Nice little hole in the wall type spot. I ordered liver pudding, grits, and eggs (to go order) wait time to order and receive food was a bit lengthy. Not ideal if you want a quick breakfast before work. And they don't answer the phone to take to go orders. But...the food was good. I would come back here to enjoy my meal outside of busy/morning rush traffic. read more

Ray's Diner - Liver pudding, scrambled eggs, and grits. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Highly recommended for breakfast or lunch. Went here around 11:45 AM, the server was extremely nice and accommodating. I had lunch and my Aunt had breakfast. The server had one of the owners Ray come over to our table to introduce himself. Told family members about this establishment and they've checked it out also and liked it!!! read more

My aunt and her boyf come every Saturday for breakfast and our server said they are her best customers. :-) My granddaughter and I were visiting and joined them in a booth and had a wonderful breakfast. Their veggie omelets looked amazing. I had scrambled with cheese and tomatoes, with home fries. My girl had a short stack of pancakes with bacon. Delicious, fast, and the server couldn't have been nicer. read more

Down home country cooking and atmosphere! I love the food here!! Definitely going to come back soon and get some more fish & grits! read more

Ray's Diner - Fish & grits with scrambled eggs and toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Restaurant is a gem! The waitress served us with a smile. She gave us some recommendations. We went with the western omelet with "hashbrowns" and toast, and with fish and grits with a biscuit. The western omelet was DELICIOUS!! The melted cheddar cheese on top of the omelette set it off and above the rest. The fish was a white fish, instead of catfish. The grits were creamy and flavorful. No salt or pepper was needed to be added to the grits. The "hashbrowns" reminded me of my dad's homemade fries, except made with vegetable oil instead of olive oil. In general, we will be back next time we pass through for breakfast. Passing this restaurant would be a mistake. read more

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best place to get some good breakfast I personally love the omelettes everyone nice especially the cashier she's so understanding and patient with everyone. My spot for sure read more

I have eaten at Rays Diner many times and have returned even after the poor customer service. However today I have had enough of the piss poor service! You can NEVER place an order over the phone due to them unplugging it! The girl that takes orders at the register ALWAYS has an attitude! This will be my last time spending my money at an establishment that does not appreciate it! read more

My boyfriend and I came out to Columbia, SC for the solar eclipse. Since we're out here, we'll might as well get ourselves some Southern breakfast. I was looking around yelp and google for breakfast places that have biscuits and grits. Ray's diner came up on my search. We didn't know what to expect, but we knew that we wanted homemade biscuits and grits. My boyfriend ordered the meat platter breakfast that came with two choice of meats, (he picked bacon and sausage) 2 eggs any style, biscuit and hash (more like home fries). We also ordered a short stack of pancakes. I ordered the country fried steak and eggs breakfast with grits that also came with a biscuit. And an extra side of sausage gravy. I was excited and looking forward to the sausage gravy. My first time experience was at pies and thighs and they were good. Their biscuits were amazing! It was flakey, buttery and soft. They're homemade too. The sausage gravy was good too. Their's weren't as salty as pies n' thighs. The country fried steak was crispy, the meat was moist. Grits were really nice, not too salty, smooth and buttery but very filling. Pancakes were really good, nice and fluffy. My boyfriend and I both enjoyed everything verg much. We wanted to order biscuits to go with us but we were afraid we wont't have room to eat at other places later. The place doesn't look anything fancy, it's like an old diner. The kitchen is an open area. Food is great, only 1 star off because the place had some flies flying around so that's a little concerning. But other than that, servers were really nice and attentive. Nice Southern hospitality. read more

Ray's Diner - Nothing fancy here, but the food sounds good! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Is Ray's Diner in the best location? No. Is it the cleanest place around? No. Will you leave smelling like fried food? Absolutely. That said, the food is absolutely amazing! The breakfast there is one of the best in Columbia. This place is essentially what Lizard's Thicket aspires to be. The food is always seasoned to perfection, and it really reminds you of the food your grandma would make on a Sunday morning. read more

Amazing service and food. 10/10 would recommend to anyone. If you want a good home cooked meal, this is the place to get one.

