Outdoor seating
Yes
Big Rays BBQ in Allen
Categories
Location on the map
Allen, Collin County, Texas, US
Service options
Delivery
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff wear masks
Yes
Staff get temperature checks
Yes
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Great dessert
Yes
Great tea selection
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Comfort food
Yes
Kids' menu
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Catering
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Credit cards
Yes
Phone: +1 972-649-6242
Site: http://www.bigraysbarbeque.com/
Site: http://www.bigraysbarbeque.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:11AM–9PM
- Tuesday:11AM–9PM
- Wednesday:11AM–9PM
- Thursday:11AM–9PM
- Friday:11AM–9PM
- Saturday:11AM–9PM
- Sunday:Closed
Comments (199)
Overall a real tasty meal. I ordered the two meat sandwich which is called the Big Tex, and I thought that considering the sandwich contained two different kinds of meat, it would be a more substantial meal because I must say they were pretty stingy with it. It seemed as though they give you half of two different kinds of meat instead of a full portion of each meat. The okra is fried to order and is very crispy and tasty, but it took a little longer than it should have because I was halfway finished with my sandwich by the time it came out. The potato salad was also very good. Lastly, when ordering the sandwich and one side special its supposed to be $8.99 but instead they charged 7.99 for the sandwich, and an additional 2.59 for the side. They rectified this problem without any problems, but it makes you wonder how often this happens. Overall, a good experience and very tasty food.
First time, loved the brisket n had some charred spot that was crispy and crunchy! Moist meat and good flavor. Will be back to try other items!
This is a good BBQ place and kind of different in the same time ..4 stars because the BBQ sauce is a thin sweet liquid (maybe thats the style, who knows) potato salad is a mustard old fashioned potato salad but is made in a mashed potato style. (No potatoes chunks) again maybe this is their style.Green beans are most likely from a can with just added salt.Frid okra is delicious, broccoli rice casserole is good,Their meats are lightly smoked and brisket is coming mostly trimmed of fat.This place have some lunch sandwiches that are acceptable in prices and have some expensive meats by the lb 19This place have kids meals.
Always delicious! Love the stuffed potatoes! We usually chose the brisket to fill it! Awesome meal! Everything is good... weve tried it all over the years!
Last week I got the double meat loaded baked potato and it was AMAZING. Went again today for the sandwhich special and it did not disappoint. Great customer service. Baked beans and potato salad was so good! Make you wanna slap yo momma.
OMG this is the best place Ive eaten since I stopped eating my Grandmothers food! The thing is I will usually never choose barbeque. This family place is top notch!! The restaurant had a comfortable home feel and it felt like I set down to a meal someone cooked for me instead me cooking. The handsome young guy we ordered from smiled and was happy to be there. Maybe its just me, but those things still matter and make a difference. I love this place and food!!
Had the pleasure of checking this place out. Have to say, this was some damn good BBQ! And them beans!! Some of the best tasting beens Ive ever had. If youre in the area, definitely try this spot, it wont disappoint... Oh, the staff, everyone is very friendly, good vibes here...
Im not sure what happened with the food today, but its not the same as it was before. Ive been there several times prior but today it was just not right. The meats were ok, but different. Not as tender. The sides were just horrible. The candied yams tasted like they were boiled in a mixture of sugar and some Lysol. The cornbread was hard and overcooked. Maybe they have a new cook, but the food there has definitely changed.
Got the lunch special baked potato and they really loaded it up on the meat. The brisket was delicious.
I only had the 2pc catfish, but it was made fresh, came out hot and the breading had great flavor. The fillets were a good size as well. Definitely worth the driver, next time Ill order more!
Delicious food. Good value. And served by the man who smoked it. I will go back....
This was my first time checking out this restaurant and I will only be going to this bbq place moving forward! Overall I’m impressed with the quality of food and the food is just on point 💫 The prices are reasonable compared to most of the restaurants in the area. I’ve lived in several states and big cities and unfortunately I’ve become accustomed to not being that interested in the restaurants in TX. Hopefully this review will help other bbq & soul food restaurants to step their game up.First off the restaurant was clean and in order even though there was a semi long line. I ordered the two plate combo to go. I had ribs, brisket, cabbage, potato salad, and peach cobbler. The ribs and the brisket were cooked to perfection moist and seasoned but not over bearing, the best part was they offered two styles of bbq sauce spicy and regular. In my opinion every bbq restaurant should offer both because it doesn’t matter how good your ribs or brisket is what’s the point if it’s too spicy for your kids to eat… The cabbage & potato salad were both excellent. The cobbler was the icing on my cake 💚 My to go bag included utensils, a napkin, & salt & pepper. I happily discarded my seasonings as there was no need to use since everything was seasoned perfectly. Bonus was the staff they were all very professional, courteous, and friendly. It’s great to go to a place where the employees are all welcoming and have a smile on their face something that is so forgotten these days. Thanks for the awesome food & experience!
Good BBQ! Seems family owned. I got the three meat plate and it was delicious. I tried the spicy BBQ sause this time and was not disappointed.Definitely try it out.
One of the best BBQ places Iv found around here, in Texas we take our Q seriously so when I say its mouth watering good, you can be sure it will not disappoint.
I couldn’t find shredded brisket anywhere and this place went out of their way to make it for me. Ladies, the guys here are cute too! With bomb food!
I went travelling from SA, Houston and Dallas and tried every barbeque place in each city. Big Rays BBQ had the BEST one during my travel.
Had the Big Tex 2-Meat sandwich with brisket and sausage, wow everything is tender and original sauce is nice, well balanced: sweet upfront and peppery on the back,
How come I didn’t find this place earlier? I tried brisket and ribs combo today. They were amazing and sides and bread are delicious too
I went in with low expectations since BBQ can be hit or miss. This was definitely a hit! Everything from the brisket to the potato salad were on point. Cant wait to go back and try more from their menu.
