was his favorite. My husband hadn't eaten all day and we decided to go back and try it out. The dining areas were clean and nicely appointed. The menu was just right with several soul food choices. The food prices were reasonably priced..far from outrageous! We rallied back and forth over what to order... fried whiting or turkey wings. The cashier was pleasant and patient. We decided on the turkey wings with rice and gravy, sting beans and a healthy slice of corn bread. Needless to say.... Pleasantly surprised!!! Food was GREAT !!! read more

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

I came across this place by chance and boy was it worth it!!! I was more than satisfied with my Short Braised Ribs.... I can't think of any better soul food experience I had in the dmv!!! I tried the ox tails too.... PERFECTION! Taylor the young lady at the counter was nice and helpful. She says get the fish, oxtail, or pulled pork when u go!! I can't wait to go back to EllaRay's Cafe!!! read more

I have been customer of Ella's since their Central Avenue location in Maryland...the LIVER and ONIONS were the worst I have seen or eaten in a long long time at ELLA'S. I was very much disappointed...the LIVER was burned, re-heated, overcooked, just plain OLD and tough as HELL. The Yams, Mac/cheese and Greens were "Great". You can't get a refund for returned foods...I have tried twice before. I will NEVER ever purchase their LIVER and ONIONS again...I am done. My Cashier was Destiny...Purchase Date: 09-21-2021 read more

Good Not as good when the Husband cooks.. either that or they changed cooks? Food hasn't been tasting the same last few months. Other than that "Love Them"! read more

The pork chops taste just like they were made at home! Fried to perfection! Everything was on point- the yams were sweet and the collard greens were collarding! I want to try different menu items but the pork chops taste sooooo good, I don't want to let them go! Eat here, you won't be disappointed. Southern cooking at it's finest! read more

The counter staff all frown like they are hating life and the customers are annoying them lol. The food tastes great though. read more

Really nice staff! Food was not seasoned enough for me. The greens and mac & cheese were only ok. The fried fish was easily doctored. The short rib was a disappointment. read more

The food at EllaRays is good overall at least 3 star good. But I just got turkey wings with gravy and rice and my entire dinner is swimming I mean swimming in gravy, totally saturated. I guess this is good for the more thicker of us, but for me I made the mistake of not getting the gravy on the side. I'm in here trying to airfry the gravy off and just trash the rice. Not a good way to spend my dinner after 12 hours of work. read more