Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

Video Feedback: Ray's Hell-Burger

Every Thursday, Feedback asks you, the diner, for a restaurant critique on the street

By Kate Nerenberg   Published Thursday, July 24, 2008

We set up our camera outside Ray's-Hell Burger, Michael Landrum's new burger joint just down the way from Ray's the Steaks, to find out what customers thought of the 10-ounce patties, sesame-brioche buns, and curious lack of fries and beer. 

Have you been to Ray's Hell-Burger? What did you think? What did you order? We want to know! Leave your thoughts in the comments below. 

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Comments


I spent 9 hours in the hospital emergency room after eating one of their burgers. The burger was so/so...reminded me of old leather. I only ate half of the burger and within an hour or so of eating it I got a horrible stomach pain and nausea. I finally started vomiting violently. It turns out that this is the most expensive hamburger I ever ate. I couldnt go to work that day as I was shivering under the covers with 102 fever. My emergency room copay was $100. I’m thinking of sending it to the owner so he can reimburse me for trying to poison me! What do you think?

Posted by: Ros, Jan 14, 2009 04:58:30 PM

Wins our votes for BEST BURGER!! The meat was delicious! Loved the corn and watermelon, a healthy alternative to fries. Beats Five Guys and Good Stuff Eatery hands down. Only negative comment--they need to take other forms of payment besides cash, or post it on the door...."CASH ONLY".

Posted by: SB, Aug 09, 2008 06:33:48 AM

Loved the burger except for the bun. Too squishy and soft and the flavor of brioche is overwhelmed by the burger. It would be better to have a more toothsome bun that didn’t fall apart.

Posted by: Martha A. Crunkleton, Jul 30, 2008 07:46:34 PM

Poor ambiance, crowded and confusing. No-frills set-up reminiscent of Ray’s the Steaks, without their redeeming food quality. Made-to-order beef patties are way off (other poster complains of undercooked - in my case, waaaay over-cooked). Haven’t seen anyone’s burger stay intact - not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. However, at $12.50 pp with with cheese add-ons and drink, service and clenliness inferior to most fast food restaurants (understaffed, old plates stacked on the few empty tables), and the experience of leaving hungry and unfullfilled, would have to recommend Five Guys, or even -gasp- Ruby Tuesday’s on a cost-benefit comparison vs. Hell Burger. I have confidence they’ll work out the kinks...

Posted by: Overrated, Jul 30, 2008 02:30:44 PM

I am a burger connoisseur. I have been in search of the best cheeseburger in the country. I have traveled as far as Chicago to N.Y.C. to find that perfect burger. Gladly to say, I have found the best burger right in my own backyard, Ray’s Hell burger. So far, it’s the best tasting yet. I even went to Good Stuff Eatery after I ate at Ray’s. However, I will be returning to Ray’s. Way to go Ray’s Hell Burger!

Posted by: Anita, Jul 30, 2008 09:46:27 AM

Great burger, thick and tasty, but the bun wasn’t impressive. Would be nice if they got new bread -- maybe a potato bun or something better than the one that falls apart right now (mine was a little stale).

Posted by: burger guy, Jul 30, 2008 08:21:18 AM

I went Friday of last week. The meat was fabulous, but I am not a big eater so I took half home. I loved the corn and watermelon. I had mine ’recommended’ and thought it was a little undercooked and fell apart a good bit. It was a huge burger and hard to get a good bite since it was so tall. However, I thought it was excellent and plan to return many times.

As for closing time, it is considered whenever. I wonder if it is open very late, but since it only opens around 5 or 6 it should stay open plenty late... but maybe not midnight, but maybe.

Posted by: lavendertigerlily, Jul 30, 2008 08:08:56 AM

Please just go back to writing these. Nothing is added by the video here, other than inducing me into sleep about 2 minutes in.

Posted by: J, Jul 25, 2008 11:00:42 AM

I totally agree with the complaint of the two girls regarding the bun. Burgers are meant to be finger food. It’s seems some other agree as well....I like this blogger’s take on it.

http://dclovesfood.blogspot.com/2008/07/two-all-beef-patties-part-two.html

Posted by: anonymous, Jul 25, 2008 08:54:02 AM

I really wanna go, but can’t find the "closing hour" listed anywhere. Anybody have any idea?

Posted by: Tony, Jul 24, 2008 05:07:40 PM

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