Everyone we talked to here was super nice and sweet. They dont make you feel like your rushed to get your order done and over. We were checked on multiple times making sure everything was good.Probably the best peach cobbler Ive ever had, and as someone who doesnt like banana pudding - I coukd eat so much of this and only it. The sausage was amazing and they really let the smoke tell the flavor instead of overloading it with other spices. The brisket was moist, and tender and again thet let the smoke tell the story. The corn bread tastes like mamas cooking and brought a smile to my face.I could not find a single thing that wasnt delicious.Oh, and the Kool Aid is on point.The family unanimously voted this to be our new go to spot beating out Hutchins.
Great experience today at Rays, the brisket was moist with great flavor. Will definitely be back to try the other items.
Always a really good meal.Their brisket and catfish are excellent. Ive always ordered extra brisket each time I come in. ;-)
Please tell me where do you get a half slab of ribs with that much meat??? We moved here from Memphis and it’s been hard finding good BBQ. This was our second time at Big Rays and it was even better than the first. The staff is very welcoming, professional, and inviting! To top it off this time we got the koolaid and it was amazing!!! Will be back soon!!!
Wonderful place!! The people are so welcoming, the food is delicious, and the price is just right for the amount of food you get! I highly recommend you come by and get some of their brisket and pulled pork! Its officially my go to place for authentic bbq! Will definitely come back!
Great BBQ. The sides were amazing as well.
This was a pretty good BBQ joint. Its very authentic and the place is unique. I really liked the sausage, pulled pork, and brisket. The chicken was a little dry plus it was just the legs and I wanted white meat. I wanted to try the loaded baked potato. That looked really good. The lady at the cash register was very friendly to us and let me have extra beans! The beans were so dang good! The sauces were a little too watered down for my liking. Theices were relatively cheap especially compared to other more notable BBQ joints like the Salt Lick. Id recommend it if you want good, inexpensive BBQ. Not the best in DFW though.
I am very picky about my BBQ. The brisket was tender and was great with the spicy BBQ sauce. The cuts were lean, so it was a hard piece to get tender. They did it right. The flavor wasnt overwhelmed by too much pepper, like other places. If you like it overly peppery, this might not be the place for you. Great variety of sides and good people working behind the counter.
Such an amazing experience! Food was incredible! This family was a blessing. They welcomed us, they thanked us for visiting and treated us like royalty. We will be back!Las vegas aces baseball loves Big Rays BBQ
Heard about Ray’s and had to check it out. Went to Ray’s after a college football game and couldn’t have been more impressed. We were obviously new to Ray’s but the staff was very understanding and cordial and the food was fantastic. Luckily for us, there weren’t a lot of people there when we went, so seating wasn’t a problem. Atmosphere was nice and even the toilets were super clean too. If I’m in the area, I’m coming back. Thanks!
Starting with the negative since everything else was good. Only gripe is that some cuts are too dry, especially the beef we had.But we enjoyed most of the other parts:GOOD: SAUCE, turkey leg, sausage, SIDES, especially beans and the toast, potato saladNOT GOOD: dryness overall. Prefer meat to already be moist or fatty, before any sauceWill be back next time in the area to try different cuts
Great food in a down-home old fashioned BBQ shack. Clearly family owned and managed. The BBQ is really good... But the sides are sensational. Cant wait to go back to try the dessert options. Downside on our visit: the fried okra never arrived. (Thats the only reason for 4 stars)
Fantastic BBQ! Portions are nice and large and prices were very reasonable. We tried brisket, sausage, ribs, and hot links. All were most and delicious! The okra is crunchy and just right! Kids loved the Texas toast served with each plate. Try the spicy BBQ sauce. This place is so much better than the big chains. Support Local! You wont regret it!
Food was delicious, favorites were scalloped potatoes, sausage and ribs! Staff was so friendly. Definitely will come back next time we’re in Texas!
Love Big Rays! The BBQ is smoky, tender, and perfect. The various sides have all been scrumptious! We try to eat there every Friday for the 2-meat sandwich special; enough meat to take home for another meal!
I had a loaded potato with brisket. It was amazing, and huge. Wife had a 2 meat plate with brisket and sausage. She lived the brisket, and Im more the sausage eater - so, I tried it... It was very good. Try the fried cabbage!!! Amazing! All in all, excellent experience.
I just want to thank My Wine Making Jesus for Big Rays BBQs brisket and peach cobbler!!!! Ill be back! Mr. Big Ray and Family and Staff are awesome and super hospitable. This is my BBQ place!
Off. The. Chain!
I had two meat platter with brisket and sausage. The brisket was tender and moist. The smoke flavor was evident and not overpowering. Some of the best brisket I have ever had. The portion size was generous. The sausage was normal barbecue fare and it did not disappoint. The staff was very courteous and hospitable. We will definitely be back for round 2
Great staff, classic joint. Best local place in Allen. BBQ is top notch. Nothin sweeter than a trip to Big Ray’s BBQ.
The sliced brisket, potato salad and baked beans were so good but the fried okra knocked my socks off, so to speak. They dont cook it until you order so it was hot, crispy and delicious. The employees were very nice and seemed to be happy to be there. A man came around to a few tables asking if everything was good. We found out it was Ray,what a nice guy! My husband really liked his stuffed brisket baked potato. We will be back, there is so much to try. I hope to have stomach room for dessert next time.
This place was incredible!!!Food was great, even better was the family that owns the place.Wish I could give more than 5 stars!
Good food. Nice portions. Turkey is fantastic. I dont like their sausage but everything else is exquisite.
I go weekly on Thursdays for the potato and two meat deal with a drink. Portions are huge, potatoes and good size and staff is friendly. Beware what time you go there will be lines out the door.
This is by far the best BBQ Ive had since I moved to Texas 2 years ago. The brisket is super juicy and it taste so good you really dont need any sauce. They also have really good sides and the 2 or 3 meat loaded baked potato was great as well. You cant go wrong with anything you order from here. They even have fried fish which my wife absolutely loved.
I love there fish and bbq. I always enjoy this place when I come home.