Literally a hole in the wall place. Super delicious and we had the sweetest server!! She really made everything great. Didn't wait too long for food and it was great. Highly recommend this place!! read more

From the outside looks like a whole in the wall but when you walk in it looks like an old diner! Amazing service and amazing food! Don't just drive by there and choose not to go in I made that mistake already once and never will again!! Highly recommended read more

Rays was a random pick for a Saturday morning. We walked in and seated ourselves. Immediately Shannon, our waitress, came over and welcomed us. She was lovely. Described all the "favorites" on the menu, then took our order. She recommended the grits and pancakes, so i ordered them. Outstanding! My son had pancakes, eggs, and bacon and he, too, was thrilled with his order. Grits were creamy and delicious. Pancakes were crisp and good. Shannon encouraged us to come back for lunch. We will do so. I highly recommend Rays! read more

We'd been wanting to try this place out and we were headed to another breakfast/brunch restaurant, but the wait was too long so we ended up at Ray's. The wait was a bit long due to USC's Parents' Weekend, but they did a great job with managing it. The food is amazing, the employees are so nice, and they have good-sized portions. The prices are also reasonable. This is my first time here and I will definitely be back. read more

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All I have to say is...dem grits!!!! AMAZING!!!! Pancakes are great and the skillet potatoes are good as well. Just don't go looking for fruit for breakfast cause you'll get fruit cocktail. Otherwise, this place is a good breakfast spot. read more

Think of your favorite biscuit. Do it now. I'll wait. The biscuit that you're thinking about? It's crap. Ray's biscuit is better. I would marry that biscuit. I went here to meet friends for breakfast. I seriously questioned their judgement when I finally found the place. (I drove by it the first time since it's tucked in the back corner of a tiny strip mall and the worn out sign on the street used to read Frank's Diner. Wonder what happened to Frank...) The outside is super dinery and nothing special. Inside isn't really anything special to look at either but everything else is extra special. The staff are friendly and welcomed us warmly. When my friends arrived they greeted them like old friends and started playing with their kid who smiled and enjoyed the banter. He's ridiculously adorable. We arrived around 10am and had breakfast. Maybe I shouldn't call it breakfast because I would eat this any time of day, on any day and twice on Sunday (and probably quickly die of a heart attack) because it's that dang delicious. I ordered the country fried steak breakfast because... gravy. It comes with eggs which I got scrambled and with cheese, the creamiest grits I've ever eaten (and took half home because the portions are huge), and a biscuit so light and fluffy that it would make you slap your mama for giving you crappy biscuits your whole life. You'll never go back to another biscuit. Just go eat it. Eat it all. It's heaven on a plate. Also, super cheap. I'm in love. read more

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My brother and I were hungry for some breakfast but didn't want to wait in line for the crazy weekend rush at the normal breakfast places so we figure we'd give Ray's a try and I am so happy we did! Comparing it to other breakfast places I'd say it's very comparable to Just Us Cafe. The prices and portions are on point. The menu isn't as large but it has all the breakfast staples. The service was super fast and friendly. My brother and I got our food to our table in about 10 minutes. Everyone talks about how they have the best biscuit in town and I'd have to agree! This place is a new breakfast staple for us and I highly recommend it if you don't want to wait in long lines and eat some amazing food read more

Ray's Diner - Turkey sausage biscuit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Ray's Diner is our go to breakfast establishment in Columbia. We moved back to the area about five years ago. After searching for the best breakfast establishment online we saw that Ray's came out on top. We were surprised to see that it was located near our home, because we never noticed it before. When our family comes to town, they request that we go to Ray's. Our six year old grand daughter asked her parents if they could come to Columbia specifically to eat at Ray's (I am not quite sure how to feel as her grandmother...but I will get over that). Everyone is particularly taken with the grits. They are some of the best that I have ever had. The outside of the restaurant is misleading. Inside you will find excellent food and warm and down to earth staff members. We treat Ray's like our second kitchen, because that is how it feels to us. read more