Awesome food and the folks running the place are nice and they could be. You gotta try the banana and bread puddings, theyre spectacular!
The BBQ was very good and tasty and the staff were very friendly and professional.
Big Rays is an excellent example of Texas Mom and Pop BBQ joint. Great food, down home style, everything served with a big Texan smile! When Im back in Allen Ill be back here.
This place is tremendous! The owners and employees are VERY respectful and friendly. Daily specials beat every bbq place. Try it!
The Best Bar B Que in Texas. The staff is very nice. The food is seasoned very well
Delicious. Service was great and quick. The peach cobbler had the perfect ratio of peaches to crust ro glaze. 😋
We love finding fabulous local restaurants while traveling. This place was perfect! Food was so so good! I had ribs and sausage. My husband had pulled pork. The flavor of the meat was great even before I tried their sweet bbq sauce. Plenty of meats and side to choose without being overwhelmed. My fave part is great food without the fancy snobbery. Kind of like my neighbor invited us over for dinner. We will go back again.
Awesome bbq! Seriously - this place is worth the drive. This little mom and pop place is stuck out in the middle of no where and everything I ate was delicious. I had the brisket, chopped, scalloped potatoes and Mac n cheese. O.M.G. Delicious. Nice people greet you when you walk in, the restaurant is clean and the food is so so so good.
Love the feel of the restaurant. Despite a lot of new hip places around, its nice to find a cozy local BBQ spot. Seasoning is on point, all meats and sides are phenomenal, but the brisket was dry the day I visited, so I gotta drop my 5-star a little. STILL. Worth your time, so pop in and get your grub on.
The food was pretty good. They had karaoke on Thursday night which was fun
We visited Big Ray’s for the first time tonight and it was amazing! We told them we had never been in and they made sure to walk us through the menu and made sure we knew all our options and where to find everything. The food was so good!! I’m glad we took a chance on trying a new place. We will be back and often!
My wife and I ate here for the first time last night and the food did not disappoint. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was also excellent. One thing I noticed was when they were packaging my food. One of the ladies stopped to do a quality check and noticed one of our items was not correct and had it fixed immediately. I adore that level of service and attention to detail.My grandfather was in the BBQ business the majority of my life. Ive tried countless different styles of BBQ. This was easily one of the best Ive ever had.If you love great BBQ, I highly recommend this restaurant.
Southern Cali guy here visiting for the Dallas sports card show this weekend. My buddy was walking by and tried it out then called me to meet him here. The brisket sandwich with mac & cheese was absolutely delicious. Ray the owner took the time to talk to us for a bit and found out that Kyler Murray is a local guy as well. Highly recommend this place!
Went here for the first time on Saturday based on someone comments on Texas Monthlys top 50 BBQ joints. They said this place should have been on the list. I live in Mckinney and never hear of this place so I would give it a try. I loved it so much I looked them up to see if they were open Sunday. Unfortunately for me they are closed on Sundays, but glad to see they close so they can spend time with their families. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. I will definitely be back.
Barbecue. BBQ. However you spell it, Big Rays fits the description. And even though it is not shown in this photo, I got some cripsy fried okra as an added extra. Yummy Yum Yum.
Best kept secret in Allen. Ive never had a bad meal here. My favorite sausage in town including all the bigger barbecue famous places and a chopped brisket sandwich just the way I like it. Heavily buttered and grilled bun! Highly recommend.
Ooooweeeeee talk about some good BBQ! First time here and I fly out tomorrow, you better believe I’ll try and stop by again before I head home!
Really great hole in the wall BBQ place. Food was all amazing and portions were huge and filling!
Nice casual eatery. Food was fantastic. Peach cobbler!!!! An the Kool aid is awesome
Easily the best BBQ Ive had in the DFW area. Food was insanely fresh and hot, and the spicy sauce is very good. Also make sure to get the bread pudding. IT IS HEAVENLY!
Delicious brisket. Soft toasted bun. Fried okra. Ill be back.
First time visit. Had the pulled pork plate and it was good but the sauce really added a great flavor. They have alot of different sides to choose from. The cornbread salad was a 1st for me. I thought it was really good and interesting. Id get it again. They were short staffed which seems to be the norm, so pack your patience. The staff is really great though. Very friendly and helpful. Well go back
We LOVED Big Ray’s. Bread pudding is to die for!
Just had for the 1st time and by far its the best bbq around. Great family owned restaurant.
Very impressed with Big Rays. Lean brisket meat, beans and potato salad very tasty. Only thing they could probably improve on is their spicy sauce which is not spicy and I tend to like it just a tad thicker. Luckily they had jalapeños to add for some hotness. Will be visiting them again. Reasonably priced and yummy....
Excellent service. Great food. I got the loaded baked potato with brisket. It was more than I could eat. Very good indeed! I tried the Kool Aid and it took me back to my childhood. Not watered down at all like my mom used to do to make it go farther. lol.Will definitely be back! Too many choices on the menu. Gotta try them all!
This barbecue is on another level!! Its so good and the customer service was awesome.
Bbq lunch thats delcious for under $10 with tax, WOW!!! I will definitely go back.
I have lived in north Texas for 35 years and finally found the best barbecue ribs and brisket along with some very flavorful side dishes. Thank you big Rays!!! Ooh the banana pudding is to die for. And I bought a slice of the strawberry cake havent tried it yet but it looks delicious. By the way I am a gourmet chef. Excellent food guys.
Pretty good! I think they have the best ribs I’ve ever had from a restaurant but the sauce is a tad thin and could use a little more spice and the pudding is AMAZING but I wish I had actual bananas in it
It was pretty tasty! The staff behind the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. And they even gave us an extra rib and slice of their Texas Toast since my wife and I were sharing a combo plate. The smoked turkey was excellent.
Very good.Food was hot and deliciousOwners daughter came up and introduced herself, welcomed my family in.My favorite was the pulled pork and Mac N cheese. Turkey was juicy.Family friendly and a new spot for BBQ
Excellent brisket sandwich and bbq beans. Really nice counter staff!
Good to go everytime..
Best BBQ in Allen, TX! Be sure the check out the baked beans and the sausage!
My 1st experience with barbecue in Texas and this place did not disappoint! My FOMO forced me to get the 3 meat plate and all was outstanding! And the sides were stellar! Beat baked beans I have ever had!
I’m from out of town and I asked the guy at the hotel where to get good barbecue and he said, “I’m not sure I make my own”. Well I’m going to tell him where to go to get great barbecue! The smoked brisket and pork ribs were too die for and the baked beans - come on really - amazing!!! I travel a lot and eat barbecue all over; Big Ray’s rates among the best I’ve had! I’ll be back to try more soon!
This is hands down the best bbq around! Anytime we have family/friends visit from out of town, this is the place we take them too! You won’t regret it! The staff is always so kind and the portions are very generous!
Ordered from their $8.99 lunch special a chopped brisket sandwich with green beans and baked beans. It was absolutely amazing and served right away. If I’m ever in the area again, I’ll definitely stop by for seconds.
Great tasting BBQ definitely better than the national chains. We ordered two of the 2 meat plates and it filled us up with a little extra left. We also ordered some bread pudding and peach cobbler both was very good. The service was great also.
Very dry, overcooked pork ribs. Sausage tastes like it was barely smoked at all. Wow...very disappointing.This place used to be good, Im not sure what has happened. Maybe a change in ownership or they lost the person who used to smoke the meat. My family and I have been coming a couple times a year for many years. Its too bad its slipped so much.
Fast friendly service. Great prices for lunch. Variety of meats and vegetables.
Great selection of fine meats. And it all looked so tasty. Great lunch specials and deals. Atmosphere was smooth and they dont hold back on the meats.
Amazing food and friendly service!! Definitely will be our go to for barbeque!
Delicious bbq! We went in to try this place out for the first time and it was so good! Plus they had karaoke on Thursday evenings!! Fun, casual, friendly and excellent BBQ.
This place used to be pretty good. But these last few times I’ve ordered from here has not been good (past couple years). The barbecue has went to below mediocre and the sides are not all of that good. I think they do have some room for improvement.
Just pure awesome!!! The staff is so friendly. The food is off the hook.... I got the sampler it was awesome!! The peace cobbler also a must have. I wish I was here more days to try even more of their food.
Ive lived in Allen almost 25 years and just ate there the first time this week. Ive been missing out! Great BBQ and all the people working there are really nice and happy. You gotta eat here if you havent yet.
Amazing service and food. You feel at home as soon as you walk in. Very well ran and hospitable.
In my brief tour of bbq joints near Mckinney Texas this was a pleasant feast of meat. One of the only places with Hot links served daily. The baked beans are nice and sweet. Brisket was tender. Pulled pork was tasty and not wet. Worth a visit if you are in the area and enjoy that classic hole in wall feel.
Was pleased there was so much meat on the ribs! The taste was out of this world. The sliced beef was tender but lacked flavor. I cant wait to go back for ribs and I will try the beef again. The BBQ sauce was delicious!
Service was great and they have some of the best halpeno sausage around town.
I have been going here for years and the flavor never stops. The pulled pork sandwich is my favorite, but the brisket and sausage are amazing too. I love all the sides mac n cheese, beans, carrots... everything is delicious! Desserts are perfectly sweet, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and bread pudding. I have never been dissatisfied with any of my experiences here. The people are amazing too! Everyone is always so welcoming and kind. Go to Big Rays, you wont be disappointed.
Great ribs. Large meat portions. Side dishes could be a bit larger but multiple choices available. Overall, a good place for smoked meats. Didnt try the desserts but they were available. Their fried okra was the best Ive ever had. They fry it while you wait. Will surely be going back.
Love this place! The young adults there are very nice! The peach cobbler is amazing!! Definitely will be back
Always get great family service they treat you like family and the food is good!
Big Ray has some of the best BBQ meat that I’ve ever had; juicy beef brisket, smoky pulled pork, tender chicken, etc. They also make an amazing BBQ sauce with the right mixture of savory and sweet, an incredible macaroni and cheese that’s perfectly seasoned, and an unbelievable banana pudding that’ll leave you wanting more.
Always love this place, the staff is welcoming and friendly and make you feel like you belong. They know me when I walk in, and make sure to grab some of their Mac n cheese for me before I even have to ask for it (its a must, in my book.)Im a big fan of their pulled pork sandwich which I absolutely smother in their homemade BBQ sauce (which is the best BBQ sauce Ive ever had, personally.)When it comes to BBQ, this is my only choice. Always looking forward to the next time I stop by.
We ordered a pound of brisket from here tonight. The meat tasted unseasoned and some parts were dry. We ended up using it to make brisket nachos at home . Although I wasn’t impressed, I’m hoping to try this place again and hopefully the experience will be better.
It was very good! I had the baked potatos with brisket! And their fries are very fresh! If I could give it 10 stars I would give this place 10!
My bud and me had a good lunch. Just needs some light country music in the background.
Best BBQ I’ve had in DFW!
First time trying this place out. We got the loaded baked potato and it was freakin good! Everyone at the office liked it!! I could only eat half of it because its pretty big!
Amazing bbq! Dont forget to try the bread pudding
Much better than the chains bbq joints. Brisket is good. If you like copius amounts of salt on your meat, you will have to season it. The hot links are probably the best I have had in TX. Looking forward to dive in deeper to the menu.
I am usually a generous reviewer unless your product is not even half decent. Extremely disappointed. Sausage bland, baked beans from a can, Texas toast not the best either. Have had better bbq in Canada. Definite thumbs down 👎🏿
Perfect sized portions.However - this is the first BBQ restaurant I have tried where the meat was so dry, that I absolutely had to cover it in barbecue sauce.I have given this restaurant a shot twice and was a bit disappointed each time. Not sure that I will return. The cashier I dealt with both times was wonderful.