Yes, you want to eat here. This place is awesome. Great service, friendly attentive and quick. My wife and I and my 5 kids stopped here on the way through town. I ordered the two meat special. Best sausage I have ever had and a nice thick ham slice with soft scrambled eggs. But the Star was the home fries (they called them hashbrowns, but they were angel dusted home fries). These home fries were CRAZY good and perfectly cooked, seasoned and fried with onion (YUM)!! My kids got breakfast biscuits, the biscuits are premise and ok, but again the rest was awesome. My wife got lunch (meat and 3 sides). AMAZING fried chicken, stellar Mac-n-cheese, fried Okra - WOW. DESSERT - There is an ongoing debate about whose slice of cake was better - my wife had the blue velvet (which was stupid good) and I had the Hummingbird Cake (drooling just thinking about it). So if you are in the area, or even if you are not - Yes, you want to eat here! read more

Ray's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

First off; the music is jammin' old skool. Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Ray's experience. I had the Western Omelet with creamy grits and toast. The omelet was loaded with cheese, chunks of ham and tons of veggies. The grits were so creamy and delicious. Hubby had the Super Deluxe Breakfast. His pancakes were light and fluffy. His words, "my breakfast is ON POINT." The service was some of the best service we have had in this area. We loved Ray's! We'll definitely be back. read more

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This is my second time at Ray's and it was SO GOOD!!! The staff are all friendly people and very welcoming. The fish and grits are my fave. I'll definitely be returning!!! read more

Ray's Diner - Fish and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I was driving through Columbia and decided to look at yelp for breakfast options. Like others, I tried to go to Eggs Up first, and quickly realized a spontaneous drop in on Sunday morning at 11am was not going to happen. So glad I ended up at Ray's. Everything everyone else has said is true. Great grits. Best biscuit of my week long trip to the Carolinas. The sausage gravy was so good with big chunks of their sausage patties, which have a little bite to them. There was no wait for the table, and a little wait for the food, but I wasn't in a rush. This is the kind of stuff we just don't have in Michigan, so I'm really glad I made it here! read more

Ray's Diner - Smoked sausage, two eggs, grits with cheese, and a biscuit! Side of sausage gravy not pictured, but delicious. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Thanks to Yelp and gps for helping us find Ray's Diner in Columbia, SC when we were traveling back to Texas. Went there for lunch but opted for 2nd breakfast when we found out they serve it all day. I had the Western Omelette which was full of delicious flavor.... onions, green peppers, tomatoes & lots of chunks of ham all covered with cheese. It included hash browns (with the potato skins still in... yummy) and a flaky biscuit. It was worth the visit. My husband had the country fried chicken Steak and eggs. He have them a thumbs up. Everything was super delicious and the staff was friendly and very efficient. Definitely worth the visit. read more

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I am from Philly area and really wanted some breakfast food and found this awesome breakfast diner! Their corn beef hash is out of this world, service was great too. Just keep in mind that there are super busy and be patience for the order. The wait was so worth it!! read more

Ray's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

A lot like Just Us Cafe, but in a better location. There are less people so over all it makes the experience better. The workers and owners are all friendly, and they have really good biscuits and gravy. Great Sunday spot. read more

Love locals only hole in the wall places. And this one does not disappoint. Came here for breakfast, with my girls and spent under 30 and we we're stuffed. I had the fried bolonga toaster, man does that bring back memories. Will come back for sure read more

Ray's Diner - Fried bolonga toaster - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Nice diner, good prices, helpful staff, and great food. Only reason i didn't give 5 stars is because i had to send my hash browns back. read more

Ray's Diner - Yummy sausage omelette with the creamiest cheese grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Laid back atmosphere, good prices, attentive servers. The look inside could be updated and refreshed but overall a solid restaurant that consistently had customers coming in and out. That speaks volumes of the their tenure and food taste. Will visit again. read more