Amazing, old school, cafeteria style barbeque joint. So good I had to get more to go. Brisket and baked beans were some of the best Ive had.
The three stars on this review are pretty much all for the food. When we visited the place last weekend, it must have been 85° inside the building. The the gentleman cutting the meat asked us to give him a minute and he took our order after 3 or 4 minutes of pulling out fresh meat and filling a phone order. He was no overly friendly but he was also not rude. The second lady who gave us our sides and rang us up was not as friendly and bordered and rude and inattentive.The food was definitely the star of the show. The sides where pretty standard selections but the cabbage was amazing. I had the brisket and pork sausage. The brisket was pretty tasty and was so tender they could barely slice it. The sausage was delicious and was not tough and over cooked like most places. It was tender and juicy, probably the best sausage I have ever had. Over all, I enjoyed the meal very much and I would be willing to give the staff another chance.
This is a little off the beaten path kind of place that i was so happy to visit. The brisket is amazing! The sandwiches were great, you can choose what kind of brisket you want of choose from other meats available. The sweet potato fries are made to order and were thicker that the shoe string so they were soft and crispy on the outside. They had a choice of sauces which were great, and the cost was very reasonable!
Work by this place and a I usually make my own bbq. I am no novice to firing up my smokers and making my own slow smoked meats. Old school not one of these treager babies. No apps, self feeders and auto heat regulators. So when I dont have time and need a fix I go here. By far one of my favorite places. The strawberry cake is out of this world. Its definitely a must try.
Very friendly staff and great customer service. Their spicy bbq sauce hits just right with the brisket. Will visit again very soon.
Oh MY. I LOVE BBQ and this is soooooooo good. Ribs are amazing. Loaded baked potato was huge and loaded with meat of my choice. This is a definite place to go. YUMMMMM!!
Family owned and operated in downtown Allen, great place for BBQ. Amazing comfort food at a reasonable price (a lot of BBQ places will break your wallet, not Rays). I get the two-meat plate (pulled pork and chopped brisket) with Texas toast and two sides (baked beans and potato salad), tastes great and very filling. Always leave here satisfied!
Big Rays is a hidden gem for BBQ. All their meats are excellent but my favorites are the Brisket and Jalapeno Sausage. Ample serving portions and their daily specials are great value. Their Thursday special Double Meat Baked Potato is incredible - load it up and woof it down!
This gem is tucked away on the east side of Allen’s old Main Street. The food is amazing. The owner is very friendly and this is my favorite place to eat lunch during the week. All the staff are friendly and kind, and did I mention the food? Oh... and try to save some room for dessert because their banana and vanilla wafer pudding is the best you’ll ever taste. Anywhere.
First time visiting here and was not impressed with the food. The brisket was dry and flavorless and chicken was under seasoned. The only thing good was the cabbage. Well definitely not be returning.
Was very disappointed. I heard good things and some of the locals seem to like it but I have had good BBQ and good service at other restaurants and unfortunately Big Rays fell short. The brisket was over smoked and dry. The loaded potatoes were just mashed potatoes with dried chives sprinkled in them. Everyone knows that loaded potatoes has butter, sour cream, bacon, chives and cheese. The available vegetables on the hot bar had been sitting in those pans for at least one or more days. It was dried out and discolored and stuck to th he pans. Nothing looked fresh and after tasting the food, I confirmed one thing. I will never go back again. We spent $50 just for three people and it wasnt even good. I take that back. The okra which they had to cook right then was actually good. Sorry Big Rays but you fell short on service, quality, freshness, taste and $price.
Fabulous!!!! Oh my goodness, you owe it to yourself to eat here!!! I hadnt been here for a long while and had forgotten how much better the food is than what i get near where i live from a chain BBQ place. It is a long drive from Rowlett to Allen, but the food is worth it.
Very good BBQ. Not a fan of the Mac and cheese but everything else I had was really good. I will be returning.
Im a regular customer! I went in today and ordered a 3 meat plate. I only eat the potato salad and baked beans from the side items. On a busy day as today, there wasnt anymore beans. So I had to wait 10 minutes, which the wait was longer. I guess since I was waiting so long, I dont know! But the employee, the owners son, whoever he is. Well he decided to scrape the bottom of the old pan of beans and walked in the kitchen and put fresh beans on top. I was floored! I said I saw what you did and I dont want that. I asked for my money back after that. I like the owner, shes so sweet! But they have to do better, seriously!
Food is super fresh and meats were not fatty at all. Fries cooked to order.
Almost every single Holiday, me and my family get food from Big Ray’s! The turkeys and other meats are so yummy! They also have great mashed potatoes!!! I would definitely recommend this place! Just watch out for the building, because it looks a bit old and tattered! I would tell y’all to order it and leave, instead of eating there! But overall, the food is amazing!!!
It was good. Small portions for the price.
Staff was friendly enjoyed the environment. Portion size is good, ribs were decent but brisket was pretty dry. Tasted like yesterdays reheated brisket. Ill probably give this place another shot hopefully I just came on a bad day.
Fantastic! BBQ was scrumptious and the sides were so good. Big selection on the menu to choose from. Good prices and very friendly staff. Good location! Will definitely continue to go there for my BBQ, OH DID I MENTION THE BREAD PUDDING, YUMMY!
OMGGGGGGGGG the best ever.Got a baked potato with brisket and cheese. It was humongous I had to take the rest home cause Im not wasting one bite.My hubby got the 3 meat with sausage chicken and ham it was amazingggg.All Im saying is I used to eat dickeys bbq well this place is soooo much better.Ill be back 😁
Beef ribs were phenomenal. Didnt need sauce, so much flavor. Sausage was very good. Sides were great, loved the beans and scalloped potatoes. Brisket was just okay. Good flavor, the cut was the flat, so very lean. Very casual place. Great sweet tea.
Some of the best BBQ that I’ve ever had! The brisket was fantastic and the pulled pork was delicious. The entire family was happy!
Pork ribs were fall off the bone good... the bread pudding is insanely good. Best BBQ in Allen or Plano.
12.7.20 First visit.Brisket was a little bland (compared to my own) and the ribs were a little tuff. Good sides. Someone else got chicken, which looked really good. I will try it next time.
The food was delicious!Good experience overall.
Great restaurant and best bbq for the area. If you blink you’ll miss it - that must be a trait of great bbq joints. I recommend their brisket sandwich but their pulled pork is also amazing. Best fried okra. Best home fries. Best loaded mash. Best Nilla Wafer and Banana Pudding (that’s not mine, made from scratch).
I have no idea how long this place has been open but we live only 5 minutes away. I googled bbq and this place popped up. After seeing such good reviews I decided to order dinner from here and Im so glad I did. We got the full rack of ribs family meal. The ribs are HUGE with sooo much meat. I can typically eat around 5-6 ribs and I had trouble finishing two! I ordered an hour before closing and some how they were still crazy delicious. They had a very light smokey flavor that didnt over whelm the meat but still tasted good. We got our pick of three sides. I was a little sad as I really wanted mac n cheese but they had run out. I will definitely try it next time. However I switched it to fried okra and it was soooo good! They were nice and crisp with a good seasoning flavor. We also got loaded mashed potatoes I didnt try them but my husband said they were great. As well as baked beans. My husband said he thought they were overly oniony but I really liked them. The meal came with two different sauces.. I think.. one had an O the other didnt. Both sauces tasted good no complaints there they complimented the meat well. It also comes with like ten pieces of texas toast which is nice, nothing special about it though. I ordered an individual potato salad. It was really good!! It tasted homemade and like my mother would make. Some of the best I have found around here. I also ordered banana pudding but was way too full to eat it. It looks really good though and Im excited to try it. Check this place out! Youll be happy you did.
Great customer service. I got the one meat plate with brisket, and two sides consisting of BBQ beans, and potato salad. After completing my order, I saw the famous peach cobbler, so I added that to my order, and it was awesome. Thanks Big Ray, everything was superb!
Big Rays recently catered my wedding. My wife and I had eaten here before and they were very nice and the BBQ is on point. They helped me when I dropped the ball getting it ordered in time and still were able to deliver, on time, with only 3 days notice to feed 75 people. They were amazing. My family actually fought over who was going to get to take leftovers home and a fight nearly broke out. My cousin is from Tennessee and he loves bbq and another family member ALSO love bbq but said this was the best theyd had and some people got shoved and there was some minor yelling and screaming...and I believe a roll got thrown at someone...anyways...bqq was worth fighting for (apparently) and the service was second to none. I will forever think of the group at Rays as family. Thank you guys. God bless.(Oh and the bbq went home with me since people were fighting over it which is perfect because it is delicious and I wanted it all)
This has to be some of the BEST barbecue I have ever had from a commercial establishment. They trim the fat so well it is almost nothing but meat. They are very generous and their loaded potato is to die for and be reincarnated just to be able to have ti again, and again, and again. the people who own and run the establishment are very polite, efficient, and friendly. the restaurant has a very Down Home feel when you walk in the door, almost like going to an indoor picnic style barbecue.. I really enjoyed it and will be only too glad to go back. Pricing is also extremely reasonable and they do catering. Do go and pay them a visit.. You Wont.... regret it.
The restaurant its clean.Bathrooms clean.Service its ok.Food its ok.
Love this place! I always try to eat here when I visit. Two meat sandwich combo is awesome with pulled pork and hot links. Plus they have banana pudding for dessert! This is an awesome, small family owned joint and there is never much of a wait. Be sure to give it a try!
Best barbecue in town, shout out to this amazing local company!
Love the food, Love the people, Everyone loves My Wifes long hair, (slightly shorter that Chrystal Gayles) Including the staff. The girls were funny, friendly, it felt like we were having BBQ on our deck with friends. Awesome Place.
First time here and we really enjoyed the chopped brisket. Potato salad and banana pudding were good. Pulled pork not as tasty as the brisket. Cole slaw was excellent but we would pass on green beans, bread pudding and baked potato next time. We will come back to try other meats.
Great bbq also great bread pudding
Family owned restaurant, love it! Very hole-in-the-wall restaurant, which makes it even better. Their meats are very good, they are cooked to perfection. My favorite must be the pork ribs, hands down. Love all the sides available for your dish, attentive service as well. I will tell you, real BBQ is here. Bring your friends and family and Im sure you wont be disappointed!
First time here and we really enjoyed the chopped brisket. Potato salad and banana pudding were good. Pulled pork not as tasty as the brisket. Cole slaw was excellent but we would pass on green beans, bread pudding and baked potato next time. We will come back to try other meats.
I havent had the pleasure of trying their ribs but everything else I have had and Im never disappointed. The desserts are delicious most from my understanding are family recipes passed down. Prices are good for thr quality and quantity and they have awesome lunch specials especially with the loaded baked potato!
Our first time to eat from this bbq. The home fries (their version of french fries) are under cooked and still very raw. Ordered 2 of these and had to throw them out. The cucumber salad is lacking flavor. All the sauces where cold as if they came out of a chiller or refrigerator. Sucks when you pour it on your meats and find out it made everything cool now. Will stick with Rudys or Spring Creek I guess going forward.
Ive eaten here twice and both time the meat has been so tender and a great smoke on the meats. Definitely my top choice for BBQ when Im in the Allen area.
Probably the best brisket sandwiches in Allen, TX. Don’t pass up on the loaded baked potatoes! 5 out of 5 solid stars.
Ordered Big Rays for the first time last night. I ate till I was in pain. Seriously the best barbecue I have ever had from a restaurant. The potato salad was perfect. Ive never had ribs that didnt even need sauce. They were so soft and tender - again the best I have ever had at a restaurant. We ate ribs, brisket, and sausage. Barbecue is always fairly pricey, but these guys were relatively inexpensive and the quality was phenomenal. I wont be buying barbecue anywhere else. Good job Big Rays!!!