Our lunch group went here for the first time today. Immediately seated (there were six of us) and the waitress took our drinks promptly. Great choice of breakfast food and lunch. Two of us chose cheeseburgers and fries. They were very good. Burgers done perfectly and came fully loaded with tomatoe, mayo, lettuce, and onion on a nice bun. The fries were very good. One person ordered the fried bologna sandwich and said it was very good. Cooked with a slight char and he said it was good. Two others ordered a breakfast meal, one with fried bologna, eggs, biscuit, and looked like more on his plate. Everyone was satisified and said this was a good choice to try. The waitress was great and kept our drinks filled throughout the meal. Restaurant was clean, nice "diner" atmosphere. I'd go back! read more

Double Meat Breakfast- Smoked Sausage, Salmon cake, hashbrowns with cheese, eggs with cheese, toast, pancakes(not pictured) . Everything was amazing and great pricing. I will be back for sure. #SupportBOBs read more

Ray's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

No service for 10 mins. Dirty and sticky table. When told the table needed to be cleaned the waitress stated" it's still going to be sticky because we use hand sanitizer)‍ also when came time to order they were out of a few items in which they only serve a select menu. At that point I decided to leave. Will NEVER step for in their again!! read more

Large portion of delicious food with friendly service. The place itself is a bit run down but it seems like a spot the locals enjoy and I base my review only on the food and the service. It's also very reasonably priced. read more

Ray's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Fast & friendly service. The food was fresh. I ordered the double meat breakfast with smoked sausage & pudding. My friend ordered the country fried steak. Her steak was slightly over cooked (still good, no complaints) & the cook brung out another one for free without us asking. Our waitress was patient and friendly. read more

Ray's Diner - Lunch & Dinner menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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This is my favorite place for breakfast in Columbia. It's like going to a family or friend's home. The waitstaff is welcoming and the food is amazing. There's no other place that you can get three eggs and double meat for less than $10. I can't believe I drove by this place for so long and not know what a gem we have here. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed! read more

Love It and good fellowship , friends from day one. Smiles all around and great breakfast read more

Ray's Diner - Great Veggie Omelette this morning, Grits are to die for, toast to perfection!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

So-so food, with descent service. It was recommended by friends for "a lazy, non-hurried southern breakfast or lunch" DONT

This place serves great made to order food that is fresh and seasoned well! I usually get the double meat breakfast with salmon and whiting fillet. It comes with three eggs, potatoes or grits, and toast or biscuit. I tend to be a creature of habit, so I haven't tried much else. My Hunny always gets the vegetarian omlet with pancakes, and he's always happy with the taste and the portions! My only wish is that they served alcohol. It would be nice to have a mimosa or screw driver with this awesome food! read more

Ray's Diner - Veggie Omlet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

This place is definitely a popular restaurant and from my first visit the food was very good. The reason why I decided to write this review is more so for constructive criticism. I firmly believe that as an black Americans we should support our establishments as much as possible. But as Black establishments we have to provide good customer service. That customer service is what brings back repeat customers and new customers. Yesterday the customer service was anything but good. We walked in and the attitudes of the waitress was as if we were bothering them. We asked if someone could clean off the table for us to sit down which wasn't a big deal. But once we sat down no one ever came to take our order, get us drinks, or even acknowledge our existence. We have to do better with our customer service if we want to compete and be successful. If not there's no excuse. You get back what you give out. Once again this has nothing to do with the food. The one time I got service the food was great but please address the customer service of your staff and I plan to give this place another opportunity to change my image. read more

Even though they are a little racist here you can't deny the food is good. Baked chicken was dry as heck but I added hot sauce and onions and peppers in it to make it taste better. The mac&cheese and cabbage were good. The thing that made me give it 5 stars was the tomato based meatloaf omg OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! Glad I found this place while visiting Columbia! I'll definitely be back especially for the meatloaf and since I know the waitress hates black people that much read more

Ray's Diner - Baked chicken w/ onions and peppers, cabbage, mac & cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Good food with friendly service! Home style food with good size servings. Great spot for a satisfying lunch. Fried chicken, hamburger steak and gravy are my favs. Good selection of veggies, too! read more