Probably the best BBQ I’ve ever hadMe, the kids, and their dad just had a feastPork ribsPulled porkMac n cheeseGreen beansFried okraMashed potatoesThe sauce is amazingI will definitely be ordering from here again!
As a fan of BBQ and smoked meats I was looking forward to eating there with my family. And all I can say is its okay, it wasnt bad or horrible just OK. Prices I would say were a bit high for what you get, the employees gave decent service it was just the food.Not sure if they were reheating their brisket but when I saw it come out of a plastic wrap my heart dropped a bit especially since the meat didnt look moist and the blackened bits werent crispy. The taste was underwhelming and needed a bit more seasoning. The sides all seemed be from cans or just greasy. Cornbread was good and wasnt dry which is always dry no matter where I go.Maybe it was just the time of year during the holidays that it just wasnt good but Id give the place another shot, always worth giving businesses a second chance.
I drive truck and eat bbq all across the country.This is top 1% for sure. Meat, sides, desert.All of it is phenomenalIf youre in North dallas/Allen this place is a no brainer.Also its reallyaffordable.
Awesome bbq for a reasonable price!! Best bbq sauce!! My husband and I love it so much, we buy it by the quart (since we like it with a kick, we get the spicy bbq sauce). We got their meat plate wirh sausage and ribs, who were great. And those sides.....The baked beans, Mac n cheese, and potato with onion dishes were sooooo delicious. We made the mistake of only getting one of each, but next time we will be each getting our own!
Great BBQ, if you get bbq beans get the spicy sauce, beans are sweet but great with pulled pork, potato salad has mustard in it not my favorite but still good, Brisket barely stays together to eat with your hands NOT A PROBLEM!
Barbecue was great and inexpensive. The portions were large. The home cooked fries were awesome so get you some. A little disappointed tgey only had leg quarters for chicken. I prefer white meat. Both hot and original sauces were very tasty. Definitely worth giving it a try. Plenty of other vegetables as well.
I always get the two meat plate with Ribs and Brisket, Potato Salad and Green Beans. You cant beat their prices, the food is good 98% of the time. Its also locally owned, the other BBQ in town is chain names you can get anywhere. Big Rays WINS!
Big Ray’s has turned into our go-to BBQ spot. Delicious food at a more than reasonable price. Awesome lunch specials. You can usually get a sandwich and side for $7. Hard to beat.
The service was fine but the food was bland. The ribs were dry in some areas and tender in others, and I had to drown my meat in sauce in order to establish some flavor. The brisket sandwich was bland as well and the loaded mashed potatoes were so sour. I didnt read the description so maybe it did say the mashed potatoes were sours. My friends and I were very disappointed and wont be coming back. We were hopeful due to the positive reviews but instead were let down.
Went by after work in town nearby for a bite based on other reviews. Tucked away on more of a side street lot than the address suggests but map apps get you there fine. It was a good find! Quiet this Tuesday night about 6:30pm but steady. Loved they had old Bonanza episodes playing as it fit. Guy on the line suggested their smoked turkey when I asked what was good tonight & I was very pleased with it; moist, cut with a fork, generous portion. Lots of side choices; I enjoyed the green beans & the cabbage I had. Sauce in mild & hot with hot about medium to me but flavorful.
I went after my son’s basketball game and was very satisfied. I got a chopped beef sandwich with baked beans and cheese potatoes. The potatoes were to die for, and so were the beans. Recommended 10/10
How my 1st time eating their bbq. The brisket is so good and the sauce is the best Ive had in the city. Im from rural America so my home town Colemans bbq is the best there and Ill say Big Rays is the best in DFW area and I will go back!!
Where do i begin! The food was amazingly delicious, the portions are great meat and side wise. I am picky about Mac and cheese, i always have to add salt and pepper but theirs was perfect for me. They also make banana pudding but I’m allergic to bananas . Surprisingly they make it without bananas and it taste the same. The staff was very kind and friendly. My spouse never really eats all of anything but between him and the kids they ate all of their food. I will definitely recommend this establishment!!
I would like to thank all the staff at Big Rays, I ordered lunch today for both of my clinic which was a variety of baked potatoes and everything was delicious and perfectly wrapped individually. Thank you for your service and safety for us.
Their BBQ is so good! the location doesnt seem very good for how great their food is. they should be located off of the highway so everyone will notice them and eat their delicious food. my mouth is watering thinking about their okra and sausage with spicy BBQ sauce rn
Best BBQ around! Everything was flavorful and the sides were very tasty! Highly recommend.
This is by far the best bbq place I had down here spring creek bbq and dickies has nothing on them. Home cooked meals are always the best and you can really taste it in their cooking. They are very nice and welcoming I will definitely be going back. Me and my husband found our new bbq place!😊👏
Usually I am a Rubys fan but wanted to try something different so....Big Rays I went. The brisket was good and the sausages were as well but The potato salad was sooo good.
My wife and I have been eating here for 2 or 3 years now. Their sauces are pretty great. Prices affordable. They serve some of the best loaded potatoes Ive tried in North Dallas.
Dont give a lot of 5 star reviews but the brisket, ribs, and bread pudding were great. The family owned customer service was very hospitalable. The place is a bit deceptive from the outside. Dont let the older building deter you from trying this place. If you are a Texas BBQ fan, you will like it.
Visited Rays BBQ Saturday the 18th after an event at the Allen Civic Center and ordered the sliced brisket plate and the meal was delicious. Tender & moist and smoked to perfection. Staff was very professional & courteous & they even allowed me to sit & eat in the dining room during this COVIS-19 scare.. First time to visit Rays but it went be the last. Terry Hensley
Big Rays is some of the best barbecue you can eat. If you want fall off the bone ribs juicy brisket and home style sides this is the place to come to.
Had the Wednesday, smoked chicken wing special, with potatoes and onions, and marinated carrots. The meal was wonderful. and the staff was exceedingly pleasant and courteous. Their spicy sauce has an excellent flavor, with a nice kick.
Big Rays first timer, had it delivered. I opened the for container the food looked good. But when I saw the runny consistency of the sauce was I a very skeptical, BUT I was wrong. Every thing was great, the ribs, sauce, potatoes, green beans, all great!
Nice friendly staff. The food was superb 👌
Just moved to the area. Boss recommended this place, a little hidde. But once you find it worth it. Have tried almost the full menu at this point, over 5 visits in 1 month. Really top quality meats. Brisket is probably the best, sliced good stuff.
This place is definitely one for Texas style comfort food. Brisket was just ok but the sides were great, if a bit on the heavy side. When I visited the place was full of what seemed like regulars so it certainly has a loyal following.
If your eating Rudy’s over this place you need Jesus.
Love this place! I usually order to-go but I ate there with my mom once and it was nice. Very quaint. Decor is fun. The food is amazing! Meat is seasoned very well and the sides are really good 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
My mom had my sister birthday party here in 2017. I enjoyed the mini buffet layout we created from the food selection and ate until I was satisfied. Since I have a limit on salt intake, the food was yet tasteful. Cozy and clean. Smiles when You come in, smiles when you leave. One more thing, my dad goes here to pick out a new baseball cap for the road. Lol.😊
Super friendly service for my first time visiting, he offered suggestions, and what his favorites were. I had a Brisket sandwich, with chopped onion, and jalapeno. I added spicy BBQ sauce, and it was amazing. Potato salad was some of the best I have ever eaten. Big Rays is a must eat!
I’ve visited Big Rays a few times and it was always a hit or miss. However, I decided to give it more chance. The food was better today but what really sold me was the customer service by employee Rosa. She listened to what I wanted and went above and beyond as she chopped my meat. I was at the cash register and the young cashier was being a bit dry and lacked customer service skills. Rosa heard our conversation and saw I was not pleased and willing to walk away without buying something extra that did not look too tasty to me. Rosa resolved the issue and so I purchased an additional item. As I walked away, I tried to give her a5-dollar tip in her hand just to show her that I appreciate her. Rosa said, no, keep it, the tip is just keep coming back. Blew me away!Ray, please keep her around and retrain your YOUNGER employees. I’ll be back just for the service of Rosa….
First the food was really good. I had the Thursday special dbl meat (chicken and sausage)baked potato w/spicy sauce. They used fresh smoked meat which they deboned and chopped in front of me all while having great conversation!Now here is the amazing part as we were conversing I told them I found them online since I wasnt a local. Once I told them I evacuated my home Houston as a result of Hurricane Harvey. They not only offered me their well wishes and heartfelt concern, the young lady preparing my food offered to pay for it as well!!! The overwhelming feeling of empathy and love was present.Big Rays is a place that i recommend for not only their great food but also their stellar service!!
Good enough for a working lunch but not good enough to come back unless I’m by the office. The brisket was dry and after eating Hutchins bbq yesterday which melted in my mouth it was a pale comparison. Mac n cheese not as good as Hutchins but not bad. Baked beans better than Hutchins. Peach cobbler meh. Sauce is decent.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Big Rays BBQ 2023:
Review №1
2022-02-10Great homemade and authentic barbecue! Texas style, great prices, clean environment, wonderful service! No complaints at all and will definitely be back! Thanks
Review №2
2022-03-18The best bbq that I have had in Texas. Maybe not saying much since I have only been to 3 other bbq restaurants since moving here but all three of those were highly rated. I had the two meat Big Tex Sandwich with two sides. The man and woman behind the counter were extremely friendly. I would go back just for the service but the sandwich was great. I had mac and cheese, and potatoes and onions for sides. Good stuff!!
Review №3
2022-07-14Eating Big Rays BBQ in Allen for the first time (take out). 3 meat platter. I chose pulled pork, ham, and sausage. Okra and mashed potatoes. The peach 🍑 cobbler was so good.
Review №4
2021-08-16Oh my goodness gracious this place was delicious! The staff was awesome! I love the ladies at the counter! They were so friendly and nice. The food was so good. The portions were amazing. Im so sad we dont live close by or I would be here way too often
Review №5
2022-05-08It may have been an off day and I never select a place by one review but, I hate to say this was the worst brisket I have ever had. Dry, no flavor and you definitely needed sauce to eat it. The sausage was decent and the pork ribs were dry. The sides were okay. But, the people that work here are awesome and very friendly. We had a big group and they were very accommodating. I hope my day was just an off day because these people work hard and want to do a good service for the community.
Review №6
2021-11-01I live bbq and have a very high standard when it comes to brisket. This joint checked every box. I love that it is local and the meats are literally perfect.
Review №7
2022-02-05We are here visiting before we move to the area and came here based on reviews! This place is phenomenal and everyone is so nice and helpful. Do yourself a favor and give them a try, you will be glad you did!! Cannot recommend enough!!
Review №8
2022-06-24It shouldnt be hard to find great BBQ in Texas, after 5 years of hit and miss, or overly popular that werent worth the hassle weve found our go-to place. You walk it and it feels like home, the staff are genuinely kind and happy to be there you arent greeted with a canned welcome to ______ just amazing smells and an atmosphere that screams youre in right spot.I witnessed the owner come over to a regular to check in on him, they took care of the families meal even though they are working their butts off to make that amazing food.Great food+ People good to their core = lifetime customer. I am so happy to have finally found Big Rays BBQ.
Review №9
2022-03-09So I went to Allen Texas to watch my son complete in NCWA NATIONALS and found this place.Food was Fantastic. Not to mention I am from Florida and so was the young lady that took my order.
Review №10
2022-06-26Cant say thank you enough to the staff at Big Rays!!! Awesome food and even better people. So thankful for them letting me put an order in a few minutes after close. At 8 months pregnant I was about ten seconds away from being a total sobbing wreck on the way home if I couldn’t get some pulled pork, and unfortunately they had closed just a few minutes before. They let me in anyways as they finished closing up and got me exactly what I wanted and it was amazing!!! The fried okra is awesome. 10/10 will be back again.